{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillis Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7876658,"projectId":10047445,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping make this headphone project possible. The headphones are already making a meaningful difference in how my students learn each day. We use technology for reading programs, math practice, research, and assessments, and having individual headphones allows students to focus deeply without distractions. This has been especially helpful for differentiated instruction—students can work at their own pace, listen to directions again when needed, or access read‑aloud features that build comprehension and confidence.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is having dependable, comfortable headphones they can count on during learning time. They feel more independent and engaged when they can fully hear lessons and activities without interruption. Several students who struggle with attention or reading have especially warmed to using the headphones; they are more motivated, stay on task longer, and feel less frustrated when working digitally. Your generosity has helped create a calmer, more inclusive learning environment where every student has the tools they need to succeed. Thank you for believing in our classroom and our learners!","fullyFundedDate":1770241417901,"projectUrl":"project/a-fair-chance-to-succeed-headphones-for/10047445/","projectTitle":"A Fair Chance to Succeed: Headphones for Required Learning Program","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schaben","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7876658_orig.jpg?crop=729,729,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1626892075258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7876658"},{"teacherId":9156296,"projectId":9471583,"letterContent":"Thank again for your donation. These new seating options have been so great for our students. This flexible seating is being used during library in grades k-6. We have seen students sitting together having meaningful conversations and enjoying new literature. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new furniture they were eustatic! Prior to these donation, there was one \"fun\" chair that students were all trying to use. Now, students can spread our and enjoy a book of their choosing in flexible seating. You have helped bring our library alive!","fullyFundedDate":1757882091672,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-corners-for-big-readers/9471583/","projectTitle":"Cozy Corners for Big Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lowe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9156296_orig.jpg?crop=2382,2382,x948,y474&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722955766520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9156296"},{"teacherId":8346524,"projectId":9442070,"letterContent":"Thank you SO much for funding our sensory sanctuary! Our old sensory room was not serving the needs of our students in the slightest. This new, beautiful, functional, and purposeful room is full of materials that allow our students to engage in calming and regulation strategies. At the beginning of the year, we were able to introduce the sanctuary to our students and their faces were priceless. Students were in awe and so excited to have regulation spaces that met their needs. \r\n\r\nOne of our students requests the sensory room at least twice per day to interact with the sand. Another student loves spending his sensory time in the sensory pod swing. When students have extra energy they need to release before learning, they are able to use the liquid tiles and stepping stones. Other fan favorites in our sensory room include the light table, jelly fish lamp, and tiles of different patterns. \r\n\r\nAs a special education teacher, I cannot thank you enough for the donations to make this space possible. I am filled with gratitude each and every day, seeing how this space makes an impact on our students. My students deserve a dedicated space that serves their unique needs well and encourages them to be their authentic selves. I will forever appreciate your generosity in providing the materials to fill this space for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1754353440124,"projectUrl":"project/the-sensory-sanctuary/9442070/","projectTitle":"The Sensory Sanctuary","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hadaway","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8346524_orig.jpg?crop=427,427,x0,y106&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646081134024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8346524"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51891","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":279,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":36,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.2,"schoolId":51891,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillis Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillis Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/hillis-elementary-school/51891"}
Join the 38 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Hillis Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Des Moines, Iowa that is part of Des Moines Public Schools.
It serves 279 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.0:1.
Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 5
279 Students
28 Teachers
2401 56th StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
53%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Hillis Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 21, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Hillis Elementary School
$6,512
raised using DonorsChoose
16
projects
funded
7
teachers
funded
38
donors
2
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
Hillis Elementary School has received support from
24 individuals from Iowa and
14 individuals out-of-state.
