{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Merrill Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10305397,"projectId":9844501,"letterContent":"This project has had an exciting and meaningful impact on our 1st grade students. The Sphero and Ozobot robots have helped students learn through hands-on exploration, movement, and play. Using these robots has strengthened problem-solving, collaboration, and early coding skills while keeping students highly engaged in their learning.\r\n\r\nIn math, students use the robots to solve addition and subtraction problems, practice counting by tens, and model their thinking by programming the robots to move specific distances. In reading, students sequence the events of a story by guiding the robots through beginning, middle, and end activities, helping them better understand story structure in a fun and interactive way. In science, students explore life cycles by programming the robots to travel through each stage, making abstract concepts more concrete and easier to understand. Students have also enjoyed coding exploration, learning how to give clear directions, debug their work, and try again when challenges arise.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is seeing their ideas come to life. They love being in control of the robots and feel proud when their planning and teamwork lead to success. Learning feels like play, which motivates students to stay focused and engaged.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who sometimes struggle with confidence or attention have especially warmed to this technology. The hands-on and visual nature of the Sphero and Ozobot robots allows these students to experience success, build confidence, and actively participate alongside their peers. It has been amazing to watch students celebrate each other's successes and grow as problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible and for supporting meaningful, joyful learning experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1763649915855,"projectUrl":"project/spark-creativity-through-stem/9844501/","projectTitle":"Spark Creativity Through STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pildner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10305397"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_72645","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":196,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":95,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":84.1,"schoolId":72645,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Merrill Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Merrill Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/merrill-community-school-district/merrill-elementary-school/72645"}
Join the 164 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Merrill Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Merrill, Michigan that is part of Merrill Community School District.
It serves 196 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.5:1.
Its teachers have had 83 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
3%
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.
Merrill Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 13, 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.
Merrill Elementary School
$38,586
raised using DonorsChoose
83
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
164
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
9
projects for
technology
10
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Merrill Elementary School has received support from
138 individuals from Michigan and
26 individuals out-of-state.