{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Higher Ground Academy","outOfStateSupporters":36.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9223120,"projectId":9329548,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us foster a love for reading in our classroom! The new books have given my third graders more opportunities to explore different stories, discover new vocabulary, and practice important reading skills such as identifying the theme, making predictions and inferences, understanding characters, and using details from the text to support their thinking. Most importantly, the books are helping my students see reading as something they can enjoy, not simply another assignment to complete.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom looks different from student to student. Some children can settle into a book independently, while others still need encouragement and support to find a book that feels just right. It has been wonderful to see students browse through the new books, talk about what they are reading, and recommend books to their classmates. I especially love seeing students who were once hesitant to choose a book become curious about a cover or topic and decide to give it a try.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped us create more of these moments. Every time a student picks up a book, learns a new word, connects with a character, or simply wants to keep reading, your donation is making a difference. Thank you for putting books into my students' hands and helping me build a classroom where reading can become something they look forward to and love.","fullyFundedDate":1746786213511,"projectUrl":"project/fostering-the-love-for-reading/9329548/","projectTitle":"Fostering the Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jo Feria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9223120_orig.jpg?crop=963,963,x222,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709684396634","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9223120"},{"teacherId":9324278,"projectId":10099331,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our classroom with a printer, headphones and other materials! Your donation has made a real difference in how my students access and complete their Science work. With the printer, I can quickly provide students with worksheets, diagrams, graphic organizers, and other learning materials that they can write on, highlight, and use during lessons. The headphones have been especially helpful during online activities and videos because students can clearly hear directions and explanations without being distracted by classroom noise. This allows them to stay focused and complete their work more independently.\r\nI have seen a particularly positive response from my students who are learning English and students who sometimes need extra support with directions. They can replay audio, listen more carefully, and work at a pace that is comfortable for them. My students were genuinely excited to use the new headphones, and I have noticed that they are more willing to work independently when they have the tools they need. Your generosity is helping me provide different ways for my students to learn and making our Science classroom a more supportive place for everyone. Thank you for investing in my students and their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1772551017950,"projectUrl":"project/printing-dreams/10099331/","projectTitle":"Printing Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9324278_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y18&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743531449402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9324278"},{"teacherId":9746330,"projectId":10341920,"letterContent":"The \"Ready to Teach Supplies\" project has made a meaningful difference in my first grade classroom by providing tools that make learning more engaging, organized, and interactive. The big timer and sand timers help my students understand how to manage their time during learning activities, transitions, independent work, and classroom routines. These visual timers help first graders become more independent and responsible while reducing the need for constant reminders.\r\n\r\nThe game buzzers have added excitement and active participation to our lessons. My students love using them during review games, vocabulary practice, phonics activities, math challenges, and team learning. They encourage students to listen carefully, think quickly, and confidently share what they know. Most importantly, these resources have helped create a positive classroom environment where learning feels fun and motivating. Because of these donations, my students have more opportunities to participate, practice important skills, and build confidence as young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1785336076111,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-teach-supplies/10341920/","projectTitle":"Ready-To-Teach Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Agnes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746330_orig.jpg?crop=827,827,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726183883515","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9746330"},{"teacherId":10377452,"projectId":10350894,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom through the \"Putting Ideas On Paper: Essential Classroom Supplies\" project! Your generosity has provided my sixth-grade students with essential materials that help them stay organized, engaged, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nMy students are using the new supplies during their weekly math quizzes, where they show their work and explain their reasoning as they solve problems. When they first saw the materials, they were excited and eager to use them. It was wonderful to see how these simple resources helped them feel more prepared and confident in demonstrating their mathematical thinking.\r\n\r\nAs we continue learning about ratios, rates, and real-world problem-solving, my students will keep using these supplies to complete quizzes, practice activities, and collaborative math projects. Your support helps ensure that every student has the materials they need to show their work, develop problem-solving skills, and succeed in mathematics. Thank you for investing in their education!","fullyFundedDate":1785336076270,"projectUrl":"project/putting-ideas-on-paper-essential-classr/10350894/","projectTitle":"Putting Ideas On Paper: Essential Classroom Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Marjonh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10377452_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765074265755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10377452"},{"teacherId":9223580,"projectId":10194364,"letterContent":"Our Motivation Station: Rewards that Inspire Project has brought a new sense of excitement, encouragement, and motivation into our classroom! My students were thrilled when they first saw the new rewards and materials. They immediately began talking about which rewards they wanted to work toward and how they could earn them. \r\n\r\nThe Motivation Station has become a positive way to recognize students for their hard work, kindness, perseverance, and positive choices throughout the school day. Rather than simply receiving a reward, students are learning that their effort and growth are worth celebrating.\r\nWe are using the Motivation Station as part of our everyday classroom routines to encourage students to set goals and take ownership of their learning and behavior. One especially meaningful moment has been watching students encourage one another when a classmate reaches a goal or earns a reward. These moments not only motivated them to do their tasks and follow routines, or created a more organized classroom, but it has also created our bond inside and outside of our classhome. With this, we are truly grateful! You are a blessing to us.","fullyFundedDate":1779370477665,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-station-rewards-that-inspire/10194364/","projectTitle":"Motivation Station: Rewards that Inspire","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mitzi Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9223580_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707261693297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9223580"},{"teacherId":9746330,"projectId":10341898,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our first-grade classroom with an air purifier! Your generosity has made our classroom feel fresher, cleaner, and more comfortable for my students each day.\r\n\r\nAs first graders, my students spend many hours learning, reading, playing, and working together in our classroom. Having cleaner classroom air helps create a more comfortable learning environment where they can focus, participate, and enjoy their school day.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just an air purifier it is a reminder that our students' health, comfort, and learning matter. Thank you for helping me create a welcoming classroom where my students can feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn. Because of you, our classroom is a healthier and happier place to grow and learn!","fullyFundedDate":1784839345551,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-air-for-focused-first-graders/10341898/","projectTitle":"Fresh Air for Focused First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Agnes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746330_orig.jpg?crop=827,827,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726183883515","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9746330"},{"teacherId":10331462,"projectId":10129842,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our laptop project. Your generosity has given me an important tool that I now use to create stronger and more engaging STEM lessons for my students.\r\n\r\nWith this laptop, I am able to design Science activities, prepare interactive lessons, build digital simulations, and create materials that help students explore scientific concepts in more meaningful ways. It allows me to bring topics to life through models, visuals, experiments, and simulations that encourage students to ask questions, solve problems, and think like scientists.\r\n\r\nYour support is making a real difference in our classroom. Because of your generosity, my students have more opportunities to experience Science in ways that are interactive, creative, and connected to the world around them.\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and for helping me provide my students with meaningful STEM learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1774017167737,"projectUrl":"project/building-stem-opportunities-through-tech/10129842/","projectTitle":"Building STEM Opportunities Through Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. John Rick Melo Domingo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10331462_orig.jpg?crop=2529,2529,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761837559686","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10331462"},{"teacherId":9779809,"projectId":10205007,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Future Hockey Stars: Help Us Play Safely\" project. My students are very happy to have a new set of equipment for hockey. We have not started using it yet, but when they saw the materials, they were excited and thankful.\r\nThey were glad because we already have our own new set, and we do not have to share it with another group. This will help my students feel safer, more comfortable, and more excited to learn. Having our own equipment will also give them more time to practice and enjoy the activities.\r\nWe will use the new hockey set during our physical education activities. Students will practice basic hockey skills, teamwork, and safe play. Thank you again for helping my students feel like future hockey stars.","fullyFundedDate":1779297771493,"projectUrl":"project/future-hockey-stars-help-us-play-safely/10205007/","projectTitle":"Future Hockey Stars: Help Us Play Safely","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jeramie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9779809_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730170211996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9779809"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10289388,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Small Tools, Big Learning\" project! Your generosity has brought fun, useful resources into our classroom and has already made learning more engaging for my students.\r\nMy students were so excited to see the new materials arrive. The colorful neon sign and classroom supplies have helped make our room feel even more welcoming, while the large digital clock gives students an easy way to practice time and stay aware of our daily routines. The ukulele has also added a creative element to our classroom, giving us opportunities to incorporate music, movement, and joy into our learning.\r\n\r\nThe small classroom supplies, including the dry erase erasers and cap erasers, may seem simple, but they make a big difference during everyday lessons. Students can participate more easily in hands-on activities, practice skills on their whiteboards, and quickly make corrections without wasting instructional time. The treats have also been a wonderful way to celebrate students and encourage them as they work hard.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources help create a classroom where students feel excited to participate, explore, and learn. Our next steps are to continue using these materials during our daily lessons and build more opportunities for students to learn through creativity, collaboration, and hands-on activities.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping make our classroom a place where even the smallest tools can make a big impact!","fullyFundedDate":1785336076431,"projectUrl":"project/small-tools-big-learning/10289388/","projectTitle":"Small Tools, Big Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9779809,"projectId":10357018,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Ready to Go Outdoor Activity Pack.\" We are very grateful for your kindness. These materials help my students learn outside in a fun and active way. They use them for outdoor games, nature activities, and teamwork lessons.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were very excited. They smiled, asked questions, and wanted to use them right away. It was wonderful to see them happy and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nNext, we will keep using the activity pack during our lessons. Students are excited to have the responsibility of carrying the pack. This helps them practice being responsible while they learn outdoors. Thank you again for helping give my students a special way to learn and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1784839343272,"projectUrl":"project/readytogo-outdoor-activity-pack/10357018/","projectTitle":"Ready‑to‑Go Outdoor Activity Pack","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jeramie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9779809_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730170211996","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9779809"},{"teacherId":9737613,"projectId":10337825,"letterContent":"This project has helped create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable classroom where my students feel excited and ready to learn each day. The new classroom resources have made our learning space more organized, inviting, and student-friendly. When my students first saw the new materials, they were excited to explore them and immediately noticed how much brighter and more comfortable our classroom felt.\r\n\r\nWe use these resources throughout the school day during independent work, reading activities, and classroom routines. The cozy and welcoming environment has encouraged students to feel more comfortable participating, collaborating, and taking pride in our classroom. Our next step is to continue building a positive classroom community while helping students stay engaged, confident, and motivated as they work toward their learning goals.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping make our students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1787687903220,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-warm-and-welcoming-classroom/10337825/","projectTitle":"Creating a Warm and Welcoming Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9737613_orig.jpg?crop=1340,1340,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771039312525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737613"},{"teacherId":9223120,"projectId":9329226,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my 3rd grade classroom through this DonorsChoose project! The coil binding machine has already made a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nI have used it to bind our quarterly activities and learning materials, keeping student work organized, secure, and accessible throughout the year. It has also been especially helpful for creating differentiated workbooks for students who are new to the country and just learning English and for students who need additional support. Having their activities collected in one durable workbook makes it easier for them to stay organized, work independently, and see their progress.\r\n\r\nThis project has helped us turn everyday learning materials into resources that feel more special and purposeful. My 3rd grade students take pride in their work, and having their own organized booklets gives them a greater sense of ownership and accomplishment. Thank you for helping make learning more engaging, organized, and meaningful for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1746785620299,"projectUrl":"project/bring-creativity-to-life-for-3rd-graders/9329226/","projectTitle":"Bring Creativity to Life for 3rd Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jo Feria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9223120_orig.jpg?crop=963,963,x222,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709684396634","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9223120"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68886","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1177,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":92,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"84.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.7,"schoolId":68886,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Higher Ground Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Higher Ground Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/minnesota-department-of-education/higher-ground-academy/68886"}