Ava Middle School in Ava, Missouri on DonorsChoose

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My students are also able to listen to educational books and watch educational videos that support their learning goals.\r\n Most students have earbuds, but they are more of a hassle than help. Headphones allow for easy sanitization, quality listening and something new and nice the student might not have access to at home.","fullyFundedDate":1741710573543,"projectUrl":"project/clear-sound-focused-minds-upgrading-he/9083271/","projectTitle":"Clear Sound, Focused Minds: Upgrading Headphones for Learning Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lakey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9901349"},{"teacherId":5944214,"projectId":8980809,"letterContent":"Dear Earth Explorer Supporters,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing \"Earth Explorers\" to life in our 6th-grade classroom! Your generosity provided my students with hands-on science materials that transformed our learning space into a dynamic, discovery-driven environment.\r\n\r\nThe Impact\r\nAs soon as the students saw the new resources—soil sampling kits, rock and mineral collections, topographic map sets, and micro:bits for interactive modeling—they lit up with excitement. One student exclaimed, \"This feels like a real science lab!\" We dove into our first big project right away: simulating erosion and deposition using stream tables and documenting results in digital science journals. Students collaborated in teams to design their own experiments, collect data, and present their findings using the claim-evidence-reasoning format aligned to NGSS standards like MS-ESS2-1 and MS-ESS2.C.1.\r\n\r\nA Favorite Moment\r\nOne of the most powerful moments was when a group used their micro:bit to model moon phase changes and tie them into Earth's systems. It connected coding with Earth science in a way that made abstract concepts feel real and tangible.\r\n\r\nWhat's Next?\r\nWe're now preparing for our end-of-unit \"Earth Systems Summit,\" where each student will present a passion project that explores human impact on Earth's systems (MS-ESS3-2 and MS-ESS3-3). Thanks to your donation, they have tools to collect data, model systems, and communicate their ideas creatively and confidently.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students are not only learning science—they're doing science. Thank you for investing in their curiosity and confidence. Your support means the world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1741710737545,"projectUrl":"project/earth-explorers-engaging-6th-graders-i/8980809/","projectTitle":"\"Earth Explorers: Engaging 6th Graders in Standards-Based Project-Based Learning\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stillings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5944214_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y36&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756864288107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5944214"},{"teacherId":5944214,"projectId":8941928,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students have had the incredible opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology that enhances their learning in ways that traditional methods simply can't.\r\n\r\nIn our classrooms, technology isn't just a tool—it's a gateway to deeper understanding and hands-on learning. With access to new coding platforms, robotics kits, and interactive simulations, students are not only learning fundamental concepts but also applying them in real-world scenarios. Whether they are programming a Cutebot to navigate an obstacle course or debugging code in PLTW, they are developing critical problem-solving skills, perseverance, and creativity.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting aspects of this new technology is its ability to transform abstract ideas into tangible experiences. Students love seeing their code come to life, whether it's through a robot responding to commands or a cybersecurity simulation revealing how digital protections work. The engagement is electric—students who may have been hesitant about STEM subjects are now eager to participate, ask questions, and explore further.\r\n\r\nWe've seen incredible growth in many students, but one standout example is. Initially unsure about coding, they quickly discovered one of our middle schoolers' passion for troubleshooting and debugging. Now, they not only excel in problem-solving challenges but also mentor their peers, proving how hands-on technology can build confidence and leadership skills.\r\n\r\nYour support is making a lasting impact—not just in test scores but in shaping the future of students who now see themselves as innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers. Thank you for investing in their potential!","fullyFundedDate":1732214814056,"projectUrl":"project/future-lab-a-multi-media-leap-in-stem-l/8941928/","projectTitle":"Future Lab: A Multi-Media Leap in STEM Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stillings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5944214_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y36&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756864288107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5944214"},{"teacherId":9901349,"projectId":9069286,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed with our new whiteboard tables! From the moment my students walked in and saw them, their excitement was contagious—they couldn't wait to start writing and collaborating.\r\n\r\nThese tables have reenergized our learning. Now, students can work through math problems together, brainstorm ideas, and show their thinking. 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About this school

Ava Middle School is a rural public school in Ava, Missouri that is part of Ava School District R1. It serves 386 students in grades 5 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.4:1. Its teachers have had 6 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 5 - 8

386 Students

25 Teachers

507 NE Spring St

Ava, MO 65608 View local requests

http://www.avaschools.k12.mo.us

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Ava Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Stillings

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Ava Middle School Demographics

59%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Ava Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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