{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desmet Elementary School #20","outOfStateSupporters":35.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7270560,"projectId":8722629,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the opportunity to bring hands-on math and science projects into my middle school classroom. Your generous support has allowed my students to deepen their understanding of key scientific concepts and sharpen their critical thinking skills in a way that is both exciting and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThanks to your funding, we've explored topics like the laws of motion, simple machines, gravity, and friction. One of the biggest highlights was our use of the K'NEX roller coaster kits. Students collaborated in small groups to build functioning roller coasters, applying their knowledge to identify key components such as potential and kinetic energy, acceleration, and the role of friction. Watching their ideas come to life and seeing their faces light up when the coaster successfully ran the track was an unforgettable experience.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the rocket launcher you helped us purchase has been a powerful tool for learning. We designed and launched 2 liter bottle rockets while discussing concepts such as thrust, air resistance, trajectory, and Newton's Third Law of Motion. These launches not only sparked enthusiasm, but also served as real-time experiments where students gathered data, made predictions, and reflected on outcomes.\r\n\r\nYour support has made our classroom come alive with curiosity and discovery. I can't thank you enough for believing in the value of hands-on learning and investing in our future scientists, engineers, and innovators. You've helped create a space where students are excited to learn, explore, and think critically about the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1725232941727,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-middle-school-students-throug/8722629/","projectTitle":"Empowering Middle School Students Through Real-World Math and STEM Integration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bateman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7270560"},{"teacherId":9714933,"projectId":8716831,"letterContent":"On behalf of my 4th and 5th grade classes, I want to extend a big thanks for your generous donation of an iPad. Your support means so much to my students, and I am incredibly grateful.\r\n\r\nThis iPad has proven to be valuable tool in our classroom. The students eagerly anticipate his/her turn to solve a problem on the iPad so we can all watch it on the big screen. It is extremely engaging!\r\n\r\nYour generosity is extremely appreciated. Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and for making a positive impact on our school.","fullyFundedDate":1725150305567,"projectUrl":"project/being-able-to-write-makes-math-right/8716831/","projectTitle":"Being Able to Write Makes Math \"Right\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gardner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9714933"},{"teacherId":9727468,"projectId":8735631,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and for sharing my passion for the transformative power of books. In our classroom, reading is not just a skill but a gateway to endless discovery. With the new box sets of books, I can teach my students essential lessons such as how to infer meaning, analyze characters' motivations, and recognize themes that connect stories to their own lives. These texts are carefully chosen to build vocabulary, enhance comprehension, and spark critical thinking, while also encouraging empathy as students encounter diverse perspectives and experiences.\r\n\r\nIn our daily reading lessons, students immerse themselves in the joy of independent reading, partner sharing, and group discussions. They eagerly select books that pique their interest. It's especially rewarding to see students, who used to struggle continue to gain confidence in reading. The students especially love the adventure stories in the I Survived books. These moments with my students remind me that your support is not only providing books but also fostering confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1725564745556,"projectUrl":"project/second-grade-classroom-reading-book-sets/8735631/","projectTitle":"Second Grade Classroom Reading Book Sets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tunis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9727468_orig.png?crop=615,615,x42,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725396907945","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9727468"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_78600","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":129,"numTeachers":8,"percentFrplEligible":70,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":85,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":64.3,"schoolId":78600,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desmet Elementary School #20 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desmet Elementary School #20","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/desmet-school-district-20/desmet-elementary-school/78600"}
Join the 14 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Desmet Elementary School #20 is
an urban public school
in Missoula, Montana that is part of Desmet School District 20.
It serves 129 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.1:1.
Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
8%
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.
Desmet Elementary School #20 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
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.
Desmet Elementary School #20
$7,057
raised using DonorsChoose
16
projects
funded
12
teachers
funded
14
donors
4
projects for
technology
8
projects for
books
Desmet Elementary School #20 has received support from
9 individuals from Montana and
5 individuals out-of-state.