Glacier High School in Kalispell, Montana on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Glacier High School","outOfStateSupporters":63.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9693764,"projectId":8805930,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project. We were able to measure the millivolts and milliamps produced by different fan blades and orientations as we studying clean energy sources. Being able to collect quantitative data during our experiment was a lot more impactful than qualitative data on the frequency of LED lights blinking. Students got the chance to learn more about electricity production as well as how amps and volts are used to calculate watts produced. \r\n\r\nMy students used the voltmeters for another unanticipated project as we created a hydrogen cell to run a small electric motor. They were also able to measure the watts from this energy source and make applications toward hydrogen fueled vehicles.","fullyFundedDate":1727046980826,"projectUrl":"project/calculating-efficiency-of-wind-turbines/8805930/","projectTitle":"Calculating Efficiency of Wind Turbines","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lillard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9693764"},{"teacherId":9736862,"projectId":8750135,"letterContent":"Please know how honored I have been to have your support of my students' learning in our Forensics class. The project you sponsored was used to teach about the detection of bodily fluids at a crime scene. In this case, we used the presence of amylase in spit recovered from the victim. Amylase is an enzyme found in our salvia that is used to digest starches which are large carbohydrate molecules. As we chew the saliva begins breaking down the starch in our foods to simple sugars which are more readily digestible. \r\n\r\nIn this lab-based investigation, students poured Petri Plates with a starch gel. The next day, when the gels were ready, students collected saliva samples. The saliva was collected from various items at the crime scene: envelope, straw, toothpick and chewed gum, students tested for the presence of saliva. When present, the saliva sample would then be used to harvest DNA. If not enough DNA was present in the sample, students learned that the lab would then amplify the amount of DNA through PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). \r\n\r\nThis lab taught students various lab techniques and how Forensics scientists can gather DNA from crime scenes, and the chemistry needed to amplify a piece of DNA as needed. Students in this lab were intrigued by what they were able to accomplish and the results. We then read about a case where saliva collected from a potential perpetrator was used to prove his guilt and he was sentenced for murder. This lab was fun and challenging as students created the back stories and acted them out to explain what possibly happened so as to explain the crime scene.","fullyFundedDate":1733179968402,"projectUrl":"project/who-done-it-applied-reading-in-hands-o/8750135/","projectTitle":"Who Done It? Applied Reading in Hands on Science Labs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Spiess","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9736862"},{"teacherId":9736862,"projectId":8750143,"letterContent":"My students were most intrigued by the learning of this lesson. Students were able conduct the lab so that they could \"see\" the signature identification banding of DNA. This banding is what gives law enforcement and the district attorney the confidence to bring charges up against an individual whose DNA matches that found at a crime scene. \r\n\r\nStudents prepared ionized gel trays and inoculated 6 of the 8 gel wells with the DNA evidence found at the crime scene, ran an electric current through the gel and compared the resulting banding to four different suspects. Students were then easily able to determine the perpetrator. \r\n\r\nThe district judge who spoke to the class said this type of evidence is invaluable in a court of law. The work of the Innocence Project is heavily relying on DNA evidence to exonerate their clients. \r\n\r\nIn class, we have been reading and learning of various forensic techniques used by law enforcement. DNA has truly become a critical tool as our communities seek justice. Students were pretty impressed that they could actually conduct this lab and get reliable results. We had studied the properties of DNA and how the electrical current drew the molecules down the lane based on molecular size. This prepared them to interpret the results properly. \r\n\r\nThis project warmed by teacher's heart for I could offer my students opportunity to understand and participate in the knowledge and techniques currently being used and developed from paternity cases to capital murder.","fullyFundedDate":1725837143095,"projectUrl":"project/who-done-it-applied-reading-in-hands-on/8750143/","projectTitle":"Who Done It? Applied Reading in Hands on Science Labs.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Spiess","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9736862"},{"teacherId":9724959,"projectId":8743378,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our math students in statistics. The materials have been in use throughout the first semester. \r\n\r\nThe graph paper, sticker dots, and flair pens are used weekly as we move through collecting, displaying, and interpreting data. The size of the graph paper lets us hang it up in the classroom making easily visible for all students. Students are vested in the data because they do the simulations producing the data. This holds their interest more than a graph out of the textbook.\r\n\r\nThe students really enjoyed the M&M activity because it is hands on and relatable (plus they got to eat some!). Again they are collecting their own data and working in a group which leads to good conversation about the topic and even a little bit of competition amongst them. \r\n\r\nThank you for supplies we are using for the entire year: candy, plates, cups, and bowls. I am looking forward to the activities that use the skittles and Hersey kisses coming up this spring.","fullyFundedDate":1726237864576,"projectUrl":"project/statistics-here-we-come/8743378/","projectTitle":"Statistics, Here We Come!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Birks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9724959_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725585330024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9724959"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94369","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1476,"numTeachers":77,"percentFrplEligible":67,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":88,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"19.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":36.7,"schoolId":94369,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Glacier High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Glacier High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/kalispell-public-school-district-5/glacier-high-school/94369"}

About this school

Glacier High School is a town public school in Kalispell, Montana that is part of Kalispell Public School District #5. It serves 1,476 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.2:1. Its teachers have had 15 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

1,476 Students

77 Teachers

375 Wolfpack Way

Kalispell, MT 59901 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Glacier High School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Glacier High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Glacier High School Demographics

67%

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.

Glacier High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 25, 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.