{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"St Stephens Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":51.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9053815,"projectId":9827420,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our art room has been transformed into a fully functioning ceramics studio. When the kiln, clay tools, rolling pins, and shelving materials arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were wide-eyed as they realized they would be able to create real ceramic sculptures—art that could be fired, hardened, and kept for years to come. For many of them, this was their very first experience working with clay in a true ceramic process.\r\n\r\nWe immediately began using the new materials in a schoolwide clay unit. Our younger students (K–2) explored pinch pots and textured animal sculptures, strengthening their fine motor skills as they rolled, pressed, carved, and shaped. Older students (3–6) designed more complex pieces, including narrative sculptures and functional pottery, carefully planning how to attach pieces and build stable forms before firing. Watching students check the kiln with anticipation after their first firing was a powerful moment—they saw their soft clay transformed into permanent artwork and felt an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment.\r\n\r\nNext, students are moving into glazing techniques, learning how color and chemistry interact in the kiln to complete their pieces. This next step deepens their understanding of both artistic process and scientific transformation. Because of your support, our students are not only building stronger hands for writing and creating—they are building confidence, perseverance, and belief in their creative voices. Thank you for giving them an experience they will remember for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1766601338331,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-artists-clay-materials/9827420/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Artists: Clay Materials Support Fine Motor Developmemt","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9053815_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y484&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753901937333","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9053815"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2444","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":714,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":36,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":48.5,"schoolId":2444,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about St Stephens Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"St Stephens Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/catawba-county-school-district/st-stephens-elementary-school/2444"}
Join the 97 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
St Stephens Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Conover, North Carolina that is part of Catawba County School District.
It serves 714 students
in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.9:1.
Its teachers have had 28 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support St Stephens Elementary School
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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
61%
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.
St Stephens Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 23, 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.
St Stephens Elementary School
$12,900
raised using DonorsChoose
28
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
97
donors
1
project for
technology
2
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
St Stephens Elementary School has received support from
47 individuals from North Carolina and
50 individuals out-of-state.
