{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Henry H Houston Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2650066,"projectId":9622148,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to this project! We have a goal of increasing our volume of reading. The system for organizing and checking out books has been invaluable in ensuring that our classroom lending library remains functional. Students love stamping their books and using the checkout cards. The shelves have been great for keeping everything organized.\r\n\r\nWe appreciate your contributions to your our success and look forward to gaining knowledge and vocabulary through independent reading!","fullyFundedDate":1762199823514,"projectUrl":"project/your-journey-your-book-your-voice/9622148/","projectTitle":"Your Journey, Your Book, Your Voice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2650066_orig.png?crop=672,672,x14,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762709448901","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2650066"},{"teacherId":2506802,"projectId":10047436,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to this project! It is because of people like you that my students are afforded the things that they deserve for their eduction. These books support every day instruction. The books are essential to support everything we do in our classroom. Its so important to have high interest books in the classroom that students can read. They are super excited about the new books. It really is amazing that we have received these donations. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, it means the world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1771440604131,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-brilliant-kiddos/10047436/","projectTitle":"Books for Brilliant Kiddos","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Renfer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2506802_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1455900557067","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-renfer"},{"teacherId":2506802,"projectId":10086545,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to this project! It is because of people like you that my students are afforded the things that they deserve for their eduction. These prizes will support instruction. The prizes are a wonderful way to reward students for good behavior or a job well done. My students earn prizes for doing thing in our classroom such as being kind or helpful, completing an assignment etc. This positive reinforcement has really mad a difference in my classroom. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, it means the world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1771189947740,"projectUrl":"project/positive-reinforcement-for-positive-peop/10086545/","projectTitle":"Positive Reinforcement for Positive People","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Renfer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2506802_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1455900557067","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-renfer"},{"teacherId":2506802,"projectId":10035370,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to this project! It is because of people like you that my students are afforded the things that they deserve for their eduction. These paper, pencils, paperclips and prizes will support instruction. The paper is essential to support everything we do in our classroom. The paper clips will help me organize student work. The prizes are a wonderful way to reward students for good behavior or a job well done. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, it means the world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1769453548905,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-sensational-students/10035370/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Sensational Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Renfer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2506802_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1455900557067","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-renfer"},{"teacherId":553443,"projectId":9567558,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of recess toys for our kindergarten classroom! This gift has quickly become a highlight of our school day, transforming our outdoor time into a rich environment for growth and joy.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these materials on my students has been immediate and visible:\r\n\r\nPhysical Growth & Energy Release: These toys encourage essential gross motor development—including running, jumping, and balancing—that helps strengthen their muscles and coordination. Getting this energy out during recess allows them to return to the classroom with improved focus and attentiveness for our academic lessons.\r\n\r\nSocial & Emotional Learning: Recess is a crucial time for children to learn how to negotiate, problem-solve, and collaborate without direct adult instruction. Whether they are sharing a ball or working together to create a game, they are practicing vital skills like turn-taking and empathy.\r\n\r\nImaginative & Creative Play: These new resources have sparked incredible imaginative scenarios. This type of unstructured play fosters creativity and language skills as they discuss rules and stories with their peers.\r\n\r\nConfidence & Resilience: Navigating new equipment and mastering physical challenges boosts my students' self-esteem and teaches them to persist when something is difficult.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our \"little leaders\" are not only getting healthier but are also building the social foundations they will use for the rest of their lives. Thank you for investing in their happiness and development.","fullyFundedDate":1757516540981,"projectUrl":"project/play-to-learn-recess-toys-for-kindergar/9567558/","projectTitle":"Play to Learn: Recess Toys for Kindergarten Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGuire","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp553443_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1480442423506","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-molly-mcguire"},{"teacherId":553443,"projectId":9563172,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous gift of a light board and translucent manipulatives for our kindergarten classroom! Your donation has immediately brightened our learning environment—literally and figuratively.\r\nThe impact of these tools has been profound and multi-faceted:\r\n\r\nSustained Engagement: The gentle, inviting glow of the light board naturally captures my students' attention. It has become a favorite \"calm-down\" and focus center, helping children who need extra sensory support to settle into their learning.\r\n\r\nFine Motor Development: Manipulating the small, glowing pieces—like sorting translucent beads or building with glowing blocks—is helping my young learners develop the hand strength and precision they need for writing and other daily tasks.\r\n\r\nCollaborative Play: This new center has become a hub for social interaction. I love watching my students huddle around the board to build glowing cities together, practicing sharing, turn-taking, and communication skills.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom now has a high-quality resource that will \r\ninspire curiosity and joy for years to come. You are truly helping our \"little leaders\" shine bright!","fullyFundedDate":1757960355442,"projectUrl":"project/let-there-be-light-illuminating-learnin/9563172/","projectTitle":"Let There Be Light: Illuminating Learning Through Hands-On Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGuire","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp553443_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1480442423506","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-molly-mcguire"},{"teacherId":553443,"projectId":9563859,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the color printer and the ink. I have been able to use this printer every day in our classroom. I am able to print the everyday basics such as homework and classwork as well as materials we use in centers.\r\n\r\nMy students love the colored materials I am able to print and turn into learning centers for our daily small group time. They happily engage with the materials and it really does help make learning fun.\r\n\r\nHaving this color printer has made a big impact in my classroom. The ease of being able to print materials whenever I want to or need to has helped free up more of my time so I am able to focus more on my students.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1763599386573,"projectUrl":"project/print-post-and-celebrate-bringing-our/9563859/","projectTitle":"Print, Post, and Celebrate: Bringing Our Learning to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGuire","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp553443_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1480442423506","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-molly-mcguire"},{"teacherId":4720021,"projectId":9783411,"letterContent":"The acquisition of new literacy supplies has served as a critical catalyst for student achievement, transforming the classroom from a space of limited resources into a high-engagement learning environment. Before these materials were introduced, students often struggled with disengagement due to a lack of diverse reading options and worn-out instructional tools. By integrating targeted resources—such as leveled classroom libraries, decodable readers, and tactile phonics manipulatives—we shifted the instructional focus toward personalized growth. This investment directly impacted student outcomes by increasing average reading stamina from 10 to 25 minutes and providing kinesthetic learners with the physical tools necessary to bridge gaps in phonetic fluency. Beyond the data, these supplies fostered a newfound sense of ownership and pride; when students have access to high-quality books and individual literacy kits, they stop viewing reading as a mandatory task and begin to see themselves as capable, confident readers. These materials are not merely classroom additions; they are the essential building blocks that have turned academic struggle into measurable success. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1767058337277,"projectUrl":"project/white-boards-for-peer-support-novel-exp/9783411/","projectTitle":"White Boards for Peer Support- Novel Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Romano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4720021"},{"teacherId":9818007,"projectId":9705756,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of your generosity, my students now have paper, Magic Tree House books, headphones, and a large beanbag chair that are used every single day.\r\n\r\nThe paper allows students to write, draw, and show their learning freely, while the Magic Tree House books have sparked excitement for reading through read-alouds and partner reading. The headphones help students stay focused during literacy and math programs like Lexia and i-Ready, and the beanbag has become a favorite cozy spot for independent reading and a motivator for positive behavior. When students first saw the materials, their excitement and smiles said it all.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue building strong reading and writing skills as students respond to texts, explore new stories, and grow their independence during center work. Thank you for giving my students resources that truly make a difference in their learning every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758809656536,"projectUrl":"project/help-build-a-comfortable-and-engaging-le/9705756/","projectTitle":"Help Build a Comfortable and Engaging Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallagher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9818007_orig.jpg?crop=2778,2778,x0,y148&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730134490656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9818007"},{"teacherId":2506802,"projectId":9945275,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to this very important project!! These crayons and markers will support creativity during instruction and independent work time. It is because of people like you that my students are afforded the things that they deserve for their education. It means so much to have basic supplies for my students. It pains me when we do not have what we need to carry out tasks during instruction and independent work time. I can not thank you enough for your thoughtfulness in supporting this project. It means the world to us!!","fullyFundedDate":1765737379140,"projectUrl":"project/crayons-for-cool-kiddos/9945275/","projectTitle":"Crayons for Cool Kiddos","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Renfer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2506802_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1455900557067","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-renfer"},{"teacherId":9796785,"projectId":9598110,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support! Because of you, our classroom has been energized with new resources that are already making a meaningful difference for my students.\r\n\r\nHow we're using the new materials:\r\nWe've begun incorporating the resources into our daily lessons, especially during our current project on building core skills through hands-on learning. One standout moment was when students worked together to explore the materials and immediately started brainstorming creative ways to use them in their work. It was wonderful to see their collaboration and excitement in action.","fullyFundedDate":1758202882048,"projectUrl":"project/focus-fun-and-a-fresh-start/9598110/","projectTitle":"Focus, Fun, and a Fresh Start!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9796785_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728415337165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9796785"},{"teacherId":10160612,"projectId":9550520,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my White Boards for Students project. Your kindness has made a direct and meaningful impact on my classroom. Because of you, every group in class now has access to a white board that encourages active participation, quick thinking, and confidence in sharing their ideas.\r\n\r\nThese white boards have already transformed daily instruction. Students are more engaged during lessons, eager to show their thinking, and comfortable making mistakes and revising their work. The boards allow me to check for understanding in real time and adjust instruction to better meet students' needs, which helps create a more inclusive and responsive learning environment.\r\n\r\nI am truly grateful for your investment in my students and their learning. Your support goes beyond materials—it shows students that their education matters and that there are people in the community who believe in them. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where all students can learn, grow, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1758293123027,"projectUrl":"project/white-boards-for-students/9550520/","projectTitle":"White Boards For Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Autin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10160612_orig.jpg?crop=2515,2515,x0,y461&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754582813328","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10160612"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_90857","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":458,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":70,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":90857,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Henry H Houston Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Henry H Houston Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/philadelphia-city-school-district/henry-h-houston-elementary-school/90857"}
Join the 1,039 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Henry H Houston Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is part of Philadelphia City School District.
It serves 458 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.0:1.
Its teachers have had 517 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
73%
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.
Henry H Houston Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 28, 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.
Henry H Houston Elementary School
$224,618
raised using DonorsChoose
517
projects
funded
51
teachers
funded
1,039
donors
89
projects
for
basic supplies
72
projects for
technology
58
projects for
books
24
projects
for
art supplies
Henry H Houston Elementary School has received support from
779 individuals from Pennsylvania and
260 individuals out-of-state.