{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Saluda Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2797431,"projectId":9699966,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were able to bring their study of mandalas to life on real canvas using quality paint brushes. Earlier this year, we learned about mandalas as symbols of unity and wholeness. We studied how Tibetan monks create intricate sand mandalas as a form of meditation and then gently sweep them away to symbolize impermanence.\r\n\r\nThis lesson became especially meaningful when a group of monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C. passed through our town. My students saw photos and learned about their journey, which made our study feel real and connected to the wider world.\r\n\r\nUsing the donated canvas and brushes, students painted a large mandala on the canvas centered on the theme of unity in our community. We used our school mascot, a tiger, as the center of the mandala. Before we started on the big canvas, each student colored a mandala on their own. This was powerful because our otherwise noisy classroom was so quiet and focused. One student even said, \"This is kind of peaceful!\" \r\n\r\nWhen I unveiled the canvas and new brushes, there was an audible gasp in the room. Many of my students have never painted on stretched canvas before. To them, it felt like \"real artist\" materials — and that instantly elevated their sense of importance and pride.\r\n\r\nThey handled the brushes with care and excitement, asking thoughtful questions about technique and how to make their lines symmetrical. The quality materials helped them take their work — and themselves — more seriously.\r\n\r\nNext, our administration will determine where we can display the canvas once it is framed so our school community can see how art can connect mindfulness, culture, and personal meaning.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students didn't just learn about mandalas — they experienced focus, pride, cultural awareness, and creative expression in a deeper way. Your support helped turn a lesson into a lasting memory.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and in our students' sense of belonging and possibility.","fullyFundedDate":1764352779321,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-mandala/9699966/","projectTitle":"Mindful Mandala","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ali","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2797431_orig.png?crop=796,796,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755617368142","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2797431"},{"teacherId":3721712,"projectId":9208121,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you for the donations to our school for our kids. Your donation of hygiene kits went along with my lesson on germs and keeping our bodies healthy. Students learned about the different types of germs and how to properly wash their hands. We did an experiment to illustrate how soap works and looked at petri dishes of bacteria growth. As the final part of the lesson I revealed the hygiene kits for each student and they were so excited. \r\n Everyone took their kits home and I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from parents and older brothers and sisters of students telling me how much they liked this project. Several of my students do not speak a lot of English but many of them can show me how to wash hands to show they got it. These kinds of hands on projects work great for our multi language learners.\r\n Your help really did make a difference in our school and we appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1743636376502,"projectUrl":"project/clean-hands-healthy-body/9208121/","projectTitle":"Clean Hands, Healthy Body","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Altman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3721712_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471893414391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-altman"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_6739","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":397,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":18,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":56,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"3 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":61.5,"schoolId":6739,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Saluda Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Saluda Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/south-carolina/saluda-county-school-district-1/saluda-elementary-school/6739"}
Join the 148 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Saluda Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Saluda, South Carolina that is part of Saluda County School District 1.
It serves 397 students
in grades 3 - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.9:1.
Its teachers have had 59 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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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
79%
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.
Saluda Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 27, 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.
Saluda Elementary School
$22,046
raised using DonorsChoose
59
projects
funded
25
teachers
funded
148
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
14
projects for
books
17
projects
for
art supplies
Saluda Elementary School has received support from
91 individuals from South Carolina and
57 individuals out-of-state.