Freedom Elementary School in Harrisburg, South Dakota on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Freedom Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":546581,"projectId":9549421,"letterContent":"When the new STEM and building materials arrived, my students' excitement filled the room! Their eyes lit up as they unpacked the Ravensburger GraviTrax marble run system, LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon, Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine, and even a COBI model of the Titanic. These kits immediately sparked curiosity and creativity, inspiring questions like \"How does this really work?\" and \"Can I try designing my own?\" The room buzzed with hands-on exploration and teamwork from the very first day.\r\n\r\nWe launched a project called \"Designs that Changed the World,\" where students explored innovation through history and science. Using the Flying Machine and Titanic models, we connected lessons in engineering, physics, and design to real-world breakthroughs—and sometimes failures—that shaped human progress. The Planet Earth and Moon model tied beautifully into our space science unit, helping students visualize planetary motion and orbital relationships. Meanwhile, the GraviTrax system became a favorite for demonstrating gravity, energy transfer, and cause-and-effect relationships in motion.\r\n\r\nThe mini animal building block sets gave every student a chance to create and personalize something of their own. These small builds turned into great team challenges and creativity breaks that encouraged collaboration, patience, and joy. Watching students encourage each other, problem-solve, and share their finished creations has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will be designing their own \"Invention Showcase,\" where they'll combine what they've learned from these models to create and present original ideas that could improve life today. These materials have transformed our classroom into a hub of creativity, innovation, and discovery.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful to our donors for making this project possible—you've helped bring science, engineering, and imagination to life in ways that will stay with our students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1757703765592,"projectUrl":"project/stem-makerspace-materials/9549421/","projectTitle":"STEM & Makerspace Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Muth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp546581_orig.png?crop=358,358,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679685832962","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/546581"},{"teacherId":546581,"projectId":9205405,"letterContent":"When the LEGO Botanicals sets arrived, my students were completely captivated. Their eyes lit up as they saw the vibrant flower and plant kits—many couldn't believe such beautiful, lifelike creations could be made from LEGO. These sets immediately sparked curiosity and excitement, and the classroom transformed into a colorful, hands-on design studio filled with focused creativity and collaborative energy.\r\n\r\nWe began a special project called \"The Blooming Gallery,\" where students each selected a botanical set to assemble. As they built orchids, sunflowers, cherry blossoms, and succulents, we connected their work to science lessons on plant structures, growth cycles, and biodiversity. Students also wrote poems and reflections inspired by their flowers, tying in language arts to deepen the learning. It was incredible to see how students who typically struggle with focus or confidence became fully immersed, taking great pride in every stem and petal.\r\n\r\nThese materials gave me the opportunity to teach in a more integrated, student-centered way—blending science, art, and storytelling. We discussed cultural meanings of plants, environmental awareness, and even touched on design principles in visual art. The range of sets allowed every student to find a project that resonated with them, making the experience both inclusive and meaningful.\r\n\r\nNext, we plan to host a classroom \"Botanical Showcase,\" where students will present their creations along with what they've learned. These LEGO sets brought joy, calm, and learning into our classroom, and we're so grateful to our donors for making this beautiful experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1744033084959,"projectUrl":"project/lego-botany-and-flowers/9205405/","projectTitle":"Lego Botany and Flowers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Muth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp546581_orig.png?crop=358,358,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679685832962","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/546581"},{"teacherId":546581,"projectId":8934869,"letterContent":"When the LEGO sets arrived, my students were absolutely amazed—eyes wide, smiles everywhere, and hands itching to start building. These weren't just any LEGO kits—they were intricate, beautifully designed sets like the Tree House, A-Frame Cabin, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee, each sparking a unique kind of excitement and engagement. Many students had never had the opportunity to work with models of this size or detail before, and the sense of pride they felt while building was incredible.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the kits in a cross-curricular project that ties together storytelling, engineering, and environmental themes. For example, students used the Tree House and A-Frame Cabin to inspire narratives and dioramas set in nature, building scenes and writing short stories about the characters they imagined living in these spaces. Others dove into the Optimus Prime and Bumblebee sets, exploring transformation, design, and symmetry while discussing themes like identity and change—bridging creativity with STEM thinking.\r\n\r\nThe impact has gone far beyond play. These sets have encouraged students to slow down, focus, collaborate, and persist through complex challenges. The classroom buzzes with conversation about structure, storytelling, and strategy. Students now look forward to these build sessions with the same enthusiasm they typically reserve for recess or field trips.\r\n\r\nNext, we're planning a display gallery where students will present their models along with written reflections or mini graphic novels based on the characters and settings they've built. These donated materials have not only enhanced our curriculum—they've inspired a whole new level of creativity, confidence, and curiosity.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the opportunity to build, imagine, and grow in such a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1742426676142,"projectUrl":"project/bricks-bonds-and-bright-minds-learnin/8934869/","projectTitle":"Bricks, Bonds, and Bright Minds: Learning With LEGO","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Muth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp546581_orig.png?crop=358,358,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679685832962","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/546581"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_102078","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":442,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":12,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":82,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.6,"schoolId":102078,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Freedom Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Freedom Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/south-dakota/harrisburg-school-district-41-2/freedom-elementary-school/102078"}

About this school

Freedom Elementary School is a town public school in Harrisburg, South Dakota that is part of Harrisburg School District 41 - 2. It serves 442 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1. Its teachers have had 23 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades K - 5

442 Students

31 Teachers

1101 Tom Sawyer Trl

Harrisburg, SD 57032 View local requests

http://freedom.harrisburgdistrict41-2.org/

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Freedom Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Groninga

Mr. Muth

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Freedom Elementary School Demographics

12%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

11%

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.

Freedom Elementary School 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.