Northwestern School in Mellette, South Dakota on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Northwestern School","outOfStateSupporters":23.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9987325,"projectId":9217755,"letterContent":"Thank you, again, for your generous donations! Your kindness has made such an impact on my students already this school year, and we are barely a month into school! \r\n\r\nMy K-1 students have been making good use of the letter magnets to practice their spelling. They enjoy being able to move the letters around on their magnet board, and having something they can physically hold and see has been a huge help. Having these has helped grow their independence as well, as they are much more confident in spelling short, simple words thanks to the practice with these letters. \r\n\r\nWe have used two of the \"Can Do\" Science kits so far this year. They fit in perfectly with the sound and light units that we have been working on. The students were thrilled to have the opportunity to have hands-on experience with these items, and I enjoyed watching them explore and discover new things all on their own. \r\n\r\nMy 5th-6th grade students have made good use of some of the markers so far this year. They have enjoyed using them to show off their creative abilities! \r\n\r\nThank you, again, for your kindness. I have shared with the students' parents about the items I received, and they, too, are so grateful for these opportunities for their children!","fullyFundedDate":1744032830586,"projectUrl":"project/scientists-in-the-making/9217755/","projectTitle":"Scientists in the Making!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Severson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9987325"},{"teacherId":5933136,"projectId":9196493,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for dontaing to this project, there were many excitied kiddos when they found out new activities had arrived. All of these items are being used in our reading, math, and play center. We have centers each day in our classroom, so these activites are getting play with LOTS and have already been so loved!\r\n All of these items were a BIG hit with my class last year and I can't wait to see my new class explore all of these activites this coming school year, I know they will love them! \r\n\r\nThanks again for your generous dontation, we appreciate it!","fullyFundedDate":1744032987542,"projectUrl":"project/explore-through-centers/9196493/","projectTitle":"Explore Through Centers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rossow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5933136"},{"teacherId":9917958,"projectId":9101897,"letterContent":"In our kindergarten classroom, blocks and ramps are a constant source of excitement and creativity. The moment they are able to use, the room fills with energy as students eagerly gather to build, experiment, and explore. These materials naturally spark their imaginations—castles, racetracks, cities, and obstacle courses appear in minutes. The possibilities are endless, and each creation tells a unique story. They love experimenting with different size, weight, and speed of balls while using ramps. \r\n\r\n\r\nBlocks and ramps also provide rich opportunities for STEM learning. As children design and test their ideas, they engage in problem-solving, critical thinking, and basic engineering concepts such as balance, stability, and motion. They observe cause and effect, make predictions, and adjust their designs—often without realizing they're practicing science and math skills. This hands-on exploration fosters collaboration, communication, and a love for learning, all while building the foundation for future STEM success.\r\n\r\nI am extremely thankful to you for providing us with blocks and ramps in classroom. Your support has not only provided new materials but also countless moments where students will be able to create memories while having moments of discovering and teambuilding opportunities. Thank you again for your generous support.","fullyFundedDate":1742482703688,"projectUrl":"project/stem-using-ramps-and-blocks/9101897/","projectTitle":"STEM Using Ramps and Blocks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harms","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9917958"},{"teacherId":5249559,"projectId":9098631,"letterContent":"The students are using these new resources to dive into the world of rocketry. We began by studying the parts of a rocket and learning how rockets travel into space. In the classroom, students identified each component and then assembled their own rockets using the kits that were generously funded.\r\n\r\nOnce the rockets were built, we headed out to the football field for launch day! The rocket launcher kit ensured everyone could stay at a safe distance, and the students were thrilled to watch their rockets soar into the sky. One of the highlights was seeing them race across the field to catch their parachutes.\r\n\r\nThroughout the project, students discovered how critical proper assembly is—especially when it came to how the parachute was packed. 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About this school

Northwestern School is a rural public school in Mellette, South Dakota that is part of Northwestern Area School District 56 - 7. It serves 282 students in grades Pre-K - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 56.4:1. Its teachers have had 20 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 12

282 Students

5 Teachers

221 3rd St

Mellette, SD 57461 View local requests

http://www.northwestern.k12.sd.us

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

Northwestern School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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Northwestern School Demographics

14%

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.

Northwestern 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.