{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sam Houston Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":null,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10284559,"projectId":9762519,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our music lessons have been transformed! The boomwhackers and scarves you provided have brought new life and energy to our classroom. The students are thrilled to use these colorful, hands-on tools to explore rhythm, melody, and movement in a way that traditional instruments simply can't match. These materials have made abstract musical concepts come alive—students can literally feel the beat and see the music through motion.\r\n\r\nThe boomwhackers, in particular, have helped students understand pitch and harmony while encouraging teamwork. During rhythm games and ensemble pieces, everyone gets to participate and contribute to the sound. The scarves have also been a huge hit; students use them to express music through movement, enhancing both their coordination and creativity. Our lessons now end with laughter, collaboration, and a newfound confidence in musical expression.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were once shy during music class are now excited to lead rhythm patterns or demonstrate scarf dances. It's been incredible to watch them take pride in their learning and share their joy with classmates. Your support has made music a truly inclusive and joyful experience for all of us.","fullyFundedDate":1760693548303,"projectUrl":"project/bright-sounds-bright-minds-boomwhacker/9762519/","projectTitle":"Bright Sounds, Bright Minds: Boomwhackers for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10284559_orig.png?crop=200,200,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758829397348","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/shemusic"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_13170","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":363,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":98,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":null,"schoolId":13170,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sam Houston Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sam Houston Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/mcallen-independent-school-district/houston-elementary-school/13170"}
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About this school
Sam Houston Elementary School is
an urban public school
in McAllen, Texas that is part of McAllen Independent School District.
It serves 363 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.3:1.
Its teachers have had one project 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
98%
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.
Sam Houston Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 2025
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