Merkel Elementary School in Merkel, Texas on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Merkel Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7646265,"projectId":9649268,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generosity and support of our classroom through Donors Choose! Thanks to your kindness, my students now have a variety of seating options that help them learn and grow in ways that fit their individual needs.\r\n\r\nIn our special education classroom, flexibility and comfort are key to helping students stay engaged and focused. With our new seats—ranging from spinning chair to soft floor cushions—my students can choose what works best for them, which has already made a noticeable difference in their participation and confidence.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has created a more inclusive, sensory-friendly, and welcoming environment where every learner can thrive. Thank you for believing in my students and helping to make our classroom a place where they feel supported and excited to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1757527441246,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-exceptional-learner/9649268/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Exceptional Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ethredge","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7646265_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756134085192","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7646265"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_13895","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":591,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":69,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":85.2,"schoolId":13895,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Merkel Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Merkel Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/merkel-independent-school-district/merkel-elementary-school/13895"}

About this school

Merkel Elementary School is a rural public school in Merkel, Texas that is part of Merkel Independent School District. It serves 591 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.8:1. Its teachers have had 6 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

591 Students

40 Teachers

1602 S 5th

Merkel, TX 79536 View local requests

http://www.merkel.esc14.net

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

Merkel Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Coston

Mrs. Ethredge

Mrs. Riese

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Merkel Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

26%

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.

Merkel Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 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.