{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Southwest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":49.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8428668,"projectId":9926093,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to weighted blankets, fidget tools, interactive puzzles, and much-needed snacks that help meet their sensory, emotional, and physical needs each day. These resources have already made a noticeable difference—students are calmer, more focused, and better able to engage in learning. Your kindness is helping create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and ready to succeed.\r\n\r\nThe joy and comfort these materials have brought to my students is truly heartwarming. When they first explored the sensory tools, their smiles said everything. Students who often struggle with regulation are now able to calm their bodies, remain in the classroom, and participate in lessons. The snacks have been just as impactful, ensuring no child goes hungry regardless of special diets. You have helped me provide snacks that are allowable and are also not the same school provided gluten free snack allowing students to focus on learning and feeling more included.\r\n\r\nYour support means more than just supplies—it shows my students that they are valued and cared for. You have helped build an inclusive, welcoming environment where every learner can thrive. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in my students and for being part of their journey.","fullyFundedDate":1764598670832,"projectUrl":"project/fill-them-up-with-snacks-and-comfort/9926093/","projectTitle":"Fill Them Up With Snacks and Comfort!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8428668_orig.png?crop=1169,1170,x0,y249&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753852341685","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8428668"},{"teacherId":8428668,"projectId":9513672,"letterContent":"Since receiving these resources, my students use them daily as part of our learning and regulation routines. The snacks have become a vital support, helping students feel safe, calm, and ready to learn. One particularly meaningful moment happened during a writing activity—after having a small snack, a student who often shuts down was able to sit, focus, and independently write for the first time this year. The sensory tools, including the vibrating pillow, lap pad, and sensory chair, are used during academic work, transitions, and moments of emotional dysregulation. These supports have helped prevent meltdowns and allowed students to remain engaged in the classroom rather than needing to leave to calm down.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, especially the slushie machine, their reactions were priceless. They couldnt wait for our first \" earned\" slushie and movie friday! Several students immediately gravitated toward the spinning sensory chair, smiling and laughing as they felt the calming spin. Others eagerly explored the lap pads and pillows, showing clear signs of relaxation and comfort. The snacks brought instant relief and joy—some students even jumped up and down and said \"thank you,\" while others simply sat quietly, something that can be rare during difficult moments. These reactions confirmed just how much these basic supports were needed and appreciated.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps focus on building independence and emotional regulation skills. Students are now learning to request sensory tools and snacks using communication systems, sign language, or visuals, empowering them to express their needs before frustration sets in. Academically, we are continuing to build stamina in writing, reading, and task completion while incorporating sensory breaks to support success. Because of your support, our classroom has become a more inclusive, calm, and joyful place where students feel supported and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1760677416412,"projectUrl":"project/satiated-students-make-better-learners/9513672/","projectTitle":"Satiated Students Make Better Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8428668_orig.png?crop=1169,1170,x0,y249&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753852341685","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8428668"},{"teacherId":1502419,"projectId":3671059,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom library has come alive with curiosity and learning! These nonfiction and thematic books are helping my kindergarteners build foundational reading skills such as vocabulary development, comprehension, making text-to-world connections, identifying main ideas, asking and answering questions, and understanding nonfiction text features like diagrams, labels, and headings. Beyond literacy, these books support content learning in science and social studies—helping students explore topics like weather, plants, animals, community helpers, transportation, and kindness.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is joyful, interactive, and full of discovery. We gather each day on our classroom rug for read-alouds, partner reading, and shared discussions. Students use picture clues to infer meaning, explore new vocabulary through conversation, and participate in hands-on extension activities tied to each text—like building bat caves, labeling plant diagrams, or charting the four seasons. These books have sparked higher-level thinking and built background knowledge for students who have had limited exposure to books at home.\r\n\r\nSome students who were once hesitant to participate are now excited to raise their hands during reading time. One student who rarely spoke at the beginning of the year now eagerly shares facts from our shark book: \"Did you know sharks have no bones?\" Another student who is still developing confidence with letters now proudly \"reads\" by retelling stories using pictures and new vocabulary. Watching their confidence grow has been an incredible gift. Your donation didn't just provide books—you gave my little learners the tools, skills, and excitement they need to become lifelong readers. Thank you for believing in them!","fullyFundedDate":1539028904918,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-books/3671059/","projectTitle":"We Need Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gilbert","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1502419_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507097145550","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-gilbert2ndgrade"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_16862","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":804,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":86,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":50.3,"schoolId":16862,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Southwest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Southwest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/southwest-independent-school-district/southwest-elementary-school/16862"}
Join the 382 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Southwest Elementary School is
a rural public school
in San Antonio, Texas that is part of Southwest Independent School District.
It serves 804 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.9:1.
Its teachers have had 224 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Southwest Elementary School
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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
89%
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.
Southwest Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 25, 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.
Southwest Elementary School
$118,870
raised using DonorsChoose
224
projects
funded
36
teachers
funded
382
donors
26
projects
for
basic supplies
19
projects for
technology
37
projects for
books
7
projects
for
art supplies
Southwest Elementary School has received support from
192 individuals from Texas and
190 individuals out-of-state.