Bessie Weller Elementary School in Staunton, Virginia on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bessie Weller Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9886246,"projectId":9027181,"letterContent":"Our students have loved and benefited greatly from your contributions which allowed us to provide equipment for their recess time. When they first saw the different balls and jump ropes, students were so excited to play with their friends and it quickly became something they looked forward to all day. Having different equipment to play with has transformed our recess time beyond what we had imagined. \r\n\r\nWe have observed students building on communication skills as they share equipment and organize games together. Students have also become more willing to try something new and overcome challenges that can come with learning new skills. Recess has become even more of a social building time for our students as they gather together over the equipment and make new friends. \r\n\r\nOur addition of equipment into recess time has also influenced other grade levels in the building to add this choice into their own recess time as well. We are excited to be introducing the idea of organized play at an early age so students can continue to develop in this area in later grades. Hopefully this will even encourage our students to explore teams and interests outside of school as well. \r\n\r\nThank you for all you did to make this happen for our students! Your contribution is having a great impact on them in many ways!","fullyFundedDate":1736973091350,"projectUrl":"project/power-in-play/9027181/","projectTitle":"Power in Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Beville","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886246"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_35003","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":373,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":50,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":72.4,"schoolId":35003,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bessie Weller Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bessie Weller Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/staunton-city-school-district/bessie-weller-elementary-school/35003"}

About this school

Bessie Weller Elementary School is an urban public school in Staunton, Virginia that is part of Staunton City School District. It serves 373 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.0:1. Its teachers have had 21 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 5

373 Students

31 Teachers

600 Greenville Ave

Staunton, VA 24401 View local requests

http://www.staunton.k12.va.us/domain/599

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

Bessie Weller Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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

Bessie Weller Elementary School Demographics

80%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

31%

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.

Bessie Weller 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.