{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gillespie Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":23.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2043395,"projectId":9060154,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of a laser cutter to our classroom. It has already sparked so much creativity and learning! Recently, my students used Adobe Photoshop to design and customize one-of-a-kind Mother's Day bookmarks, which they then cut from upcycled materials using the laser cutter. This project combined digital design skills with sustainable practices, and the results were both meaningful and beautiful.\r\n\r\nYour support has empowered my students to explore real-world applications of technology, art, and environmental responsibility. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and the opportunities you've made possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739455195871,"projectUrl":"project/creation-cooperation-problem-solving/9060154/","projectTitle":"Creation, Cooperation, Problem Solving, UpCycling, Construction","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2043395_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614196063838","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2043395"},{"teacherId":9782717,"projectId":9048432,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of drawing mannequins and compasses to our art room. Your gift has made a meaningful impact on our students and the quality of their learning experience.\r\n\r\nThe drawing mannequins have become a valuable resource in helping students understand proportion, gesture, and human anatomy. Being able to manipulate and study the mannequins in real time has given them a much-needed bridge between imagination and observation—especially for those who struggle with figure drawing. It's been incredible to see the improvement in their confidence and the stories they're able to tell through their work.\r\n\r\nThe compasses have also opened new doors in the classroom, allowing students to create precise geometric designs and gain a stronger grasp of technical drawing. Whether they're working on mandalas, architectural sketches, or pattern-based projects, the compasses have added a layer of professionalism and intentionality to their art.\r\n\r\nBeyond the technical skills, these tools have sparked genuine excitement and curiosity. Students are more focused, more willing to take risks, and more proud of the work they produce. For many of them, having access to tools like these at school is a rare opportunity, and it helps ensure that every student—regardless of their background—can explore their creativity on equal footing.\r\n\r\nYour donation has made our art room feel more alive, more equipped, and more inclusive. Thank you for investing in our students' artistic growth. Your kindness is helping to shape not just better artists, but more confident and expressive young people.","fullyFundedDate":1739455275468,"projectUrl":"project/drawing-mannequins-and-compasses-for-the/9048432/","projectTitle":"Drawing Mannequins and Compasses for the Art Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Monson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9782717"},{"teacherId":9782717,"projectId":8836284,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of materials to make slime for our art students! Your support helped bring a burst of excitement and creativity to our last day of the quarter, turning it into something truly special.\r\n\r\nThe students were thrilled to get their hands messy and creative with the slime-making activity. Their faces lit up with joy, and the room was filled with laughter, curiosity, and genuine appreciation. For many, it was a highlight of their school day—and even their week!\r\n\r\nThis activity has become something our students look forward to each quarter. It's more than just a fun craft—it's an effective reward incentive that helps motivate positive behavior and participation throughout the term. Knowing that a hands-on, playful experience awaits them gives many students something tangible to work toward, and it helps reinforce the joy that can come from creating with their hands.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this memorable tradition possible. Your contribution helped create a meaningful moment for our students—one that celebrates both their hard work and the magic of creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1736445105664,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-hard-work-reward-incentive/8836284/","projectTitle":"Middle School Hard Work Reward Incentive Slime Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Monson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9782717"},{"teacherId":2030979,"projectId":9015293,"letterContent":"I spend my days working with individual and small groups of students to improve their literacy skills. I also work with teachers to make sure students can access and excell in their curriculum, as well as meet the needs of students who are striving to reach proficiency in their reading. In addition, I work together with our staff to track our school data and progress and make sure we are meeting the needs of our students. \r\n\r\nBUT, there is nothing that brings me more joy in my day than seeing a student excited about reading. Whether they have had an \"ah-ha\" moment and breakthrough in reading skills and strategies, or have been able to demonstrate independence in their research, or have found a really great book to read. This last part... the love of reading... is what I decided to focus on for our whole school STEAM night event.\r\nMy display taught students and their families about many of the benefits of reading. The donation of 100 brand new, engaging and high quality books was thrilling to share with our students and families. Students and their siblings who attended STEAM night (and a few parents, too), chose a book from the selection I received from this Donor's choose project.\r\nReactions were heart-warming smiles and \"thank yous\" all evening. I am so lucky to have a wonderful community to supporyt our students and build their love of reading. I hope it leads to a lifetime of enjoyment!","fullyFundedDate":1737256820784,"projectUrl":"project/a-book-to-keep/9015293/","projectTitle":"A Book To Keep","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Trinkner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2030979_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x105,y192&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1635782388879","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2030979"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37137","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":436,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":48,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":35,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.9,"schoolId":37137,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gillespie Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gillespie Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/madison-metropolitan-school-district/jefferson-middle-school/37137"}
Join the 394 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Gillespie Middle School is
an urban public school
in Madison, Wisconsin that is part of Madison Metropolitan School District.
It serves 436 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.1:1.
Its teachers have had 141 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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.
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
62%
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.
Gillespie Middle 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.
Gillespie Middle School
$69,635
raised using DonorsChoose
141
projects
funded
34
teachers
funded
394
donors
16
projects
for
basic supplies
12
projects for
technology
23
projects for
books
8
projects
for
art supplies
Gillespie Middle School has received support from
303 individuals from Wisconsin and
91 individuals out-of-state.