Altimira Middle School in Sonoma, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Altimira Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":13.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":245115,"projectId":9704597,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, reading has become a joyful, confidence-building part of our classroom. With Scholastic Action Magazine and our new collection of graphic novels, my English Language Development students are engaging with texts that match both their interests and their reading levels. These resources enable us to introduce essential literacy skills—such as identifying main ideas, analysing character motivations, building academic vocabulary, and making inferences—through stories and articles that feel relevant and manageable. Because the texts are scaffolded with audio features, visuals, and clear vocabulary support, students who once felt overwhelmed are now able to participate fully in whole-class and small-group discussions.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom now looks like curiosity in action: students follow along with the audio while annotating an article, turn to a partner to discuss a surprising fact, or flip eagerly through the next chapter of a graphic novel. The magazines have sparked conversations about real teen issues, scientific discoveries, and global events, giving students the background knowledge they often need to better understand their core academic classes. The graphic novels have been especially powerful for visual learners—they help students decode character emotions, track plot development, and explore themes like friendship, courage, and identity in a more accessible format.\r\n\r\nSome of the most inspiring moments have come from students who previously resisted reading altogether. One student, who used to quietly avoid independent reading time, now arrives early just to continue the graphic novel he's fallen in love with. Another student, who often struggled with vocabulary, proudly shared that she understood an entire Action article without needing a translation. These moments show exactly why these materials matter: they are not just books—they are tools that build confidence, open doors, and help students see themselves as capable, growing readers.","fullyFundedDate":1758046015018,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-readers-with-graphic-novels-/9704597/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Readers with Graphic Novels & Scholastic Magazines","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wedell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp245115_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448392997534","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cathywedell"},{"teacherId":9653991,"projectId":8850194,"letterContent":"Winter is almost over, and thanks to your donations it has been peaceful and impactful here in the Altimira Middle School library. The biggest hits have been the games (especially Uno), and particularly in the mornings before school, when students sit, play, and quietly build relationships across tables and gameboards.\r\nIt has also been a pleasure to watch students explore the classics both in graphic novel form and as traditional novels. The graphic novels, in particular, have been hits, particularly Lois Lowry's The Giver, Frank Herbert's Dune, and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. The series of classic fairy tales also has developed a fan base.\r\nThank you for your support; your generosity is greatly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1731694119508,"projectUrl":"project/a-winter-library-quiet-fun-with-games-a/8850194/","projectTitle":"A Winter Library: Quiet Fun With Games and Graphic Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tracy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653991_orig.jpg?crop=1160,1160,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723651491102","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653991"},{"teacherId":8280799,"projectId":8811866,"letterContent":"Knowing what students know and do not know immediately allows me, the teacher, to pivot instantly to better the learning experience. All too often quizzes reveal what students do not know after scoring them. However, the whiteboards are a fun tool where students write, draw, explain an idea, hold it up (on the bell), and keep it up while I read each short response, drawing, or whatever to give immediate feedback. These whiteboards make me a better teacher and students are more engaged.\r\n I allow individual, pair, and teamwork/answers yet all write on the whiteboards. Every student produces work because they find it more fun than a worksheet, journal, or typed document. We can reuse them without the need for paper, pencils, computers, or other materials that more than likely, I don't have for all students. \r\n When students see the whiteboards come out, the room vibrates with energy and excitement...these are magical devices that simply make all of us succeed. If most students can not answer or conduct work as asked, I know how to teach or reteach the topic before time passes.","fullyFundedDate":1727364933167,"projectUrl":"project/reading-comprehension-with-art-and-whit/8811866/","projectTitle":"Reading Comprehension (with Art and White Boards)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Paul","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8280799_orig.jpg?crop=2848,2848,x0,y806&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719337763666","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8280799"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5209","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":351,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":86.3,"schoolId":5209,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Altimira Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Altimira Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/sonoma-valley-unified-school-district/altimira-middle-school/5209"}

About this school

Altimira Middle School is a town public school in Sonoma, California that is part of Sonoma Valley Unified School District. It serves 351 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.5:1. Its teachers have had 37 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

351 Students

28 Teachers

17805 Arnold Dr

Sonoma, CA 95476 View local requests

https://altimira.sonomaschools.org/

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

Altimira Middle 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

Altimira Middle School Demographics

68%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

80%

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.

Altimira Middle 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.