Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, California on DonorsChoose

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Some students simply enjoy using the white boards to create and and modify works of art that are more temporary. Others have used the cardstock to create various objects from their imaginations, some of which you will see in the photos I will provide. Some have even used the cardstock and paints/colors to creat complementary portraits of each other, which is a possibility I never considered when I first conceived of this project. Still others, less artistically inclined, have used the play-doh as a way to manage their stress and create simple shapes and figures that go right back into the can when they are finished with them.\r\n\r\nIn short, it is a project that has meant different things to different students, and that was what I hoped for when I conceived of it. This is why the materials that I requested were as diverse as my student population. While the Dot Art paints have been the most popular, every single item I purchased has found a use and has meant something to someone in my class. For this I am extremely grateful, and so are my students.","fullyFundedDate":1730674917015,"projectUrl":"project/express-and-embrace-your-emotions-throug/8917796/","projectTitle":"Express and Embrace Your Emotions Through Colors!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Szakovits","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5439108"},{"teacherId":9801117,"projectId":8872316,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well! I am excited to share with you the impact of your generous contributions to our classroom. Thanks to your support, we've been able to enrich our science program with new resources that are already making a meaningful difference in our students' learning experiences.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting classroom moments came when our students first saw the new materials. Their faces lit up when they discovered the scales, micropipettes, and synthetic gels. These tools are not only enhancing their understanding of scientific principles, but they are also giving them the opportunity to apply those principles in real-world projects. In particular, our students are using the scales for their Internal Assessment (IA) projects in IB Environmental Systems and Societies. They are collecting data and running experiments to explore environmental questions, and this equipment is essential for ensuring accuracy in their measurements. It's a fantastic way to prepare them for upcoming science fairs, such as the GSDSEF (Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair) and the local Sweetwater Union High School Science Fair, where they will showcase their research and findings.\r\n\r\nThe students are also excited to use the micropipettes and synthetic gels in their lab work. This skill kit will be shared across all of our science classes, enabling students to practice precision techniques. They are learning how to manipulate small quantities of liquids for various experiments, and the synthetic gels are allowing them to explore concepts like electrophoresis in a hands-on way. For IB ESS, students in the past only had one opportunity to practice these skills at the Safari Park in San Diego if I was able to secure this conservation lab. Now, we have a set that can travel from teacher to teacher.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the next steps for our students are even more exciting! They will continue refining their IA projects for IB Environmental Systems and Societies, using the equipment to collect data, analyze their results, and present their findings. They will also begin preparing for their science fairs, where they will share their work with the broader community and engage with fellow students and scientists. These experiences are invaluable as they develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that will serve them well in the future.\r\n\r\nOnce again, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support. You've given our students the tools they need to succeed and the confidence to pursue their scientific inquiries with curiosity and dedication. I can't wait to share more updates as their projects progress!\r\n\r\nWarm regards,\r\nJennifer Ekstein\r\nBonita Vista High School","fullyFundedDate":1729442973544,"projectUrl":"project/science-skill-development/8872316/","projectTitle":"Science Skill Development","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ekstein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801117"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_38437","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2049,"numTeachers":100,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":18,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":63,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"20.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":89.7,"schoolId":38437,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bonita Vista High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bonita Vista High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/sweetwater-union-high-school-district/bonita-vista-high-school/38437"}

About this school

Bonita Vista High School is an urban public school in Chula Vista, California that is part of Sweetwater Union High School District. It serves 2,049 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 20.5:1. Its teachers have had 31 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

2,049 Students

100 Teachers

751 Otay Lakes Rd

Chula Vista, CA 91913 View local requests

http://www.sweetwaterschools.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

Bonita Vista High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Bonita Vista High School Demographics

45%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

75%

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.

Bonita Vista High 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.