{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Costa Mesa Middle High School","outOfStateSupporters":20.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":642736,"projectId":9684947,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through your donation of new books! Your generosity will make a real difference in our students' learning experience this year.\r\n\r\nThe new texts you provided will allow us to introduce critical literacy skills that go beyond simply reading words on a page. Through these books, our students will learn to analyze character development, identify themes and symbolism, make text-to-world connections, and engage in meaningful discussions about complex ideas. The variety of genres from contemporary fiction to memoirs to graphic novels will also show students that reading can take many forms and appeal to different interests.\r\n\r\nOur classroom reading time is dynamic and collaborative. Some days, students settle into independent reading with books they've chosen from our expanded library. Other days, we gather in literature circles where small groups dive deep into shared texts, debating interpretations and making predictions. We also incorporate read-alouds, partner reading, and annotation exercises where students mark up texts with questions and observations. \r\n\r\nMany students have expressed excitement about books with characters and experiences that reflect their own lives and communities represented on our shelves.\r\nYour investment in these books is truly an investment in our students' futures. Thank you for believing in the power of reading and for making our classroom a more vibrant, inclusive learning space.","fullyFundedDate":1764825518806,"projectUrl":"project/books-they-have-chosen/9684947/","projectTitle":"Books They Have Chosen!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kahawai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp642736_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580316974135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kahawai"},{"teacherId":9474783,"projectId":9543832,"letterContent":"Receiving support for my students' supplies this school year has been a true blessing. The materials provided have made a significant difference in their learning, empowering them to stay engaged, confident, and prepared every day in their Spanish class. \r\n\r\nHaving the right tools not only enhances their academic success but also boosts their excitement and pride in their work. I am deeply thankful for this generous help, as it has positively impacted both my students' experience in the classroom and my ability to support them fully.","fullyFundedDate":1757016612503,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-needed-dreams-unlimited/9543832/","projectTitle":"\"Supplies Needed, Dreams Unlimited!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Montalvo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9474783_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y339&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711648130097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9474783"},{"teacherId":9651502,"projectId":9606373,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me expand my classroom library. Because my students range from grades 7–12 and come to class with many different reading levels, these new texts have made a huge impact on their learning. Many of my students are still developing foundational reading skills, so these texts also support vocabulary growth, comprehension strategies, and engagement through relatable characters and real-world topics. The variety of reading levels in my classroom means needing texts that are accessible, culturally relevant, and rich enough to spark meaningful discussion, and these books do exactly that.\r\n\r\nIn my classroom, reading is an active, collaborative process. Students annotate, discuss in small groups, engage in guided reading, and respond through writing and creative projects. Whether students are reading independently, listening to the text read aloud, or analyzing a passage together, the goal is always the same: to help them connect with the story, build skills they can use across all subjects, and develop a genuine love for reading. These new books have truly strengthened that experience and given my students access to stories that inspire and challenge them.","fullyFundedDate":1755815561537,"projectUrl":"project/more-book-choices-more-fun/9606373/","projectTitle":"More Book Choices, More Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Camarena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9651502"},{"teacherId":1660864,"projectId":9589947,"letterContent":"I want to share the meaningful impact that the new books have already had on my high school classroom library. For many of my students, reading can feel like a chore but these engaging, relevant books have sparked genuine curiosity. Students who rarely checked out a book before are now asking to borrow them.\r\n\r\nThe variety in the donation has helped more students see themselves as readers. High-interest titles give reluctant readers an accessible entry point, while more advanced selections challenge students who are ready to grow. Having books that reflect diverse voices and real-world themes matters, and these new additions are helping students feel seen, represented, and connected.\r\n\r\nThe classroom environment has shifted as well. During independent reading time, the room feels quieter and more focused because students are actually absorbed in what they're reading. \r\n\r\nYour generosity extended more than just new books; it opened doors for students to discover new interests, explore new stories, and strengthen their skills. Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping create a space where reading feels inviting, engaging, and meaningful. The impact of this donation will continue to ripple through the year as more students find the right book at the right time.","fullyFundedDate":1757016677258,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-love-for-reading/9589947/","projectTitle":"Creating a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Edwards","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1660864_orig.jpg?crop=4160,4160,x0,y346&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755120849125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1660864"},{"teacherId":642736,"projectId":9620549,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing new books for our classroom. Your donation means that our students will have access to stories, ideas, and perspectives that can truly change their lives.\r\n\r\nBooks have the power to open doors, spark curiosity, and help young people see themselves and the world in new ways. Thanks to your kindness, our shelves are now filled with possibilities, and our students are already excited to dive in.\r\n\r\nYour investment in these young readers is an investment in their futures, and we are deeply grateful for your belief in the transformative power of literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1757016697244,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-6th-grade-readers/9620549/","projectTitle":"Books for 6th Grade Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kahawai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp642736_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580316974135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kahawai"},{"teacherId":642736,"projectId":9596157,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation of new books for my high school English classroom. I want to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our learning community.\r\n\r\nThe books you have helped to provide will become powerful teaching tools that go far beyond enjoyment. The variety of genres you provided—contemporary fiction, classics, memoirs, and graphic novels—will allow me to teach critical thinking skills as students analyze different perspectives and question assumptions. Thanks to your donations, reading will continue to be a dynamic, student-centered experience. \r\n\r\nEach morning begins with silent reading from our newly stocked shelves, and I've watched reluctant readers transform into engaged students who discover books that speak to them personally. \r\n\r\nYour donation has created changes that extend beyond our classroom. Parents report students reading more at home and discussing books at dinner. The sense of ownership students feel over \"their\" classroom library has strengthened our community as they take pride in recommending books and caring for our shared collection.\r\n\r\nYour belief in the power of books has given my students an invaluable gift: seeing themselves as readers and developing tools to engage deeply with the world through literature. This foundation will benefit not just this year's students, but future classes for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in these young minds and understanding that access to diverse, engaging books transforms lives.","fullyFundedDate":1757016656520,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-spark-a-love-for-reading/9596157/","projectTitle":"Books to Spark a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kahawai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp642736_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580316974135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kahawai"},{"teacherId":1660864,"projectId":9333704,"letterContent":"Every day in our classroom begins with fifteen minutes of quiet, sustained reading. This routine is more than just a break from instruction—it is a chance for students to set aside the noise of the digital world and immerse themselves in stories that spark their imagination and curiosity. Those first few minutes of class allow them to slow down, focus, and step into the mindset of a reader and a learner. It is often one of the most treasured parts of our day.\r\n\r\nThis process only works, however, when students have access to high-interest novels that genuinely capture their attention. The books you donated make that possible. They help students discover characters they connect with, plots that challenge their thinking, and stories that encourage them to consider perspectives beyond their own. Without an engaging selection, students would not experience the same joy, growth, and motivation to keep reading both inside and outside the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made a direct impact on their lives as readers and thinkers. Thanks to your donation, our classroom library is not just a shelf of books—it is a gateway into new worlds and ideas. You have given students the opportunity to fall in love with reading, to develop empathy through stories, and to build the habits of thoughtful, lifelong learners. For that, we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1751735132861,"projectUrl":"project/passion-for-reading/9333704/","projectTitle":"Passion for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Edwards","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1660864_orig.jpg?crop=4160,4160,x0,y346&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755120849125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1660864"},{"teacherId":9651502,"projectId":9249562,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations! These new books are used during our SSR time to help students strengthen their reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Because they come in a variety of reading levels, I can match each student with a text that fits their abilities and interests. This allows every student to engage with a book that is both accessible and inspiring. Reading in my classroom is a quiet, focused time where students choose their own books, immerse themselves in the text, and share their thoughts or connections on their reading logs.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing my students access to books that meet them where they are, so they can grow as readers and develop a lifelong love for reading.","fullyFundedDate":1744229276431,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-middle-school-minds/9249562/","projectTitle":"Empowering Middle School Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Camarena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9651502"},{"teacherId":642736,"projectId":9323274,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire high school community, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible book donations to our classroom. Your generosity has transformed our learning environment in ways that extend far beyond the physical books now lining our shelves.\r\n\r\nYour donated books have breathed new life into our classroom library, providing our students with access to diverse voices, stories, and perspectives they might never have encountered otherwise. We've watched students who previously showed little interest in reading become completely absorbed in novels you've provided, staying after class to finish \"just one more chapter.\" \r\n\r\nStudents are engaging in more meaningful discussions about the books they're reading, connecting themes from literature to their own lives and current events. We've seen improved writing skills as students draw inspiration from the authors whose works now fill our classroom. Perhaps most importantly, many students have discovered the joy of reading for pleasure, checking out books to take home and share with family members.\r\n\r\nYour donation has also allowed us to implement more diverse teaching strategies. We can now offer book clubs, independent reading programs, and literature circles that cater to different interests and reading levels. Students who struggle with traditional textbooks are finding success with the engaging narratives and varied formats you've provided.\r\n\r\nYour investment in these young minds extends far beyond the high school years. The love of reading you've helped cultivate will serve our students throughout their lives, whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or become parents themselves. You've given them tools for lifelong learning, critical thinking, and empathy.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of books and the potential of our students. Your generosity has made a lasting difference that will resonate through countless future conversations, essays, and dreams inspired by the stories you've shared.","fullyFundedDate":1746787142293,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-help-them-develop-a-joy-of-read/9323274/","projectTitle":"Books to Help Them Develop a Joy of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kahawai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp642736_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580316974135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kahawai"},{"teacherId":642736,"projectId":9230130,"letterContent":"With heartfelt gratitude, I write to thank you for your incredible donation of books to our high school English classroom. As Malala Yousafzai so powerfully stated, \"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.\" Your generosity has placed these world-changing tools directly into our students' hands.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your donation extends far beyond the physical addition of books to our shelves. Each volume represents a new opportunity for our students to explore diverse perspectives, challenge their thinking, and develop crucial literacy skills that will serve them throughout their lives. In our classroom, these books have already sparked thoughtful discussions, ignited creativity, and fostered a deeper love of reading.\r\n\r\nMany of our students come from backgrounds where access to quality literature is limited. Your contribution helps bridge this gap, ensuring that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the transformative power of literature. The excitement on their faces as they browse through these new books is truly priceless.\r\n\r\nOur English curriculum is now enriched with contemporary voices, classic works, and thought-provoking texts that would have been otherwise unavailable to us. I personally have observed increased engagement, improved reading comprehension, and a growing enthusiasm for literary analysis among our students.\r\n\r\nYour investment in our classroom library is an investment in the future of these young people. You have helped create a space where imagination flourishes, where critical thinking is nurtured, and where the written word can indeed change worlds.\r\n\r\nPlease know that your generosity has made a significant difference in our educational community.","fullyFundedDate":1746480418699,"projectUrl":"project/books-they-want-to-read/9230130/","projectTitle":"Books They Want to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kahawai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp642736_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580316974135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kahawai"},{"teacherId":1660864,"projectId":9038117,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom library project. As a high school teacher, one of my greatest joys is helping students discover a love for reading, and your donation is playing a direct role in making that happen.\r\n\r\nOver the past year, I've witnessed just how powerful the right book can be. I've seen reluctant readers pick up a novel and finish it—sometimes for the first time. I've seen students who once claimed they didn't like reading come back asking for \"another one like that.\" I've watched as classmates pass books between them, start conversations about what they're reading, and connect over stories. These moments are small but powerful, and your generosity will help ensure they continue.\r\n\r\nWith your support, we're able to add a wider variety of high-interest, engaging titles to our classroom library—books that reflect the diverse identities, experiences, and interests of our students. This expansion will include a mix of genres, topics, and voices: everything from contemporary fiction to fantasy, memoirs to mysteries, and graphic novels to historical fiction.","fullyFundedDate":1746472917310,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-the-passion-for-reading-alive/9038117/","projectTitle":"Keeping the Passion for Reading Alive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Edwards","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1660864_orig.jpg?crop=4160,4160,x0,y346&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755120849125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1660864"},{"teacherId":8063490,"projectId":8994128,"letterContent":"I thank you deeply for your support. The books received from this project have already impacted my classroom. They are quite literally flying off the shelves as students are flocking to them. I have students from my class asking to and borrow the books over the weekend, and students from other classes asking to borrow the books for their class independent reading time. I was able to listen to the requests and reviews from current and previous students and choose books that were sought after. I am truly thankful for your partnership in bringing the love of reading to my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1733854509657,"projectUrl":"project/continuing-to-find-the-joy-in-reading/8994128/","projectTitle":"Continuing to Find the Joy in Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kent","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8063490_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y81&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1654273008582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8063490"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_92163","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1761,"numTeachers":82,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":79.9,"schoolId":92163,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Costa Mesa Middle High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Costa Mesa Middle High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/newport-mesa-unified-school-district/costa-mesa-high-school/92163"}