La Joya High School in Avondale, Arizona on DonorsChoose

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The dedicated game area provides just that — a structured, predictable environment where students can learn how to interact appropriately with peers.\r\n💻 How Technology Supports Learning\r\n\r\nWhile many donors use technology at home, in our classroom it serves as a powerful instructional tool. Educational games and interactive activities support:\r\nReinforcement of multiplication and reading skills\r\nImmediate feedback to guide learning\r\nIncreased engagement for students who struggle with traditional worksheets\r\nVisual and auditory supports for diverse learners\r\nTechnology also helps students who experience anxiety or processing delays by allowing them to work at their own pace while still participating in cooperative learning.\r\nFor students with special needs, digital tools provide structured repetition, visual cues, and interactive engagement that make abstract concepts more concrete.\r\n🎉 What Students Are Most Excited About\r\nThe most exciting part for students is having a space that feels welcoming and safe. The comfortable seating and designated \"game zone\" create a sense of belonging and ownership. Students light up when they realize they get to learn through play.\r\n\r\nThey are especially excited about:\r\nStrategy games where they can \"beat the teacher\"\r\nCard games that feel mature and age-appropriate\r\nCooperative games where everyone works toward a shared goal instead of competing\r\nMany of our students struggle in traditional academic settings, but in this space, they experience success — sometimes for the first time in a social setting.\r\n💙 Students Who Have Especially Benefited\r\nSome of my quieter students, who typically avoid peer interaction, have warmed significantly to this new area. One student who rarely initiated conversation now asks classmates to join him for a card game and practices conversational phrases we've been teaching.\r\nAnother student who struggles with frustration tolerance is learning to manage disappointment appropriately when he loses a round. Instead of shutting down, he is practicing positive self-talk and trying again.\r\nThese are not small victories — they are foundational life skills.\r\n🌟 Lasting Impact\r\nThis game area is not just about recreation. It is about:\r\nBuilding emotional resilience\r\nStrengthening peer relationships\r\nIncreasing academic confidence\r\nTeaching lifelong social skills\r\nThrough these materials, our students are learning that school can be both structured and joyful. They are building communication skills, patience, teamwork, and confidence — skills that extend far beyond the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764718417901,"projectUrl":"project/game-on/9920561/","projectTitle":"Game On!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vanderpool","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6326583_orig.jpg?crop=1160,1160,x0,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661205124434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6326583"},{"teacherId":6326583,"projectId":9910768,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Science in Action for Every Learner project. Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a space where every student can actively explore, discover, and understand science in ways that truly meet their needs.\r\n\r\nOur students with special needs learn best when they can touch, build, test, and see concepts come to life. The hands-on science equipment you provided gave them access to learning experiences that were once out of reach. Instead of just hearing about scientific ideas, they were able to experiment, manipulate materials, observe changes, and make real-world connections. This approach helped science finally \"click\" for many of our learners.\r\n\r\nWe saw students who are typically hesitant to participate become excited and engaged. They worked together, took turns using materials, made predictions, and proudly shared their discoveries. The equipment also supported important life and learning skills such as communication, problem-solving, fine motor development, following directions, and teamwork — all while building confidence and curiosity.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support helped our students feel successful. They experienced the joy of learning through exploration, and many discovered that they can do science. That sense of accomplishment is priceless.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, science is no longer abstract — it's active, meaningful, and accessible for every learner in our classroom. Thank you for believing in our students and for giving them opportunities that will stay with them far beyond this school year.","fullyFundedDate":1763835585672,"projectUrl":"project/science-in-action-for-every-learner/9910768/","projectTitle":"Science in Action for Every Learner!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vanderpool","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6326583_orig.jpg?crop=1160,1160,x0,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661205124434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6326583"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71448","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2170,"numTeachers":99,"percentFrplEligible":49,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":79,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.0,"schoolId":71448,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about La Joya High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"La Joya High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/tolleson-union-high-school-district/la-joya-high-school/71448"}

About this school

La Joya High School is a suburban public school in Avondale, Arizona that is part of Tolleson Union High School District. It serves 2,170 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.9:1. Its teachers have had 52 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

2,170 Students

99 Teachers

11650 W Whyman Ave

Avondale, AZ 85323 View local requests

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

La Joya High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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La Joya High School Demographics

49%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

91%

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.

La Joya High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 23, 2026

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