Portola High School in Irvine, California on DonorsChoose

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I've already used it to purchase new books based on student interests, helping to grow our collection in ways that are both thoughtful and inclusive. Students will soon begin working on book reports and sharing reflections on what they've read—ensuring these stories don't just live on the shelves, but in their hearts and minds.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students' love of reading and affirming the importance of stories that reflect who they are. Your support is felt every day in the joy these books bring to our classroom.\r\n\r\nWith deep gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1753591952428,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-for-everyone/9248583/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels for Everyone!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8433537_orig.jpg?crop=2787,2787,x904,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700635707043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8433537"},{"teacherId":9911451,"projectId":9086585,"letterContent":"The grant request for these TI-30XS MultiView calculators is about more than just a tool; it's about leveling the playing field for our diverse and resilient students. For many who use technology daily, it's easy to assume that all students have equal access. But in a classroom, the technology that helps us learn is often different from what's used at home. These calculators help our students learn by bridging the gap between abstract scientific concepts and concrete problem-solving. They are not just for basic calculation; they are essential for performing complex statistical analysis on lab data in a biology classroom. By providing universal access to these powerful tools, we empower students to move from passively learning about science to actively doing science. It transforms our classroom into a true lab where every student can engage in hands-on inquiry, building the critical thinking skills needed to become confident and capable scientists.\r\n\r\nWhat has been most exciting for our students about this new product is the Multiview feature. Unlike traditional single-line calculators, these display the entire problem and the answer on the same screen. For our students, this is a game-changer. They can see the full equation as they type it in, which helps them catch mistakes and understand the logical flow of a problem. This simple feature demystifies complex calculations and gives them a clear window into their own learning process, allowing them to pinpoint where they might have made an error and correct it on their own. \r\n\r\nFor our English learners, the calculators have become a powerful tool for removing language barriers. One student who often struggles with the complex vocabulary of scientific terms has shown remarkable progress in grasping concepts. The visual, number-based nature of the tool allows them to focus on the scientific principles without being hindered by translation. By equipping them with the same tools used in higher education and STEM fields, we are helping them visualize themselves in those careers as well.","fullyFundedDate":1746785779942,"projectUrl":"project/calculating-equity-empowering-students/9086585/","projectTitle":"Calculating Equity: Empowering Students with Scientific Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9911451_orig.jpg?crop=570,570,x171,y153&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738178048442","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9911451"},{"teacherId":8433537,"projectId":8616959,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generosity in making this project a reality! Thanks to you, 150 students were impacted at the perfect time—finals week, when stress and anxiety were at their highest.\r\n\r\nWith your support, I created a Journaling & Mindfulness Center, giving students a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and practice mindfulness. Throughout the week, they engaged with coloring pages, guided journal prompts, and visualization exercises to help them express themselves, set goals, and develop self-awareness. Some students even shared their journal entries, showing how deeply they connected with the activities.\r\n\r\nOne unexpected joy? The stickers! Students were so excited to receive them and immediately decorated their notebooks, water bottles, and folders. It was a small but meaningful way for them to feel ownership of this project and carry a reminder of their mindfulness journey.\r\n\r\nAnother incredible addition was the power of calm and music. The ability to create a peaceful atmosphere made a huge difference—not just for students, but for me as well. I was surprised by how much it helped me manage my own stress and stay centered, allowing me to bring even more patience, focus, and calm into our classroom.\r\n\r\nBy integrating these resources, we created a supportive, mindful space where students could manage stress and focus on their well-being—something that felt especially important during finals. 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About this school

Portola High School is an urban public school in Irvine, California that is part of Irvine Unified School District. It serves 2,500 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 65.8:1. Its teachers have had 7 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

2,500 Students

38 Teachers

1001 Cadence

Irvine, CA 92618 View local requests

http://portolahigh.iusd.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

Portola High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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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.

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Portola High School Demographics

20%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

72%

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.

Portola 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.