Santa Barbara Community Academy in Santa Barbara, California on DonorsChoose

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The donation included a variety of options, including gluten-free and vegan snacks, which ensured that students with dietary restrictions could also participate and feel included.\r\n\r\nOne meaningful moment was seeing students encourage one another and share their excitement over having snacks that met their individual needs. The support helped create a positive testing environment and reminded students that their well-being and success are valued during this important week.\r\nThe students reacted with excitement and gratitude when they first saw the materials and healthy snacks. Many were especially happy to see a variety of options, including gluten-free and vegan snacks that met different dietary needs. The donation helped students feel supported and encouraged during state testing week, and several students commented that the snacks made them feel more prepared and cared for before their exams.","fullyFundedDate":1777999125405,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-strong-minds/10160835/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks, Strong Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4631442_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697662479663","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4631442"},{"teacherId":4631442,"projectId":9906294,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed in ways that directly impact how my students learn and engage every day. We have been using the new resources to bring lessons to life—turning what used to be abstract concepts into hands-on, meaningful experiences. Recently, during a a fractions lesson, the students used the magnetic fraction tiles and was confident in solving her problems using the visual models. Another instance was a student that struggles with math fluency and we played the multiplication jenga. She had so much fun practicing her multiplication facts in a fun game.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate and genuine. There were smiles, questions, and an eagerness to dive right in. Several students even asked if they could start using them right away before the lesson began. That sense of ownership and enthusiasm has carried into our daily work, making our classroom a more dynamic and engaging place.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are building on this momentum. These resources will continue to support their growth, helping them develop not just academic skills, but confidence and curiosity as learners.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students these opportunities. 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About this school

Santa Barbara Community Academy is an urban public school in Santa Barbara, California that is part of Santa Barbara Unified School District. It serves 202 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.8:1. Its teachers have had 17 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

202 Students

12 Teachers

850 Portesuello Ave

Santa Barbara, CA 93101 View local requests

http://www.sbunified.org

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Santa Barbara Community Academy to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Santa Barbara Community Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

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Santa Barbara Community Academy Demographics

89%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

98%

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.

Santa Barbara Community Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jul 8, 2026

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.