{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Santiago Hills Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7824996,"projectId":9974601,"letterContent":"Sketchbooks and Tote Bags in the New Year is such an important project for my students. Through this project, my students were able to design journals and tote bags that were reflective of their personalities. \r\nI loved seeing both of these projects. On the journal covers, students let their creativity shine. They designed it with things that were meaningful to them, and the inside became a place for them to keep their thoughts and doodles.\r\nThe tote bags were fun to design. My students learned how to use the Cricut app and how to weed their final project. Their eyes lit up when they saw the final design on the tote bags. They were so proud!\r\nI appreciate you bringing these experiences to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1767187446676,"projectUrl":"project/sketchbooks-and-tote-bags-in-the-new-yea/9974601/","projectTitle":"Sketchbooks and Tote Bags in the New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kim-Nakaso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7824996_orig.jpg?crop=2716,2716,x0,y570&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726694924128","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjenniferkim"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10184412,"letterContent":"This project is so great! My students were proud to put together these Math Helper Boxes together. The mini geared clocks are amazing! Previously we had clocks, but the hour hand and the minute hand were not geared, so they would not stay. These new clocks allow students to easily tell time and show each other. It makes playing our games more fun because students aren't frustrated by the mechanics of a clock, they can just enjoy practicing the skill. \r\nWhen working with others, it is great to have a variety of dice. This allows games to be adjusted to the level of those playing. Students still working on facts within 10 can use the 6 sided dice, while those working on facts within 20 can use the 10 sided dice.\r\nWe appreciate you making this project possible!","fullyFundedDate":1777642221744,"projectUrl":"project/math-helper-boxes-for-community-learning/10184412/","projectTitle":"Math Helper Boxes for Community Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10230013,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Loving the Library! There are so many things in this project that make our library better! When we went to library this week, my student was so excited to sit in the special chair! After we left, she said, \"That was was so fun, I love that chair!\" The shelf clips make it so much easier for students to find the section they are looking for.\r\nI am also excited about the books. These are books that my students are looking forward to reading, and they are looking forward to reading them.","fullyFundedDate":1777985549320,"projectUrl":"project/loving-the-library/10230013/","projectTitle":"Loving the Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10265720,"letterContent":"What a difference a microphone can make! Having this system in our library is HUGE! Everyone can easily hear our read aloud and the videos being played. Our librarian loves it because she is not straining her voice, and our students love it because they can hear her even when she \"whisper reads\". \r\nSometimes it is the smallest things that have the biggest impact. This is an example of that. \r\nThank you for making our library even more special. We appreciate the difference you are making in our learning.","fullyFundedDate":1778004713175,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-hear-me-now/10265720/","projectTitle":"Can You Hear Me Now?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10204610,"letterContent":"I love this project! Thank you so much for bringing these resources to our classroom. Our ClassroomBookADay time is my favorite time of the day. It is a time where we come together to read a book just for the joy of reading. We Are Definitely Human is a book that made us laugh, while Anybody's Game let us learn about Kathryn Johnston, the first girl to play Little League baseball. The Boy and the Elephant has beautiful illustrations.\r\nThe Birthday Buckets are another favorite. Each student writes birthday wishes for their classmates and these get sent home. These are a great way for students to recognize each other, and a great way for everyone to know how important they are to their classmates.\r\nThank you for making these experiences possible. We truly appreciate the difference you are making in our learning.","fullyFundedDate":1777992805732,"projectUrl":"project/books-birthdays-and-more/10204610/","projectTitle":"Books, Birthdays, and More!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":1585459,"projectId":9956296,"letterContent":"We are grateful for your generosity and kindness! Your donation enabled the kids to celebrate creativity and make a custom mug. The box of mugs sat in the back of our classroom for awhile, so the kids were excited to finally see what was inside. Each student created a special piece of art for and used it to make a mug. The wonder on students' faces was everything! \r\nWhen it was time for the mug reveal, there were smiles, cheers of joy, and a lot of proud faces. Students who have access to different mediums when creating art are courageous when creating. Thank you for giving them an opportunity to see their art displayed on a ceramic mug!","fullyFundedDate":1766598284176,"projectUrl":"project/mugs-and-more-in-the-new-year/9956296/","projectTitle":"Mugs and More in the New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morikawa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-morikawa"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10073133,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bring Read On! to my students. We are enjoying reading the books during our ClassroomBookADay time. So far, my favorite has been Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies. It was inspiring to see how a group of students could have such a positive impact on their community, and how one idea could grow into something so far reaching. \r\nMy students are loving the Where's Waldo? books! They can be found at the rug working together to find Waldo, and I love it! \r\nThank you for bringing such wonderful experiences to my students! We appreciate you.","fullyFundedDate":1773632253838,"projectUrl":"project/read-on/10073133/","projectTitle":"Read On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10179706,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting Books, Bats, and Balls! I love books, and I love when my students love to read! Being able to add books that they want to read is so important. When students have access to high interest books, it helps them fall in love with reading. \r\n\r\nMy students were so thrilled to have this baseball equipment! The hitting tees are perfect, because the size can be adjusted. I love having 2 different sized bats, as we have so many different skill levels. I also like that we have a variety of balls for students to practice with, from wiffle balls to soft foam balls. The variety of equipment helps make this game accessible to everyone!\r\n\r\nWe appreciate your support! Thanks for making a difference in our learning this year.","fullyFundedDate":1775484175824,"projectUrl":"project/books-bats-and-balls/10179706/","projectTitle":"Books, Bats, and Balls","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":685355,"projectId":10157840,"letterContent":"My students were excited when they saw the shipment of volleyballs come in. They wanted to head out and try hitting the ball, so that is what we did. It was fun to see them practice a new skill, and to be excited when they were successful. \r\nVolleyball is a fun game that my students will play for many years to come. Being able to lay the ground work for this game now will help them know the game as they get older. \r\nOur goal is to be outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, and to be active. This equipment will help us do that! Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1775140181707,"projectUrl":"project/volleyballs-for-recess-and-pe/10157840/","projectTitle":"Volleyballs for Recess and PE","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilhelm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kwilhelm"},{"teacherId":7824996,"projectId":9974600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in my students' learning experiences, and I truly appreciate your kindness and commitment to education.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, my students were able to engage in creative and meaningful STEAM activities connected to the Lunar New Year. This project was especially important to our class, as many of my students celebrate this holiday with their families. Your support allowed us to not only explore art and writing, but also create space for students to share their traditions and learn from one another.\r\n\r\nThe watercolors you provided brought so much excitement into our classroom. Students loved expressing themselves through painting, creating beautiful artwork inspired by Lunar New Year themes. The blank books gave them a special place to write their own poetry, encouraging creativity, reflection, and confidence in their writing.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the clipboards have become an essential part of our daily routine. They allow students to move comfortably around the room and work in different spaces, making learning more flexible and engaging. This has helped create a more dynamic classroom environment where students feel motivated and focused.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation helped build a strong sense of community. Students were eager to share their family traditions, listen to one another, and celebrate their diverse backgrounds together.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making these meaningful learning experiences possible. Your support has truly made a lasting impact on my students!","fullyFundedDate":1767112516899,"projectUrl":"project/art-in-the-new-year/9974600/","projectTitle":"Art in the New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kim-Nakaso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7824996_orig.jpg?crop=2716,2716,x0,y570&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726694924128","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjenniferkim"},{"teacherId":7824996,"projectId":9974594,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of our classroom project! Your generosity has made a meaningful impact on my students' learning, and I am incredibly grateful for your kindness and commitment to education.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, my students were able to participate in engaging STEAM activities connected to the Lunar New Year. This project was especially meaningful because many of my students celebrate this holiday with their families. Your support allowed us to create a learning environment where students could not only explore hands-on activities, but also share their cultural traditions and learn from one another.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting activities was creating Shrinky Dink keychains. Students loved designing their own unique creations and watching them transform as they shrank. This activity encouraged creativity, attention to detail, and curiosity. It was also a wonderful way to connect learning with cultural celebration, and students were so proud to take their finished keychains home to share with their families.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the geared clocks have made a huge difference during our unit on telling time. These hands-on tools have helped students better understand the relationship between the hour and minute hands. Being able to physically move the gears and see how the clock works has made learning more interactive and accessible for all students. Because of these materials, I was able to provide clearer instruction and give students the opportunity to practice in a meaningful, hands-on way.\r\n\r\nBeyond the materials themselves, your donation helped foster a sense of community in our classroom. Students eagerly shared their Lunar New Year traditions, foods, and celebrations, creating an inclusive environment where everyone felt valued and connected. These conversations deepened their understanding of one another and made learning even more meaningful.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has gone far beyond providing supplies—you have helped create memorable learning experiences that inspired creativity, built confidence, and supported academic growth. My students were engaged, excited, and eager to learn in ways that would not have been possible without your support.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my entire class, thank you for believing in our project and for making such a positive difference in our classroom. We are truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1767139735926,"projectUrl":"project/shrinky-dinks-and-clocks-for-the-new-yea/9974594/","projectTitle":"Shrinky Dinks and Clocks for the New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kim-Nakaso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7824996_orig.jpg?crop=2716,2716,x0,y570&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726694924128","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjenniferkim"},{"teacherId":7824996,"projectId":9974573,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support of our classroom project! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in my students' learning, and I am truly grateful for your kindness and belief in their experiences.\r\n\r\nBecause of your contribution, my students engaged in a variety of exciting STEAM activities centered around the Lunar New Year. This project was especially meaningful because many of my students celebrate this holiday with their families. Your donation allowed us to combine hands-on learning with meaningful cultural connections, giving students the opportunity to share and celebrate their traditions with one another.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights was creating horse-themed Shrinky Dinks and keychains. Students loved designing their own pieces and watching their artwork transform. This activity encouraged creativity, patience, and curiosity while also connecting to Lunar New Year symbolism. They were incredibly proud of their finished creations and excited to share them at home.\r\n\r\nThe mesh zipper pouches were also a valuable addition during our money unit. Students used them to organize their coins, making lessons more interactive and helping them better understand counting and exchanging money. These tools supported both engagement and organization.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, students designed custom tote bags using the heat press vinyl bundle. This allowed them to express creativity while creating something practical, building confidence and pride in their work.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support helped foster a classroom environment where students felt valued and connected. They shared traditions, learned from one another, and built a stronger sense of community.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making these meaningful learning experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1767112561035,"projectUrl":"project/fun-in-the-new-year/9974573/","projectTitle":"Fun in the New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kim-Nakaso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7824996_orig.jpg?crop=2716,2716,x0,y570&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726694924128","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjenniferkim"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46027","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":236,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":13,"percentAsian":65,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"10.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.7,"schoolId":46027,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Santiago Hills Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Santiago Hills Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/irvine-unified-school-district/santiago-hills-elementary-school/46027"}
Join the 1,089 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Santiago Hills Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Irvine, California that is part of Irvine Unified School District.
It serves 236 students
in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.3:1.
Its teachers have had 1,222 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades K - 6
236 Students
23 Teachers
29 Christamon WContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
72%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Santiago Hills Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 16, 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.
Santiago Hills Elementary School
$818,500
raised using DonorsChoose
1,222
projects
funded
45
teachers
funded
1,089
donors
49
projects
for
basic supplies
62
projects for
technology
310
projects for
books
80
projects
for
art supplies
Santiago Hills Elementary School has received support from
726 individuals from California and
363 individuals out-of-state.