{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sonora Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2025943,"projectId":9522747,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to my classroom. I was able to purchase many new and fun things for students to use. They love every time I show them something new we have to work with. It's really fun and exciting for them to be able to touch and use things as it's one of the best ways for them to learn as they do things. We use them regularly in our learning centers and also throughout the day when the students get to choose their activity and play. \r\n\r\nThey especially loved the doll clothes for the babies we have when they have their pretend play. The giant linking cubes were also a huge hit. They've always been used to having the small ones so when they saw giant ones, they were oohing and aaahing over it. \r\n\r\nThank you for making learning fun and engaging for our little ones!","fullyFundedDate":1757016449238,"projectUrl":"project/launching-learning-fun-for-little-ones/9522747/","projectTitle":"Launching Learning Fun for Little Ones","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2025943_orig.jpg?crop=764,764,x45,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706110660033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2025943"},{"teacherId":3827142,"projectId":9611972,"letterContent":"We cannot THANK YOU enough for your donation of 30 copies of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio! My current class and all future students, who I am so lucky to get, will have the pleasure of having their own copy, in hand, to read as a whole class. Not only am I thankful, but my students today and in the future are so grateful. \r\n \r\nEach year my students and I will read this novel together. The students have the option to volunteer to read aloud or to listen and follow along as I read it to them. Either way, the students can enjoy the story. Reading aloud to students benefits them in so many ways. Reading comprehension improves by listening and through discussion of the story elements. Reading fluency can improve by following along with the reader.\r\n \r\nThe moral of this story is, \"Choose Kind.\" Auggie Pullman, is entering 5th grade and starting school for the first time in his life. The students can relate to this character because they are also beginning fifth grade. So many connections can be made throughout the reading and discussing of this novel. Most importantly, focusing on kindness, courage, and self-acceptance will go a long way with this age level. \r\n\r\nOnce again, I am so thankful for your donation. It will be enjoyed by many many children today and in future years.","fullyFundedDate":1757016532650,"projectUrl":"project/wonder-reading-and-discussing-the-impor/9611972/","projectTitle":"Wonder: Reading and Discussing the Importance of “Choosing Kind”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eadie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrseadie"},{"teacherId":8398595,"projectId":9711289,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our kindergarten and first-grade students are learning letter recognition, sound blending, and word building in a hands-on, engaging way with our new Pop It letter arcs! These colorful tools turn phonics practice into a fun sensory experience that keeps young learners excited and focused.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, students can now physically \"pop\" out each sound in a word, which helps them strengthen phonemic awareness and connect letters to sounds. This tactile activity supports early reading and spelling skills while also building fine motor coordination.\r\n\r\nWe've seen students who once struggled to focus during literacy lessons now eagerly volunteer to spell and read words using their Pop Its. Thank you, for making learning interactive, joyful, and meaningful for our youngest readers!","fullyFundedDate":1760107369910,"projectUrl":"project/a-reading-rainbow-of-letters-and-sounds/9711289/","projectTitle":"A Reading Rainbow of Letters and Sounds!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8398595_orig.jpg?crop=1642,1642,x0,y240&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726778587523","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-turners-class"},{"teacherId":8398595,"projectId":9508096,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping bring new organizational shelves, boxes, and furniture to our literacy classroom. These additions have made a tremendous difference in the way students access and engage with hands-on materials. Now, every book, manipulative, and activity has a designated space, allowing students to find what they need quickly and independently. The classroom feels more open, inviting, and structured—creating an environment that supports focus and creativity.\r\nThe new organization has also encouraged more meaningful participation during small group and center time. With labeled bins and clearly arranged shelves, students can easily choose literacy manipulatives such as word cards, sentence builders, and story sequencing kits. This independence not only saves valuable learning time but also builds confidence as students take ownership of their materials and learning routines. The space now promotes active learning, collaboration, and exploration in a calm and orderly setting.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these organizational tools have transformed our classroom into a place where learning feels both exciting and accessible for all students. The improved setup supports smoother transitions, reduces distractions, and helps maintain a positive, productive atmosphere throughout the day. Your donation has truly enhanced our learning community—thank you for helping us create a space where every child can thrive and feel proud of their classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757016469626,"projectUrl":"project/organized-literacy-and-justice-for-all/9508096/","projectTitle":"Organized Literacy and Justice for ALL!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8398595_orig.jpg?crop=1642,1642,x0,y240&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726778587523","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-turners-class"},{"teacherId":1660517,"projectId":9560839,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the Food Group series, The Crayons series, Creepy Carrots, and the many other wonderful picture books supporting social-emotional development in our kindergarten classroom. These stories have already brought so much joy and engagement to our daily read-alouds and independent reading time. Students are making connections to the characters, reflecting on their own choices, and using the books as a springboard for classroom discussions about feelings, fairness, and friendship. The book pouches have also helped students take ownership of their reading materials and treat the books with care and responsibility.\r\n\r\nStories that highlight acts of kindness, problem-solving in friendships, and acceptance of differences help children practice empathy and cooperation both inside and outside the classroom. With a well-rounded and diverse selection of high-quality books, we can intentionally guide students toward building strong interpersonal skills, embracing diversity, and becoming caring, thoughtful members of their community. Your support has made these meaningful learning opportunities possible, and this project will continue to impact students for years to come. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to early learners.","fullyFundedDate":1755704448148,"projectUrl":"project/the-kind-in-kindergarten/9560839/","projectTitle":"The Kind in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1660517_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458160768351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfish"},{"teacherId":1660517,"projectId":9236189,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the Pigeon book series and the Elephant and Piggie collection by Mo Willems. These books have quickly become student favorites during story time, independent reading, and partner reading. My kindergarteners are drawn to the expressive characters, playful dialogue, and familiar situations that mirror their own experiences. The books have sparked laughter, rich conversations, and a growing excitement for reading that is extending beyond our classroom library.\r\n\r\nBeyond enjoyment, these stories have given students a meaningful way to learn important life lessons in a developmentally appropriate way. Through the characters' adventures, they are exploring themes such as sharing, cooperation, problem-solving, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and how our actions affect others. Students are beginning to recognize and name feelings, make more positive choices, and build stronger friendships as a result of these powerful stories. Your support has helped nurture both a love of reading and the social-emotional learning that is essential in kindergarten. We are so grateful for your contribution to our students' growth.","fullyFundedDate":1746787041543,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-buddies/9236189/","projectTitle":"Books for Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1660517_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458160768351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfish"},{"teacherId":1660517,"projectId":9194359,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of LEGO bricks, baseplates, and the Kanoodle game for our kindergarten classroom. These materials have already brought so much excitement and engagement to our learning space. The students are using the LEGO sets to build creative structures, practice fine motor skills, and collaborate with their peers during partner and small-group play. The baseplates have helped them design more intentional creations, plan ahead, and take pride in their work as they see their ideas come to life. Kanoodle has also become a class favorite, encouraging students to think critically and solve puzzles in fun, developmentally appropriate ways.\r\n\r\nThese new materials are helping us stretch learning beyond traditional paper-and-pencil tasks. Students are using the bricks for counting, sorting, patterning, and storytelling, while also building problem-solving skills and perseverance. They are learning to take turns, share materials responsibly, and communicate their ideas with one another, skills that are essential in both academics and social-emotional development. Your generosity has had a meaningful impact on our classroom community, and we are so grateful for your support in helping our youngest learners grow.","fullyFundedDate":1743053549489,"projectUrl":"project/building-collaboration/9194359/","projectTitle":"Building Collaboration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1660517_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458160768351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfish"},{"teacherId":1924385,"projectId":9363825,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for bringing so much organization and excitement to our classroom through Donors Choose. Your thoughtful contributions have already made a significant impact, and we are all so grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our learning space has been transformed. The new carts and bookshelf have helped us organize our materials, creating a more focused and efficient environment. Students are taking pride in their new pencil pouches and notebooks, and the Sharpies are in constant use for projects and assignments. We've even started our \"Jolly Rancher Wars,\" and the students are more motivated than ever to collaborate and stay on task for a chance to win a sweet treat for their table. It's a fun and effective incentive that wouldn't be possible without you.","fullyFundedDate":1757016490248,"projectUrl":"project/new-grade-same-kids-big-dreams/9363825/","projectTitle":"New Grade, Same Kids, Big Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Selstad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1924385_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1482246671125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-selstad"},{"teacherId":1924385,"projectId":9308508,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible generosity and support through Donors Choose. The arrival of the new classroom supplies has brought so much excitement and relief to our classroom. Having the right tools makes all the difference, and we are so grateful for everything you've provided.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom is now fully stocked with watercolor pencils, gluesticks, Sharpies, highlighters, erasers, and pencils. These aren't just supplies; they are the tools my students use every single day to learn, create, and succeed. From taking notes and highlighting important information to bringing art projects to life with vibrant colors, your donation is already making a huge impact.","fullyFundedDate":1746787370604,"projectUrl":"project/basic-supplies-to-enrich-our-6th-grade-l/9308508/","projectTitle":"Basic Supplies to Enrich Our 6th Grade Learning Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Selstad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1924385_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1482246671125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-selstad"},{"teacherId":1924385,"projectId":9106556,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for introducing us to so many new adventures in our classroom. We are all grateful for your support through Donors Choose. The arrival of the new book sets has created a wave of excitement among my students, and our classroom library is buzzing with energy. \r\n\r\nThanks to you, our shelves are now filled with captivating series like Artemis Fowl, Charlie Bone, Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, Great Battles for Boys, and City Spies. Seeing them eagerly grab the next book in a series and share their favorite parts with their friends is a wonderful experience.","fullyFundedDate":1746787286760,"projectUrl":"project/readers-are-leaders/9106556/","projectTitle":"Readers are Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Selstad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1924385_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1482246671125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-selstad"},{"teacherId":6712087,"projectId":9303902,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation of books and realia to our classroom. Social studies can often be a dry topic, but I want to engage students with material to develop a love of history so they can understand the impacts of decisions made by people long ago and how that affects us today. Hopefully by developing an interest in history now, they will see the importance as they become adults and help make the world in the future a better place. \r\n\r\nBringing historical figures and events into the light using these colorful and interesting books, will be sure to increase their engagement and interest. For example, they thoroughly enjoyed the Gilgamesh series and learning about the oldest hero figure before other religions were even invented. \r\n\r\nStudents were also excited to look through the Egyptian book especially the books on Egyptian gods and the process of mummification. Using the hieroglyphics will be sure to help them understand the impact of written language on society by providing interest in the topic and letting them use the stamps and manipulatives.","fullyFundedDate":1746787250425,"projectUrl":"project/get-excited-about-ancient-civilizations/9303902/","projectTitle":"Get Excited About Ancient Civilizations!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. May","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6712087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574195828247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6712087"},{"teacherId":6712087,"projectId":9303901,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations of books and interactive materials for students in my classroom. We are a title 1 school and many of my students are disadvantaged. They do not have a lot of experience going to museums, attending community events, or taking family trips to national parks or points of interest. It is therefore imperative to provide some hands on exposure and realia for them to build understanding to complicated concepts. \r\n\r\nMath and science are particularly difficult to understand especially when most of my students are not reading on grade level. High interest activities, interactives, and books provide a spark for students to continue learning. They are particularly excited to play the cells game and everyone wanted to handle the model of the cells. \r\n\r\nStudents will hopefully continue the interest for when times get tough and assignments get difficult. Being able to refer back to wonderful books with interesting pictures will make all the difference.","fullyFundedDate":1747238293041,"projectUrl":"project/dig-deep-into-math-and-science/9303901/","projectTitle":"Dig Deep Into Math and Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. May","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6712087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574195828247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6712087"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_92286","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":376,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":13,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"19.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":82.0,"schoolId":92286,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sonora Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sonora Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/newport-mesa-unified-school-district/sonora-elementary-school/92286"}
Join the 384 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Sonora Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Costa Mesa, California that is part of Newport Mesa Unified School District.
It serves 376 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.8:1.
Its teachers have had 308 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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.
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
79%
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.
Sonora Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 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.
Sonora Elementary School
$161,250
raised using DonorsChoose
308
projects
funded
31
teachers
funded
384
donors
48
projects
for
basic supplies
37
projects for
technology
90
projects for
books
18
projects
for
art supplies
Sonora Elementary School has received support from
315 individuals from California and
69 individuals out-of-state.