{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sweetwater High School","outOfStateSupporters":26.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":10145743,"letterContent":"Thank you for taking the time to support my classroom and consider this project. My students are bright multilingual learners who are eager to read, but many are still developing their English skills. Traditional texts can feel overwhelming, which can affect their confidence and access to learning. Graphic novels and visual supports will make reading more accessible by helping students understand stories, build vocabulary, and stay engaged.\r\n\r\nThese materials will also help students feel confident and see themselves as readers and thinkers. They will be able to participate in discussions, enjoy reading, and build skills that prepare them for more complex texts. Your support helps create a classroom where all students can succeed and feel proud of their growth. Thank you for making a meaningful difference in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1773627304763,"projectUrl":"project/identity-affirming-multilingual-graphic/10145743/","projectTitle":"Identity-Affirming, Multilingual Graphic Novel Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9892157,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support! Your incredible support has brought authentic instruments, music resources, and performance tools to our diverse classroom in National City, CA, empowering students from varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds to learn, explore, perform, and celebrate music that truly reflects their identities.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our students now have hands-on experiences with rhythms, melodies, and movements tied to their heritage. They're collaborating in rehearsals, building confidence through cultural club activities, and shining in public performances that foster pride, expression, and community connection.\r\n\r\nWe appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1765990750599,"projectUrl":"project/authentic-music/9892157/","projectTitle":"Authentic Music","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9122542,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our culturally relevant literature project to life on DonorsChoose! Your generosity has filled our diverse classroom in National City, CA, with high-interest books that mirror our students' backgrounds, experiences, and identities, which sparks joy in reading!\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our multilingual students are diving into stories of family traditions, community celebrations, and personal triumphs that feel like home. Engaging materials are essential for maintaining their interest; now they eagerly participate in discussions, act out scenes, and share connections, learning more quickly and retaining knowledge deeply. This fosters a dynamic environment in which they build a profound understanding, confidence, and a lifelong love for reading.","fullyFundedDate":1740286473747,"projectUrl":"project/learn-english-through-graphic-novels-and/9122542/","projectTitle":"Learn English through Graphic Novels and Phonics Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":10100776,"letterContent":"Our students were excited to learn about and celebrate world cultures through the art of dance. With your support, we brought cultural dancing into our school and community, creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect with their heritage and share it with others. The experience helped them develop not only coordination and confidence but also a deep sense of pride in their cultural identity.\r\n\r\nThrough practices, rehearsals, and performances, students learned traditional Filipino dances that tell stories of history, daily life, and shared values. These activities encouraged teamwork, discipline, and creativity as students worked together to learn choreography, understand the music, and express emotions through movement. Families and community members joined in, turning performances into joyful celebrations of unity and cultural appreciation.\r\n\r\nThank you for making it possible!","fullyFundedDate":1773169626050,"projectUrl":"project/cultural-dance-performances-for-multil/10100776/","projectTitle":"Cultural Dance & Performances for Multilingual Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9836165,"letterContent":"Through dynamic activities such as Readers Theater and diorama creation, students brought Filipino folktales, legends, and contemporary stories to life. Readers Theater promoted expressive reading, teamwork, and fluency as students embodied characters and interpreted meaningful texts. Meanwhile, crafting dioramas allowed them to visualize and creatively represent the rich settings and themes of Filipino literature, such as turning words into vivid, tangible expressions of learning while building biliteracy in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThis project did more than teach reading because it built empathy, communication, and cultural pride. By exploring Filipino bilingual stories, students gained a broader appreciation for different perspectives and developed essential skills for thriving in our diverse world. They learned that language is not just a means of communication, but a bridge that connects communities and generations.\r\nWith your support, we created a vibrant, inclusive learning environment where every student felt inspired to read, speak, and share stories from various cultures and beyond. Thank you for investing in their voices, their creativity, and their future.","fullyFundedDate":1765990959259,"projectUrl":"project/language-and-culture/9836165/","projectTitle":"Language and Culture","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9181459,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom. Your generosity is helping our students connect more deeply with reading and writing in creative and meaningful ways. In our class, students read many different stories, write their own narratives, and work together to create posters that show important ideas from the texts. With your help, we now have the art supplies to bring their thinking to life.\r\n\r\nThese new tools allow students to express their ideas through colorful drawings and clear, creative designs. They use them to make eye-catching posters, illustrate characters and themes, and show what they understand about a story using both pictures and words. This has made our projects more engaging and has given students new ways to share their voices and perspectives.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, students are more excited to participate and proud of the work they create. Integrating art into our reading and writing activities has strengthened their comprehension, boosted their confidence, and made learning more joyful. Thank you for helping our students turn their imaginations into rich, visual stories that reflect who they are and how they see the world.","fullyFundedDate":1746608911000,"projectUrl":"project/palettes-of-new-colorful-markers-to-unle/9181459/","projectTitle":"Palettes of New Colorful Markers to Unleash Artistic Potential","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9549478,"letterContent":"Many of my students are English Learners, and journaling has become an essential way for them to write and draw about their thoughts and feelings. With so much noise from social media and everyday stress, they often feel overwhelmed. Having basic supplies like pencils and crayons gives them a chance to put away their phones and laptops and slow down.\r\n\r\nThis project helps students focus on themselves and their well-being. With these materials, they can write, sketch, and reflect quietly, building their language skills while also practicing kindness toward themselves. The time and tools for journaling support their reflective thinking and give them a safe space to express what is on their minds and in their hearts.","fullyFundedDate":1760760103825,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-pencils-and-crayons-for-sel/9549478/","projectTitle":"The Power of Pencils and Crayons for Self Expression","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9328094,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. The new printer has made a big difference for our learners. Now, students can print their stories, poems, and projects in color, turning their writing into something tangible and exciting. Seeing their work published helps them feel proud of what they create and motivates them to keep learning and improving.\r\n\r\nOur students use the printer to make posters, photo books, and visual projects that connect to their cultures, communities, and the environment. These colorful materials help them share their ideas during presentations and express who they are through both words and images. They've also used it to create flashcards, problem-solution posters, and grammar posters that support their language growth.\r\n\r\nMost of all, this project has inspired students to enjoy writing and storytelling while building confidence in their English skills. Your support has given them a creative way to share their voices and celebrate what makes each of them unique. Thank you for helping them learn, create, and shine!","fullyFundedDate":1746608052382,"projectUrl":"project/our-world-our-words-publishing-project/9328094/","projectTitle":"Our World, Our Words: Publishing Projects for English Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9567900,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations! Your generous donation has made a wonderful difference in our students' learning. Because of your support, we were able to bring in authentic cultural dance materials that connect movement, music, and tradition. These new resources made our lessons more engaging and helped students learn about culture in fun, creative, and meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThrough these experiences, students have built stronger connections to their own heritage and gained a deeper respect for the traditions of others. They learned that dance tells stories, expresses values, and brings people together. Thanks to your support, our classroom has become a place where learning about culture also means celebrating community, identity, and self-expression.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation inspired our students to create, collaborate, and share what they've learned with pride. Whether performing, choreographing, or reflecting on different dance styles, they have grown more confident and curious. Your contribution helped spark their love for learning through art and culture.\r\n\r\nMaraming salamat po! (Thank you very much!)","fullyFundedDate":1764715459914,"projectUrl":"project/diversity-and-inclusion-through-dance/9567900/","projectTitle":"Diversity and Inclusion Through Dance","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":8043993,"projectId":9568377,"letterContent":"Your donation has made a big difference in our students' learning experience. Because of your support, we have been able to access authentic cultural materials that bring real-world connections into the classroom. These resources have enriched our lessons, helping students engage with language in more meaningful and personal ways while fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse traditions and identities.\r\n\r\nThrough these new opportunities, students have developed stronger connections to their own cultural roots and those of others. They have explored literature, music, art, and stories that reflect lived experiences, which strengthened both their language skills and cultural understanding. Your contribution has helped transform learning into an exploration of identity, empathy, and respect.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, the donation has inspired students to express their creativity and curiosity. Whether through cultural projects, performances, or collaborative storytelling, they are learning to celebrate their communities with pride. Their enthusiasm shows how vital your support has been in nurturing not only academic growth but also a lasting love for learning about language, culture, and community.","fullyFundedDate":1760043010160,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-culture-to-life-through-crafts/9568377/","projectTitle":"Bringing Culture to Life through Crafts and Costume Making","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rachelle Sy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8043993_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694492455246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043993"},{"teacherId":6326512,"projectId":9350814,"letterContent":"We are so grateful! At the start of the school year, each student received pencils to keep inside their pencil pouch, which stays in their classroom binder. Because many of my ELD students are newcomers living with host families, they often don't have their own space at home to store school supplies. By keeping their materials in the classroom, they know exactly where everything is each day and can transition smoothly into learning without losing time searching for supplies. This routine has allowed us to start every lesson focused and ready to learn.\r\n\r\n\r\nThey were so excited and relieved to have everything they needed waiting for them at school. Many of my students are experiencing culture shock after moving to a new country, so having their own set of supplies in class helps minimize anxieties and creates a sense of stability and belonging. Their faces truly lit up when they realized they had what they needed to succeed.\r\n\r\nNow that students are set up with their personal classroom supplies, we've been able to dive into daily language development activities without interruptions. Our next steps include collaborative reading and writing projects where students practice academic vocabulary and conversation skills in structured partner and group activities. Having consistent access to materials ensures that their full focus remains on language learning and building confidence in their new environment.","fullyFundedDate":1753972971738,"projectUrl":"project/sharpening-success-pencils-for-proud-wr/9350814/","projectTitle":"Sharpening Success: Pencils for Proud Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6326512_orig.jpg?crop=743,743,x0,y210&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754203892221","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-perezclassproject"},{"teacherId":6326512,"projectId":9538341,"letterContent":"With the supplies provided, my ELD students have been able to bring the stories we read to life through hands-on, STEM-related 3D projects. My students create dioramas, story cubes, symbolic 3D sculptures, and other interactive projects that represent their learning and understanding of key themes in the texts. These activities allow newcomers to deepen their comprehension while accelerating vocabulary development and language acquisition in a meaningful, creative way.\r\n\r\nThey are also making flip books to animate their writing, which helps them build confidence as storytellers and language learners. These projects transform abstract ideas into tangible creations, allowing students to express their understanding visually and kinesthetically, even as they are still developing their English skills. The materials have made it possible to design engaging, hands-on lessons that support both language growth and critical thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1754915755458,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-stories-to-life-art-hands-on/9538341/","projectTitle":"Bringing Stories to Life: Art & Hands-On Learning for ELs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6326512_orig.jpg?crop=743,743,x0,y210&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754203892221","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-perezclassproject"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_38551","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2425,"numTeachers":112,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":76,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.1,"schoolId":38551,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sweetwater High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sweetwater High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/sweetwater-union-high-school-district/sweetwater-high-school/38551"}
Join the 275 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Sweetwater High School is
a suburban public school
in National City, California that is part of Sweetwater Union High School District.
It serves 2,425 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.7:1.
Its teachers have had 102 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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.
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
89%
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.
Sweetwater High School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 4, 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.
Sweetwater High School
$67,854
raised using DonorsChoose
102
projects
funded
24
teachers
funded
275
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
19
projects for
technology
24
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Sweetwater High School has received support from
201 individuals from California and
74 individuals out-of-state.