{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas Jefferson High School","outOfStateSupporters":28.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9364296,"projectId":10199329,"letterContent":"The transformation in our gym has been nothing short of electric. When the boxes of masks and scoring systems finally arrived, the students didn't just see sports gear, they saw a specialized laboratory being built just for them. Their faces lit up with a mix of awe and immediate curiosity; seeing the scoring boxes light up for the first time made the sport feel \"real\" in a way it never had before. For many of my students at Thomas Jefferson, this was their first time interacting with the sophisticated technology that defines modern fencing. One student, upon seeing the precision of the scoring lights and the protective mesh of the masks, remarked that we finally look like the \"elite programs\" they see on TV.\r\n\r\nWe are currently using these resources to bridge the gap between basic drills and high-stakes competitive play. The addition of the scoring systems has completely changed our practice dynamic. Instead of guessing if a touch landed, students are now learning to trust the technology, analyzing their \"timing\" and \"right of way\" with the same precision as Olympic athletes. We've integrated the scoring boxes into a \"STEM in Sports\" lesson where students help set up the reels and floor cords, learning the electrical circuitry required to make the entire system communicate. The masks have provided a literal and figurative shield, allowing them to move from slow-motion exercises to full-speed bouts with the confidence that they are protected by the best gear available.\r\n\r\nThe next step for our program is our first \"Inaugural Invitational,\" where our students will host their first-ever competitive matches on campus. Because of your generosity, we finally have the infrastructure to host other schools and clubs with professional-grade scoring. You haven't just funded a team; you've built a foundation for a new generation of San Antonio leaders to realize that the path to the Ivy League or the Air Force Academy is within their reach. Watching them strap on these masks and step onto the strip, I have never been more certain that we are building something that will last for decades.","fullyFundedDate":1776547079432,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-fencing-team-from-the-ground/10199329/","projectTitle":"Building a Fencing Team from the Ground Up","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9364296_orig.jpg?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752632359519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9364296"},{"teacherId":9364296,"projectId":9566796,"letterContent":"Subject: Bringing History to Life: A Heartfelt Thanks!\r\n\r\nDear Donors,\r\n\r\nThe arrival of our new primary source collections has completely transformed the energy in our AP World History classroom. In a subject that covers thousands of years, it can be easy for students to feel disconnected from the past. However, having these physical texts in their hands has bridged that gap. When they first opened the books and saw the translated letters, decrees, and personal journals of people who lived centuries ago, the room went quiet with curiosity. These aren't just \"history books\" to them; they are portals to the actual voices of the past.\r\n\r\nTeaching with these texts is quite different from reading a standard textbook. In our classroom, reading is an active, investigative process. We use a method called \"sourcing,\" where students look at these documents like detectives. They aren't just looking for facts; they are analyzing the author's point of view, the intended audience, and the historical context of the writing. These new materials allow me to teach them how to identify bias and corroborate different accounts of the same event—skills that are essential for the AP exam but, more importantly, crucial for being informed citizens in the modern world.\r\n\r\nI've been especially moved by how some of my quieter students have flourished with these resources. One student, who often feels overwhelmed by the fast pace of our lectures, told me that being able to read a direct account from a Silk Road merchant made the Silk Road \"feel like a real place, not just a line on a map.\" For her and many others, these sources have turned abstract concepts into human stories. Because of your generosity, my students are no longer just memorizing dates; they are engaging in a global conversation that has been happening for millennia. Thank you for bringing history to life for us!\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1764706793514,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-history-to-life-guiding-studen/9566796/","projectTitle":"Bringing History to Life: Guiding Students Through Primary Sources","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9364296_orig.jpg?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752632359519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9364296"},{"teacherId":9364296,"projectId":9545508,"letterContent":"The atmosphere in our classroom shifted the moment our \"Highlighting Success\" packages arrived. When my students first saw the boxes filled with vibrant highlighters, crisp binders, and stacks of colorful sticky tabs, there was a genuine \"wow\" factor. For many of them, these aren't just office supplies; they are the keys to managing the overwhelming feeling that often comes with a heavy workload. One student immediately grabbed a set of tabs and said, \"Now I can actually find my notes without flipping through every single page!\" Seeing their faces light up over organizational tools was a powerful reminder of how much they value having a structured space to learn.\r\n\r\nWe have wasted no time putting these resources to work. We are currently in the middle of a deep-dive research project on local history, which involves analyzing dense primary source documents. My students are using their new highlighters to color-code evidence, yellow for dates, pink for key figures, and green for quotes—while using the sticky tabs to categorize their findings within their binders. This system has turned what used to be a messy pile of loose papers into a streamlined \"research hub\" for each student. It has drastically reduced their anxiety and allowed them to focus on the actual learning rather than the stress of lost assignments.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, the next step for my students is to transform their organized research into a formal presentation. Because they have their evidence neatly filed in their binders, they are already miles ahead in the outlining process. These materials have provided them with more than just physical organization; they have provided \"peace of mind.\" Thank you for investing in their focus, their confidence, and their academic success. We couldn't have done this without your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1764727040243,"projectUrl":"project/highlighting-success-tools-for-student/9545508/","projectTitle":"Highlighting Success: Tools for Student Organization & Peace of Mind","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9364296_orig.jpg?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752632359519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9364296"},{"teacherId":9707670,"projectId":9735278,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support on this project. Our Mexican American Studies club has been busy at work with new projects this year: piñata making, papel picado, and newly a painted banner, which we will carry proudly during the Cesar Chavez March this month. \r\n\r\nThe students were so excited when they opened the boxes from Donors' Choose! Their faces lit up as we decided what we would do with all the materials that you donated (as I didn't tell them what the ultimate project would be, but rather let them decide what we could do with the materials). \r\n\r\nFinally, all 200 students have enjoyed the upgrades to the classroom brought about by your donations: the florescent lights have been covered with thoughtful affirmations and cloud designs, which bring about a clamer classroom environment and provide a mental health boost. The students truly love the affirmation cards that were donated, which I have seen on numerous phone cases as the students keep them and share their messages.","fullyFundedDate":1764699891981,"projectUrl":"project/community-building-and-pinatas/9735278/","projectTitle":"Community Building and Pinatas!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9707670"},{"teacherId":8420247,"projectId":9930371,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredibly generous support of our More Than a Wall – LED Sensory for Special Ed project. Because of your kindness, our students now have access to a calming, engaging sensory space that supports their emotional regulation, communication, and overall learning experience. Your donation has helped create an environment where our learners can feel safe, curious, and connected, and it truly makes a meaningful difference in their daily lives. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to inclusion and for believing in the potential of every child we serve.","fullyFundedDate":1764701229692,"projectUrl":"project/more-than-a-wall-led-sensory-for-specia/9930371/","projectTitle":"More Than a Wall- Led Sensory for Special Ed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8420247_orig.jpg?crop=1115,1115,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696717352419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8420247"},{"teacherId":8420247,"projectId":9857407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping our students thrive through sensory exploration! Your generosity has brought incredible resources into our classroom, and we've already seen the positive impact. The new sensory materials have opened up exciting opportunities for engagement and learning. For example, we recently introduced textured painting tools, and our students explored colors and patterns using hand-under-hand techniques. Watching them create art in their own unique way was truly inspiring.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, our students were curious and eager to interact. One student smiled and vocalized with excitement as we introduced scented items from our new inventory, while another used eye gaze to choose their favorite texture. These moments remind us how important sensory experiences are for communication and self-expression in our SOLE classroom.\r\nNext, we plan to incorporate these resources into lessons on weather and seasons, allowing students to feel, smell, and see changes through hands-on activities. Your support has made this possible, and we are so grateful for your kindness and belief in our students' potential. Thank you for making a difference in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1764038215461,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-thrive-through-sensory/9857407/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Thrive Through Sensory Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8420247_orig.jpg?crop=1115,1115,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696717352419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8420247"},{"teacherId":10265333,"projectId":9719918,"letterContent":"The students were beyond excited when the equipment arrived. There was immediate enthusiasm, curiosity, and motivation to get started. Many cheerleaders expressed how \"official\" and professional the space felt with the mats, which boosted their confidence and excitement to participate and try new skills.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new tumbling equipment during structured practice stations to safely teach and reinforce foundational tumbling skills such as rolls, walkovers, and basic progressions. One standout moment was watching cheerleaders who were previously hesitant gain confidence as they practiced on the mats with proper support and spacing. The equipment has allowed us to break skills down step-by-step while maintaining safety and consistency for all learners.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include building skill progressions and combining individual tumbling elements into short routines. Cheerleaders will focus on technique, strength, and control while working toward mastering skills. The equipment will continue to support safe practice as cheerleaders set personal goals, track progress, and prepare for more advanced tumbling and performance opportunities.","fullyFundedDate":1758241079064,"projectUrl":"project/flip-into-the-future-school-cheerleader/9719918/","projectTitle":"Flip Into the Future: School Cheerleaders","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10265333_orig.jpg?crop=198,198,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758062331137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10265333"},{"teacherId":10114644,"projectId":9543837,"letterContent":"I want to thank you again for your generosity in donating to my Reading Unlocks Doors project. I was able to add several shelves full of books to the bookcases in my classroom. As I mentioned in my initial request, I didn't have very many new-ish titles for my students to read; they love the recent additions, including the multi-cultural texts and the variety of genres. Additionally, the big bean bags are a great addition. I have one student in particular who tends to fall asleep in his desk, but he loves the beanbag! Hey, whatever it takes! \r\n We start the class by reading every day for 10 minutes or so. The purpose of this is to build fluency and stamina. When students read published authors, they are exposed to a variety of vocabulary and syntax which can be incorporated into their own writing. As students finish their books, I celebrate them by posting a \"woohoo\" (a colorful cutout of their choice) on the back wall with their names and title of the book. I'm hoping to have the entire back wall covered by the end of the year. We are making great progress! \r\n I also have my students read an \"Article of the Week\" in order to increase student knowledge of current events. They need to know about things that are happening in the world in order to write with fluency on their assessments. My themes for the year are \"Reading is Power\" and \"Language is Transformational\"...butterflies decorate all corners of the classroom. My students are my butterflies. I teach three classes, in particular, of students who are re-testing their state assessments. As a result of our focus on reading, their data is looking really positive, and we are all a-flutter. ♥🦋","fullyFundedDate":1755276347957,"projectUrl":"project/reading-unlocks-doors/9543837/","projectTitle":"Reading Unlocks Doors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114644"},{"teacherId":4005331,"projectId":9223573,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contributions to our DonorsChoose project. Because of your support, our artroom now has an iMac that enables us to work with industry-standard technology, opening up exciting possibilities for every student.\r\n\r\nWith this computer, our students can:\r\n\r\nCreate digital artwork using professional software and tools that mirror real-world workflows.\r\nExplore early design and multimedia projects, from concept to final presentation, with greater speed and precision.\r\nDevelop essential 21st-century skills, including digital literacy, file management, and project collaboration.\r\nPresent their work in a polished, professional format that can be shared with families, peers, and the broader community.\r\nOne of the most meaningful outcomes so far has been the way students approach their projects with a new level of confidence. They are experimenting more, revising their work, and appreciating the process of iteration—just like artists and designers in the industry.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided equipment; it has inspired a mindset. You've shown our students that their voices and creativity matter, and that high-quality tools are accessible to everyone who is willing to learn and create.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students' futures. I will keep you updated on our progress and look forward to sharing examples of student work that demonstrate the impact of this gift.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1746783056236,"projectUrl":"project/the-digital-canvas-elevating-art-educat/9223573/","projectTitle":"The Digital Canvas: Elevating Art Education with Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4005331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486418322332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4005331"},{"teacherId":8778275,"projectId":9488022,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled with their new materials in class. A lot of the students requested notebooks because they couldn't afford one. Because of your donation, I was able to give each student a notebook, and they are using them every single day.\r\n\r\nAlso, we are starting using the white boards. The students present their answer in the white board, in that way, I can see their responses right away.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your help, your support, your dedication to the school community.\r\nHave a lovely day!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1753813129592,"projectUrl":"project/thriving-in-chemistry/9488022/","projectTitle":"Thriving in Chemistry","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8778275"},{"teacherId":8742182,"projectId":9131953,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping us build a classroom library for our 10th-grade students. Because of your kindness, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant space where students can explore, imagine, and discover through books—many for the very first time outside of a textbook.\r\n\r\nWhile many of us love to read, teaching students to truly engage with literature is about more than just turning pages. The diverse selection of books you helped provide allows us to introduce a range of critical skills, such as analyzing theme, identifying author's craft, making inferences, and drawing text-to-self connections. More importantly, these texts invite our students to reflect, ask questions, and think deeply about the world around them. Whether they're exploring identity in a coming-of-age novel or uncovering truth in a nonfiction memoir, students are learning to read not just for school—but for life.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom now feels alive. Instead of reading feeling like a chore, students gather around the shelves during independent reading time, swapping recommendations, discussing characters, and proudly marking their progress through books they've chosen themselves. There's laughter, concentration, and for many, a sense of peace that only a good book can bring.\r\n\r\nOne student, Jasmin, who had never finished a book on her own before, just completed her first novel cover-to-cover. When she closed it, she smiled and said, \"I didn't think I could do that. Can I start another one?\"\r\n\r\nMoments like that are only possible because of the incredible DonorsChoose community. Your support has given our students access to books that reflect their lives, expand their perspectives, and ignite a love for reading many had never experienced before. Thank you for investing in our readers, our writers, and our future.","fullyFundedDate":1746783032060,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-pages-fresh-minds-building-a-10t/9131953/","projectTitle":"Fresh Pages, Fresh Minds: Building a 10th Grade Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8742182_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680538764264","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8742182"},{"teacherId":8742182,"projectId":8830650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our graphic novel project! Because of you, we've been able to place a diverse collection of high-interest, visually engaging graphic novels in our classroom library—texts that are already making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students here in San Antonio.\r\n\r\nWhile many of us love to read, teaching students how to read—especially those who struggle or lack confidence—requires strategy, patience, and the right tools. Graphic novels provide a unique opportunity to introduce essential reading skills like inference, dialogue analysis, plot structure, and visual literacy, all in a more approachable format. These books help students strengthen comprehension and critical thinking by guiding them through both written and visual storytelling. Even better, they help build stamina and fluency—two key areas of need for our developing readers.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks a little different now—and a lot more joyful. Students are no longer overwhelmed by dense pages of text. Instead, they're eagerly flipping pages, laughing out loud, asking each other questions, and even swapping books when they finish. There's energy, curiosity, and—most importantly—confidence in the room.\r\n\r\nOne student, Isaiah, who used to tell me \"I don't read,\" now rushes to our shelf to check out the next volume in a series he's hooked on. He recently said, \"I didn't think I liked books, but this one feels like it was made for me.\"\r\n\r\nThanks to the amazing DonorsChoose community, we've been able to spark a love for reading in students who previously felt left out of that world. Your generosity has opened new doors and given our students stories they see themselves in—and that's a gift they won't forget.","fullyFundedDate":1735693136084,"projectUrl":"project/novel-ideas-comic-our-way-to-reading-s/8830650/","projectTitle":"Novel Ideas: Comic Our Way to Reading Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8742182_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680538764264","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8742182"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_12895","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1625,"numTeachers":105,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.9,"schoolId":12895,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas Jefferson High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas Jefferson High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/san-antonio-independent-school-district/thomas-jefferson-high-school/12895"}