{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"La Sierra High School","outOfStateSupporters":36.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8514305,"projectId":9319029,"letterContent":"Looking ahead, I plan to share this project with my colleagues so they can also incorporate button-making into their YPAR assignments. By modeling how wearable art can amplify student voice and connect learning to real-world issues, we'll be able to inspire even more students across different classrooms to take action and share their ideas with the wider community.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, these button makers will continue to empower students to use creativity as a form of civic engagement — reminding them that their voices matter, and that even small acts can spark meaningful change.","fullyFundedDate":1746820274584,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-student-voices-through-button/9319029/","projectTitle":"Empowering Student Voices Through Button Making for Social Change","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alvarez Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8514305_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659831086562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8514305"},{"teacherId":8514305,"projectId":9168290,"letterContent":"The addition of our color printer has transformed the way my students engage with their Ethnic Studies and World History classes. Many of them are used to working with technology at home, but having the ability to bring their research and ideas to life in vibrant color has taken their learning to a new level. Instead of settling for black-and-white text, they can now design and print infographics, one-pagers, and research projects that highlight the important topics we discuss in class with greater clarity and creativity. This technology has helped students not only understand the content better but also feel proud of the work they produce.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students the most is the chance to see their projects come alive in a way that mirrors professional work. For example, when they create infographics on historical events or cultural movements, the use of color helps them emphasize key ideas, showcase data, and include visuals that make their arguments more compelling. This has made class discussions richer, as their projects become conversation pieces that promote visibility of the topics we are exploring.\r\n\r\nStudents take pride in the polished look of their projects and are eager to present them to their peers. In this way, the printer has not only supported academic skills like research and analysis but has also encouraged student voice and self-expression. Your generosity has given my students the tools to create impactful work that connects deeply with their learning, and for that, we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746671310209,"projectUrl":"project/color-printing-to-post-student-digitized/9168290/","projectTitle":"Color Printing to Post Student Digitized Posters","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alvarez Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8514305_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659831086562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8514305"},{"teacherId":8514305,"projectId":8963871,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping us build a diverse, engaging classroom library. The books you helped fund have made a tremendous difference in our students' reading experiences, and in the conversations we've been able to have as a community. These texts have not only captivated our readers, but have also opened up powerful discussions around identity, justice, resilience, and history.\r\n\r\nSome of the most impactful books have been I Am Alfonso Jones, which sparked deep conversations about identity, systemic injustice, and the importance of storytelling, and Voces Sin Fronteras, a bilingual collection of student-written stories. Students were especially moved by the courage in these narratives. Many remarked on how powerful it was to read real stories by people close to their age, often grappling with the challenges of migration and being unheard. One student shared, \"I never thought about how hard it is to tell your story when no one wants to listen. This book made me want to write my own.\" Another said Alfonso Jones helped them better understand how young people experience injustice in real life, not just history books.\r\n\r\nThe visual elements in these graphic novels brought many reluctant readers into the fold. They were fascinated by the artwork, which made the texts feel more approachable and emotionally rich. Seeing history come alive through images in books like Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band and Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood helped students better grasp events and communities often left out of traditional textbooks. Reading in our classroom has become an active, communal experience; students eagerly pass books to each other, initiate discussions, and reflect together on the voices and stories they encounter.\r\n\r\nEach of the books has brought new voices into our classroom. Voices of young immigrants, Indigenous musicians, historical heroes, and everyday people whose stories deserve to be heard. Your generosity made that possible, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1742062860849,"projectUrl":"project/historical-graphic-novels-for-ethnic-stu/8963871/","projectTitle":"Historical Graphic Novels for Ethnic Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alvarez Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8514305_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659831086562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8514305"},{"teacherId":8514305,"projectId":8963843,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and support of my classroom. Thanks to your donations, my students now have access to a carefully curated selection of books that align with our current unit, and they are already diving into them with enthusiasm. When I introduced the books, students were genuinely excited to check them out, flipping through pages, and selecting titles that sparked their curiosity. It was incredible to see their interest and appreciation, knowing that these books would not only enrich their learning but also give them a chance to explore perspectives beyond their own.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are in the process of reading and preparing to present what they learn from their chosen texts to the class. These books are providing them with valuable insights into the push and pull factors of migration, the diversity of people who call this country home, and the commonalities we share across cultures. More importantly, they are helping students step outside their own experiences to better empathize with both their own collective history and the histories of others. My students have always been drawn to books that spark their curiosity, and your contributions are helping to sustain that love for learning. Thank you for making this possible and for giving my students the resources to connect, reflect, and grow. Your generosity is truly making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1733495147356,"projectUrl":"project/diverse-books-for-diverse-learners-part/8963843/","projectTitle":"Diverse Books for Diverse Learners Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alvarez Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8514305_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659831086562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8514305"},{"teacherId":8514305,"projectId":8963193,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your generosity and support of my classroom. Thanks to your contributions, my students have been given the opportunity to reconnect with the joy of reading through children's books—something that, for many, they haven't experienced since elementary school.\r\n\r\nIn high school, reading can sometimes feel like a chore, especially for students who struggle to connect with traditional texts. However, the addition of these children's books has brought an unexpected and powerful spark into our classroom. As soon as I introduced them, I saw smiles, heard excited conversations, and witnessed genuine enthusiasm. Some students immediately recognized books they had loved in their younger years, sharing memories and even reciting lines they remembered. These books have become an entry point for students who might otherwise hesitate to open a book, reminding them of the magic of storytelling and the power of literature to shape our lives.\r\n\r\nBeyond nostalgia, these books are playing a crucial role in our Ethnic Studies curriculum. They allow students to explore diverse stories, cultures, and perspectives, helping them see how ethnic studies concepts can be introduced at a young age. Through these readings, my students are engaging with themes of identity, community, and representation, leading to rich discussions about why these stories matter. Ultimately, they will take inspiration from these books to create their own, using an ethnic studies lens to write and illustrate children's books that reflect their own backgrounds and experiences.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only put books in my students' hands—it has reignited their love for storytelling, encouraged literacy, and empowered them to see themselves as creators. I cannot thank you enough for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1733495147129,"projectUrl":"project/childrens-books-in-ethnic-studies/8963193/","projectTitle":"Children's Books in Ethnic Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Alvarez Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8514305_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659831086562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8514305"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32560","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1461,"numTeachers":80,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.6,"schoolId":32560,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about La Sierra High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"La Sierra High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/alvord-unified-school-district/la-sierra-high-school/32560"}
Join the 11 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
La Sierra High School is
an urban public school
in Riverside, California that is part of Alvord Unified School District.
It serves 1,461 students
in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.3:1.
Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
90%
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.
La Sierra High School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 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.
La Sierra High School
$3,418
raised using DonorsChoose
8
projects
funded
4
teachers
funded
11
donors
2
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
La Sierra High School has received support from
7 individuals from California and
4 individuals out-of-state.