Home Gardens Academy in Corona, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Home Gardens Academy","outOfStateSupporters":27.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7600925,"projectId":9399424,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a more engaging and interactive learning environment. The whiteboards have become a cornerstone of our \"thinking classroom.\" Students use them daily to solve problems collaboratively, show their reasoning, and learn from each other's strategies. For many of them, this is the first time they've been able to physically move around the room and work in teams using tools that mirror real-world brainstorming practices. The boards make their thinking visible, and it has created a level of participation and excitement I hadn't seen before.\r\n\r\nThe new speaker has also made an incredible impact. Whether we are playing soft focus music during independent work time, energizing songs during transitions, or using the microphone for class discussions and presentations, it has elevated our classroom culture. Students feel more confident speaking into the microphone, and even my most reserved learners have begun volunteering to share their thinking. The clear audio helps everyone stay engaged and understand directions, especially those who benefit from auditory support.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially connected with these new tools. My hands-on learners love being able to stand, write, draw, and revise their thinking on the boards. Others have taken leadership roles during microphone-led activities, guiding discussions and encouraging their peers. These resources have not only supported academic learning but have also built classroom community, confidence, and joy. Thank you for helping create a space where students feel seen, heard, and excited to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1757423373276,"projectUrl":"project/visible-thinking-empowered-voices/9399424/","projectTitle":"Visible Thinking, Empowered Voices","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7600925_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1634453380689","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7600925"},{"teacherId":7073092,"projectId":9229376,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring graphic novels into our classroom library. Your generosity has made an immediate and lasting impact. Some of my most reluctant readers, students who once struggled to finish even a single book, are now proudly telling me they have completed two or three.\r\n\r\nEvery class begins with time for independent reading, and now every student can choose a book they truly enjoy and connect with. Because of you, our shelves are slowly filling with diverse stories that reflect many voices and experiences. These books are not only sparking a love of reading but also helping students build critical thinking skills and empathy, qualities that make them stronger learners and better members of our community.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your kindness and support. You are helping shape lifelong readers.","fullyFundedDate":1746787366651,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-sparking-a-love-for-read/9229376/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels: Sparking a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Peña","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7073092_orig.jpg?crop=982,982,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1583357474525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrspenaela"},{"teacherId":8411789,"projectId":8992443,"letterContent":"It is with great appreciation that I write this message. My students have benefited tremendously from the use of these headphones. Given that a lot of my students were not able to get their own set, being able to provide a set for every single one of them has been the best. \r\nThey have made tremendous growth this year and part of it It's attributed to the proper use and access of materials.\r\nMy students have been working extremely hard to continue improving their biliteracy skills by accessing highly quality audio materials and resources. This was all possible thanks to your generous support.","fullyFundedDate":1737057463390,"projectUrl":"project/loud-and-clear-headphones-for-learning/8992443/","projectTitle":"Loud and Clear: Headphones for Learning Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vazquez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8411789_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649396783357","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8411789"},{"teacherId":9574818,"projectId":8553521,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving my students the opportunity to dig deep for a good read with the class set of \"Holes\". When we received the books, my students were so excited and were completely awed by the \"fancy\" books. They quickly thumbed through the pages and dived into the special edition parts in the back. They were also fiercely protective of their 'fancy' books and made sure to keep them nice. If one student bent it too much, their peers quickly corrected them and made sure they stayed nice. It was such a treat to see them marvel at a book and show both excitement and respect for it.\r\n\r\nThis novel quickly captivated the students interest. As a class we would average 2-3 chapters a day followed with quick-writes and discussions. The farther we got in the book, the students very quickly started begging to continue reading! Some days we were pushing 4-5 chapters up until the bell rang because of how interested everyone got in the story. Student emotions were evoked, audible gasps, giggling, and shocked open mouths made the novel reading all the more fun. In one instance there were a couple of boys who would drop their books and make silent eye contact when certain parts were revealed, even mouthing their explanations as to why they were right to what just happened. Another pair of friends would say 'I told you so' and then quickly pick their books up to keep going. A lot of them would drop their book down and look straight at me and mouth, \"oh my gosh!\" or shake their head. They were even inquiring their own theories to how Stanley and Zero lived the rest of their life and whether or not if there are more books about this. \r\n\r\nOverall, my students and I thank you for the opportunity to have such a heartwarming and interesting reading that will stay in all our memories. Thank you for helping make this project a reality. Your generosity has made a lasting difference, and I know the lessons learned from Holes will stay with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1727529316639,"projectUrl":"project/dig-deep-for-a-good-read/8553521/","projectTitle":"Dig Deep for a Good Read","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9574818"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32595","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":969,"numTeachers":39,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"24.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.9,"schoolId":32595,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Home Gardens Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Home Gardens Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/corona-norco-unified-school-district/home-gardens-elementary-school/32595"}

About this school

Home Gardens Academy is a suburban public school in Corona, California that is part of Corona-Norco Unified School District. It serves 969 students in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 24.8:1. Its teachers have had 43 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 8

969 Students

39 Teachers

13550 Tolton Ave

Corona, CA 92879 View local requests

http://homegardens.cnusd.k12.ca.us

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Home Gardens Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Home Gardens Academy Demographics

75%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

94%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Home Gardens Academy 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.