Independence High School in San Jose, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Independence High School","outOfStateSupporters":24.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9987096,"projectId":9443789,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to my project, \"AVID Field Trip Clipboards.\" We had our first field trip of the school year to San Francisco State this Friday and the students were able to use their new clipboards. In the past, students would use a notebook or binder as a hard surface or even their classmates backs! Students had requested that they be provided with clipboards since it is so difficult to take notes otherwise. \r\n\r\nStudents had a much easier time taking notes on Friday than in the past. The clipboards are translucent, so students could even see the questions on the back side of a double-sided Cornell note-taking handout. Your gift allows for our AVID students to be engaged, practice their skills, and learn about opportunities that are available to them in their future. Thank you again for your generous contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1752164201440,"projectUrl":"project/avid-field-trip-clipboards/9443789/","projectTitle":"AVID Field Trip Clipboards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berliner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9987096"},{"teacherId":9987096,"projectId":9360325,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to the AVID Tutorial Boards project. Our students have completed three tutorial sessions with these white boards. Having the appropriate size white boards and enough white boards so that students can be in small groups has really helped our tutorials. Students can get more individualized attention from their tutors and are better able to focus when working at a white board on the wall, rather than on small hand held whiteboards. The bigger whiteboards are easier for all students in the group to view and give the tutorials a more professional feel. There is also more room for the tutors to support the students when up at the board. We are so very grateful for your contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1747504798653,"projectUrl":"project/avid-tutorial-boards/9360325/","projectTitle":"AVID Tutorial Boards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berliner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9987096"},{"teacherId":8662500,"projectId":9044210,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students at Independence High School, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous contribution toward purchasing books for our students. Your support has made a meaningful and lasting impact on their educational journey.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, we were able to provide students with the books and resources they need to succeed in their studies and develop a love for reading. Many of our students face challenges accessing quality learning materials, and your kindness has helped bridge that gap—empowering them with knowledge, inspiration, and confidence.\r\n\r\nYour generosity goes beyond just the pages of a book. It sends a powerful message to our students: that their education matters and that there is a community of caring individuals who believe in their potential. We are deeply grateful for your support and commitment to helping our students.","fullyFundedDate":1744209089836,"projectUrl":"project/the-renaissance-student/9044210/","projectTitle":"The Renaissance Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holcomb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8662500_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663699429168","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8662500"},{"teacherId":8662500,"projectId":9037648,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our library project on DonorsChoose. Thanks to your support, we now have a wonderful selection of new books that are already sparking curiosity, imagination, and a love for reading among my students who care about the environment.\r\n\r\nWhen the books arrived, their eyes lit up with excitement! These books have not only enriched our library but have also empowered my students to grow as confident readers and thinkers.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a lasting impact on our learning environment. Thank you for believing in our project and helping bring these valuable resources into our classroom. Your support means the world to us!","fullyFundedDate":1744232289096,"projectUrl":"project/reducing-car-dependency/9037648/","projectTitle":"Reducing Car Dependency","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holcomb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8662500_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663699429168","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8662500"},{"teacherId":7990250,"projectId":5881929,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for the athletic equipment needed for pre- and post-event activities. Your contributions enabled us to acquire the necessary rollers, which help maintain peak physical performance. The players learned how to take care of their bodies through proper stretching techniques, allowing their muscles to recover more quickly after workouts.\r\n\r\nOne student shared that she had never used a roller to stretch her hips and IT band before. After I demonstrated how to stretch each muscle, she was able to teach her teammates, who were also very impressed.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1633816294560,"projectUrl":"project/life-lessons-injury-prevention-equipmen/5881929/","projectTitle":"Life Lessons: Injury Prevention Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Singh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7990250_orig.jpg?crop=1614,1614,x1089,y579&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1632169544715","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7990250"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4744","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2368,"numTeachers":124,"percentFrplEligible":56,"percentAsian":52,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"19.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.3,"schoolId":4744,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Independence High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Independence High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/east-side-union-high-school-district/independence-high-school/4744"}

About this school

Independence High School is an urban public school in San Jose, California that is part of East Side Union High School District. It serves 2,368 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.1:1. Its teachers have had 34 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

2,368 Students

124 Teachers

617 N Jackson Ave

San Jose, CA 95133 View local requests

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

Independence High School 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

Independence High School Demographics

56%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

91%

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.

Independence 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.