{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vista La Mesa Academy","outOfStateSupporters":27.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9889546,"projectId":9956087,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations of white boards, markers, erasers, math books and math posters. The students love them! They are gaining confidence in their mathematic abilities. They like being able to easily erase their mistakes with the individual white boards. They love being able to refer to the multiplication poster as they work through their problems. Students love the math books and knowing that others struggle with math too. The poster about the many uses of math has been eye opening. Because of your donations, my students are actively engaging with math and building lifelong problem-solving skills. Thank you for giving them the tools they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1769178086056,"projectUrl":"project/getting-math-savvy-in-the-resource-room/9956087/","projectTitle":"Getting Math Savvy in the Resource Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889546"},{"teacherId":8477012,"projectId":9760655,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly transformed our recess and PE time in the best way! When the soccer goals first arrived, my students immediately lit up with excitement—there were cheers, wide eyes, and lots of \"Can we play today?!\" moments. For many of my students, especially those from military families, having a consistent and positive outlet like this has made a huge difference in building community and connection.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the soccer goals daily during recess and structured playtime. What's been especially powerful is seeing students take ownership, organizing teams, practicing good sportsmanship, and even creating their own mini-tournaments. One of my favorite moments was watching a group of students who don't usually play together come together as a team, encouraging each other and celebrating every goal like it was the World Cup!\r\n\r\nBeyond just play, these goals have supported social-emotional growth. Students are learning teamwork, communication, and how to handle both winning and losing with respect. It's been a joy to see confidence grow in students who may not always shine in the classroom but absolutely thrive on the field.\r\n\r\nNext, we're planning to incorporate more structured soccer activities during PE and even connect it to goal-setting lessons in the classroom, both academic and personal. We're also hoping to host a friendly class tournament to continue building that sense of teamwork and school spirit.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students a space to move, connect, and grow. Your support means more than you know!","fullyFundedDate":1759474106646,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-score-real-soccer-goals/9760655/","projectTitle":"Help Us Score Real Soccer Goals!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kelleher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8477012_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657141428225","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8477012"},{"teacherId":8912399,"projectId":9620568,"letterContent":"We have been using the new resources daily, and they've truly transformed how students learn and stay organized. The floor cushions have created a flexible seating area where students work independently during reading and math rotations. One memorable moment was during a small-group math lesson—students chose to sit on the cushions instead of the table. This was possible because of the portable whiteboard that supports my instruction. The file folders are being used for homework and classwork organization, which has helped students keep their papers neat and easy to find. The electric pencil sharpener has also reduced disruptions, allowing students to stay focused on learning rather than waiting to sharpen pencils.\r\n\r\nMy students were incredibly excited and grateful when they first saw the materials. They were especially thrilled about the floor cushions and sharpener, which made the classroom more exciting to them. Many were eager to try the new seating during independent work time. The voice amplifier has helped me project my voice clearly, and students noticed right away that they could hear instructions better, especially during transitions and group work.\t\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using the cushions during centers and practice academic discussions.The homework folders will continue to support responsibility and communication with families, while the amplification system ensures all students can clearly hear instruction and participate fully. These resources are supporting a more inclusive, organized, and student-centered classroom, and we are so thankful for the donors who made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1757423315599,"projectUrl":"project/write-sit-speak-tools-for-an-engaged/9620568/","projectTitle":"Write, Sit, Speak: Tools for an Engaged Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8912399_orig.png?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755545253480","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8912399"},{"teacherId":9754241,"projectId":9270244,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students through the \"From Ink to Snacks\" project. Your generosity has had an immediate and meaningful impact in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe color printer ink has made a bigger difference than many people might expect. In middle school, visuals matter. Being able to print in color allows me to create engaging anchor charts, graphic organizers, vocabulary supports, and student work displays that are clear and accessible. In my English and designated ELD classes, color helps students distinguish between parts of speech, track evidence in a text, and organize their writing more effectively. For English learners especially, visual clarity strengthens comprehension and builds confidence.\r\n\r\nStudents were genuinely excited to see their work printed in color. When essays, projects, and newsletters are displayed in vibrant, professional-looking format, it communicates that their ideas matter. That pride shows in the care they take with their work.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have also played an important role in building motivation and classroom culture. Middle school students respond to recognition. Being able to celebrate growth, effort, and leadership with a small incentive reinforces positive habits. For many of our students, including those from military families who experience frequent transitions, consistent encouragement makes a difference. A simple moment of recognition helps students feel seen and valued.\r\n\r\nI have noticed students who previously rushed through assignments slowing down and taking more care, knowing their work might be displayed. I have seen reluctant participants engage more fully when effort is acknowledged. These may seem like small changes, but they build confidence and momentum over time.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom is more vibrant, more encouraging, and more supportive. Thank you for helping me create an environment where every student's work is celebrated and their effort is recognized.","fullyFundedDate":1746787042360,"projectUrl":"project/from-ink-to-snacks-supporting-student-s/9270244/","projectTitle":"From Ink to Snacks: Supporting Student Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9754241_orig.jpg?crop=457,457,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726589276313","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9754241"},{"teacherId":8477012,"projectId":9430707,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has become an even more cozy and welcoming space for growing minds. We've been using the new flashlights for flashlight reading, which instantly turned independent reading into a magical experience. Students were so excited to grab a flashlight and a book, and the engagement was incredible. Every student was focused, reading, and smiling. We also used the graham crackers, chocolate bars, and candy corn to create a fun literacy snack, connecting reading with hands-on learning and joy.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were priceless. They gasped when they saw the flashlights and cheered when they realized we would be making a special snack together. The hot cocoa bar accessories and cups helped us create a cozy hot cocoa station for our Polar Express movie day, making the experience feel truly special. Students felt celebrated, comfortable, and excited to participate, which made the day both memorable and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we will continue using these materials to make literacy experiences engaging and memorable. Our next steps include building reading stamina, strengthening comprehension skills, and creating positive associations with reading through cozy, community-building activities. Your donation didn't just provide supplies. It helped create moments of joy, connection, and learning that our students will remember for a long time. 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Join the 124 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Vista La Mesa Academy is
a suburban public school
in La Mesa, California that is part of Lemon Grove School District.
It serves 517 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.1:1.
Its teachers have had 38 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 8
517 Students
27 Teachers
3900 Violet StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
83%
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.
Vista La Mesa Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Sep 10, 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.
Vista La Mesa Academy
$16,687
raised using DonorsChoose
38
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
124
donors
4
projects
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
technology
11
projects for
books
Vista La Mesa Academy has received support from
90 individuals from California and
34 individuals out-of-state.