Santana Arts Academy in N Hills, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Santana Arts Academy","outOfStateSupporters":19.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2301300,"projectId":8147391,"letterContent":"The items my students received made such a big impact. At recess and free play time, students now have basketball hoops and balls, balance beams, and sensory bin to use and explore. In a play area that is all concrete, this brings such joy and engagement for my students. \r\n\r\nThe basketball hoops and balls are definitely a favorite as the students challenge their gross motor skills and their patience for waiting their turn! The balance beam is another favorite as the students themselves take responsibility for setting it up and putting it away. The sensory bin brings squeals of delight as students explore and build with the kinetic sand. \r\n\r\nI am filled with gratitude and cannot thank all our donors enough. Your support makes a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1707949795556,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-play-for-kindergartener/8147391/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Play for Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calderon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2301300_orig.jpg?crop=2564,2564,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650943821330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/esther-calderon"},{"teacherId":8475275,"projectId":7235141,"letterContent":"Our Mental Health Skills on the Go Cart was a huge hit, transforming the way students were reached across campus. By bringing counseling tools and activities directly to classrooms and common spaces, mental health resources were more visible and approachable. The mobile cart allowed us to run schoolwide campaigns in a hands-on and interactive way, ensuring students had immediate access to strategies and support.\r\n\r\nThe interactive prize wheel quickly became the centerpiece of our cart, sparking curiosity and participation. Students eagerly spun the wheel to win small incentives such as sensory toys which in turn encouraged them to practice coping techniques and build their social skills in the moment. The excitement and positive energy around the cart helped normalize conversations about mental health and increase student participation school wide. \r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1691088372057,"projectUrl":"project/mental-health-skills-on-the-go/7235141/","projectTitle":"Mental Health Skills on the Go","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lomeli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8475275_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755727959451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8475275"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_99262","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":379,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":86,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.2,"schoolId":99262,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Santana Arts Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Santana Arts Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/valley-region-elementary-school-12/99262"}

About this school

Santana Arts Academy is an urban public school in N Hills, California that is part of Los Angeles Unified School District. It serves 379 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.2:1. Its teachers have had 69 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

379 Students

22 Teachers

9301 Columbus Ave

N Hills, CA 91343 View local requests

https://santana-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/

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

Santana Arts Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Sowmya Galigekere

Mr. Steffes

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

Santana Arts Academy Demographics

95%

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.

Santana Arts Academy 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.