Foothill Middle School in Walnut Creek, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Foothill Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":5.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2318430,"projectId":9404612,"letterContent":"I am writing to you today with sincere gratitude for your generous donation. Because of your support, we were recently able to purchase new 3D printers for our classroom, replacing our 10-year-old machines that had completely ceased functioning.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has immediately revitalized our curriculum. For a while, we were unable to bring student designs to life, but these new printers have allowed me to fully resume teaching 3D modeling. The ability to take a digital concept and hold the physical result in your hand is a critical part of the learning process, and you have made that possible again.\r\n\r\nBeyond my immediate classes, these resources are also available to other students throughout the school, providing wider access to this essential STEM technology.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our school and our students. Your generosity has ensured that we can continue to innovate and create","fullyFundedDate":1755719107578,"projectUrl":"project/engineering-a-promising-future/9404612/","projectTitle":"Engineering a Promising Future","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elliott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2318430_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449723362271","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-e-elliott"},{"teacherId":9656904,"projectId":9568182,"letterContent":"My students are so grateful for all the supplies I have available that helps them stay organized and on task. \r\n\r\nThe fidgets are always a \"go-to\" as soon as they enter my classroom. It is used to calm their minds when diving into challenging math problems, staying focused while trying extra hard to understand a reading passage, and easing their anxiety while taking tests.\r\n\r\nStudents earn tickets for working extra hard each day. Every two weeks they redeem their tickets at the classroom STORE. The snacks and fidgets are available to redeem. Students are excited to \"spend\" their hard earned tickets on snacks or items they want.\r\n\r\nThank you so very much for your support of my students! We are so very grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1756483845565,"projectUrl":"project/struggling-learners-need-a-successful-st/9568182/","projectTitle":"Struggling Learners Need a Successful Start to the New Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9656904"},{"teacherId":4785062,"projectId":9317821,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping us receive new backstage communication sets for our drama program. We are so excited to put them to use in our upcoming Fall plays with Drama I and Drama II.\r\n\r\nThese headsets will allow our student stage managers, technicians, and crew members to communicate clearly during performances, making it easier to call lighting, sound, and curtain cues. Instead of relying on hand signals or runners, students will be able to work together quickly and professionally, just as they would in a real theater setting. This will not only make our productions run more smoothly, but it will also give students valuable hands-on experience in technical theater.\r\n\r\nOur students can't wait to try them out. Many of them are especially excited about feeling more \"official\" and responsible in their backstage roles. For some of our quieter students, these headsets will give them the confidence to step up as leaders, knowing they play a vital role in the success of each performance. More students are now excited to work backstage and are less concerned if they do not get a significant role. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has made it possible for our drama students to learn, grow, and shine in new ways. We are deeply grateful to you and to the DonorsChoose Community for making this project a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1747166398122,"projectUrl":"project/clear-communication-for-a-better-perform/9317821/","projectTitle":"Clear Communication for a Better Performance","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785062_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746388192129","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4785062"},{"teacherId":4785062,"projectId":9131010,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our drama program. Because of you, we were able to replace our old spotlights, which had been overheating and constantly burning out difficult to replace bulbs, with two new, reliable spotlights.\r\n\r\nThe difference has been incredible. We debuted the new lights in our spring production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and they transformed the stage. Our Wicked Witch and Tin Man looked especially magical under the new lighting, and the overall production was brighter, more professional, and more engaging for the audience.\r\n\r\nOur backstage crew is especially grateful. Not only are the new spotlights safer and easier to use, but they also come with more features that allow the crew to experiment and be more creative with lighting design. This has given our students valuable hands-on experience and opened up new possibilities for future shows. In addition, they feel that their job is valued and has value to our productions by investing in stage equipment.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students and their love of theater. Your generosity helped bring the stage to life and gave our drama students the tools to shine both on stage and behind the scenes.","fullyFundedDate":1743969475446,"projectUrl":"project/our-middle-schools-stage/9131010/","projectTitle":"Our Middle School's Stage","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785062_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746388192129","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4785062"},{"teacherId":7444471,"projectId":8539133,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations and helping us achieve our goal in our \"Making the Case for Bass (Again)!\" project. We were able to purchase two upright basses for use in our program. These basses saw immediate use and went to very grateful students who enjoyed using these brand new instruments daily in class and our performances.\r\n\r\nThe impact of a new instrument to a student is immense. Having a new instrument play that works properly gives the student a lot of pride in their music program and motivates them to practice and perform well. I see the results first hand when students have this opportunity, and I appreciate you helping our students do their best with high quality instruments.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you from all of us at Foothill Middle School. I hope you will consider helping support us in future projects as well.","fullyFundedDate":1731042670489,"projectUrl":"project/making-the-case-for-bass-again/8539133/","projectTitle":"Making the Case for Bass (Again!)","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ravina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7444471_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597344916011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7444471"},{"teacherId":7444471,"projectId":8538898,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations and helping us achieve our goals in our \"Clarinet Camaraderie!\" project. We were able to purchase three clarinets for use in our program. These clarinets saw immediate use and went to very grateful students who enjoyed using these brand new instruments daily in class and our performances.\r\n\r\nThe impact of a new instrument to a student is immense. Having a new instrument play that works properly gives the student a lot of pride in their music program and motivates them to practice and perform well. I see the results first hand when students have this opportunity, and I appreciate you helping our students do their best with high quality instruments.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you from all of us at Foothill Middle School. I hope you will consider helping support us in future projects as well.","fullyFundedDate":1723667864648,"projectUrl":"project/clarinet-camaraderie/8538898/","projectTitle":"Clarinet Camaraderie","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ravina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7444471_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597344916011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7444471"},{"teacherId":7444471,"projectId":8539034,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations and helping us achieve our goals in our \"Need Loot for Flutes!\" project. We were able to purchase three flutes for use in our program. These flutes saw immediate use and went to very grateful students who enjoyed using these brand new instruments daily in class and our performances.\r\n\r\nThe impact of a new instrument to a student is immense. Having a new instrument play that works properly gives the student a lot of pride in their music program and motivates them to practice and perform well. I see the results first hand when students have this opportunity, and I appreciate you helping our students do their best with high quality instruments.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you from all of us at Foothill Middle School. I hope you will consider helping support us in future projects as well.","fullyFundedDate":1726585201035,"projectUrl":"project/need-loot-for-flutes/8539034/","projectTitle":"Need Loot for Flutes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ravina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7444471_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597344916011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7444471"},{"teacherId":9656904,"projectId":9318429,"letterContent":"Thank you for your gift of kindness and generosity! The tools these middle schoolers received were received with excitement and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nStudents that struggle to stay focused, have test taking anxiety, and have had to work extra hard to keep up with daily schoolwork need to feel supported. The fidgets help to build confidence and offer a moment of calmness.\r\n\r\nSometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference in a struggling learners life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1746592071197,"projectUrl":"project/struggling-learners-need-tools-to-focus/9318429/","projectTitle":"Struggling Learners Need Tools To Focus!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9656904"},{"teacherId":2319824,"projectId":8892942,"letterContent":"We have been busy making lots of new projects and ideas of new projects keep coming. We are making pen and pencil sets, small bowls, letter openers and ice cream scoops, Pizza cutters and yoyos. The students have to sign up in advance to get to use the machines as there is 40 students in the class and 4 Mini Lathes. These machines are some of the safest to use and projects ideas are endless. Right now some of the students found kits online and are able to get the pieces to make Garden Tool Handles.","fullyFundedDate":1737860772345,"projectUrl":"project/mini-lathes-the-most-used-machine-in-the/8892942/","projectTitle":"Mini Lathes the most used machine in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2319824_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507230331165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2319824"},{"teacherId":9656904,"projectId":9071146,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous support! My students and I truly appreciate your kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity! Without your contributions, the classroom STORE would not be a success.\r\n\r\nHaving a variety of options to choose from in the classroom STORE inspires students to work hard and make the effort to be successful. \r\n\r\nThe ticket system works where each student earns tickets for each day for showing up and starting a mindful activity, participating in a daily lessons, transitioning to doing assignments.","fullyFundedDate":1737850440010,"projectUrl":"project/struggling-students-need-support/9071146/","projectTitle":"Struggling Students Need Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9656904"},{"teacherId":2319824,"projectId":8892927,"letterContent":"The new scroll saws are a big hit. The students have to sign up on a class calendar to use the machines. They are making Pens and Pencil sets, Bowls and many other small projects. There are projects the students can order online like yoyo sets, letter openers, spatulas, ice cream scoops, cake cutters, and back scratcher handles. We also have been able to make many kinds of gifts that the students can make for parents and relatives. Overall the new Scroll Saws are a some of the most useful tools in the shop and will be used nonstop the whole schoolyear.","fullyFundedDate":1733263701664,"projectUrl":"project/scroll-saws-we-need-new-ones-that-work/8892927/","projectTitle":"Scroll Saws!! We Need New Ones That Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2319824_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507230331165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2319824"},{"teacherId":2319824,"projectId":8891769,"letterContent":"The new welders are a great success! The students all had to get on waiting lists that will be going for several more weeks. They are allowed to weld with the new machines one full period and then must get back on the list. Those that have chosen special projects approved by me will be allowed to finish them at free time, Lunch and after school. \r\nThe new welders are smaller than the ones we had before but these are easier to use and much much more efficient. They make cleaner welds and not too much slag to clean off. \r\nThe welders are a big hit for all the students because they are easier to set up to start welding immediately with no much prep work.","fullyFundedDate":1729459270039,"projectUrl":"project/learn-to-weld/8891769/","projectTitle":"Learn to Weld!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2319824_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507230331165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2319824"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4132","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":947,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":9,"percentAsian":18,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":47,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"23.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":94.8,"schoolId":4132,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Foothill Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Foothill Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/mount-diablo-unified-school-district/foothill-middle-school/4132"}

About this school

Foothill Middle School is an urban public school in Walnut Creek, California that is part of Mount Diablo Unified School District. It serves 947 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 23.7:1. Its teachers have had 84 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 6 - 8

947 Students

40 Teachers

2775 Cedro Ln

Walnut Creek, CA 94598 View local requests

http://foothill.mdusd.org/

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

Foothill Middle School Teachers 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.

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Foothill Middle School Demographics

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

34%

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.

Foothill Middle 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.