Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pasadena High School","outOfStateSupporters":13.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10343024,"projectId":9905393,"letterContent":"I want to thank you and let you know that because of your generosity, our dance space now feels like a true studio. The new dance shoes and training equipment are being used every day as students work on technique, alignment, strength, and confidence. Having the proper shoes has made a huge difference; students can turn, jump, and move safely while focusing on their performance instead of worrying about slipping or discomfort.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the shoes and equipment, their reactions said it all. There were big smiles, quiet \"no way\" moments, and an immediate sense of pride. For many of them, this was the first time they'd ever had real dance shoes of their own, and you could feel how much that mattered. They stood taller, moved with more intention, and treated the space like a professional studio from that moment on.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are using the equipment to build strength and refine choreography as they prepare performance pieces. Our next steps include polishing routines, setting personal technique goals, and working toward small in-class showcases where students can reflect on their growth. Thanks to you, our dancers aren't just practicing steps—they're developing discipline, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging. Your support has truly helped them feel seen, supported, and ready to shine.","fullyFundedDate":1766114580049,"projectUrl":"project/equip-our-dancers-tools-for-technique/9905393/","projectTitle":"Equip Our Dancers: Tools for Technique, Strength, and Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Nelissen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10343024_orig.jpg?crop=2038,2038,x277,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1766002916575","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10343024"},{"teacherId":10343024,"projectId":9878322,"letterContent":"I want to thank you and let you know that because of your donation, our gym has been filled with flying birdies, big smiles, and a whole lot of laughter. The badminton sets have given students something new to be excited about, and they've been using them daily to learn basic skills like serving, rallying, footwork, and working with a partner.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the equipment, their reaction was instant: \"Wait... we get to play badminton?\" They were genuinely excited, especially students who don't always love traditional team sports. There were some surprisingly good rallies, some very creative swings, and plenty of moments where students were cheering each other on (and laughing when the birdie went absolutely nowhere near the net).\r\n\r\nRight now, students are practicing skills and learning how to play respectfully and cooperatively. Our next step is having them apply those skills in short games and challenges where they track improvement, set goals, and support their classmates. For many students, this is their first experience with badminton, and it's already becoming a favorite.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students the chance to try something new, stay active, and have fun while learning. Your support truly made a difference, and our students feel it every day.","fullyFundedDate":1765370708733,"projectUrl":"project/badminton-smash-into-success/9878322/","projectTitle":"Badminton: Smash Into Success","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Nelissen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10343024_orig.jpg?crop=2038,2038,x277,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1766002916575","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10343024"},{"teacherId":10343024,"projectId":9878327,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students are having a blast with their new Frisbees, juggling scarves, and soccer goals! In PE, we're using the Frisbees to practice throws, catches, and teamwork in ultimate Frisbee games. The juggling scarves are perfect for building hand-eye coordination and focus. And the new soccer goals have made accuracy and control drills way more fun, giving students a real target to aim for instead of an imaginary one.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are practicing skills, working on teamwork, and challenging themselves to improve in small games and drills. Next up, we'll be combining these activities into friendly competitions and skill challenges, tracking progress, and cheering each other on. Thanks to you, our students are moving, laughing, and learning in ways that wouldn't have been possible without your support!","fullyFundedDate":1762762377066,"projectUrl":"project/get-up-and-go/9878327/","projectTitle":"Get Up and Go!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Nelissen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10343024_orig.jpg?crop=2038,2038,x277,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1766002916575","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10343024"},{"teacherId":6429742,"projectId":9333333,"letterContent":"Merci infiniment—thank you so much—for your generous support of our Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) project in French 2. Your contribution has made an immediate and lasting difference in my students' lives, and I wanted to take a moment to share the impact you've had.\r\n\r\nIn the world language classroom, one of the most powerful tools for language acquisition is comprehensible input—language that learners can understand even if they don't know every single word. Thanks to your support, we were able to expand our classroom library with rich, engaging, and accessible French texts that support this method. These books are not just stories—they are invitations to connect, explore, and acquire language naturally and joyfully.\r\n\r\nSo, what does reading look like in our classroom now?\r\n\r\nEvery week, students have time set aside just for reading in French—books they choose themselves based on interest and reading level. The room falls quiet, the atmosphere shifts, and students become absorbed in stories that feel relevant and exciting to them. They read graphic novels, short novels written specifically for language learners, and even leveled biographies and cultural readers. You can see the focus on their faces as they dive into the language—without stress, without tests, and most importantly, with confidence.\r\n\r\nThis kind of reading builds a foundation in the language that is deeper than memorized vocabulary lists or isolated grammar drills. Through these texts, students are internalizing high-frequency structures, learning to recognize verb forms in context, and acquiring vocabulary that appears repeatedly in meaningful ways. They begin to \"feel\" what sounds right in French—not because they've been explicitly taught every rule, but because they've seen and heard the patterns so often in context that it becomes intuitive.\r\n\r\nMore than that, the books introduce valuable cultural lessons and authentic perspectives. Whether reading about a teen navigating life in Senegal or a humorous mystery set in a small French village, students are seeing the diversity and richness of Francophone cultures in a way that is personal and human. These stories help them build empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper motivation to continue their language journey.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped transform our reading time from an occasional extra to a core part of our curriculum. Students who were hesitant or unsure of their abilities are now asking for recommendations and looking forward to reading time. Some have even asked for book suggestions they can read over the summer!\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this happen. Your generosity is not only helping students grow in their French—it's helping them grow as curious, confident, and culturally aware learners.\r\n\r\nJe vous remercie sincerement.","fullyFundedDate":1746844908613,"projectUrl":"project/free-voluntary-reading-in-french/9333333/","projectTitle":"Free Voluntary Reading in French","teacherDisplayName":"Prof. Marmol","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6429742"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28967","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1355,"numTeachers":76,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":53,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"17.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":86.3,"schoolId":28967,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pasadena High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pasadena High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/pasadena-unified-school-district/pasadena-high-school/28967"}

About this school

Pasadena High School is an urban public school in Pasadena, California that is part of Pasadena Unified School District. It serves 1,355 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.8:1. Its teachers have had 24 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

1,355 Students

76 Teachers

2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107 View local requests

http://phs.pusd.us

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Pasadena High School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Pasadena High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

See how DonorsChoose works

Pasadena High School Demographics

74%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

72%

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.

Pasadena High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 16, 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.