Clairemont High School in San Diego, California on DonorsChoose

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It supports comprehension, builds confidence, and helps students develop critical reading and thinking skills that they will carry into future academic and career settings.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is how engaging and relatable the materials feel. The resources bring learning to life through interactive activities, visually appealing design, and clear, structured support that helps them feel successful. Students appreciate having step by step guidance alongside opportunities to think independently, which helps reduce frustration and increase motivation. There's a noticeable shift in energy when these tools are used, students are more willing to participate, take risks, and share their thinking because they feel supported.\r\n\r\nStudents have extremely benefited, especially students who have struggled with reading or have not traditionally seen themselves as strong learners. I've seen quieter students become more engaged because technology allows them to process information at their own pace and participate in ways that feel comfortable, such as typing responses or interacting with digital tools. Students with attention challenges benefit from the interactive nature and structured supports, which help them stay focused and feel successful. Additionally, multilingual learners have embraced these tools because they can revisit content, hear language modeled, and build understanding more independently. For many of these students, this technology has helped shift their mindset from \"I can't do this\" to \"I'm capable,\" which is one of the most powerful outcomes we can achieve.","fullyFundedDate":1640913710402,"projectUrl":"project/diversity-is-key-to-learning/6065587/","projectTitle":"Diversity is Key to Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8225741_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758002073664","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8225741"},{"teacherId":8225741,"projectId":6052480,"letterContent":"Using Long Way Down, students engage in deep analytical thinking about how decisions are shaped by identity, community, and systemic pressures. They learn to analyze point of view, particularly how the second-person narration places them inside the main character's internal conflict. Students also practice tracing how different characters influence decision making, whether reinforcing harmful cycles or challenging them. Beyond literary skills, the unit emphasizes real-world connections, encouraging students to reflect on themes like accountability, cycles of violence, and personal responsibility in their own lives.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active, reflective, and collaborative. Students don't just read, they listen, annotate, discuss, and track their thinking in structured ways. For example, while listening to the audiobook, students pause to capture key \"aha\" moments, analyze character influence, and reflect on how the setting (like the elevator) functions as a metaphor for pressure and choice. Discussions are student-centered, where they build on each other's ideas and connect the text to their own experiences and the world around them. This approach helps all students, including multilingual learners, access complex texts in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nYes, especially students who may not have previously seen themselves as readers. Many of my students, particularly those who struggle with traditional texts or are learning English, have connected deeply with this novel because of its format and voice. The verse structure feels more accessible, and the fast-paced, emotionally intense storytelling keeps them engaged. I've seen students who are typically quiet become active participants in discussions, sharing personal connections and insights about the characters' choices. For some, this is the first time they've felt that a book truly reflects their realities and experiences, which has been incredibly powerful for building both confidence and a genuine interest in reading.","fullyFundedDate":1639346799228,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-leons-engaging-curriculum/6052480/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Leon's Engaging Curriculum","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8225741_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758002073664","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8225741"},{"teacherId":9847984,"projectId":8967514,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom is now filled with tools that truly make a difference in the lives of my students. The sensory items have become a daily part of our routine—students seek out the fidget tools and sensory bins to self-regulate and stay engaged throughout lessons. The adaptive keyboards and noise-canceling headphones have opened up new ways for students to participate in reading and writing tasks, especially those who previously struggled with sensory overload or fine motor challenges. One powerful moment was during a writing activity when a student who typically avoids typing was able to complete a sentence independently using an adaptive keyboard—something he had never done before!\r\n\r\nOur recycling wagon has also become a huge hit, especially during our community-based instruction lessons. Students now take turns collecting recyclables from other classrooms and delivering them to the school bins. It's not just a routine—it's a source of pride, responsibility, and functional learning. The wagon has made this job accessible for all students, including those who use wheelchairs. Their smiles and excitement when they saw all the new materials for the first time said it all—pure joy, curiosity, and motivation.\r\n\r\nNext, we're working on a project that combines these tools with real-world practice: preparing students for a classroom store where they'll sort recyclables, use adaptive technology to create price labels, and participate in money exchanges using visuals and devices. Thanks to you, our students are not just participating—they are thriving, growing, and gaining confidence each day. 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About this school

Clairemont High School is an urban public school in San Diego, California that is part of San Diego Unified School District. It serves 813 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.9:1. Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

813 Students

43 Teachers

4150 Ute Dr

San Diego, CA 92117 View local requests

http://sandi.net/clairemont

Direct, proactive support

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Clairemont High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mr. Murphy

Mrs. Williams

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Clairemont High School Demographics

57%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

51%

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.

Clairemont High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Apr 10, 2026

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