Mark Twain High School in San Diego, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mark Twain High School","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":503223,"projectId":9748075,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. I work at a small continuation high school, where many of our students come to us with low self-esteem and often feeling ready to give up. Your support has made a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nOur students have truly enjoyed having creative outlets—yes, even in high school, they still love to color after finishing their work. We've also hosted a few lunchtime rock-painting activities, which have brought students together in ways that build community and connection.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, we've been able to create a welcoming space where our students feel a sense of belonging. Thank you for helping us make that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758685033419,"projectUrl":"project/belonging-beyond-the-classroom/9748075/","projectTitle":"Belonging Beyond the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schultz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp503223_orig.jpg?crop=509,509,x91,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595547219020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/503223"},{"teacherId":9823864,"projectId":9597018,"letterContent":"students are always excited to get new things. They understand where these materials come from and what was done to obtain them. They are thankful for new supplies with which they can express their creativity.\r\nEven though some people may think these types of materials would not interest high school students, they very much enjoy using them. With the scratch art in particular, some students expressed a meditative sort of experience when scratching away the black covering. Others were interested in seeing what colors are underneath. Fun times for all!","fullyFundedDate":1755705555298,"projectUrl":"project/creative-meditative-and-peaceful-spaces/9597018/","projectTitle":"Creative, Meditative and Peaceful Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGlathery","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9823864"},{"teacherId":9820743,"projectId":9728483,"letterContent":"Thank you for the support and new items for my classroom. The impact is very good! I now have multiple students who did not have a community in our school coming to my classroom everyday to play games with other students during lunch. It has caused new friendships to grow and is encouraging a welcoming environment in my classroom.\r\n\r\nAlso I am seeing some amazing projects come out of construction class with the new tools that were supplied. Students can now work on their projects at the same time without having to wait to use the tools.","fullyFundedDate":1758706878322,"projectUrl":"project/construction-for-the-future/9728483/","projectTitle":"Construction for the Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fischer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9820743"},{"teacherId":9820743,"projectId":9140586,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new music and gaming materials, they were honestly in disbelief. One of them asked, \"We really get to use this?\" It was such a cool moment to see how excited and curious they were. Right away, students started gathering around the music equipment and working together on the games. It's become something they genuinely look forward to during lunch and after school.\r\n\r\nOne student who usually keeps to himself started messing around with the keyboard and ended up showing a few others how to use it. Since then, he's been in almost every day, experimenting with sounds and even starting to create his own little songs. It's been amazing to see students connect and build confidence in ways that don't involve just sitting at a desk.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have created a space that feels different—more relaxed, more creative, and more supportive. We're planning to keep building on this by letting students share what they've made or learned with the rest of the group. Thank you for helping make this possible for them. It's made a bigger difference than I can explain.","fullyFundedDate":1741301207085,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-habits-to-journal-about/9140586/","projectTitle":"Healthy Habits to Journal About","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fischer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9820743"},{"teacherId":9820743,"projectId":8911316,"letterContent":"My students and I are loving our new games! My classroom is full everyday at lunch and after school with students who want to play. They are actually learning new words and growing their comprehension through these games as well. Thank you for giving us these precious moments of teaching together!\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the games and area, they thought I was joking! I didn't tell them about it until they were delivered. And I'm glad I waited because their reactions was priceless. High fives and shouts of \"let's goooo!\" filled my room. \r\n\r\nOne of my current projects that is super fun for my students is our cultural project where they get to design and paint one of my ceiling squares. I have acoustical panels in my classroom and I have found this is a great way to give my students ownership of the classroom and to feel like this is a safe place for them to explore through learning.","fullyFundedDate":1730756650664,"projectUrl":"project/nintendo-reading-club/8911316/","projectTitle":"Nintendo Reading Club!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fischer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9820743"},{"teacherId":9823864,"projectId":8915586,"letterContent":"thank you for supporting my students. It is wonderful to watch high school students take time to play, create, and collaborate. With your support I was able to add to the supply of LEGOs I already had. I use activities like these on days before we go on long breaks. \r\nFirstly, the students were excited just to build with the LEGOS. When they saw the new bright colors and new pieces, the excitement increased. It is fun to watch them help each other out in finding a certain piece someone is looking for. To hear them banter back and forth about what they are creating is very cool. It is refreshing to see them in this way.\r\nThis particular day only one classroom was involved. Looking ahead, I plan on using the LEGOs for activities involving multiple classrooms. 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About this school

Mark Twain High School is an urban public school in San Diego, California that is part of San Diego Unified School District. It serves 301 students in grades 10 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 10 - 12

301 Students

27 Teachers

6402 Linda Vista Rd

San Diego, CA 92111 View local requests

http://www.sandi.net/twain

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

Mark Twain High 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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Mark Twain High School Demographics

93%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

81%

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.

Mark Twain High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 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.