Mendoza Elementary School in San Diego, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mendoza Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9247564,"projectId":8975255,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support—these books have truly transformed the reading experience in our classroom. With the addition of these new texts, students are not only more engaged but also developing essential literacy skills like making inferences, identifying character traits, comparing themes, and expanding their vocabulary. Many of the books you helped fund have relatable characters and diverse stories, which has sparked meaningful discussions and allowed students to see themselves reflected in literature.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is a joyful, interactive experience. Students participate in read-alouds, partner reading, and small group discussions, where they share insights, ask questions, and connect the text to their own lives. We've seen a remarkable increase in student interest and confidence—especially from reluctant readers who now eagerly ask to take books home or visit our classroom library during free time.\r\n\r\nOne student, in particular, who previously struggled to stay engaged during reading time, now comes alive when discussing the graphic novels we received. They've even started recommending books to classmates! These stories are not just building reading skills—they're building community and a love of learning. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1738374891306,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books-books-books-books/8975255/","projectTitle":"Books, Books, Books, Books, Books, Books, Books, Books, Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Crane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9247564"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68602","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":466,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":56.5,"schoolId":68602,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mendoza Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mendoza Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/south-bay-union-school-district/mendoza-elementary-school/68602"}

About this school

Mendoza Elementary School is an urban public school in San Diego, California that is part of South Bay Union School District. It serves 466 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.6:1. Its teachers have had 88 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

466 Students

32 Teachers

2050 Coronado Ave

San Diego, CA 92154 View local requests

https://mendoza.sbusd.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

Mendoza Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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

Mendoza Elementary School Demographics

94%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

92%

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.

Mendoza Elementary 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.