Destin High School in Destin, Florida on DonorsChoose

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With the right equipment in hand, our students are able to tackle more challenging pieces, explore new musical techniques, and truly bring our music to life.\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement. There was an immediate buzz in the room as they eagerly unpacked the new gear and tried it out. Our percussionists, in particular, were thrilled to finally have the right mallets to match the wide range of sounds we needed. Our woodwind players expressed genuine gratitude for having quality reeds and ligatures, which have not only improved their sound but also made playing more enjoyable. It was a heartwarming moment that showcased just how much your support means to these young musicians.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are focused on refining our spring concert repertoire and preparing for our next Music Performance Assessment. The new equipment is helping us achieve a level of polish and professionalism that will undoubtedly set us up for success. We are also excited to explore new pieces that challenge our students' skills and broaden their musical horizons. Your contributions have laid the groundwork for lasting growth, and we can't thank you enough for being a part of our journey. Your generosity has inspired our students and reinforced the belief that their hard work is valued and supported by our incredible community.","fullyFundedDate":1741475365559,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-young-musicians-essential-ban/9131929/","projectTitle":"Equipping Young Musicians: Essential Band Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gordon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844555_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732200483599","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9844555"},{"teacherId":9844555,"projectId":9006937,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our band program now has a brand-new 16-inch bass drum, and the impact has been nothing short of transformative! This drum was the final piece needed to complete our bass drum line, and it has already elevated our performances to a new level. The addition of this drum allows our percussion section to create a fuller, more dynamic sound, and it has made a tremendous difference in our rehearsals and performances. We've been using it in preparation for our upcoming concerts and competitions, and the improvement in balance and rhythmic stability is remarkable.\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the new bass drum, their excitement was palpable. Our percussionists couldn't wait to try it out, and the entire band shared in the joy of finally having a complete drum line. This new addition has also boosted the confidence of our students, particularly those in the percussion section, who now feel better equipped to contribute to the ensemble. Watching them light up when they played the drum for the first time was a reminder of why your support matters so much—it goes beyond just the instrument itself; it inspires our students and shows them that their hard work is valued.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the bass drum will be a cornerstone of our rhythm section as we prepare for our spring concert and our next round of music performance assessments. It will allow us to take on more complex musical pieces, broaden our repertoire, and provide a richer musical experience for both our students and our audiences. We are so grateful for your support, which has made all of this possible. Your generosity has not only helped us fill a crucial need but also demonstrated to our students the power of community and the importance of investing in the arts.","fullyFundedDate":1738951223155,"projectUrl":"project/completing-our-drumline-with-a-final-bas/9006937/","projectTitle":"Completing Our Drumline with a Final Bass Drum","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gordon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844555_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732200483599","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9844555"},{"teacherId":9844555,"projectId":8958096,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has already begun to have on the Destin High School Soundwave Band. Thanks to your contributions, our campaign to enhance our band library has been successfully funded!\r\n\r\nThis funding is transformative for our young musicians. With these new additions to our library, we can now expand our repertoire, providing students with access to a wider variety of musical styles, genres, and levels of difficulty. This not only enriches their learning experience but also challenges and inspires them to reach new heights in their musical journeys.\r\n\r\nOur students, many of whom are new to music, will now have the opportunity to explore pieces that deepen their understanding of music theory, technique, and artistry. These resources will help us prepare for performances, competitions, and community outreach events, fostering both individual growth and a sense of pride in our program.\r\n\r\nThis milestone is a step forward in building a lasting legacy for the Soundwave Band. 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About this school

Destin High School is a suburban public school in Destin, Florida that is part of Okaloosa County School District. It serves 280 students in grades 9 - 12. Its teachers have had 4 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

280 Students

# of teachers unavailable

4325 Commons Dr W

Destin, FL 32541 View local requests

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

Destin High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mr. Gordon

Ms. Morris

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Destin High School Demographics

50%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

18%

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.

Destin High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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