{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kealakehe High School","outOfStateSupporters":49.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8822841,"projectId":9773092,"letterContent":"This project has expanded how my students learn science by giving them access to the same kinds of tools real scientists use. With the new computer, more students can actively participate in data analysis instead of waiting for a turn or watching from the sidelines. In astronomy, students are using professional software to analyze telescope data, measure the brightness of stars, and investigate real phenomena rather than simulated examples. This hands-on access helps them better understand how scientists collect evidence, analyze data, and draw conclusions.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is knowing their work is authentic. They are motivated by the fact that the data they analyze comes from real observatories and that their results can become science fair projects or research presentations. Students who enjoy technology, problem-solving, and visual learning have especially connected with this work—many who are quieter during lectures become highly engaged when working with data and software, collaborating with peers to troubleshoot and interpret results.\r\n\r\nThe dehydrators will allow students to extend this same authentic learning into biology by preserving local mushroom samples for DNA sequencing as part of a community science partnership. Having access to this equipment means students can plan longer-term investigations and contribute to real biodiversity research in Hawaiʻi. Together, these tools help students see themselves as scientists—capable of meaningful work that connects their curiosity to real-world research and their local environment.","fullyFundedDate":1759200142650,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-stars-and-species-expanding-a/9773092/","projectTitle":"Exploring Stars and Species: Expanding Astronomy Research and Preserving Fungi","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822841"},{"teacherId":8822841,"projectId":9397711,"letterContent":"This project has had a direct impact on how my students learn astronomy by giving them access to computers capable of running professional science software. Unlike Chromebooks, these computers allow students to download and use programs such as AstroImageJ, TOPCAT, and Python—tools astronomers actually use in research. With this access, students are no longer limited to simulations or pre-made examples. Instead, they analyze real telescope data, work with authentic datasets, and practice the same skills scientists use to study the universe.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is that the work feels real. Using the new computers, students have already analyzed exoplanet transit data, measuring changes in a star's brightness to detect distant planets orbiting other suns. Seeing a light curve they generated themselves—and realizing it represents a real planetary system—has been incredibly motivating. Students who enjoy problem-solving, coding, or data analysis have especially warmed to this technology, often staying engaged longer and collaborating with peers to troubleshoot and interpret results.\r\n\r\nThese computers have allowed me to design lessons that center on inquiry, data literacy, and scientific thinking rather than rote learning. They empower students to build skills that connect directly to college-level science and STEM careers, while also sending an important message: they belong in science, and their curiosity is worth investing in. Ma ka hana ka ʻike—learning truly happens by doing.","fullyFundedDate":1757806265015,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-research-tools-for-student-ast/9397711/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Research Tools for Student Astronomers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822841"},{"teacherId":8822841,"projectId":9424465,"letterContent":"This project is already opening doors for my students by making hands-on, creative learning more accessible and reliable in our classroom. Many of my students are eager to use technology not just to look at information, but to design, build, and problem-solve in meaningful ways. The 3D printer gives them that opportunity by allowing ideas to become physical objects they can examine, test, and improve.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the ability to create something of their own. They are especially interested in designing custom models, science tools, and visual aids that help make complex science and math concepts easier to understand. The photos I've shared show examples of the types of models students are excited to design and use as part of their learning.\r\n\r\nThe new filament, nozzle, and dehydrators will play an important role in keeping the printer running smoothly and consistently—especially in our humid Hawaiʻi climate. Having reliable materials means students can focus on learning and iteration instead of being discouraged by technical failures or wasted time.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who learn best by doing have already expressed enthusiasm about working with this technology. For visual and hands-on learners, being able to build and manipulate physical models creates new ways to engage with content and show understanding. This project supports creativity, critical thinking, and confidence, and it helps students see that their ideas are worth exploring and developing.","fullyFundedDate":1757806265306,"projectUrl":"project/keep-our-3d-printer-printing/9424465/","projectTitle":"Keep Our 3D Printer Printing!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822841"},{"teacherId":8631682,"projectId":9772580,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your very generous donation. \r\n\r\nReading can be challenging for some students, particularly those who have not yet found books that match their interests or reading levels. Encouraging reluctant readers to engage with texts requires intentional motivation and supportive environments. This project has helped create a welcoming and inviting reading space that has sparked student interest in reading.\r\nStudents are given opportunities at the end of class to browse books from the reading shelf and enjoy comfortable seating while reading. To further encourage participation, snacks are occasionally provided to students who take time to explore the books. These small incentives have helped reduce barriers and increase engagement among reluctant readers.\r\nStudents have responded positively to the new reading area, expressing excitement about having a dedicated space for reading and relaxation during recess and lunch. Many have shared the space with their peers, and the reading corner is often well utilized during lunch periods. Moving forward, the goal is to continue fostering a love of reading by expanding the collection to include more engaging and culturally relevant books that reflect students' interests and backgrounds.","fullyFundedDate":1759416728506,"projectUrl":"project/the-new-reading-corner/9772580/","projectTitle":"The New Reading Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8631682"},{"teacherId":8823745,"projectId":9783760,"letterContent":"The students and I are greatly appreciative of your generous donation to our classroom. As we continue our learning of Global Studies, specifically Human Rights and Human Rights activists, students were able to create colorful, informative posters with the materials and resources provided. They enjoyed using the variety of colored poster paper, markers, sharpies, and other materials. \r\n\r\nHaving these materials to do projects encourages students to be creative and thoughtful, not just via digital technology, but to show off their own unique and individual styles. As the posters adorn the walls, the students can reflect upon their work and learning. They are also great talking points when our class has visitors and students can share what they have learned and how they will use this knowledge moving forward.","fullyFundedDate":1759623348920,"projectUrl":"project/successful-learning-in-history/9783760/","projectTitle":"Successful Learning in History","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tolentino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823745"},{"teacherId":2140724,"projectId":9772648,"letterContent":"Your generous donation has given students the opportunity to organize their materials as well as provided paper to help with color coding said organization. This assists with much needed executive functioning skills. Your donation will also allow students to participate in project based learning as the year progresses. Students will now have hands-on learning opportunities to practice their cooperative learning and problem solving skills, much needed in real life. This will equip them to participate in the rigors of the real world. You have elevated student learning to the next level.","fullyFundedDate":1759205940553,"projectUrl":"project/steam-supplies-for-island-students/9772648/","projectTitle":"STEAM Supplies For Island Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Isabelle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2140724"},{"teacherId":8820343,"projectId":9774995,"letterContent":"Mahalo for your support in these students education! The students are utilizing all of these materials to improve their organizational skills, which is leading to greater student outcomes! Since the new tape dispensers have arrived, students love getting the chance to be the one to grab supplies from the back to bring and share with their tablemates. The increase in sense of responsibility has translated to their care in their academic success. The students were so excited to get new materials as it made them feel celebrated as they should be! This is just first step in their high school educational journey to become the productive citizens that will guide us in the future!","fullyFundedDate":1759420943902,"projectUrl":"project/materials-for-a-year-of-discovery/9774995/","projectTitle":"Materials For A Year Of Discovery","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Luginbill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8820343"},{"teacherId":9338752,"projectId":9777210,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project. Your contributions have had a powerful and visible impact on our classroom, creating the collaborative and dynamic environment my students thrive in!\r\n\r\nThe vertical whiteboards have completely transformed how we learn. Before, only one or two students could write on the main board; now, the entire class can stand up, work in teams, and make their thinking visible simultaneously. We use them constantly, especially for tackling complex, multi-step problems. For example, in our current science unit on ecosystems, groups are using the whiteboards to draw intricate food webs, categorize species, and then map out the potential consequences of environmental changes. This ability to work side-by-side on a large surface has fueled their natural desire to collaborate. A specific moment that stands out happened last week during a math review: a group of four students was struggling with a concept, but by standing together at a whiteboard, they began bouncing ideas off each other, sketching different approaches, and they had a genuine \"Aha!\" moment as they collectively solved the problem—it was wonderful to see their teamwork pay off.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were buzzing with excitement! They saw the vertical whiteboards not just as tools, but as an opportunity for action. Their immediate reaction was to ask, \"Can we stand up and work now?\" They loved the idea of moving their learning off the desks and onto the walls. The healthy snacks were also a massive boost. They understood that the snacks meant sustained energy and focus for the active, in-depth work we do. Since having the snacks, we've noticed a significant decrease in the mid-afternoon slump, and they are able to stay engaged and energized for longer, collaborative work sessions.","fullyFundedDate":1759461868715,"projectUrl":"project/boards-and-snacks/9777210/","projectTitle":"Boards and Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Court","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338752_orig.jpg?crop=1529,1529,x371,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752974861397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338752"},{"teacherId":9338752,"projectId":9733710,"letterContent":"I want to share my deepest gratitude for your generous support. Your contribution has truly transformed our classroom, empowering our future mathematicians and engineers to explore and build with confidence. We are using the new individual dry-erase boards every day. They allow every student to quickly share their mathematical thinking, making it safe to take risks and learn from each other. For instance, while learning about the area of composite shapes last week, the boards allowed a typically quiet student to confidently share his two-step solution with the whole class, turning a challenging problem into a shared success. The LEGOs and building blocks have been a huge hit, making abstract concepts tangible. When they first saw them, the students were thrilled to be able to \"actually hold the math problem\" while visualizing 3D geometry and volume.\r\n\r\nYour support is leading us directly into our next big project: an introduction to Computer Science and Algorithmic Thinking. We will be using the LEGOs to physically model algorithms, where students will \"program\" each other with precise steps to build a specific structure. This teaches them foundational coding concepts like sequential steps and debugging in a fun, hands-on way. They will use the dry-erase boards to sketch out their flow charts beforehand. Thank you once again for investing in our students' curiosity and courage. You are helping us build a classroom where complex ideas are met with excitement and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1759047475354,"projectUrl":"project/student-displays-and-legos-for-mathcs-w/9733710/","projectTitle":"Student Displays and LEGOs for Math/CS Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Court","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338752_orig.jpg?crop=1529,1529,x371,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752974861397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338752"},{"teacherId":3106858,"projectId":9777806,"letterContent":"Your donation of graphing calculators made an immediate and meaningful impact in our classroom. By ensuring that every student had access to the testing tools, you eliminated barriers for those who might not have been able to bring their own. Students felt more confident, prepared, and supported, allowing them to focus fully on demonstrating their skills rather than worrying about resources. Your generosity strengthened equity, improved the overall testing experience, and helped our students engage more deeply with higher-level mathematical tasks. Thank you for truly making a difference in their success.","fullyFundedDate":1759457147504,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-success-graphing-calculators/9777806/","projectTitle":"Empowering Success: Graphing Calculators in Standardized Tests","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sunada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3106858"},{"teacherId":3644058,"projectId":9750024,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful for your generous donation to our classroom project! Thanks to your support, we can now provide our students with the essential, high-quality tools that will transform their culinary education. Introducing induction burners will revolutionize our cooking labs. This investment in safety allows our students to focus on technique with confidence and peace of mind.\r\n\r\nThe addition of dish tubs and accurate measuring spoons will further enhance the efficiency and precision of our daily work. The dish tubs provide a portable, organized system for managing ingredients and dirty dishes, which is vital for promoting excellent sanitation and making the most of our limited sink space. They will be instrumental in teaching the concept of 'mise en place'—getting organized before you start—a cornerstone of professional cooking. Furthermore, the new, accurate measuring spoons are crucial for emphasizing the importance of consistency and precision in every single recipe.\r\n\r\nIn a culinary career, skills in safety, efficiency, and accuracy are non-negotiable. Your contribution is more than just new equipment; it is an investment in these fundamental skills that will serve our students well, whether they pursue a professional career or simply cook at home. We are excited for our students to begin using these tools to build their confidence, explore new techniques, and master the art of cooking in a safe and modern environment. Thank you once again for making this transformative experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1759347686606,"projectUrl":"project/give-students-access-to-culinary-excelle/9750024/","projectTitle":"Give Students Access to Culinary Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kazana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3644058_orig.jpg?crop=2139,2139,x713,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759352226601","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3644058"},{"teacherId":8823680,"projectId":9772715,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Book Bistro project. Because of your generosity, our school is one step closer to building a warm, joyful reading culture where every student feels welcome. Nearly 30% of our students are English Language Learners, and your donation helps create a space where they can explore books in a relaxed, café-style environment that celebrates choice, curiosity, and community.\r\n\r\nWith your help, we will host four Book Bistro events this year—each one transformed with café carts, music, light refreshments, and teachers serving as \"book baristas.\" Your contribution provides the beverages, snacks, paper goods, storage bins, and, most importantly, the books that make this experience possible. These touches turn reading into something students look forward to, not something assigned.\r\n\r\nYour support does more than fund supplies; it changes how students experience reading. By making books accessible, inviting, and fun, you are helping our students build literacy confidence and discover stories that speak to them. Thank you for believing in our school, our readers, and the power of creating a community where every student can thrive. Your generosity truly makes an impact.","fullyFundedDate":1759198406249,"projectUrl":"project/serving-up-stories-a-book-bistro-for-hi/9772715/","projectTitle":"Serving Up Stories: A Book Bistro for High School Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kasper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8823680_orig.jpg?crop=961,961,x68,y75&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667268272579","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823680"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66435","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1401,"numTeachers":74,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":50.5,"schoolId":66435,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kealakehe High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kealakehe High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/kealakehe-high-school/66435"}