Your Donations At Work

Enriching Education in Mountain View Whisman Schools TK-8 at Eleven Schools

The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) is proud to fund essential programs that enhance the educational experience for all TK-8 students in the Mountain View Whisman School District.

MVEF funds core programs in art, music, science, sports, clubs, and reduced class sizes in English Language Arts (ELA) at the middle school.

Our goal is to inspire students to discover their passions and reach their full potential through a well-rounded education. By supporting MVEF, you are investing in the future of our children and our community.

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Inspiring Creativity & Expression

Art By CSMA

MVEF funds weekly art classes, taught by professional artists and educators, in our elementary schools for all TK-5th grades. The teachers are provided by the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA), one of the largest community schools in the country with over 50 years of service in the Bay Area.

The program consists of in-depth, skill-building, and sequential art lessons that meet the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards for Art and focus on community building. The art classes coordinate with each classroom’s curriculum to become an integral part of the school day. MVEF also funds all art shows at the elementary schools.

Music By CSMA

MVEF pays for the music teachers who teach the weekly music classes in our elementary schools for TK-5th grades. The teachers are trained by and work for the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) The program consists of in-depth, skill-building, hands-on, sequential music lessons that meet the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards for Music.

Classes and content is appropriate for each grade level. Grades K-3 focus primarily on singing and rhythm. Students learn singing, rhythm, recorder playing, and even get to choose an instrument to focus on in 5th grade. They bring the joy of music to students through hands-on, sequential lessons.

MVEF also covers instrument purchases and repairs, recorders for younger grades, and grade level performances.

Prop 28 (Art & Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative, 2022) and MVEF

Prop. 28 guarantees ongoing state funding to supplement - not replace - existing arts and music programs. MVWSD will receive ~$620K annually based on enrollment and Free/Reduced Lunch Program rates.

Prop. 28 funds cannot replace MVEF contributions, as existing programs must remain funded by MVEF. To sustain these programs, community support is essential. Learn more about Prop 28 here.

Cultivating Scientific Curiosity

Living Classroom

The Living Classroom program brings garden-based lessons to TK-6th grade classrooms, teaching students about photosynthesis, life cycles, ecology, and the importance of plant science. Living Classroom's mission is to inspire children to learn about and value the natural world through garden-based education. Visit a school and look for planters of vegetables planted by children!

Environmental Education

MVEF funds science programs led by the Mountain View Whisman Environmental Science Collaborative (MVWESC), allowing 4th and 5th graders to explore tide pools, organic farms, and the San Francisco Bay, enriching their understanding of the natural world. This long-standing collaboration of environmental education nonprofits provides coordinated science education to all MVWSD elementary schools.

Fourth and fifth graders enjoy one classroom program on-site at the schools and one off site field trip per year, both of which are provided by MVEF. Field trips and classroom programs are led by local nonprofit partners, including Environmental Volunteers who leads the collaboration, Marine Science Institute (MSI), the Youth Science Institute (YSI), Hidden Villa, and the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society.

All science programs support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that identify core ideas and practices in science that prepare today’s K-12 students for success in college and future careers.

Empowering Middle School Students

Smaller English (ELA) Classes

MVEF funds an additional English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at each middle school, reducing class sizes by an average of 25%. This gives students more personalized attention and elective opportunities.

Athletics

We fund interscholastic athletics, including coaches, referees, and transportation, ensuring all students have access to sports and physical activity.

Clubs & Other Activities

MVEF pays for clubs and other activities which empowers students to explore their interests and passions outside the classroom. MVEF proudly funds teacher stipends for the GMSTV Program at Graham, Club Advisors, Student Leadership advisors, the Robotics Club Advisor, the Music Director for the Musical, and more at Crittenden.

Our Impact & Highlights in 2023-2024

Music & Art

CSMA taught over 2,200 art lessons and over 3,900 music lessons at 9 school sites in MVWSD grades TK-5
CSMA held 14 grade level music performances for TK-4 and 9 5th grade band & strings concerts
CSMA held 8 Music in Action Concerts (Mariachi Tierra de Oro and SF Zeal Quartet) at all school sites (Castro and Mistral combined)

Hands-On Science

Living Classroom provided 667 lessons and served 3,875 students in the district, an increase of 15% over last year
20 4th grade and 21 5th grade classrooms had the opportunity to have a field trip (like the 5th grade MSI Discovery Voyage Boat Trip) and an in-classroom visit (like the 4th grade OceanLab for Rocky Shore Animals)