Poverty directly impacts the mental, social, and physical health of students which, without a strong education system, can create a downward spiral in the lives of students. Schools in low-income neighborhoods, where property values are low, do not have the same resources and support as wealthier parts of society. High-poverty school districts in California receive two percent less funding per student than more affluent districts when adjusted for student needs. Poorly funded schools often cannot offer the same choices of curriculum as schools from higher-income areas. These schools cannot provide basic supplies like books and computers. Many affluent schools provide elective classes not available in low-funded schools such as music, theater, STEM, and sports. To close the gap, these schools need equal funding if not extra funding to help students' needs. In low-income neighborhoods, students have a greater need for academic and mental support and yet our education system lags behind in providing them where it is most needed. Students in low-funded schools often are in greater need of academic help due to difficulty in comprehension, focus, concentration, and memory, but these schools do not have the resources to provide the much-needed extra help. Counselors are available in wealthier schools but are less likely to be in low-funded schools due to low funding. Students from low-funded schools often experience more social and emotional challenges, chronic stress, behavior problems, and mental health issues. Counselors can help students establish coping skills, and promote mental health. The availability of modern technology at home and school allows students to socialize with their peers, facilitate learning, and find enjoyment in learning. High-quality education should not be limited to students from well-off schools and neighborhoods, it should be available to everybody as a basic human right. There are many ways society can help students who live in poverty. Government can allocate more education funds for low-income districts, schools can partner with organizations and communities to provide support, and state and local governments can create financial policies to help low-income families.