Fairmont Blog
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There’s so much to say about the incredible private school education going on in every classroom from preschool – high school across Fairmont’s five Orange County campuses. Stay informed about the latest news and delve deeper into the Fairmont experience by subscribing to our blog. Let us know what you think about our articles by leaving us a comment. And if you have a great idea for a new blog, drop us a line at info@fairmontschools.com.
Top 9 Reasons to Choose Summer Programs at Fairmont
Have you made your summer plans? Whether you are looking for a recreational summer camp experience to keep your child engaged or need to boost academic skills with summer school, there’s a place for your child at Fairmont. Here are the Top 9 reasons why Fairmont’s summer programs may be the perfect solution for keeping […]
How Growth Mindset Helps Students Succeed
Educators are always looking for ways to increase their students’ success. They take professional development courses on how to accelerate progress. They join collaborative groups to help facilitate growth. They attend conferences to learn how to elevate achievement and boost motivation. And they are willing to take a “deep dive” into the complexities that drive […]
Raising Awareness and Bringing Understanding to Conditions of the Mind
It goes without saying that one of a parent’s top priorities is to ensure the good health of their child. We often equate this with a child’s physical well-being – whether they are protected from viruses and diseases, how well their anatomy is working, whether they are growing and thriving. But another vitally important part […]
Meet Fairmont’s Sensational Summer Staff
Here’s to the fun-loving people who love kids. The adventurers who stir up adventure for their campers. The ones who lead by example and help develop leaders. They have curious minds and inspire curiosity in those around them. They’re superstars who shoot for the stars, creating a one-of-a-kind camp experience. Here’s to our Fairmont Summer […]
There is No Place for a Bully…Especially at School!
When a new student begins their academic career at Fairmont, we naturally are interested in where they came from, their past school experiences, and why they chose to make a change in school settings. It is often with shock and heartbreak we hear that a fair amount of students leave their prior school due to […]
The “Why-s” and “How To-s” of a Private School Admission Interview
Good private schools understand the importance of having the right people in the right places in order to carry out their stated mission. When they interview a candidate for a job – whether a teacher, administrator, or staff member – they want to ensure that person’s qualifications, values, and temperament line up with the needs […]
Seven Fairmont Educators Named Among the Best in Orange County
They may not wear capes, but ALL of our Fairmont educators are heroes. And seven of them were recently honored in Parenting OC’s 2022 School Heroes Awards. Congratulations to: Chad Jackson – OC’s Top School Leader of the Year Heather Poretta – among the Top 10 OC Teachers of the Year Joshua Riturban and Barbara […]
Understanding and Addressing the Problem of Low Literacy
California’s low literacy rate has left quite a tarnish on the “Golden State.” According to a recently released report from World Population Review, a non-partisan data-sharing organization, the state ranks lowest in the nation for literacy, with only 77% of those age 15 and older reading at mid- to highly proficient levels. Looked at another […]
HAC Extends Winning Streak at OC Academic Pentathlon + Prep Wows at Jr/Sr State Academic Decathlon!
Our Historic Anaheim Campus and Fairmont Prep are no strangers to regional and statewide recognition. The spotlight shined on these two campuses once again this March, when HAC took home top honors at the OC Pentathlon for the 28th year in a row, and the Prep earned the bronze medal (3rd place) for all of […]
Fairmont Transportation – Going the Extra Mile
The National Safety Council estimates that “some 25 million students nationwide begin and end their day with a trip on a school bus.” Parents select school-sponsored transportation for their children for a whole host of reasons – and we’ve outlined some of the most compelling ones in this article. Safety First A parent’s highest priority […]
Getting Out and About in the OC
It’s been two years since COVID-19 arrived on the scene and up-ended virtually every aspect of our everyday lives. Thankfully, we seem to have rounded the corner, allowing us to largely return to life as we knew it before the pandemic. So let’s celebrate this by reclaiming some of the time we “lost” to COVID. […]
Measuring What Matters: Making Sense of Parent Reports
As parents, we are all very interested in how well our children are learning the key skills and essential knowledge that are fundamental to lifelong learning. Scientists tell us that this love of learning is associated with longevity, greater life satisfaction, optimism, and engagement. What more could we want for our children? Responsible schools, like […]
14 Simple (yet Meaningful) Ways to Show Love to Your Child
It’s often said that love isn’t just a noun … it’s also a verb. We can tell people that we love them, but it’s also important to show them how we feel – sometimes actions speak louder than words! So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought the timing was right to compile […]
STEM Experiment Connects Students with the International Space Station
Middle school students at Fairmont SJC recently took part in the award-winning STEM program, Tomatosphere™. Tomatosphere™ leverages the excitement of space exploration as a context for teaching students the skills and processes of science experimentation and inquiry. “I expect in twenty years time, astronauts will be flying on missions to Mars – and these future […]
Celebrating Incredible College Acceptance Successes!
Each year, Fairmont graduates attain acceptance to some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher education. Last year, 97% of the Class of 2021 received offers from one or more of the “Top 100” Colleges, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. And based on the early admissions already extended to current Fairmont […]
International Baccalaureate PYP Programme: An Alternative Approach to the “Formal” Preschool Model
Parents of young children are constantly faced with decisions about what’s best for their kids. From the earliest days of “Which car seat is safest?” to “What’s the best method for potty training?”, coming up with the right answers can sometimes be nerve-wracking. And then comes THIS daunting question: “Which type of preschool will be […]
Making a Fairmont Education More Accessible: Introducing Orange County Education Foundation
Since our inception in 1953, Fairmont has been committed to making our outstanding educational experience accessible to as many students as possible. Building upon this long-standing tradition, we have proudly partnered with Orange County Education Foundation (OCEF), a like-minded organization which understands the tremendous impact a quality education can have on a child’s life. We […]
10 Best Halloween Candies of 2021
COVID tried to take some of the “Boo!” out of Halloween and turn it into a “boo-hoo.” With the Delta variant still an issue and children under 12 not yet eligible for the vaccine, some families are looking for safe alternative ways to celebrate. Regardless of what activities you choose to take part in, make […]
What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and All Those Rankings?
If you work in college admissions or college counseling, you can always tell it is fall by three things: Students returning to campus College football College rankings are revealed All three bring some anticipation, some anxiety, and some misunderstanding. However, today I want to focus on college rankings. There are some major publications that come […]
Fairmont Students Reach for the Stars!
The sky isn’t the limit for a group of STEM students at Fairmont’s San Juan Capistrano campus who recently competed in the SpaceCRAFT Exploration Challenge — an event which allowed them to virtually participate in space exploration. The SpaceCRAFT Exploration Challenge spanned six nights and drew students from across the globe. The competition is an […]
Implications of COVID-19 on College Admissions
Consistency does not exist when speaking about college admissions. Trust me, I wish it did because it would make my job, and the job of college counselors across the country, so much easier. No two years are alike as colleges see spikes in applications, financial downturns, global pandemics, changes in perception, and a variety of […]
Measuring What Matters – How Good Schools Use Data to Improve Learning
How Benchmark Testing Gives Students the Advantage Educating students is no small task. The role of the teacher includes not only imparting knowledge to their students, but also training them to read thoughtfully, write cogently, think critically, and act responsibly. In order to achieve these ambitious goals, teachers need insight and skills in determining how […]
Ten A+ After School Snacks
One thing you can always count on at the end of the school day is hungry (or even “hangry”) kids! Help put fuel back in their tanks with these ten terrific treats — many of which can be prepped in advance. From sweet to savory, there’s something on this list for even the pickiest of […]
Game On — Esports Program Offered at Fairmont Prep
Esports is the fastest-growing high school sport in the nation and Fairmont Prep is pleased to provide an opportunity for video gamers to compete in this CIF-sanctioned sport. It is widely recognized that Esports hones students’ problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, while fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and community. It also opens doors to college scholarships and […]
How to Get (and Keep) Your Kids Organized
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a conversation with your child that started with something like this … “Mom … where’s my lunch?” (asked right as you’re pulling into the school parking lot) “Dad … I left my essay for history class at home. Will you please bring it to the school office?” Benjamin […]
Top 9 Reasons to Choose Summer Programs at Fairmont
Have you made your summer plans? Whether you are looking for a recreational summer camp experience to keep your child engaged or need to boost academic skills with summer school, there’s a place for your child at Fairmont. Here are the Top 9 reasons why Fairmont’s...
How Growth Mindset Helps Students Succeed
Educators are always looking for ways to increase their students’ success. They take professional development courses on how to accelerate progress. They join collaborative groups to help facilitate growth. They attend conferences to learn how to elevate achievement...
Raising Awareness and Bringing Understanding to Conditions of the Mind
It goes without saying that one of a parent’s top priorities is to ensure the good health of their child. We often equate this with a child's physical well-being – whether they are protected from viruses and diseases, how well their anatomy is working, whether they...
Meet Fairmont’s Sensational Summer Staff
Here’s to the fun-loving people who love kids. The adventurers who stir up adventure for their campers. The ones who lead by example and help develop leaders. They have curious minds and inspire curiosity in those around them. They’re superstars who shoot for the...
There is No Place for a Bully…Especially at School!
When a new student begins their academic career at Fairmont, we naturally are interested in where they came from, their past school experiences, and why they chose to make a change in school settings. It is often with shock and heartbreak we hear that a fair amount of...
The “Why-s” and “How To-s” of a Private School Admission Interview
Good private schools understand the importance of having the right people in the right places in order to carry out their stated mission. When they interview a candidate for a job – whether a teacher, administrator, or staff member – they want to ensure that person’s...
Seven Fairmont Educators Named Among the Best in Orange County
They may not wear capes, but ALL of our Fairmont educators are heroes. And seven of them were recently honored in Parenting OC’s 2022 School Heroes Awards. Congratulations to: Chad Jackson - OC’s Top School Leader of the Year Heather Poretta - among the Top 10 OC...
Understanding and Addressing the Problem of Low Literacy
California’s low literacy rate has left quite a tarnish on the “Golden State.” According to a recently released report from World Population Review, a non-partisan data-sharing organization, the state ranks lowest in the nation for literacy, with only 77% of those age...
HAC Extends Winning Streak at OC Academic Pentathlon + Prep Wows at Jr/Sr State Academic Decathlon!
Our Historic Anaheim Campus and Fairmont Prep are no strangers to regional and statewide recognition. The spotlight shined on these two campuses once again this March, when HAC took home top honors at the OC Pentathlon for the 28th year in a row, and the Prep earned...
Fairmont Transportation – Going the Extra Mile
The National Safety Council estimates that “some 25 million students nationwide begin and end their day with a trip on a school bus.” Parents select school-sponsored transportation for their children for a whole host of reasons – and we’ve outlined some of the most...