Fairmont Blog

The ice hockey program at Fairmont San Juan Capistrano is getting a lot of attention, with people from all over Southern California taking notice of its impressive rise during the two short years since its inception. We recently sat down with General Manager Dack Petersen to learn more about this up-and-coming program –  from its […]

High school can be filled with a lot of uncertainty. Starting at a new campus with new students, new teachers, and a new curriculum can be a bit overwhelming. The old saying “you don’t know what you don’t know” rings quite true in this situation as well. What should you know before you start high […]

The success of a child is the greatest desire for any parent. At Fairmont, our exceptional teachers introduce content using multi-modality instructional strategies to support that success. Students experience visual, auditory, and hands-on opportunities to take in new information and make valuable connections. Using the weekly note or week-at-a-glance that you receive from your child’s […]

What do a wedding and a summer camp have in common? At first thought, the answer is clearly “not very much.” But of course, you know this is a trick question … so read on! When you attend a wedding, chances are people will be dressed to the nines, the ceremony will be serene, the […]

Thankfully, the specter of COVID isn’t looming quite as large this Halloween as it has over the past two. And you know what that means? We can once again engage in all of the time-honored traditions of this wickedly fun holiday – from trick or treating to carving jack-o-lanterns to going on scavenger hunts. And […]

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 their students learn best. And since each […]

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 fourteen fabulous foods — many of which can be prepped in advance. From sweet to savory, there’s something on this list for even the pickiest of […]

Fairmont Prep is truly remarkable in that it offers small school benefits along with large school opportunities. One such opportunity is the ability for students to participate in one of the premier speech and debate programs in the United States. Last year, the Prep finished their season in the top five nationally, based on its […]

Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” Lombardi’s words will resonate with parents whose student-athletes aspire to play at the highest levels, because they understand that elite athletes require elite training. “Perfect” practice does not take place in a vacuum — it is wholly dependent upon pairing […]

Have you ever done the math on how many diapers you’ve changed since your baby was born? Of course, the number will depend upon a variety of factors, including how “prolific” they are. But no matter how you slice it, the answer to this question is …  A LOT! No wonder parents often can’t wait […]

When organizations like Newsweek, College Board, and Siemens take notice of a STEM program, you know you’ve got something special. But when students begin winning global awards for developing real-world solutions based on what they’ve learned in class, you know you’ve got something truly remarkable! Such is the case with Fairmont Prep’s Advanced Science and […]

In 1979, when Fairmont’s founder Kenneth Holt was preparing to pass the reins over to his stepson David Jackson, he offered some words of wisdom that have guided Fairmont since its inception. As Mr. Jackson recounts the story, “My father told me, ‘Your main job is to hire the very best people you can find, […]

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 […]

New backpack – check. Fresh pencils and markers – check. Fully-charged device – check. Back-to-school butterflies in the belly? CHECK! Whether your child is heading off to school for the very first time or walking into their senior year, it’s perfectly normal if they are experiencing some back-to-school jitters. Who will I sit with at […]

If you’ve been following our blog, you know we’re big proponents of extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom and into the home. So if you’re still looking for creative ways to keep your kids on task and off screens this summer, we’re offering up 14 additional ideas in this article. Let’s go! #1. Break Out […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]