Fairmont Blog

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Prior to the pandemic, few primary or secondary schools had occasion to delve into the world of remote learning. But that’s not the case at Fairmont! An innovator in education for nearly seven decades, we began researching best practices in distance learning over a decade ago. So while other schools were scrambling to adjust to […]

After experiencing an entire year of distance learning, many students will be transitioning their studies to in-person classrooms for the upcoming school year. This is surely an exciting anticipation for many, but others may have mixed feelings. It is natural for students and their parents to have some trepidation around the upcoming academic year and […]

Ahhhhh … Italian food. We love it! A quick search of the internet reveals that pizza and pasta rank among the top five most popular foods in the world. But if you’re interested in expanding your palate for Italian food beyond these staples, we have a suggestion for you — gnocchi, a classic potato dumpling. […]

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 […]

As the 2020-21 school year comes to a close, we celebrate the completion of a successful inaugural year of our International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) at the Historic Anaheim Campus. We also celebrate the campus’ recent designation as an IB World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP), paving the way for PK […]

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we need to provide our kids with strategies and tools they can use to help them work through challenges, bounce back from adversity, and face future difficulties. We need to equip our children to be resilient! Nelson Mandela once said, “Do not judge me by my […]

How to support your kids this summer so they return to school stronger and more resilient. When we think about childhood, we often romanticize it as a time of wonder and innocence — immune from hardships, worries, and cares. But unfortunately, that’s just not the reality. We live in a complex and sometimes hostile world, […]

Ahhhh … summertime! The word conjures up dreamy thoughts of sun-filled days, barbeques, trips to the beach, and lots and lots of learning. Learning? YES, learning! Teachers have long understood the value of ongoing education throughout the summer months. It keeps kids mentally engaged and helps guard against the “summer slump” — a learning loss […]

Every serious athlete wants to be trained by the best of the best. Wrestlers will have an opportunity to experience just that on June 5, when a group of Olympians, World Champions, and National Champions — Anthony Cassar, Bo Nickal, Kyle Snyder, and David Taylor — come together to bring their expertise to Fairmont Schools’ […]

Have you made your summer plans? Whether you are looking for a recreational summer camp experience to keep your child engaged or needing to boost academic skills with summer school, there’s a place for your child at Fairmont. Here are the Top 10 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 […]

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 […]

How many times during the COVID-19 pandemic have you uttered the words, “I just can’t wait for things to get back to the way they used to be!”? After more than a year of uncertainty, people are aching for their normal daily lives to resume … or are they? As it turns out, now that […]

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 […]