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Fairmont Prep Shadow Days
Fairmont Historic Anaheim is a globally accredited IB World School and the founding campus of Fairmont Schools. Located in the heart of Anaheim, we blend 70+ years of legacy with a forward-thinking academic model that develops curious, confident, and high-achieving learners. From Preschool through Grade 8, our learners are empowered to thrive in a nurturing environment where inquiry, innovation, and belonging come to life.
Our students stand out, achieving some of the highest test scores in Orange County and thriving in a vibrant, globally-minded community. With WASC and Cognia accreditation and membership in CAWS, families know they’re choosing a school where students discover their passions, pursue them, and find real joy and purpose in every achievement and relationship.
As the original campus of Fairmont Schools, Historic Anaheim continues to build on the commitment to put students at the center of everything we do. At HAC, we combine deep community roots with upgraded STEM instruction, modern spaces, and a dedicated IB learning environment, fostering both tradition and innovation.
Under Kenneth Holt’s leadership, Fairmont’s journey began with a summer initiative that broke the mold, championing autonomy and a forward-thinking approach to learning.
Our private school in Anaheim officially opened its doors to 65 students, from Preschool to Middle School, with the Holt family hands-on in every detail, building a close-knit, supportive community from day one.
David R. Jackson drove Fairmont’s bold expansion, opening campuses in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, and North Tustin, extending learning from Preschool to Grade 12, and launching a language program that welcomes international students.
Fairmont Schools launched the Preparatory Academy with a bold college-prep focus where students challenge themselves in Advanced Placement (AP) and bespoke science, math and business programs.
Fairmont Schools obtained the prestigious Cognia accreditation, a mark of quality recognized in over 100 countries and a testimony of our unwavering commitment to focus on real results, data-driven growth and a culture where every voice matters.
We were officially recognized as an IB World School, offering both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) to our students.
Fairmont brought a fresh, academically focused option to South Orange County with the opening of our San Juan Capistrano campus, giving local families a new place where students lead and grow.
Fairmont Schools joined International Schools Partnership - ISP, giving students a global network, collaborative learning opportunities, and the skills to thrive as true global citizens. As a member of ISP, Fairmont maintained its unique ethos while also reaping the rewards of being part of one of the world’s largest and most respected school groups.
In 1953, Kenneth Holt saw the limits of traditional schooling and took action. He launched a summer program at his Anaheim home, giving students more freedom, deeper understanding, and real-life opportunities to learn.
The response was huge, by September, his passion had grown into a thriving school.
Word got out about Fairmont’s fresh take on education, and interest grew quickly. Kenneth Holt took action, purchasing the Carroll Estate on Mable Street and launching Fairmont’s first campus with 65 students from Kindergarten through Middle School.
The Holts were all-in, Kenneth juggled roles from principal to janitor, Helen supported as secretary, nurse, and accountant, and the whole family pitched in. Together, they built a supportive, close-knit school community where student success came first.
In 1979, David R. Jackson stepped in with bold ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit. He expanded Fairmont’s reach, opening new campuses in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, and North Tustin, and extending grade levels from Preschool all the way through Grade 12.
In parallel, Jackson also launched a robust language program that saw a surge in international enrollments, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse school community.
Fairmont Preparatory Academy opened its doors in 1993, welcoming high school students in Grades 9 - 12 to a campus built for academic excellence and bold ambition. Here, students lead their learning journey, choosing from a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) and flagship STEM, economics and artistic courses, diving into hands-on projects, and collaborating with expert teachers who know when to challenge and when to support.
Prep students don’t just study, they drive discussions, set goals, and take ownership of their progress. With 90% of graduates heading to four-year colleges, students set the standard for achievement and future success.
Fairmont Historic Anaheim became an officially authorized IB World School, offering both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP).
This authorization marks a turning point, as students started to be even more empowered to own their journey and shape their future with confidence through a stronger focus on global mindedness, teamwork, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Jackson realized his vision for South Orange County by bringing Fairmont’s academically focused, secular approach to San Juan Capistrano, a region previously known for faith-based private schools.
Until then, all Fairmont campuses were in mid-to-north Orange County. The San Juan Capistrano campus opened with a High School program, offering students small classes, individual attention, and the chance to lead their learning.
Today, the campus serves learners from Preschool through Grade 8, helping every student build a strong academic foundation and creative skills to thrive at top local high schools.
This was a transformative milestone for Fairmont schools as they became a proud member of International Schools Partnership - ISP.
As a member of ISP, Fairmont maintained its unique ethos while also reaping the rewards of being part of one of the world’s largest and most respected school groups.
These benefits included a variety of international learning opportunities for our students, such as cultural exchange programs, and global collaboration projects and competitions, which provide students with experiences and connections that span borders and cultures. The world just became our classroom.
From Preschool to Middle School our students consistently achieve excellent results, a testimony of their commitment and efforts.
2°
California Academic Pentathlon for Grades 7 - 8
5
educator named among Top 25 Teachers in Orange County
86%
of students in Grade 3 scored at 80% in Math
84%
of students in Grade 4 scored at 80% in Math
of students in Grade 5 scored at 80% in Math
75%
of students in Grade 6 scored at 80% in Math
81%
of students in Grade 7 scored at 80% in Math
82%
of students in Grade 8 scored at 80% in Math
67%
of students in Grade 3 scored at 80% in Language Usage
70%
of students in Grade 4 scored at 80% in Language Usage
64%
of students in Grade 5 scored at 80% in Language Usage
69%
of students in Grade 6 scored at 80% in Language Usage
72%
of students in Grade 7 scored at 80% in Language Usage
of students in Grade 8 scored at 80% in Language Usage
Top reasons our families choose to belong here.
Historic Anaheim stands as the original Fairmont campus, continuing a legacy of excellence since 1953. Generations of families choose us again and again, confident in our proven track record. With WASC, Cognia, and CAWS accreditations, we promise quality.
As an IB World School, here students become globally-minded individuals progressing with future-ready learning through the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, developing strong inquiry, reflection, and real-world problem solving skills.
Students are guided and supported by an expert team of specialists, committed to inspiring a lifelong love for learning and to championing both academic growth and personal development.
Learners grow essential life skills through the ISP Life Competencies Framework, powered by University of Cambridge and enriched with the IB's Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning (ATL).
Students take part in sports, cultural, artistic, and technological clubs, lead in Associated Student Body and MUN opportunities, excel in academic competitions and exhibitions, and build skills in field trips and international experiences.
Learners become confident multilingual communicators studying Spanish from Elementary School and taking Chinese in Middle School, experiencing three key world languages by the time they leave HAC.
Whether they're high achievers or late bloomers, students here benefit from supportive initiatives that include family and mental health counseling, differentiated academic assistance, and an English language program for international learners.
International students fully immerse in American culture and create unforgettable memories hosted by pre-checked and caring American families, finding in the US a home-away-from-home during their school years.
Students seamlessly transition to high school with the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive. Many continue their journey in our Prep Academy and gain admission to Top 100 US colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, NYU, and USC.
Thanks to the International Schools Partnership network, students benefit from global opportunities and collaborative experiences, all guided by the transformative Learning.First™ approach, fostering growth with curiosity and confidence.
At Fairmont Historic Anaheim, a legacy of excellence welcomes every learner into a community shaped by over seven decades of academic distinction. Since 1953, generations have trusted this campus, the first in the Fairmont family, to nurture growth and inspire achievement. Alumni return, bringing their children and even joining the faculty, weaving tradition and innovation together in every classroom.
Accreditation by WASC and Cognia, IB World School status, and membership in the California Association of World Schools reflect a commitment to the highest standards. Here, families find stability and a vibrant sense of belonging, while learners discover their place in a story of success that continues to unfold year after year.
Guided by the International Baccalaureate, a curriculum built on creating a better world, learners dive into humanities, philosophy and international mindedness, connecting learning to real-life projects instead of memorizing facts.
From the Primary Years Programme to the Middle Years Programme, students challenge themselves to think deeply, ask big questions, and take ownership of their growth. They collaborate, innovate and reflect.
At Fairmont Historic Anaheim, every learner is known by name and cheered on by a team that truly cares. Our teachers bring advanced degrees and specialist training to the classroom, but what really sets them apart is how they spark curiosity and grow confidence in every lesson.
Learners step up, push boundaries, and own their progress, with trusted guides who know when to challenge and when to support. Families count on our teachers as partners, celebrating every milestone together.
Guided by ISP's Life Competencies Framework and the International Baccalaureate, HAC students lead their learning journeys with confidence, becoming curious, confident, and resilient students by the time they finish Middle School.
Through the Approaches to Learning (ATL) framework, embedded in the school curriculum, they develop essential thinking, communication, research, self-management, and social skills through an inquiry-driven approach to learning.
Learners embody the IB Learner Profile as Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective, emboldened to take on challenges with independence and confidence.
Learners at Fairmont Historic Anaheim enjoy a rich school life that expands learning beyond the classroom. Individual and team sports, including basketball, volleyball, DSL athletics, and tri-way athletics, nurture wellbeing and positive competition. Co- and extra-curricular activities free talents in cooking, drama, dance, music, art, robotics, chess, and dance.
Debate opportunities, the Associated Student Body, Model United Nations, and academic competitions such as Spelling Bee, Orange County Science & Engineer Fair, math Olympiads, and State Project Exhibitions give students the opportunity shine while showing independence and confidence. Our learners consistently outperform peers in the Orange County Academic Pentathlon, earning top team and individual honors in science, math, literature, and essay events, and going on to national competitions.
Through field trips in Washington D.C., South Dakota, Sacramento, and San Bernardino Island, and ISP ILOS experiences, learners apply knowledge to real-life contexts and meet with peers from all over the world.
Students step up and own their multilingual journey from day one. English sparks curiosity in Preschool, with learners growing into confident writers and speakers by Grade 5 and advancing their skills in Middle School.
Spanish comes alive in Elementary, with every student diving into a required semester in Grade 6 with the option of choosing it as an elective in Grades 7 - 8.
Mandarin opens new doors in Grade 6, with an optional two-year sequence that prepares learners for Mandarin 2 in high school.
SEL-trained teachers challenge and support students to grow, while a mental health counselor is always ready to listen and guide.
With one of the region’s longest-running standalone language programs, ASSIST and International ASSIST, students get one-to-one and small-group instruction from dedicated specialist teachers, up to three hours each week. Regular assessments make sure every learner is placed where they’ll grow fastest.
Through the Fairmont Homestay Program, international students from Grade 5 are welcomed in supportive and warm American families and experience the American way of life at its fullest. Supported by a dedicated team 24/7, they build English fluency and independence skills knowing that their host families have been pre-checked and attended thorough training.
Students enjoy a private bedroom with a dresser, desk, and closet, as well as access to a shared bathroom and high-speed connection. They share meals with their host families, creating lasting and meaningful bonds. Special events for Fairmont Homestay students are organized to ensure they fully integrate in their new environment and enjoy every aspect of school life.
Once they arrive in Middle School, learners begin to actively think about their future pathways, experiencing a curriculum of core and elective subjects that will drive them towards their desired paths. The majority of our students choose the Fairmont Prep Academy for their High School studies, starting to meet with Prep counselors early on to create personalized Four-Year Plans that map their final years of schooling.
95% of students transition from Middle School to High School with ease and gain admission to Top 100 US colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, USC, NYU, The University of Chicago, Penn, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Cornell, and Claremont McKenna College. Our learners consistently outperform peers in accessing Ivy League institutions thanks to exceptional counseling.
ISP schools are a collaborative ecosystem of innovation and ambition. Students embark on a dynamic, personalized learning journey guided by the transformative Learning.First™ approach, exclusive to the ISP family of schools. They engage with five pillars of learning, enriched through global collaborations, tackling real-world challenges alongside peers from around the world.This unique combination of academic excellence, multilingual education, and international experiences opens extraordinary future opportunities, preparing students for top universities and successful global careers.
We influence lives to create a better world.
We balance challenge and support, and value learning that happens in and out of our classrooms in order to build a durable foundation for young people’s ongoing inquiry, learning and global-mindedness.
Our students and community are inspired by Fairmont’s core values and live them every day. Guided by high expectations, we believe there is always more to achieve and continuously raise the bar for ourselves and others. Through a shared commitment to lifelong learning, entrepreneurial spirit, and academic excellence, our students are empowered to grow, innovate, and reach their full potential.
High expectations
The Fairmont community pushes boundaries to achieve more. We challenge norms, raise the bar, and inspire students, the industry and ourselves to aim higher, every day, in every lesson.
Lifelong learning
Teachers, leaders, and students spark curiosity and keep growing. We chase new ideas, embrace change, and turn every moment into a chance to learn and improve.
Entrepreneurial spirit
Students bring vision and grit to everything they do. They turn bold ideas into action, persevere through challenges, and create opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
Academic excellence
Learners carve out their own paths, guided by expert teachers and meaningful resources. Every step forward is celebrated, every skill mastered opens new doors, and limits are left behind.
At Fairmont, we provide a safe environment where all members of our community show respect and kindness to one another and protect and honor each other’s rights, dignity, and individual differences.
Integrity
We act with courage and conviction, always choosing what's right and standing by our values. Character and ethical behavior guide every decision we make.
Honesty
We're open, sincere, and trustworthy in everything we do. Our words and actions build trust and respect across our community.
Commitment
We hold ourselves accountable and follow through on our promises. When we say we'll do something, we make it happen-for others and for ourselves.
Professionalism
We bring our best every day, showing respect for others and ourselves. We pay attention to how we present ourselves, our manners, and our actions.
Care
We show genuine concern and kindness, taking time to listen and be present. Compassion shapes how we support and connect with each other.
Belief
We believe deeply in the success of every child and every member of our team. Our passion drives us to encourage, support, and celebrate growth together.
Technology
We embrace the tools and innovations that matter for success today and tomorrow. Our community uses technology to learn, connect, and prepare for the future.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Do the right thing.
Inspire a love of lifelong learning.
Create solutions.
Nurture curiosity.
Celebrate individual contributions.
Culture of excellence
Advanced academics
Empowered educators
Strong community
Proven results
Social-emotional learning
Experience learning that changes lives at Fairmont Historic Anaheim, where students grow in a school with a strong legacy of excellence, guided by exceptional teachers through International Baccalaureate programs.
We are so excited to have your student join us for a Shadow Day!
