Why choose Fairmont North Tustin?

Established in 1953 by forward-thinking educator Kenneth Holt, Fairmont emerged as a pioneering alternative to traditional schooling.

Committed to offering students more freedom, richer learning experiences, and meaningful opportunities, Mr. Holt began with a summer program at his Anaheim home. The enthusiastic response from students and families quickly turned his vision into a flourishing school by that September.

As news of Fairmont’s innovative approach spread, interest quickly grew. Rising to the challenge, Kenneth Holt took a bold step and acquired the historic Carroll Estate on Mable Street, near downtown Anaheim. With 65 students from Kindergarten through Middle School, the school officially opened its first campus. 

Mr. Holt wore many hats - principal, teacher, bus driver, and janitor - while his wife, Helen, managed the school as secretary, nurse, and accountant. Together with their children and the wider family, they built a close-knit community wholly devoted to student success.

In 1979, David R. Jackson assumed leadership of Fairmont, bringing an innovative, entrepreneurial vision to the school. He guided its growth, establishing additional campuses in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, and North Tustin, and extending programs from Preschool through Grade 8. 

Jackson also welcomed students from around the globe, introducing a comprehensive language-learning program and cultivating a truly international community where learners could thrive and connect across cultures. 

Fairmont Preparatory Academy opened its doors in 1993, inviting high school students (Grades 9–12) to a campus designed to inspire academic excellence. 

The academy welcomed high school students to a campus designed for academic excellence. Learners take charge of their education through AP and IB courses, hands-on projects, and personalized guidance. With 90% of graduates progressing to four-year colleges, Fairmont Prep has set a benchmark for achievement and future readiness. 

Jackson realized his vision by adding this campus to the Fairmont family, bringing a secular, academically driven approach to a region known for faith-based private schools.

Until this milestone, all Fairmont campuses were located in mid-to-north Orange County. San Juan Capistrano offered students small classes, individual attention and the opportunity to lead their own learning journey.

The campus launched with a High School program and now welcomes learners from Preschool through Grade 8. Students build strong academic foundations and creative skills, preparing 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.

In October 2024, Fairmont North Tustin celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its upper campus. This expansion introduced state-of-the-art learning spaces, including the Smart Lab for hands-on STEAM exploration, a fully equipped Broadcasting Studio, the Digital Media Library for research and digital learning, and Allison Hall for performing arts and school-wide events.  

These innovative facilities empower students to explore, create, and collaborate in a dynamic environment that blends academics, technology, and the arts. The new upper campus reflects Fairmont’s commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for growth, creativity, and future-ready learning. 

Our private school in North Tustin embodies Fairmont’s long-standing tradition of excellence. For decades, families have entrusted Fairmont North Tustin, drawn to its strong reputation and vibrant community. Many alumni return with their own children or join the faculty, blending heritage and innovation throughout every classroom.

Accreditation by WASC and Cognia, along with membership in the California Association of World Schools, reflects our commitment to the highest standards. Here, students ignite curiosity, build confidence, and celebrate achievement, guided by teachers who know when to challenge and support. Families experience stability and a genuine sense of belonging, while learners find their place in a story of success that grows and evolves year after year. 

At Fairmont North Tustin, students are challenged in every lesson with an accelerated curriculum a full grade level ahead through Grade 5. Students in JK through Grade 2 demonstrate exceptional early learning gains, with MAP data showing accelerated growth and early readers consistently surpassing grade-level benchmarks by winter term. 

From the earliest years, that rigor translates into standout results in academic competitions. North Tustin teams advance to regional FIRST LEGO League tournaments, earn distinction at the Beach Blitz Qualifying Tournament, and capture a second-place trophy in the Spring Showdown “On-the-Spot” challenge. Students also shine in events such as the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair, MathCounts, and AMC 8 and 10. 

By Grade 8, over 90% of students meet advanced proficiency benchmarks, ready for Fairmont Prep and beyond. Families choose North Tustin for its long-term academic preparedness and visible student growth. 

At Fairmont North Tustin, students thrive in a vibrant, close-knit community through events and celebrations that bring everyone together. Our Fairmont Families program connects students from all grades in mixed-age teams, led by eighth graders, for games, art projects, and service activities every first Tuesday of the month. 

The year culminates in Field Day, a full-day celebration of teamwork, friendly competition, and the character traits that define our school culture. Additional celebrations, including the One World Festival, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Halloween, and the Holiday Children’s Entrepreneur Market, strengthen connections across the school, creating a community where every voice matters and everyone belongs. 

As one of the best private schools in Orange County, students develop essential ISP Life Competencies through intentional programming supported by Camtree at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge. These competencies build the skills, knowledge and attitudes students need to succeed in school, work and daily life. 

Life skills are taught through the Fairmont Families program, where mixed-age groups from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 meet monthly for 30-minute sessions led by eighth-grade Family Leaders. Through games, discussions and activities, students focus on one character trait each month - such as Responsibility, Respect, Kindness or Accountability - while practicing communication, collaboration, problem-solving and leadership. 

Teachers observe students applying these traits across campus, and Family Leaders are assessed using a Leadership Qualities rubric. The program culminates in a school-wide Field Day, where mixed-age teams demonstrate character, leadership and teamwork in action. 

At Fairmont North Tustin, STEAM learning is a journey of discovery and growth. In the early grades, students explore storytelling, drawing, and teamwork in SmartLab, building communication, self-regulation, and creativity.  

As they progress, learners take ownership of real-world challenges in technology, engineering, and science - developing initiative, resilience, and leadership. By Middle School, advanced projects in coding, robotics, and digital design foster independence, critical thinking, and empathy. Every step is designed to nurture confident, compassionate innovators ready to make a difference. 

At Fairmont North Tustin, students explore 30+ clubs, competitions, and electives - from Speech & Debate and Robotics to Visual Arts - competing and winning at regional and national levels.  

Athletics begin in lower grades, with basketball, volleyball, golf, roller hockey, and soccer fostering skill, sportsmanship, and school pride.  

Guided leadership starts in Grade 3 with Student Council and public speaking, while Middle Schoolers lead campus initiatives and mentor younger peers. Every student finds their passion, builds friendships, and thrives in a vibrant, supportive community. 

At Fairmont North Tustin, students grow as confident Spanish speakers and culturally aware communicators, starting with playful vocabulary in Preschool 3 and building to advanced skills by 8 Grade.

Throughout their journey, students use iPads and digital tools including Blooket, Kahoot, Gimkit, Quizlet, and Google Slides to practice vocabulary, grammar, and cultural topics. They present, collaborate, and complete personalized assessments - demonstrating bilingual readiness aligned with global citizenship goals.  

By Grade 8, students take on the Auténtico program, integrating authentic sources, fully prepared for advanced/AP-level Spanish and confident global communicators.

At our private school in Santa Ana, students are guided and challenged by SEL-trained teachers to reach their full potential, while on-site Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and mental health counselors are always available to listen and support. Flex Period gives students the freedom to focus on what matters most - completing homework, receiving extra tutoring, connecting with counselors, or simply recharging. 

Students also benefit from one of the region’s longest-standing standalone language programs, ASSIST and International ASSIST, receiving one-on-one and small-group instruction from dedicated specialist teachers for up to three hours each week. Regular assessments ensure every learner is placed where they can grow most effectively. 

From Grade 5 onwards, students join the Fairmont Homestay Program and settle in with welcoming American families or externally-provided boarding accommodations. They experience daily life, share meals and join in special events, all while growing their English fluency and independence. Our dedicated team is available 24/7, and every host family completes thorough training and background checks. 

Students enjoy a private bedroom with a dresser, desk and closet, plus access to a shared bathroom and high-speed internet. They connect with their host families over meals, forming real bonds and friendships. Special activities for Homestay students help everyone feel included and make the most of school life.

At our Middle school in Santa Ana, students start shaping their future by building a curriculum of core and elective subjects that match their interests and ambitions. Most students opt for Fairmont Prep Academy for High School, meeting with Prep counsellors early to create personalized Four-Year Plans that guide their final years of study. 

95% of students transition smoothly from Middle School to High School and secure places at leading US colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, USC, NYU, The University of Chicago, Penn, Duke, Vanderbilt, Cornell and Claremont McKenna College. Our students consistently outperform their peers in gaining access to Ivy League schools, thanks to expert counselling and a supportive, student-led environment.

ISP schools are a shared ecosystem of innovation and ambition. Students embark on a dynamic and personalised learning journey, guided by the transformative Learning.First™ approach, unique only to the ISP family of schools. They learn through 5 pillars enriched by worldwide collaborations, solving real-world problems with peers across continents.  

This powerful combination of academic achievement, multilingual learning and international opportunities creates unparalleled future pathways, preparing students for top universities and global careers.