Fairmont Preparatory Academy, 7-12 (Private)

I am a long time Fairmont parent who has sent multiple children to this school. When my older kids went to the Prep, I thought this was a wonderful school and my kids where well prepared for college. My youngest child, however, has had a different experience. While my child will be prepared for college, the experience was not as good as my older childen had. I attribute this difference to the desire of the head master to have a football team at the school. As a result of this goal, the quality of students has gone down and with this difference has come more discipline and social issues. If I was choosing a high school today, I don't think I would pick this one as many of the reasons I liked Fairmont seem to be gone now.

If you're a teacher looking for work, DO NOT apply for a job at this school. After multiple interviews and doing a sample lesson, I was offered a job to work there. Two weeks before the school year started, the school called me and said I didn't have a job. They said the contract I signed was null and that they were sorry but the enrollment numbers dropped lower than they expected. They are also the lowest paying school in the area. I have two MA's, a credential, and ten years teaching experience. I was offered 40K. That's why there's so much teacher turnover.

As a school administrator I was surprised to read the review about Fairmont Prep being overpriced. While Fairmont has increased tuition moderately over the past few years, we have been open about communicating the increase as lower than other private schools around the country who have had to increase tuition at higher rates due to loss in endowment and donation revenue. We have also been clear about the value that the increases support including new library resources, facility upgrades, the launch of our new Engineering Magnet, additional college counselors, etc. We have heard many positive things from parents and students this year who have been very pleased by these new programs and changes, and as a school, are proud to be delivering on our promise to provide the best possible college prep education to students in Southern California.

For what they offer, this school is significantly overpriced. The administration has significantly raised tuition fees for the last two years and tacks on additional tuition for medical magnet students, as well. This is not the norm, though they would tell you it is. The teaching staff seems to change frequently, as well. There are better schools out there, IMO.

I sent my daughter to Fairmont in the hopes she would develop better English skills. I later discover that almost 70% of the student body is Asian (a Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese mix) and these students do not integrate with each other. After two years (and two heavy tuition hikes), I saw no improvement in my child's English skills and moved her to Mater Dei where she has had a much more rounded experience. The faculty at Fairmont are competent, but the tuition is too high. Overall, I found the facilities lacking and the campus too small. The tuition keeps going

In preparation for college, my son attended Mr. Calavitta's Calculus Bootcamp and is now excelling in advanced caculus in college. Over half of the staff and faculty hold advanced degrees; they facilitate learning as opposed to delivering curriculum; students have multiple counsellors to guide them throughout high school and on to top colleges; student population is diverse yes but this prepares the kids for a real world college experience and global work place; multiple opportunities for the kids to get involved and really enjoy high school the way it should be. Why wouldn't you choose to have your student attend a school that can offer all of this?

Fairmont turns average students into super stars and has more super teachers than any in the country

Fairmont is one of the finest and most outstanding academic schools in California. My son has excelled in their small class environment nad has gained so much from his teachers and the caring staff. I can not thnak Fairmont enough for helping him to reach for the best universities and college in the US. Fairmont is simply OUTSTANDING.

disrespectful teachers, money-hungry school, too small campus, a lot of stealing, some sexual problems among students, mean projects, enormous amount of homework, coldhearted office people, unreasonable detensions, greedy, extremely high tuition, lazy teachers, etc.

Fairmont is not worth the tuition; your child will definitely not be adequately educated for the $17,000+ you will be paying for tuition, uniform (which they for some reason hold to be more important than education itself), textbooks, books, etc. There are maybe 3 good teachers, but other than that they are rude, unhelpful, and condescending. Their clubs and other extra-curricular programs are sub-par. They will lie to you about how good their school is to get you to enroll. Do not fall for it. Fairmont is a money-hungry private school who will take any they can get for very petty reasons. I would not recommend sending your child there unless you are willing to donate a lot of money. Also, whatever you do, do not go for international school; they will show you absolutely no human decency.

Small campus with too many students some of teacher were so mean... and they give so many detention to student

Perfect place to raise a well-rounded child. They strike a perfect balance in this highly competitive environment where schools tend to soley focus on education.

The 7th and 8th grades are the most academic grades at the Prep. After 8th grade, a lot of students leave. But recently, Fairmont added a Medical Magnet Program with either IB or non IB for their good students. You need a 3.5+ GPA and strong in math and science to be qualified. The program director Dr. Katz actually has a MD degree and she is a great teacher. The Medical Magnet program will have its first year of graduates and it will be exciting to see the results. If you child wants to be in medical field, and you are comfortable with $17,000 tuition, this is a good program to go. As for the Prep, there are a lot of international students. They do have some good teachers though.

Some teachers are unthinking and disrespectful to students. The principle works with student only when giving detentions, barely nothing besides with students. Not quite diverse extra curricular activities. Downright poor facility for sports-NO swimming pool,NO tennis court,NO field. Very small campus with many students. The third highest tuition In Orange County, but NOT worth when compare to what you will get(USD 16,620/year-this does NOT include additional fees. Higher tuition required for ESL students. Tuition raises by every 1 or 2 years)

This is a great school! I'm so glad that my kids are at this school...great teachers and high quality kids.

Very good school academically, majority of the students, however, are International. So it is very hard to have solid communication with the majority. This sometimes provides a problem for teachers, as they have to spend extra time translating to the transfer students. 7 out of 10 overall.

Great academic program for the serious student. Large international program overwhelms mainstream population. Opportunity to play most sports, small arts program. Travel program is unique and a great opportunity. Needs more ethnic diversity for a balanced campus.

i went here - some good teachers and some bad