Fairmont Newsroom

Citron Campus Wins Anaheim Fall Festival Decorating Contest

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:50:00 GMT

For the second year running, Fairmont Private Schools' Citron Campus took home first place in the City of Anaheim's Fall Festival Business Decorating Contest. The "Halloween Spook" theme featured original student artwork from each of Citron’s preschool and kindergarten classes.

The design was a collaborative effort on the part of school administration, the Parent Association, Project Chair Dawn King and Assistant Chair Mo Braakman. It took a team of Citron Parent Association volunteers to install the display which included a larger-than-life spider looming over the school’s front entry.

This year, the city awarded Citron with a trophy and included the campus on the Fall Festival parade route. The display will remain up until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

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Fairmont Implements Children's Progress Formative Assessment in Early Childhood

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:34:00 GMT

This year, Fairmont Private Schools P4, JK, Kindergarten and first grade students will participate in the Children's Progress Academic Assessment, one of the nation's leading online formative assessment tools for early learners. This ground-breaking learning tool enables teachers to proactively identify individual learning needs and focus classroom instruction through its adaptive assessment testing.

"By implementing this powerful tool, Fairmont reinforces its promise of providing premiere education to inspire minds, and empower dreams," says Director of Education Sandy Cosgrove. "Our young learners are in a pivotal stage of their development and by using tools like Children's Progress, our teachers are able to provide them with unprecedented opportunities to learn and grow."

Children's Progress is part of Educational Records Bureau (ERB), the same company that Fairmont uses for the annual standardized CTP4 Test. Developed by researchers at Columbia University and MIT, the program is designed to assess the whole child, including his or her analytic skills as well as creative and practical abilities.

The program combines expertise in child psychology, technology, and validated scientific research to provide insightful reports that will allow teachers to target the specific learning needs of their students, as well as give parents valuable information on how to reinforce important skills at home. The test is administered on the computer and measures each student's understanding of key language arts and mathematical concepts through a developmentally appropriate and engaging format. This not only takes away test anxiety, but provides invaluable learning opportunities.

Fairmont conducted Children's Progress pilot testing in spring of 2008 at its Citron campus. Feedback from teachers and staff was overwhelmingly positive. "The kids were having fun. It was more like a game to them than a test," said Citron Director Rae Douglas. "Children's progress was easy to administer and gave us almost instantaneous results on the performance of students individually and as a group. Now teachers can pinpoint areas where they need to focus. They can identify individual students who are either exceptionally advanced in a certain skill set or may need more reinforcement at school and at home."

Fairmont Prep Celebrates Launch of Engineering Magnet with Math/Science Recognition from College Board

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:50:00 GMT

Fairmont Preparatory Academy launched its Engineering Magnet this fall, a highly advanced program that allows high school students to build a strong foundation in math and science while benefiting from a cutting-edge engineering lab, a dedicated college/academic counselor, university-level courses and hands-on opportunities such as summer internships and study trips. The Engineering Magnet was developed to further the education and career goals of Fairmont students who are exceptionally gifted in math and science-areas where Fairmont's program excels. Fairmont Preparatory Academy was recently recognized by the College Board for "excellence in teaching AP math and science."

The Engineering Magnet curriculum, a project three years in the making, is comprised of classes rooted in statistics, dynamics, thermodynamics and physics, among other branches of math and science. Such an advanced and rigorous course of study was created with the overall objective of facilitating a pathway for Fairmont students to the top engineering colleges of their choice, according to Josephus Dossen, chair of the Engineering Magnet Program at Fairmont Prep.

"Our goal is to provide students with a 21st century, state-of-the-art engineering experience at the high school level," he said. "Early entrance into this program adds more relevant and substantive coursework and experience to their resumes, so that their portfolios are unparalleled when the time comes to apply to top colleges."

Dossen and his colleagues at Fairmont Prep developed the program by conducting a cross-analysis of the various engineering disciplines offered by many of the premiere engineering departments nationwide, including those at the University of California, Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University. The curriculum introduces Fairmont students to the wide-ranging field of engineering by focusing on its three basic disciplines, mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, and civil engineering, just as many of the prestigious universities do.

Dossen said he was inspired to create the engineering magnet after witnessing several reticent students in an AP Physics class become vocal and engaged as they made the connection between scientific theories and their real-world applications. At the time, he was introducing the class to Michael Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, using a varying magnetic field to produce electric current, an exercise the students found to be fascinating. From then on, the students wanted to know the design and construction of every device that was used in the course, he recalled.

"At its core, this is what engineering is all about," Dossen said. "Being a discipline that is intimately involved with the creative application of scientific principles to design and develop machines, structures, apparatus or manufacturing processes, I felt it was my calling as a teacher to respond to my students' desire to know more."

Students in the Engineering Magnet Program at Fairmont Prep will engage in interactive, hands-on projects and lessons--like learning how to model, design and build robots, solar cars, automated control systems and more--in an engineering lab equipped with the latest technology. Upon graduation, these students could earn up to 22 transferable credits in math alone, or have approximately one to two semesters of college already completed.

"Fairmont's engineering magnet is the only program of its kind that I know of," Dossen said. "It's a thrill to imagine what these young people are capable of doing when given the knowledge and support they need."

With the publishing of the "Nation's Report Card" this fall, California and the US has drawn criticism over the performance of students in math-a core subject key to supporting a strong work force and resilient overall economy. Fairmont's record of strength in math goes back to the organization's founding in 1953, when founder Ken Holt discovered that the public school system was failing students by not preparing them adequately in subjects like math, science and reading.

Fairmont students at all grades consistency perform above state and national standards in math, driven in part by a proprietary, advanced curriculum; consistent analysis of test scores and student outcomes; and opportunities for individualized learning through computer-based Accelerated Math and Fairmont's ASSIST program.

Recently, Fairmont Preparatory Academy's math and science program received praise from the College Board in a letter stating that Fairmont Prep, "has one of the highest student success rates in [the] state in AP math, science and technology subjects." The Prep has been recognized repeatedly for the achievement of students in math and science AP courses. Last year, Prep Master Teacher Sam Calavitta was one of only 50 teachers nationwide to receive the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for Teachers based in part upon the performance of his students on AP Calculus exams.

NASA Senior Engineer Scheduled for Engineering Magnet Speaker's Series

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:54:00 GMT

On Tuesday, November 3rd, at 11:00am, David Doody, Senior Engineer and Cassini Mission Controller, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA will be speaking with Preparatory Academy Engineering Magnet students about his extensive aeronautical and space career. His talk, "How we got to Saturn, and what we found," includes sharing a scale model of the Cassini/Huygens spacecraft. Doody's appearance is part of an ongoing Speaker's Series that encourages Engineering Magnet students to interact with and learn from the foremost experts in their field. Fairmont Prep's Speaker's Series is designed to take the study of engineering from the classroom to the real world, allowing students to meet the people behind the profession of engineering.

For more information about Fairmont Preparatory Academy's Engineering Magnet, please contact Admissions Director Betty Petersen at 714.999.5055 or email bpetersen@fairmontschools.com
About the Speaker: After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Dave Doody worked as an instructor for Japan Air Lines teaching flight procedures, navigation, and systems to Captains and First Officers of JAL. At the same time, he led an instructional systems development effort at the JAL flight crew training center creating computer and photo labs, which produced system simulators, teaching methods and materials, and learning facilities. This was up through 1980 while living aboard a sailboat.

Having landed at Catalina Island after sailing the coast, Dave worked as a systems engineer there for three years before joining the NASA-JPL Deep Space Network in Pasadena, creating instructional systems and training materials for operators of the spacecraft-communications systems.

On completion of the Deep Space Network contract, Dave earned his master's degree and then went to work on the NASA Voyager mission flight operations team while Voyager 2 cruised from Saturn to encounter Uranus and Neptune. Flight ops on Magellan, the Venus mapper, then led to flight ops work on the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan, where he has been since 1994. He is now a senior engineer with Caltech/JPL.

All during the Voyager, Magellan, and Cassini mission operations, Dave has been involved in publishing technical and popular literature, teaching short courses, and speaking about space-flight related subjects.

Occasionally, can find Dave playing sidewalk astronomer in Pasadena, offering free telescope views of the planets to passers-by. Dave is also proprietor of Space Craft International (established as a partnership in 1987), known on the web as SpacecraftKits.com, which produces low-cost educational scale models of space exploring machines.

Fairmont Private Schools Continues Preschool Enrollment For 2009/2010 School Year

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:54:00 GMT

Though the school year is officially underway for primary and secondary students of Fairmont Private Schools in Orange County, California, enrollment will continue through October 1 and beyond for the youngest members of Fairmont’s school family.

Preschool enrollment remains strong in spite of a challenging economy. School directors credit the strong enrollment in the early childhood program to a re-focusing of talents and resources on this pivotal development stage.

"High SAT test scores, top college acceptances, scholarships—these are the things we talk about as indicators of how well we’re doing as educators," reports Director of Education Sandy Cosgrove. "But, in order for our students to be shining stars later in their academic careers, we have to lay a strong foundation, and that starts in preschool with seemingly simple things like building with blocks, playing dress-up and learning good manners."

Fairmont's Early Childhood Task Force spent the past year scrutinizing Fairmont’s preschool-2^nd grade program from campus facilities to teacher training to the curriculum. Many of the Task Force’s recommendations go into affect this year including the Children’s Progress formative assessment program designed to help teachers further differentiate instruction; more extensive professional development and education requirements for early childhood teachers; new reading texts and ability grouping starting at age four; and investment in classroom technologies including interactive white boards.

Fairmont’s enrollment process is simple and generally includes a campus tour, brief parent interview and basic assessment of an applicant’s emotional, social and academic skills. Children may also participate in a "classroom visit" to better assist staff with appropriate placement. For more information about Fairmont’s three early childhood programs, please contact 714.765.6300 or inquire online at www.fairmontschools.com.

Fairmont Prep Offers 10 Online Courses This Fall; Courses Part of Larger eLearning Initiative

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Starting this September, Fairmont Preparatory Academy students have the opportunity to enroll in four core academic courses and six elective courses - online. The new courses are part of a comprehensive eLearning initiative that began last spring that includes a greater focus on integrating technology into the curriculum at all grade levels and involving technology as a fundamental component of instruction.

"The development of eLearning is a must for schools looking to address the needs of the "net generation." Nothing takes the place of a great teacher and the interaction that happens one-on-one in the classroom, but we as educators must prepare students to succeed in a highly technological, rapidly changing world," says Fairmont CEO Robertson Chandler. "Fairmont is making a significant investment in hardware, software and teacher training to ensure we can deliver on our mission to prepare students for top colleges and, ultimately, for success in their chosen careers."

"Offering online courses is just one component of our overall eLearning plan," says Fairmont Director of eLearning Alan Rudi, formerly at Concordia University and responsible for implementing an online learning program there. Rudi is leading several teams of Fairmont teachers and staff as the school looks at various ways to integrate technology into the classroom experience. "We are already seeing the way students respond when engaged in learning through technology. Once you see this level of excitement from real students in the classroom, the need to invest in technology becomes very clear."

Some of the hardware already in place at Fairmont this year includes interactive white boards, netbooks, ActiVotes and ActivExpressions systems and document cameras. The school has also purchased software to help facilitate online research.

The initial offering of 10 courses at Fairmont Prep is available through a partnership with K12 Inc, a leading provider of online learning. Each course meets Fairmont Prep graduation requirements and is UC approved. In addition to interaction and support from the online teacher, a Fairmont teacher/advisor is assigned to each core academic online course and students participate in monthly on-campus discussion sessions.

Initially, students have the opportunity to take one online course per year or per semester, depending upon the length of the course. Enrollment in a online course is optional and comes with an additional fee; however, Fairmont Prep faculty anticipates substantial interest from their college-bound student body.

Online courses allow students to enhance their high school transcript with a range of courses not currently offered at the Prep. By completing some graduation requirements online, students may accelerate their learning in subject areas such as math or science, where the Prep’s "brick and mortar" program excels. The online electives also extend the range of Fairmont’s curriculum.

Fairmont has plans to extend the option of online courses to junior high students as the program progresses.

Online courses offered this September include:

HST 102 World History (full year) {includes required attendance to on campus discussion sections the first Friday of each month from 1-3 PM}
HST 302 US History (full year) {includes required attendance to on campus discussion sections the first Friday of each month from 1-3 PM}
HST 402 US Government and Politics (semester 1) {includes attendance to on campus discussion sections 2 hours per month, time TBD}
HST 030 Macroeconomics (semester 2) {includes attendance to on campus discussion sections 2 hours per month, time TBD}
MTH 312 Business and Consumer Math
BUS 030 Personal Finance
TCH 020 Computer Literacy II (one semester)
TCH 040 Web Design (requires student purchase of Flash – one semester)
TCH 050 Digital Video Production (one semester)
TCH 060 C++ Programming (one semester)

Fairmont's Math, Science Curriculum Places Students on Path to Success

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:31:00 GMT

For many Fairmont students, subjects such as math and science become as naturally interwoven into their daily experience as cramming their lockers (or cubbies) full with binders, textbooks and lunch bags and scrambling out the door when the last school bell rings. What they may not be aware of, however, is that an early introduction to these often intimidating subjects could potentially begin them on a path to a successful career.

In a recent article published by CNNMoney, entitled "Most Lucrative College Degrees," writer Julianne Pepitone reports that students who graduate with diplomas in various fields of engineering make up 12 of the top 15 highest-paying majors. And though the remaining three most lucrative majors aren't in engineering, they are rooted in math — computer science, actuarial science and construction management, according to Ed Koc, director of research at the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

"Math is at the crux of who gets paid," Koc said in Pepitone's article. "If you have those skills, you are an extremely valuable asset. We don't generate enough people like that in this country."

Pepitone goes on to write that due to an over-population in liberal arts, college graduates wielding science or math degrees are at a premium, garnering salaries that range from roughly $53,000 and $64,000 to as high as $83,000. While their fellow graduates with degrees in social work, English or communications make significantly less, taking home $29,000 to $35,000 annually.

"It's a supply and demand issue," Koc told Pepitone. "So few grads offer math skills, and those who can are rewarded."

At Fairmont Private Schools, a strong base in these core subjects begins as early as preschool, when teachers use hands-on techniques such as discovery learning in order to facilitate an introduction to math and science. As students transition into elementary school, classroom instruction is augmented through science labs as well as an online program called Accelerated Math. On average, students are working above grade level in core subjects including math.

"Accelerated Math and our level of accelerated instruction build a strong foundation in basic skills and concepts, so that in junior high, many students are equipped for higher level math such as Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Pre-Calculus,"said Sandy Cosgrove, director of education at Fairmont Private Schools. "Students' test scores and teacher recommendations determine placement in these advanced courses."

When students graduate to Fairmont Preparatory Academy, rigorous programs such as the newly implemented Engineering Magnet and the Advanced Math program await motivated and interested teens. These programs build upon the fundamentals they learned in elementary and middle school, while expanding and refining their skill sets.

Through seven different tracks in the Advanced Math Program, which begins in the seventh grade and extends through high school, Fairmont Prep students can take a variety of courses so that by their senior year, they have the opportunity to take college-level courses, including Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations, among others.

The College Board, a nonprofit agency that strives to connect students to success and opportunity in higher education, has recognized Fairmont's Advanced Math Program as one of the best AP Calculus programs worldwide. Students enrolled in AP Calculus during the 2008/2009 school year had a 99.3% pass rate and an average score of 4.76 on the AP Calculus tests (typical national averages are 63.7% and 3.12). Even more remarkable, 141 students passed an AP Calculus exam, which is over 25% of the student body.

Summer Heats Up with Fun, Educational Workshops

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:46:00 GMT

Fairmont Private Schools, Orange County’s premier private school, is currently enrolling for enrichment workshops and weekly summer camps. From gourmet cooking and the secrets of investing wisely to how to write an A+ essay and excel on the AP Calculus exam, Fairmont offers a range of educational workshops for students of all ages. View Fairmont’s Summer Program brochure for compete descriptions of each workshop, or contact Director of Summer Programs, Jamie Gonce, at 714.765.6300 ext 2759 for more information.

Back by popular demand! Exciting Engineering & Science Workshops:

July 27-30	Pre-Engineering with LEGOS (Grades 1-3) & Engineering FUNdamentals (Grades 4-6) at Mable
August 3-6	Pre-Engineering with LEGOS (Grades 1-3) & Engineering FUNdamentals (Grades 4-6) at Anaheim Hills
August 10-14	Gizmo’s Robot Factory at Anaheim Hills & Edgewood (Grades K-6) Rocket Blasters & Extreme Mars at Mable (Grades 1-6)
August 17-21	Powerful Planet at Anaheim Hills & Edgewood (Grades K-6) Wacky Weird Robots & Monster Racers at Mable (Grades 1-6)
August 24-28	Fabulous Physics Challenge at Anaheim Hills & Edgewood (Grades K-6) Fizz! Bang! Pop! Flash! at Mable (Grades 1-6)

Get your child's skills in gear for the new schoolyear at one of Fairmont’s Academic Workshops:

July 20-30	Math Workshop at Anaheim Hills (Grades 2-5)
July 13-23	Writing Workshop at Mable (Grades 4-6)
August 3-13	Writing Workshop at Edgewood (Grades 3-5)

Don’t miss this exciting line-up of Junior HighWorkshops at Fairmont’s Anaheim Hills Campus:

July 13-31	Language Arts
August 3-7	Camp Millionaire
August 10-14	Cooking Workshop
August 10-21	Forensics & Debate

Go Bananas at Summer Camp

It’s not too late for your child to create a scrapbook of summer memories, make slime, climb Tarzan’s Rock Wall, dig out dinosaur fossils, cheer for the Angels and explore Knott’s Berry Farm. Summer Camp is from 9am-4pm daily, and free extended day services are included with your full day of camp.

Contact Jamie Gonce, Director of Summer Programs, directly at 714.765.6300 ext 2759 to enroll today. Find Fairmont Summer Programs on Facebook to see photos and updates of what’s been going on so far this summer.

Fairmont International Academy Registrar Honored by Local School District

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:38:00 GMT

June, 4, 2009 - On behalf of Placentia Yorba Linda Schools, Maria Kline, outgoing PTA President, presented the district’s coveted Honorary Service Award to Christie Dembek, Fairmont International Academy Registrar. The mother of four boys, Dembek has served in a voluntary capacity at three schools in the Placentia Yorba Linda school district. At Woodsboro School, she served as the Vice President for Membership and Fundraising, increasing membership by 40% and clearing a fundraising profit of $18,000.00. Dembek also chaired the school play for the last four years at Bernardo Yorba Middle school. She was the Historian for Esperanza High School, and she has been the president of Esperanza’s Football Booster Club.

"Mrs. Dembek’s most important contribution is her building of PTA organizations in the schools. Our PTA is buzzing as a strong organization. We have filled officer positions… with vibrant and positive parents. Christie encourages and develops this atmosphere," said Kline.

The award ceremony noted a particular outstanding service performed by Dembek, that of organizing a group of supportive parents to build a garden at Woodsboro Elementary School in honor of third grader, Timmaree Hicks, who succumbed to cancer last year.

"To lose a child is beyond words. To gather parents together so we heal as a community is admirable," stated Kline. "We would like to thank Christie for all she does."

Fairmont Mable Students Shine in WordMasters Challenge

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:01:00 GMT

June 2, 2009 - Three teams of students representing Fairmont Private School’s Mable campus recently won highest honors in the WordMasters Challenge-a national language arts competition entered by over 230,000 students annually, which consists of three separate meets held at intervals during the school year.

Competing in the very difficult Gold Division of the Challenge, the school’s third graders placed eleventh in the nation in the year-end cumulative standings, among 201 school teams participating at this level and in this division. The school’s fifth graders also placed eleventh in the nation (after tying for first place in the year’s final meet), in this case among 290 competing teams. And the school’s sixth graders tied for tenth place in the nation (after tying for eight place in the year’s final meet) among 198 teams. The teams were coached by Kellie Cameron, Jackie Williams, Ashley Peterman, and Donna Riley.

One of the school’s students won highest honors for year-long individual achievement as well. Fifth grader Janet Doan, who made only two mistakes in the course of the year’s three meets, placed among the 21 highest-ranked fifth graders in the entire country in the year-end standings. In addition, ten of the school’s students won highest honors for individual achievement in the year’s final meet, held in April. Fourth grader Aleena Comanescu; fifth graders Jebb Baguioro, Julia Bok, Alec Hising, Emily Liu, and Michelle Phan; and sixth graders Alan Ann, Joshua Chen, Ryan Han, and Sonam Patel all earned perfect scores in this meet, while nationwide only 180 fourth graders, only 75 fifth graders, and only 68 sixth graders did so.

Other students who achieved outstanding results in the final meet included third graders Gurveer Singh and Alexis Duke; fourth graders Carissa Chen, E.J. Cho, Tara Falt, Tear Gilham, Shawnelle Nachawati, Caroline Yeo, Patty Martinez, Victoria Nguyen, McKenna Sainburg, John Wen, and Iris Wu; fifth graders Jade Audon, Janet Doan, Kitty Jia, Tanner Lemke, Liza Matthews, Anne Song, Francis Wu, Leanne Agulto, David Kwon, Derrick Li, Anisha Shah, Nicholas Vu, and Joanna Zhu; and sixth graders Lucky Jordan, Milan Mistry, Sharon Oh, Jessica Chung, Skylar Hess, Nathan Kang, Tori Lee, Nelson Liu, Morgan Nelson, Michael Niu, Ryan Treadwell, Emily Wang, and Jesse Wu.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of relationships. Working to solve the Challenge analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. Though most vocabulary-boosting and analogy-solving activities have been created for high school students, the WordMasters materials have been specifically designed for younger students, in grades three through eight. They are particularly well suited for able and interested children, who rise to the challenge of learning new words and enjoy the logical puzzles posed by analogies.

The WordMasters Challenge has been administered for the past 22 years by a company based in Allendale, New Jersey, which is dedicated to inspiring high achievement in American schools. Now that all three of the year’s meets have been completed, medals and certificates will be awarded to those students who achieved and/or improved the most in the course of the year.

Anaheim Hills Students Ace WordMasters Competition

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:36:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA, May 29, 2009 - Five students representing Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills campus recently won highest honors in this year's WordMasters Challenge-a national language arts competition entered by over 230,000 students annually, which consists of three separate meets held at intervals during the school year.

Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the Challenge, seventh grader Supriya Bhupathy made only two errors in the course of the year's three meets. Supriya placed among the 16 highest-scoring seventh grade students in the entire country in the Challenge’s year-end cumulative standings.

Four of the school’s students won recognition for outstanding achievement in the year's final meet as well: fourth graders Jonathan Joel, Ethan Kwan, and Jack Renton, and sixth grader Paige Miller. Nationwide only 180 fourth graders and 68 sixth graders did so.

Other students who achieved impressive results in the year's final meet included fourth graders Kaden Muneer, John Scavo, Terrell Shaffer, Vera Wang, Brandon Ann, Helena DuPont, Cole Morley, Gabby Romero, and Maya Woodworth; fifth graders Brandon Kim, Nicole Kuntjoro, Nicky Crosson, and Lauren Lee; sixth grader Yvonne Kim; and eight graders Dominique Fahmy, Krystyn Neisess, and Marish Patel. The students were coached in preparation for the Challenge by Taryn Stickrath-Brown, Marcy Cornish, Christie Shen, Sheila Arias, and Nancy Sturman.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of relationships. Working to solve the vocabulary-boosting and analogy-solving activities have been created for high school students, the WordMasters materials have been specifically designed for younger students, in grades three through eight. They are particularly well suited for able and interested children, who rise to the challenge of learning new words and enjoy the logical puzzles posed by analogies.

Fairmont Students Win Top Awards at Math Matters Competition

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:14:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA, May 27, 2009 - Saturday, May 23 was an exciting day for 15 Mable Campus fifth-graders who ventured to the 5^th Annual Math Matters competition at Pacific Technology School in Santa Ana. The Accord Institute for Educational Research sponsored the national contest where over 1,300 students contended this year. The test consisted of 15 questions and challenged students’ overall math knowledge and logic skills. Fairmont's own mathematicians snagged four of the five top placements.

First Place: Justin Curley

Second Place: David Kwon

Fourth Place: Tarek Sahyoun

Fifth Place: Emily Liu

"Fairmont's strong math curriculum and extensive use of accelerated math allows our students to be exposed to so much more in the area of math and greatly advance their abilities," said fifth grade teacher Donna Riley. "Their mastery really comes to the fore in a competition like this one where there was no advanced preparation or studying."

In addition to the awards, Fairmont's students took home exciting prizes that included a laptop, digital camera, and scientific calculators. This was the first year that Fairmont participated in the Math Matters competition.

Fairmont International Academy Receives WASC Accreditation

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:43:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA, May 26, 2009 - Fairmont International Academy (FIA) has recently received official word that it has achieved full initial accreditation as a Supplementary Educational Program for three years by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This is the maximum accreditation the program could earn as a first time candidate.

"This is an exciting step for Fairmont International Academy and one that further distinguishes our unique program," said FIA Director John Barrier. "We are grateful for the support and commendations of the visiting committee and very honored to be recognized as a WASC accredited program."

Last fall, FIA applied for candidacy for accreditation by WASC. After submitting a program report, FIA was visited in February by Dr. George Bronson, Associative Executive Director of WASC, and Mr. David Greery Head of the California Academy of Performing Arts. The visiting team noted the strength of FIA's instructional program and commented very positively on teachers' strengths as they visited classrooms.

Fairmont International Academy is a unique one-year program that serves as a bridge between academic programs throughout the world and college preparatory high schools within the United States. FIA provides international students with a concentrated academic and cultural experience specifically designed to advance their scholastic and professional careers.

Students benefit by mastering the English language through intensive English and literary curriculum integrated with mathematics, American culture electives and physical education. Additionally, students gain the study skills, vocabulary base and cultural understanding necessary to succeed in the American high school environment.

Fairmont Places First in 6th Grade Academic Pentathlon for 16th Consecutive Year

Fri, 22 May 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA May 22, 2009 - It was another jubilant moment for Fairmont's Mable campus sixth graders as they secured for Fairmont the 16th consecutive first place division win in the Orange County Academic Pentathlon. The Mable campus’s two teams took first and second place overall. Anaheim Hills’ team placed sixth in the division, and the Edgewood campus took home second place in Super Quiz.

"Fairmont's dominance in the Orange County Academic Pentathlon is nothing short of amazing. It is a testament to the perseverance of our students and the passion and commitment of their teachers," said Fairmont President David Jackson.

Founded in 1984 by the Orange County Department of Education, the Academic Pentathlon encourages team work to achieve scholastic excellence. Together, teachers and students study to compete both individually and collaboratively in a series of five academic exams; Literature, Mathematics, Essay, Social Science, and the Science Super Quiz.

In addition to the many individual medals garnered, Fairmont's 6^th grade pentathletes received the following overall student medals:

1st place: Alan Ann, Team Mable; Emily Wang, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus); Jitin Dhiman, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus)
2nd place: Joshua Chen, Team Mable; Skylar Hess, Team Mable; Nelson Liu, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus)
3rd place: Kyle Young, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus); Rahul Masson, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus)
4th place: Lucky Jordan, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus); Milan Mistry, Fairmont Firebirds (Mable Campus)
5th place: Jessica Chung, Team Mable ; Nathan Kang, Team Mable; Rebecca Choi, Anaheim

Super Quiz results:

1^st place (Fairmont Firebirds-Mable Campus), 2^nd place (Edgewood Campus), 3^rd place (Mable and Anaheim Hills teams).

Fairmont Students Place in State Science Fair

Fri, 22 May 2009 21:15:00 GMT

May 20, 2009 - The 58th Annual California State Science Fair was held May 18-19 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. This year, the competition proved fierce as 965 participants from 374 California schools contended for top honors and awards totaling over $50,000. Ten Fairmont students received awards in categories ranging from Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics to Microbiology.

Fairmont’s 2009 winners include:

Second Place:

Bryton A. Horner, 8th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Fuel Troubles: Improving Car Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency through Dimples," Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics

Third Place:

Allison W. Cheung, 7th Grade, Preparatory Academy, "Smell Your Way to Good Memory Power," Cognitive Science

Jordan J. Francis, 8th Grade, Preparatory Academy, "We Can Stop the Fire!" Physical Science

Ethan D. Maahs, 6th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Spin it to the Limit," Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics

Fourth Place:

Alexandra M. Mowrey, 7th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Grow with the Flow: The Affect of Aeration on Compost," Environmental Engineering

Honorable Mention:

Supriya A. Bhupathy, 7th Grade, Anaheim Hills Campus, "Left Brain, Right Brain: Does Handedness Affect Memory?" Cognitive Science

Alexandra L. Bollman, 7th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Seeing is Believing: Eye Improvement by Motivation of the Human Mind," Behavioral and Social Sciences

Sanjna Ghanshani, 8th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Association between Heart Disease Risk Factors and Elevated CRP Suggests Lifestyle Changes May Well Avoid Statin Drugs," Human Biology

Sonya A. Mital, 7th Grade, Edgewood Campus, "Got Turmeric? The Magic Spice! Investigating the Anti-Bacterial Properties of Turmeric on the Shelf Life of Milk," Microbiology

Avneesh K. Sharma, 8th Grade, Preparatory Academy, "Do Wetlands Effectively Remove Nitrates from San Diego Creek Water before Discharging into the Ocean?" Environmental Science