Berkeley Parents Network: Fairmont Elementary School (El Cerrito, CA)

Berkeley Parents Network

Fairmont Elementary School (El Cerrito, CA)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > West Contra Costa County School District > Fairmont Elementary School (El Cerrito, CA)

http://fairmontschool.googlepages.com/

Oct 2012

Now that the school year is in full swing, I'm interested to hear current-family reviews of Fairmont in El Cerrito, particularly K families. Do the teachers address the full spectrum of learners? (I have a fear, which may well be groundless, that the curriculum is oriented to average and the teachers aren't able to challenge brighter kids) Thanks! EC Mom

My kid is also in kindergarten at Fairmont. I'm not too sure what is happening in the class, because my kid doesn't give me a lot of details. I do know the teachers are hard pressed to address the full range of learning needs for 28 kids. Imagine how different all of those kids must be and then realize that the teachers must get all of those kids to the same point by the end of the year. Certainly, some really bright kids won't be completely challenged during their 3 short hours in the classroom. But for many of the kids, the curriculum is rigorous enough to ensure they meet the state's standards for kindergarten. If you suspect that your kid isn't challenged, you may need to find activities for him/her outside of the classroom.

I'm pretty happy with Fairmont so far. My kid is reading and writing way beyond what he was doing in August. He loves going to school and asks me for ''homework'' every afternoon. We do worksheets from a kindergarten book and have taken classes through the school's after school enrichment program. We can't expect the teachers to do it all - they have too many kids, too many standards to meet, not enough help, time or resources. fairmont parent

April 2011

Hi-- my daughter will be going into kindergarten fall 2012 (she will be five June, 2012) and we are zoned for Fairmont. We have spent a year trying to buy a house in Albany but have not had any luck so now I am looking into our home schools. I know several families who were also zoned for Fairmont and they all chose to put their children on a waiting list at other schools and ultimately taking them out once space opened up elsewhere. I am looking for feedback from the community, both good and bad, about Fairmont, and I am also looking for suggestions on how to get on lists at other schools, should we decide to do this. Thank you in advance. Mom of a soon-to-be kindergartner

Fairmount is a great school. Many of my friends have sent their children there and have had wonderful teachers and friendly families and students.

We are Fairmont parents who were in your situation last year. We toured many of the local schools and even put in a transfer request. But our concerns were dispelled in just the first few days at Fairmont.

The community is great, with lots of interested and involved parents. The PTA is working hard to support a fun and productive learning environment. Dedicated volunteers are building a wonderful after-school enrichment program. The teachers are extremely experienced, and compare favorably to any school in El Cerrito or Kensington -- private schools included. My understanding is that most of the teachers have 20+ years of experience. The principal is wonderful -- knowledgeable, involved, forward looking, and accessible. On at least two occasions she has given me close to an hour of her time to discuss issues at the school, and she is in attendance at after school and evening functions as well. We know families in all of the Kindergarten classes, and all of them like their teachers. If you look under the Fairmont page on this site, you'll see testimonials about the school. And the school's web site shows that there is a lot going on: special activities almost weekly, the Playworks program, family nights, an organic garden, and much more. (There are big plans for the Fairmont web site, as well, including tools to support more exchange between parents and teachers.) Additionally, many parents have talked about how nice it is to be able to walk (or bicycle) to school, and to easily include a drop off in their morning BART commute.

We are very happy with Fairmont and hope that more dedicated parents and students will join the Fairmont community. -Tim

Nov 2010

Hi - anyone with a current review of Fairmont Elem? We have a couple years to go before our son will be entering K there, but like to get a feel for it beyond the PTA newsletters (which we've started getting). School community, teacher engagement, administrative attitude... anything. thanks! future Fairmont mom

I have two children at Fairmont and I absolutely love our school. My children have had wonderful experiences with devoted and caring teachers. The school population is so diverse economically, racially, culturally, LGBT parents, and children with special needs (it is a title IV full inclusion school). This creates an authentic experience for the children to discover who they are in the world. My children ask deep questions like ''why does so and so wear hijab to school, or how come special needs kids ride the bus, or why do we speak only one language...'' We have become a mid-size school (around 500 students) which seems like a lot but there are staggered recesses and a great program called ''Playworks'' that teaches conflict resolution during recess. We have on site before and after care run by the city of El Cerrito along with after school enrichment programs like chess, spanish, art, baseball...our PTA is active and there is a strong core of ''super' committed parents who take on any and all extra duties like grant writing, school beautification, and anything else that needs doing! Our principle Galen Murphy is friendly, experienced and somehow knows the kids--has a repoire with them in spite of such a large student body. We joke that we are considered the underdog of this neighborhood, with Madera and Kensington being so near. There is definitely a grassroots feel to us...we do not have the budget or high income student body as some of the schools in the neighborhood, but we do have heart and our kids are thriving with the support of a committed staff and parent community. Wouldn't transfer out even if I could!

August 2009

I'm looking for info - good and bad - on WCCUSD and Albany Kindergarten teachers. We are moving out of state in the next year or two, so grades beyond K don't matter, but we are going to enroll my son in K here, just in case. We currently live near Fairmont, so I'm particularly interested in the class(es) there. Anon

If you are in the Fairmont neighborhood, you are lucky! The new principal is Galen Murphy, who was the principal of the excellent and award-winning school, Castro Elementary School. One of the kindergarten teachers from Castro will be moving to Fairmont. She is super! Fairmont has a fantastic PTA, community support, and a stellar staff. Choose Fairmont! Happy in El Cerrito PUBLIC schools!!!!

Unless you are an Albany resident (or teach in the Albany schools), it is not possible to enroll your child in an Albany kindergarten class. The district has become very strict about enrolling students proving residency with good reason -- the schools are crowded. With class size going up due to state budget cuts, teachers and resources will be increasingly stretched. anon

December 2003

Fairmont Elementary is our neighborhood school (and the one I attended in the 70's!). Now I feel like I know nothing about this school! The posts on Fairmont are almost 2 years old and I was hoping to gather more recent, detailed information.

What is kindergarten like now? Are there two classrooms (like when I attended) or are they down to one now? Do they still play in their own yard? I remember we each got a small carton of milk (if your parents paid extra for it) in the late morning to go with our snack; do they still have this service?

Way-back-when, we went to the school library once a week, on field trips once a year, and had daily hot lunches in the multi-purpose room (if your parents bought you a lunch ticket). I also remember music class once a week, too. Does the school still do these things?

I understand the school has a new principal... how is she working out? Is there a sense of community among the parents? Thanks for any information you can give me! Linda

Both of my children have attended Fairmont from Kindergarten through 6th grade. My daughter is currently in 6th grade and I am on the PTA board. I cannot say enough good things about the teachers and the quality of the education both of my children have had. It is a very nurturing environment with many experienced teachers who really care. The advantage of having your children at a school within walking distance of home should not be underrated. Both of my children are in the GATE program and have had curriculum enhancements. They both test at the 99th percentile on all standard tests. Children still can get milk from the school lunch program for a small fee and a hot lunch for another fee but served in the classroom at the Kindergarten level. The Kindergarten class does have its own playground and they have their own bathroom adjacent to the classroom. There is a new principal and she has done a lot to encourage parent participation and to foster a sense of community. Come to see for yourself. Golda

Jan 2002

My daughter attends this school. This is her first year there (4th grade), and she loves it. They have a new principal, whom I had worked for at another school. She is Great! She loves the kids, and respects the teachers. The teachers have been there a long time, and this is a good thing! They only have after school day care (no AM care). Good luck. Ina

To Leah: REF: Richmond Annex Schools: Fairmont Elementary Hello, my grandchild has been attending Fairmont Elem. Kinder. and now 1st grade. The teachers are caring and very devoted to the children, and the principal is kind and dedicated. I suggest either Fairmont or Harding Elem on Ashbury Ave. in El Cerrito - both good schools. Thanks, Lucy

From: Molly

We bought a house in the Annex almost three years ago. Great neighborhood. Nice neighbors, homey feel, friendly. We send our son to private school though - I didn't hear much about Fairmont School - I actually know someone who teaches there - we just wanted to send him elsewhere. Good luck - love to hear what you find out. -Molly

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