Fairmount Elementary School

I have a 3rd grader and a kinder child, and really feel that I lucked out when we got our first choice to this school. We have very involved teachers who work with each other across the grade level and are always looking to better their teaching methods. As well, the parent community is very strong from both the English and Spanish speaking sides (as well as working and non-working). I like the way kids interact at the school and find that older kids treat the younger kids well. The only reason I leave one star missing from this review, is that all public schools are hurting right now and often not able to provide the "extras" that we all wish our kids could have. My kids love their school too, which makes me feel good about our decision to go with Fairmount.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to school at Fairmount. I had to pull her out. The tutoring it was a joke! NO help very disorganize. I volunteer and the tutors did not know what the kids where working on. Also only the spanish speaking (latinos) kids took the spanish test at the end of year and finding out that test did not count like the CST. So is double preassure for our kids. Taking 2 test at the end of the year and only counting 1 not fair. Some teacher had preference on other kids too. Just because their parent participated more, but those where non working parents. Then that lady new principal came very rude did not say goodmorning just walk by you like you where a pole standing there. I have to say the 1st grade teacher Mr. Cuervo he is the best don't know if he is still there. but he know what he is doing and cares about his students. My daughter learned alot with him.
--Submitted by a parent

The other day my daughter said to me, "I'm such a lucky kid, because not everyone gets to go to a school as good as Fairmount." She's loved every one of her four teachers, and learning a second language has been just the challenge she needed to stay engaged in school. There is a very active PTA which raises funds to pay for arts enrichment programs, which along with partnerships with the SF Ballet, Opera, and Symphony, have provided my daughter with exciting arts experiences despite the lack of funding for such things in this state. As a parent I appreciate how knowledgeable and organized the principal is. He gets every penny available for the school and has a can-do attitude. Best of all he is here to stay.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is really on it's way. For several years past we've been waiting for a bi-lingual principal who could steer the school in the right direction. I feel we have that as of this year and changes he brings in spirit alone have been awesome. I have a child in this school and one in preschool--who can't wait to start at Fairmount. The teachers we've had from K-1 have been outstanding. Great new talent. Excellent old guard. Lots of collaboration and great team work.
--Submitted by a parent

Playworks is a program that has had a tremendously positive impact on Fairmount Elementary School. This is an organization that the school works with - they provide a coach who works with the students in structuring recess and lunch recess periods. She has been terrific at promoting the values of sportsmanship and being a team player. Playworks has revolutionized recess and lunch recess at Fairmount!

I have to say that I am always pleasantly surprised at how up-beat the positive energy is at Fairmount this year. It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the school-year, as it feels like we just started. I really liked the Baile Familiar and Dia de los Muertos celebrations. These celebrations make this school such a fun place to go. The community is very much alive with great energy and spirit this year.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a disaster with no respect for teaching as a profession. The principal is a smooth talker who does not follow through with any action. Don't be fooled. There is no emphasis on curriculum, teaching, or safety at this school. It is a dangerous place for children. We had to take our child out in the middle of the year due to safety concerns.
--Submitted by a parent

The 2010-2011 school year is off to a great start under the leadership of our new principal, Jeremy Hillinski. He brings energy and enthusiasm to the difficult task of leading a school that has experienced several leadership changes and a major construction project in the past few years. My daughter is starting 4th grade, and I could not be happier with her progress in mathematics and language arts. Her father and I do not speak Spanish, but her language acquisition, understanding, and accent have been complimented by our friends who do. I worried that she would not thrive in public school, but the challenge of having the majority of her instruction in Spanish since Kindergarten, and the collaborative environment that Fairmount teachers encourage has helped her to flourish.
--Submitted by a parent

As a second grade parent I feel really happy with our school. We have a great principal on board, Mary L. Cranna. She is warm, caring, responsible, responsive, attentive, etc, etc. We're really lucky to have a principal willing to roll up her sleeves and work hard. Great staff, great enrichment programs. An excellent after school program, GLO. We have very actives committees; PTA, SSC & ELAC. They all work together with the principal & staff to benefit our children. Fairmount is the whole package. My child is only in second grade and he reads and writes very well in both English and Spanish. His teacher Mr. Castillo is an excellent teacher. Our community is the best. We are a family. We're Fairmount family!
--Submitted by a parent

The Spanish Immersion program prepares our children culturally and educationally to have great options in life!
--Submitted by a parent