Our Mission
Fairmount is a caring place that nurtures the development and growth of the whole child. Our mission is to provide the support and guidance needed for each child to succeed academically and socially. We offer instruction in a culturally rich environment, deliver a challenging curriculum and enjoy strong community engagement. Most of all, we are a community-centered school, place for arts, language and academic excellence.
Our History
Fairmount School was the first schoolhouse built in San Francisco in 1905 as an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse. It continued to grow and thrive through the years as one of the best-attended multicultural schools for the neighborhoods of the Mission, Bernal Heights, Bayview, Glen Park and Noe Valley.
Our Programs
Undergoing a major rebuild in 1977, from its brick structure to an award-winning architectural design, Fairmount continued to improve its educational structure as well. Faithful to its vision as a multicultural center for students, Fairmount introduced a Spanish immersion program for all grades in 1997, in addition to the English program. The goal of the Spanish immersion program is for all students to be literate in both Spanish and English by the end of 5th grade.
Fairmount also boasts an award-winning program for students in need of extra care for learning and with developmental disabilities. Our teachers and therapists that have extensive training in helping special-needs students.
In a district that has more than five major nationalities represented in the student body, Fairmount shines in its support and celebration of students, families and the strength of our multicultural heritage, united in its quest for educational excellence.
Younger students (k-3) move through science, performing arts, and music rotations during the year, funded by the PTA and SFUSD.
Our Arts & Enrichment
Fairmount arts and sciences programs for grades K-3:
- Science through gardening in Carey’s ever expanding garden at Fairmount;
- Capoiera, a Brazilian choreographed martial arts form performed to music taught by Abada (www.abada.org);
- Music Appreciation by LEAP (www.leap4kids.org);
- The San Francisco Ballet Company ballet program for second graders;
- Choir school wide performance choir open to all students.
Students in fourth and fifth grades have weekly visual art and music classes. For these students, science is integrated into their classroom curriculum.
Fairmount arts and sciences programs for grades 3-5*:
- Individual Instrument Study through the SFUSD Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program;
- Capoiera taught by Abada, a choreographed Brazilian martial arts form (www.abada.org);
- Opera a la Carte provided by the San Francisco Opera for third graders;
- SF Ballet scholarships for some third graders to continue their studies;
- Choir: schoolwide performance choir open to all students.
- Winter Celebration song and dance performance by all classes taught by teachers
- African American History Month art displays
* PTA funded unless noted otherwise.
Our Library
Fairmount's school library is large, welcoming and well-stocked. A certified library teacher serves the school twice a week, providing standards-based library instruction, and bilingual library aides provide access for all.
The materials in our collection include biographies, easy fiction, juvenile fiction, videos and books with cassettes, games, parenting guidebooks, and poetry; all in Spanish and English. Click here to see a selection of our book titles.