Fairmont Private Schools - Preparatory Academy

Since 1953, the school has aimed to deliver an exceptional education within a caring, supportive community. It emphasizes an inquiry-driven approach that encourages students to strive for academic excellence and grow as curious, confident, and character-driven lifelong learners. The school promotes a growth mindset, fostering teamwork, mutual respect, and the development of future-ready skills through the ISP Life Competencies Framework.

The academic offering spans preschool through grade 12, with curricula including the IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes at the Historic Anaheim campus. The Preparatory Academy offers a WASC-accredited, UC-approved high school curriculum featuring over 20 AP courses and specialist pathways in STEM, Advanced Business, and the Performing and Visual Arts. Multilingual learning, including Spanish and Mandarin, is integrated into the program to build bilingual proficiency and cultural understanding.

Fairmont Schools reports that 96% of high school students applying to Top 100 U.S. colleges receive acceptances, including institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, NYU, and USC. Students consistently demonstrate high academic achievement, with many ranking in the top 10% on standardized assessments and performing above national averages in reading and math. Additionally, 11% of senior athletes at the Preparatory Academy sign commitments to compete at the collegiate or semi-professional level.

The school provides personalized learning support to help students, who typically work at least a year ahead of grade level, maintain their academic progress. Targeted small-group and 1:1 guidance is available through ASSIST and ELL experts. Proactive Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and wellness programs are integrated to support student growth and well-being.

Fairmont Schools requires a personal interview with both students and parents as a vital component of the admissions process. Prospective families are encouraged to prepare by researching the school, practicing potential interview questions, and ensuring all required forms are completed in advance. The admissions process is designed to identify students who will thrive within the school community and contribute to its culture.

The academic year is divided into two semesters, typically running from mid-August through June. The calendar includes scheduled breaks for Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring, as well as various professional development days for staff and holidays such as Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day. Specific dates for events like Back to School Night and Special Persons Day are established annually for each campus.

Fairmont Schools operates five campuses across Orange County, California, serving students from preschool through grade 12. Facilities vary by location and include specialized spaces for STEAM, robotics, and digital media, as well as athletic infrastructure such as fields, courts, and gyms. The school utilizes 1:1 digital devices and provides access to performing and visual arts studios, with some campuses offering homestay and boarding options for international students.

Students have access to over 100 co-curricular opportunities, including robotics, speech and debate, the arts, and various shared-interest and service clubs. Leadership development is fostered through student government and peer mentorship programs. Additionally, the school offers competitive athletics, with middle school students participating in the Athletic Academy and high school students competing in a full range of CIF sports, including hockey.