Principal Shawn Knutson:

It is with great pride that I congratulate the Fairmont students, staff and
community on receiving national recognition as a “Blue Ribbon” school.
This is the highest honor that an elementary school can receive.

Many have asked how Fairmont became a Blue Ribbon School.
This process actually started in 2005 when the California State Department of Education notified
Fairmont that based on the school’s Academic Performance Index, they were
eligible to receive a California Distinguished School Award (CDS). In
order to be considered for the award, the school had to submit an application
outlining the school’s vision, leadership, academic program, curriculum,
assessment, instructional practices and student supports. A team of teachers with
former Principal Mrs. Martin completed the CDS application in December of 2005
and the school was awarded the California Distinguished School honor in February
2006. Later that school year, a team of visitors came to the school to validate the
application. They were so impressed with what they saw in the classrooms,
on the playgrounds, and throughout the campus that they
recommended to our State Superintendent to consider Fairmont for national
recognition.

Last year, 90 schools in California were invited to apply for the
National Blue Ribbon honor. In the fall of 2006 the same team of teachers and Mrs.
Martin worked together to refine the CDS application and submitted it to Washington
D.C in February. The national recognition is based on the overall academic program
and the results of the spring testing that our students participate in every year.
Washington reviewed our application and test scores and determined that Fairmont
was an exemplary, high-performing school and deserved the honor of being called a
National Blue Ribbon School. "High performing schools" are in the top 10
percent of all schools on state assessment scores in both reading (language arts or
English) and mathematics, regardless of their demographics.

This is the highest honor that an elementary school can receive. Some equate it to
winning the Super Bowl for elementary schools. Each year only
about 200 schools are selected for this honor and this year only 9 schools in
Orange County have received this recognition. We are so proud of the
Fairmont staff and students. Congratulations!
And keep up the GREAT work!!
 

California Schools Progress Report
State Academic Performance Index
(API)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ar/index.asp