Fairmont’s History

In the mid-60's, the West bench area became severely overcrowded, and an additional junior high was needed to take the pressure from West Junior High. Fairmont opened with the 1964-65 school year.

Fairmont is in many ways similar in design to Hillside Junior High in northwest Boise, featuring wide hallways and central courtyards. Fairmont's population grew rapidly, and in 1968 nine classrooms were added to the south side of the original building. In 1975, an auxiliary gym and more classrooms were added to the north end of the building.

During the mid 1990’s our student population reached 950 students. We had three separate lunch hours to accommodate all of our students. Even the stage served as a classroom during this high enrollment era.

In 2006, Fairmont became the first school in the Boise District to offer an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). This program reaches out to students with academic potential who have not previously participated accelerated classes and supports them as they engage in the rigorous coursework that will prepare them for college. Nationally the AVID program, which has been gathering data for almost 30 years, sends 95% of its participants to college.

During the 2006-7 and 2007-8 school years, Fairmont also hosted the 7th and 8th grade Language Academy students. Fairmont was enriched by the presence of students who spoke 26 different languages.

In the summer of 2006, all of the asbestos was removed from the building and Fairmont was retiled and recarpeted. Our technology continued to improve with the addition of LCD projectors in our classrooms in the spring of 2007.

In the summer of 2008, the front parking lot was expanded, the outside front entrance was rebuilt, and new landscaping was added. The library, in need of more space, was moved to the former metal and wood shop area. The former library became a computer lab housing 60+ computers.

Fairmont has spacious playing fields behind the school. One of Boise City's neighborhood swimming pools is located on the southwest portion of the playground area for the community's use during the summer.

Part of the playing fields became the site of the new Morley Nelson elementary school that opened in the fall of 2008.

Our School Today

Our school is enriched with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. We serve approximately 760 students. We have 49 teachers, 3 counselors, 2 administrators, and 23 other support staff.

We have two lunch hours-5th period for 7th and ½ of the 8th graders, and 6th period for the rest of the 8th graders and the 9th grade class.

We have five computer labs—one in the library, two that are used for technology instruction, and two that are used for research or special class projects.

Our students have many opportunities to pursue their academic pursuits through programs such as AVID, TRIO, and Upward Bound. National Junior Honor Society is an option for those 8th and 9th grade students with a 3.5 or better GPA.

We offer many forms of support for our students. We have lunch clubs to assist students struggling or needing extra study time to complete assignments and SIOP classes help our English Language Learners acquire reading and writing skills. Our ninth grade mentors help our new seventh graders transition into the junior high setting.

Fairmont students are expected to work hard, but Fairmont has a very kid-friendly environment that makes students want to be here. The video production class produces our daily broadcasted announcements as well as presentations of the many activities that occur. Our Leadership class promotes school spirit with a host of Spirit Days and Theme Days—such as Crazy Hair Day, Hat Day, Sunglasses Day, Blue/Gold Days, College Day, 80’s Day, and others. They also host the fall mixer dance, sponsor Red Ribbon Week activities, help with Back to School Night, Teacher Alumni Week, and coordinate Spirit Week. We have at least four dances for students each year.

Fairmont also has an outstanding athletic program involving a large number of our student population. We are competitive in all sports and frequently win city championships.

Fairmont is a great place for kids!