I'm 20 today, but I'll always remember my drawing that I was so proud of being ripped out of my notebook and thrown away instead of being told to stop (4th grade), excitedly showing my friends the piece of candy my mom packed in my lunch when it was snatched from me and never given back (1st grade), being ganged up on for not understanding how to paraphrase from the book we were reading, shouting at me and making me cry (2nd grade), and being screamed at in-front of all of my classmates, sent to the office where I would continue to cry until the end of recess where he came back to scream at me some more and sent me back to class in tears all for (quietly and within my friends LOL) saying indoor recess was boring (4th grade). All done by staff! Principal R was especially horrible and responsible for the recess incident. Teachers will forget names and move on from students, but I have always kept this mental list of all of the adults at this school who treated me with respect and those who didn't. You don't remember it, but I do! Teachers who are truly passionate about their work make the best educators. Ms. M and Ms. S were prime examples of that. Do not become an educator let alone an elementary school teacher if you are not willing to operate with compassion and treat students like they are worth teaching. You are guiding children at the most vulnerable, fundamental and formative time in their life. Everything you do or say, big or small, does not and will not go unnoticed by your students. 3 stars for the nostalgia, but they should be lucky I was a child who couldn't defend herself and not an adult. Any parent would be livid if they found out that adults who hated being teachers were humiliating their children in this manner. read more

My daughter has been at Dolores Huerta (Fairmount Elementary) since 1st grade. She is now in the 3rd grade and not much has changed. When I arrived at the school I was given a tour by the Family Liaison and a two other teachers. The tour was horrible. For starters the Family Liaison and two teachers were more concerned about my daughter not having no exposure to Spanish than actually attending the school. They made statements such as, "It will be really hard for her considering she hasn't had any exposure." I then stated, "What about the positive reinforcement, and resources. I then inquired about resources and support, and I was told there weren't any resources or tutoring. No recommendations of tutors, YouTube, or pamphlets on how to access support for first time Spanish learners. I also bought this concern of mine to the principal, Mr. Luis Rodriquez who appeared to be very egotistical, unapproachable towards my frustration, and I was given a very cold, abrupt response. Mr. Rodriquez responded, "We don't have any resources." There has been several incidents where I thought to myself, maybe its me and I need to reflect and approach certain matters differently. Then I began to speak with other parents and I was hearing the same thing, that Mr. Rodriquez is unapproachable and bias towards particular families. This has been an horrific experience for my daughter and my family. My daughter has confided in me that kids were calling her Black girl, and teasing her because she did not know the language and/or she was in a lower level book. My family and I have experienced discrimination and lack of cultural competence from the front desk to the teachers and principal. For a school to lack in culturally competency means the school is unable to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures. This is unacceptable. There has been times where I would witness a parent being given the green light to bring their children's lunch, and on the other hand I was being told you cannot because you would be interrupting instructional time. There is a standard that the school should implement for all parents and not preferential treatment. There is a stigma within the school that has families in fear and afraid to speak up out of fear of reprisal. I have spoken to several families in the past in regards to their experience and one particular father told me, "I have never experienced no shape or form of discrimination at this school and I am a Philanthropist, contribute to my community and I am well known. Next school year the parent came up to me and inform of some discrimination he was experiencing with his son's teacher and explained how the a particular book was offensive and racist. I have also noticed how parents, teachers, and the community become colored blinded, when topics of discrimination and biases are mentioned, and as long as their child is exceeding in their academics they refuse to acknowledge the struggle between Black and Brown individuals. Yes, granted this school is a Spanish Immersion school but the history behind Black and Latina/Latino people is still prevalent. This lack of respect and humility for one another is not being addressed. I recall a parent informing me that the principal and the teacher by the name of Ms. Villa informed her that she should take her son out of the school considering he is failing and this may not be the school for him. Dolores Huerta formerly known as Fairmount Elementary lacks cultural competency, and demonstrates to particular parents that they are not welcomed. This school wears t-shirts on Tuesday stating Black Lives Matter, but statics states that Black children, which are the minority are performing at the lowest rate. Do not believe the hype, this school is not for Black children and children of color, the principal demonstrates characteristics of a tyrant and a dictator. There has been several teachers and social workers who have left due to his lack of support, empathy for families, staff and community. read more

Fairmount gave our daughter 6 years of wonderful, supportive, challenging bilingual Spanish education. She continued her Bilingual program thru middle school and is now taking AP Spanish as a sophomore in High School and is completely bi literate and bilingual. The family oriented community, engaged empowered parents, creative and caring staff all combine to create a really powerful synergy. You can pay lots more at a private school, but I don't think you can do better for a bright child than Fairmount. Over the years I have watched the program, first under Linda Luevano and then with Karling Aguilera-Fort and now with Anna Lunardi, grow and thrive. It just keeps getting better. read more

The year is off to a great start with an energetic new principal, Jeremy Hillinski, and our newly-renovated campus. My daughter is thriving here in her fifth year of Spanish immersion. She is challenged by instruction in math and other disciplines in Spanish, but is also doing great in English Language Arts. Since finding this school on a list of "hidden gem schools" years ago, Fairmount has become an in-demand school thanks to a dedicated staff and community of families. read more

Dolores Huerta Elementary School - Fairmount front stairs after our recent ADA construction - Elementary Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

I am extremely impressed with the school, and the immersion program is great. Our daughter is already able to read and write in Spanish and English, and had very little trouble acclimating to the bilingual environment. When we enrolled her in the Spanish immersion program last year, I was a little skeptical about the quality of education that she would receive, as I have not heard great things about SFUSD. Nonetheless, I am very impressed with the staff and the curriculum. The layout of the school isn't perfect--it was built in the early 70s when there was some kind of "Cumbayah" theory to teaching with classrooms organized into pods, and the cafeteria/multi-purpose room is a tad small, but these are minor issues. Kids are excited to go to school, there is an active PTA, and the community supports the school. read more

Great memories here went here in 1989-1995. Love this place and I think I also hate it too. There were constant bulling but It's like that everywhere. The things that were most memorable: -My friends, JR Moriano, Mark Mangampat, Jamie Jameson, Christopher Thompson. -The stores around there were so 1980s with paper bags, hanging dehaydrated fruits. -my old house on silver street about 1/2 a block up with tree orchids next door white wooden fence. Still there today andmore run down than before. -the corner store run by india people where I could get a $0.20 drink , cheap candy,capsule toys, toys in the back, baseball cards. It's a lot smaller now and run by different people. -first day I showed I was in an esl class run by a mean teacher, forgot her name. -they didn't give me food one day for some reason and had to get the left over veggie plate but no main course. KINDERGARTEN- In the yard got kneed in the nuts by an AA kid for no reason, cried, teacher came by asks what's wrong but too embarrassed to say. Got a bruise on it later. The first day I get dropped off in Ms. Harley's kindergarten class, I cried when my mom left. This happens to several other kids too. -My best friend was Yanis an Iranian kid. We do meticulous and boring assignments such as abcs, put the color coated pins here and there. -lots of little do dads in the left front corner shelving , a play area in the back where it is open in the other classrooms. I remeber thing to myself the toy penguin if it were real would tast like chicken liver. -They have an aquarium in the hallway that has sea horses and all sorts of sea crabs, fish. They all die because of the bacteria on kids hands and soon were removed. -Halloween comes around and I'm dressed in a tony the tiger outfit with a hole in it? We parade around several times around school. I trick or treat at home. -We are given cup cakes one day with one candy on top. My candy falls off onto the wooden jungle gym and think about it before picking it back up and eating it. -I bring snow white real life version and a bag of chips to eat for the class. I get selfish and remember my sis asked me to save her some. I ask for it back and the teacher gets pissed. I finish the chips in the yard during recess. -last day of class I run to the exit while all the others run to the teacher to give her a hug. -I see my teacher about 20 years later at my work looking like horny old woman. She doesn't recognize me. read more

My son is been attending Fairmount for 4 years and he loves it.

Fairmount Elementary is a great school my kids have been the since kindergarten. They are really involved with the students and parents . My kids love the school and have been learning alot. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a school for your child. Fairmount have good methods to help your kids excel academically. read more

Our daughter has been at Fairmount for 3 years now, and our second daughter will be entering in Fall 2010. I cannot say enough good things about the wonderful teachers, staff, and community. Our daughter is now bilingual and is excelling in all subjects. The Fairmount community is broad-minded and diverse, a truly San Franciscan mix of people from all walks of life. If you are looking for both a school for your children and a community for you and your family, you can find it here. read more

This is an AMAZING school! What a great community! It's all Spanish immersion now- which no private school can offer- so don't waste your $ if you're looking... the only school that welcomes your kids on the tour in SF is Fairmount- remember when the school you're touring tells you you're not allowed to bring your kids- just think about how they feel about families! The only school that welcomes your kids to meetings (with childcare provided)- this school is very unpretentious and community-oriented. Down to earth cool people who care about their kids- and lots of very very interesting great families here- they're just not in your face about how great they are :-) Check it out!!! read more

I'm so excited to have my daughter attend Fairmount Elementary, they have such a tight community, dedicated teachers, an amazing PTA and parents that care about their kids education. I think I missed the school during the summer more then my daughter UNTIL I found her on the couch looking at photographs and tears coming down her face, I asked what was wrong - I miss my school and my friends, I don't know when will I see them again (she just finished Kinder and is starting First grade). Words are not enough to describe this place, you have to come to experience it to believe it. My daugther started Kinder when she was less then 5 years old and she left for summer break reading Spanish and writing simple sentences. I was thinking she'd be repeating Kinder since she started young and was prepared for that, but to my surprise she passed kinder and learned how to read and write in Spanish. Go Fairmount!!!! read more

I am the parent of two children at Fairmount and we love it. We are not a Spanish speaking family, but both my kids are learning it rapidly and well. My daughter's accent is amazing. Even more important is taht Fairmount is a well run, safe, clean and loving environment. Problems are dealt with and communication is encouraged. We have a terrific principal and teaching staff. I know everyday how lucky I am to have my children at this school. read more

I attended Fairmount from 1940 to 1947. I have a picture of my class in 1942, and have offended wondered what ever happened to them. My name at that time was Larry Harder and now Laura Godtfredsen. Many important memories of growing up. i lived on Church and 29th streets. read more