Fayette St Academy

830 Fayette Street

Santa Fe, NM 87505

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

n/a
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 27, 2023

We enrolled our twins at Fayette Street Academy in fall of 2021 after a year of online school due to the pandemic. My only regret is that we didn't find this school earlier. There is a wonderful rhythm to the school year and academic work that acknowledges the seasons and the needs of the students while always managing to teach them in a way that ensures they embody/absorb the information rather than memorize it. While they are not giving grades, they are very much held responsible for completing work and any mistakes are corrected and understood. Each year they have an intensive period where they are pushed academically and while challenging, it is incredible rewarding for the students. For the first time since I enrolled my children in school, I felt like they were seen as individuals with unique personalities and learning styles. The teachers are so experienced, observant and intuitive that they often pick up on potential hiccups before they occur. Whatever your child's strengths or challenges they will be acknowledged and supported. The parents are supported as much as the children and welcomed into the community.I know that every member of our family, including the grandparents, will never forget the incredible experience we had at this school. This is what education should be like.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2023

My children came to Fayette after several years of homeschooling and with a significant bad attitude about learning. In one year they are transformed. Nothing is swept under any rugs here. There are no grades but if something is done wrong on their homework the child corrects it and goes ahead understanding it. Our family is welcomed every morning and our children are watched and cared for in the most loving way.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

I feel very fortunate that our daughter can go to Fayette, which is truly a special place. The school understands the importance of balance. While many schools follow a drill and kill approach in order to maximize test scores, Fayette understands then importance of developing the whole person. While it is true that our daughter had developed much more academically here than at her prior school, that isn't what I think is most important. What I really like is seeing the relationships among the kids, how when she was new the older kids looked after her and now she is doing that for kids younger than her. It's not just that the teachers care for the kids, but the kids care for each other. The level of social development makes them stand out where even the youngest kids display a level of emotional intelligence lacking in many adults. Fayette has numerous field trips within Santa Fe and even to Albuquerque that gives the kids an amazing range of experiences, far beyond anything I had at their age. It is a unique place and it is important that parents who send their children there buy in to its concept, but for those who do it is hard to imagine a better school.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

Our daughter started at Fayette as a very young kindergartner, and we couldn’t be happier. This is a special school. It eschews the flashy and high tech (ahem, Rio Grande) for the really meaningful: human interaction and genuine learning, tailored to each student by teachers who know them and their families. My daughter grew so much emotionally and intellectually here over the last year. What’s remarkable is that they don’t shortchange the academic for the personal and emotional, but somehow manage to combine both well. When they go on field trips, other people remark on how kind and well-behaved the children are. The older ones learn to watch out for the younger ones. And where else are you going to spend an hour with both your child’s teacher and the head of the school at a parent-teacher conference?
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2018

I am so grateful for Fayette. At this school, my daughter has not only grown academically, but has been able to develop socially and emotionally in a very safe & supportive environment. She's happy, and looks forward to school each day. To me, that's priceless!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2018

I feel that I have found the best school for my daughter. She is a sensitive and intelligent. The school fosters her wholeness and creativity. I love the individual instruction she receives. I love the outdoor time they receive, which is unlike any other school. I feel supported as a parent and believe that they are preparing her for the world. I highly recommend this school for any parent looking to grow into a young adult.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2018

This school has made a world of difference to my child, who was doing well at her old school, but was slowly shutting down in order to cope with the chaos at that school. Fayette has given her a place to grow and nurture her authentic self - a person of curiosity, intelligence, character, and playfulness.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2018

After a total of 7 years at Fayette and counting I would highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2018

I have three boys--two are in their late 20s and my 12 year old at Fayette- and each is/was very different in his needs from the others. As a result we have intimate experience with many schools in the Santa Fe area. Our experience at Fayette has been far and away the best we have had. My youngest son came in mid-year, after falling through the cracks at what is reputed to be the best elementary school in the district. After he recovered from the shock of actually having the academic rubber hit the road at Fayette, and adjusted to the significant work load, he hit his stride both academically and emotionally. The interesting thing is that at his previous school, the reports were that he wasn't capable of attending to the subjects presented and didn't have the attention span to stay with the class' work. The academic load at Fayette was much greater, and yet within a couple months, he was working happily, learning in leaps and bounds, and so much more engaged. This is education at its absolute best. We are keeping him at the school as long as they will have him, and are thrilled to have the opportunity.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2018

My child feels safe, inspired and happy at Fayette.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2018

We had two children go through this school and loved the experience. It is a different place from almost all other schools, family run and they have no school benches. Kids sit on pillows, a wood stove heats the class room in the winter, everything is very small and personal. Academic level is rigorous. Most parents who send their kids there love it, some do leave quite disgruntled and antagonistic. Best check it out for yourself if it is a good fit! I feel super fond of those years as parents there.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2018

Wonderful. My kids loved school, and left Fayette very well prepared -- they both went on to Santa Fe Prep and one is already in college -- a college, I might add, that is similar to Fayette in that it emphasizes real learning over grade chasing.
Submitted by student on August 15, 2017

i spent many years here and the first 3 were good cause i was little but as a got older it was very bad. The teacher would get MAD if you asked questions and tell you that you where dumb for not understanding the first time. Also kinda sexist because they wouldn't let the girls go to this PNM field because and I quote "i don't want you pretty princess getting hurt" way to tell girls they aren't strong. Definitely would not recommend.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2017

At Fayette, my son has thrived and continually blossoms into his potential. He had a very hard time in the atmosphere of public school institutionalization and was seriously demoralized by not having his learning needs met there. Fayette faculty have taken the time to understand his challenges and they have worked carefully with him to get him on a path of self-confidence and joy. I love that they teach personal responsibility instead of just blind rule-following. This is a valuable lesson that he will take with him for life. The outdoor play is stellar and the life balance they teach is also a precious gift.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2017

The teachers are loving and truly care. I can't say enough about the academics- wonderful! They allowed my daughter to progress at her own pace, even giving her one-on-one advanced lessons. Socially, it's going to depend on the kid. Most of the kids who do well here tend to be quirky and a bit different. If your child has disciplinary issues or pushes the limits of authority, the staff will be tough on them. I think that was the issue with some of the negative reviews. We could not have been happier here. That being said, it's a very unique place and not for everyone.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2016

We look forward to beginning our 6th year with Fayette. At each grade level, we've found the academics appropriately rigorous and the teachers creative and engaged. We are lucky to have found this jewel of a school!
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2016

As a parent of a former student, I can strongly echo what others have said about the abusive, unfair environment of this school. If your child is independent and questions the school's systems, they will constantly grind the child down until s/he believes s/he is somehow flawed. My child was frequently shamed, sent home without reason (or any communication from staff), blamed when other children misbehaved, and treated like a psychiatric case. When he transferred to a great new place, he was able to blossom and shine and remember the bright competent person he actually is. What a travesty. They just want your money. Don't give it to them. They should pay me for what my child endured there.
Submitted by other on April 20, 2016

As a former student, I have personally experienced the academic and administrative aspects of this school. The curriculum is incomplete and vague and does not prepare you for the real world. I found myself unprepared academically when I transferred to a public middle school. The the teachers and administration favor all who do not question their actions and punish those who do. The administration is biased in their ways of justice turning a blind eye to some student's misconduct and targeting others. The staff creates an unsafe emotional environment for those who follow their own path. I was physically assaulted by a student who was in their inner circle. After the incident the staff consoled the the other student instead of checking on me, the only one to get injured. This is one example of the many injustices that occur regularly. I strongly recommend you to find another option for your child.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2016

This school puts up a facade of openness and kindness, when in reality children are made to feel frightened and dominated. Authoritarianism and shaming techniques seem to be a big part of the program.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2016

This school misrepresents itself. To visitors and readers of its Facebook page, it seems respectful, caring, mindful, fun. The reality is a shaming, inconsistent and emotionally unsafe environment where teachers demean and arbitrarily punish and control children without reference to policy. Parents have no recourse, as the school is not accredited. Communication with parents is inconsistent and defensive. All in all, a terrible experience.