Fairhaven School

17900 Queen Anne Road

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 13, 2024

The Sudbury method is quite different from mainstream educational philosophies, but don’t let that stop you from looking into Fairhaven School. My two sons have thrived in ways that are less measurable and far more important than anything we noted when they were in “regular” school. The truth is that compulsory education tends to focus on relatively arbitrary facts which might be memorized for a test, but are in no way a good measure of intelligence, well-being, or future success. When youth are trusted to find their own passions, they dive into learnings they cannot simply forget. They aren’t forced to stay any longer than they wish to in any one subject, which reduces the risk that they will lose their natural love of learning or burn out. All in good time, students dive again, as desired, and in this organic way, they build a much more solid knowledge-base over time. Rather than simply learning facts, they continue to find out who they are, and to build their own paths towards their own goals. The “kids” here seem to maximize their own individual social-emotional skills, learned naturally through the democratic nature of the school and the peer feedback therein. Facts can be learned anytime (and are), but character is best build in our early years of development. Fairhaven provides just that—a fair haven—within which youth can develop this character. A place where youth take all the time they need to heal from any past school-related trauma, learn to re-find a love of learning (or keep it if they never lost it!), and learn natural consequences without shaming.This method requires parents to trust the process and take the long view—definitely not always easy, at all—but absolutely worth it. I work to build connections to other Fairhaven parents, and that supportive network continues to be incredibly helpful in this regard. I cannot recommend Fairhaven more highly.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2024

My daughter has been lucky enough to attend Fairhaven for over a year now - as a neurodiverse child, she has thrived with the autonomy at 5 years old! With over 10 years of early childhood education experience in the public school system; I highly recommend Fairhaven to any and all parents looking for an alternative to the traditional!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2024

My son has been at Fairhaven for three years, and each year he has progressed in activities the school offers to its students. He started his Fairhaven journey by just playing basketball and being isolated from others. I initially had doubts that sending our son to Fairhaven was a good idea, especially being used to the traditional way of educating our youth. However, over the next few months, he started making friends and would take advantage of Fairhaven's 12-acre campus by exploring in the woods and creek. Towards the end of his first year, he would come home to tell us how he was in the Fairhaven kitchen helping other students cook food that the students would sample. He especially grew comfortable learning how to create music beats that were done in Fairhaven's music studio. He would proudly play back to us what he recorded in the studio each day, and we noticed how much better the beats sounded. He showed enthusiasm and pride in knowing he created music that sounded professional. This would not have happened if he did not attend Fairhaven.Over the last two years, our son has continued to expand on his interest in music by learning how to play drums. His music is on display on Fairhaven's podcast and was also showcased during the intermission of Fairhaven's most recent theatre play, "Holes". We have noticed so much maturity from our son over the last three years. He has no pressure to get homework assignments/projects/exams done at exceptional levels. He doesn't have to worry about being at school at the same time (which at traditional school is earlier than and not as flexible as Fairhaven's school start time), and he doesn't have to go through the same routine each day. This is what makes Fairhaven a special place for children. The students have the freedom to do what they want each day, and they are learning and growing by making decisions on their own. The experiences at Fairhaven prepare each student for real-life much earlier than students at traditional schools. Fairhaven gives students the opportunity to make decisions on how to occupy their time each day. This prepares each student to make more critical decisions, which could impact them for the rest of their lives. The evidence of growth has shown in our son, and the decision to enroll him at Fairhaven was the best decision made for his development as a young man. Thank you, Mark, Richard, Betsy, Beth, and all other staff in his development into manhood.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2024

We will have spent fifteen years at this wonderful school when our son graduates this June.I can’t say enough good things about the Sudbury model and how it produces civically minded self starters that will be fully engaged with the world they enter upon leaving. I’m a teacher, so I was initially a skeptic- but after seeing the results, I highly recommend the school for anyone looking for something slightly different for their kid’s education.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2023

My son became miserable in public school by 3rd grade; he felt stressed, stifled, and lost a lot of the confidence he had had as a preschooler. During his visiting week at Fairhaven, he entered the world of play and freedom seamlessly, and quickly connected with kids who shared his interests which he had rarely found among public schoolmates. Once enrolled, he was actively engaged in numerous activities (of his own choice), and the constant interactions with other children / within the framework of the school’s judicial system / helped him to mature emotionally and develop empathy and strong social skills. By the end of his 9 years + graduation, he had experience (among other things) leading committees, chairing meetings, teaching classes, managing his and others’ time, and learning how to learn. Forever grateful for Fairhaven School providing the environment for him to thrive and launch into the future of his dreams!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2023

My daughter has attended Fairhaven School for eight years. We find the Sudbury School model of education to be a breath of fresh air compared to the school systems that teach students to be performative, disconnected from their bodies and emotions, and that a scarcity environment is how we learn (i.e., pressured into taking AP classes and numerous activities to be the top of their class despite being on meds for mental health). Fairhaven's educational model starts with innate trust in children. On a 10-acre campus, they are free to utilize their time, energy, and creativity throughout their day. A common question is 'How do children learn without teachers and testing?' Honestly - the same way adults learn. Sometimes it looks like being taught or mentored, other times watching a YouTube video, taking a class, or often tinkering / 'learning by doing'. The students can play all day, (which often happens with younger students and is important in their development), or they can immerse themselves in learning how to use tools in the woodshop, fully equipped music studio, art room, computer room, and more. The education comes at each student's own pace, with support from staff and older students as needed. They learn to read, write, and problem solve without the pressure of needing to 'keep up'. It truly embodies the idea that we cannot judge a fish by how well it climbs a tree.A part of Fairhaven that is very important is its democratic model. All students must participate in Judicial Committee - a daily meeting that consists of students and staff that handle all of the school business and discipline (a jury of their peers). The combination of participating in a community with agency, autonomy, and power gives students space to discover themselves and build their emotional literacy which is often beyond what most adults are capable of.Fairhaven, while not for everyone, is a great environment where children have time to do what they do best - be children - and mature into thoughtful and capable adults who truly understand and trust themselves. Students go to college, join the military, get jobs, and enter the adult world as ready (or in my opinion, often more ready) than many of their peers. We are happy to be here and continue to support the freedom to learn within a supportive educational system.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2021

I was so hopeful. The Sudbury model, which The Fairhaven School allegedly follows is a wonderful philosophy. Unfortunately, it's poorly implemented at this school. The racism experienced by the students of color was numerous and the mismanagement of racial incidents by the all white staff was horrendous. It began early in the school year when a student used racial slurs and threats. He was eventually suspended. When the students of color protested his possible return, a staff member stated she had gotten over it so why hadn't the students of color. It worsened when a different staff member repeatedly used the N-word even after being told the word was offensive and hurtful. My student was called a "liar" by staff as was another student of color 24xs per that student's mother. The school claims that students have a voice, but then targets and belittles students who speak with a voice that's counter to the majority. When my student had a meltdown after 9 months of racial tension at the school and in the nation, the school did not work with me to bring my student back. In fact, when I suggested my student complete the last two weeks virtually, the staff indicated virtual school may be too triggering. So, not only was my student subjected to racism, her mental health was used against her as a way to keep her out. Students who are meek, mild, and conforming will be successful here. It's not a place for students of color with a strong voice. Pros: The grounds are beautiful. At least they refunded my money for the following year after I decided not to return my student to the toxic environment.
Submitted by student on January 02, 2021

do not send your black child here. this school claims to be anti-racism but does not care about its black students.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2019

Both of my children have thrived otionally and socially at Fairhaven. My son attended for 4 years and it was life changing in the best way for him. He is graduating the spring. My daughter is in her second year of HS now and is still learning how to navigate life at the school. She was not having her learning differences met at public school and was absolutely hating life there. At Fairhaven she has the freedom to be herself and to find her unique path in life without damage to her self esteem
Submitted by student on January 10, 2019

Sensational, don't knock it before you try it. This school has everything right going for it, and it's a perfect fit for many.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

I simply love this school. I've been an educator for almost 30 years now and never thought I would send my kids anywhere but the public schools. But both of my sons have attended Fairhaven for years. They have developed their interests, actively debated issues that matter to them, spent a lot of time in the woods (including building hovels, shacks and houses in the woods) played a lot of games, made videos and mounted plays, one decided to learn a new language, both took few formal classes but were/are active in the judiciary committee where all of the students democratically make decisions about how the school will be run. I could go on and on. They are both happy and healthy young men who are curious and caring, confident and interested in their pursuits. One is in college, the other may or may not be headed there, depending on his own interests. In any case, I know they both have benefited from this school. In their "good" public schools they were miserable and not learning much of anything other than how to deal with bureaucracy and authority figures who mostly seemed either overwhelmed or completely abitrary in their wielding of power. Fairhaven's approach may scare parents because it's unusual, but the fantastic results speak for themselves.
Submitted by other on August 26, 2013

This school is amazing. I can now finally live in peace and and enjoy freedom. I am now a popular student at the school and people understand who I am. I deeply recommend this school to kids of all ages who want to live in peace and just be understood.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2011

Fairhaven allows children to live their lives NOW, learning and growing, laughing and climbing trees, tackling tremendous intellectual challenges, and debating and resolving real life issues on a daily basis as citizens in a democracy. As a college professor, I see far too many students who succeed academically through traditional schooling only to end up intellectually dead; all the cramming in the world means absolutely nothing if it kills the love of learning. Fairhaven students, my own children included, are able to prepare for college and adult success in the best and most powerful way possible: without even trying. Everything they learn, they learn for the joy of it and their intellectual curiosity and problem-solving creativity make them simply unstoppable. And they're happy! They can't wait to get to school and are reluctant to leave. What other school can make this claim?!
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2011

My children couldn't wait for school to start again! They are free to explore their own interests in a beautiful, magical setting. They learn what they need to learn (and want to learn) in their own time, when they are ready, with guidance from the staff and other students. The democratic process fosters lots of dissection of issues so they can see it from all sides and points of view and they learn that they have a say in what goes on in their community, their thoughts and opinions matter. They also learn really important life skills such as respect and responsibility through the judicial process. To the left of where I am writing there is a box telling me "a great school has challenging academic programs"....there is nothing mandatory at Fairhaven in the way of curriculum/academics, but learning independent thinking AND how to work together to make a community function is quite a challenge. If you are looking for a non-traditional, extraordinary school for you kids to learn that their imagination is limitless and their creativity is valued, this is the place.