Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fairhaven Program a school?
No. All students enrolled in the full-day Monday & Wednesday Main Program are registered with their school districts as homeschool students. Parents must file a declaration of intent to homeschool by September 15th. The program is a supplement to the primary education that occurs in the home.
Those enrolled in the After School Classes can be traditional or homeschool students.
Where are you located?
We are located in downtown Fairhaven: 1106 Harris Ave, Suite 307. Our location is wheelchair accessible.
My child was previously enrolled in a public or private school. How do we file a declaration of intent to homeschool?
It is simple and straightforward to file a declaration of intent to homeschool. We’re happy to help.
What sort of student is a good fit for the Fairhaven Program?
There is not one particular sort of student who is good for the program, but what we look for in applications is intellectual curiosity, self-direction, love of the outdoors, love of reading, and an openness to the study of mathematics and languages. Exceptional students of all kinds are encouraged to apply!
Is the program religious?
The Fairhaven Program is non-sectarian and non-denominational. Students from all religious and cultural backgrounds are welcome, and religious families can enroll their students with the assurance that their faith and family culture will be respected.
How are students graded?
Students do not receive letter grades, which communicate very little. Each student receives a longer, written evaluation for each course at the end of each semester as well as frequent written evaluations on assignments throughout the year.
Is there a physical education component?
Yes. We begin every day with exercise and strongly suggest that all students play team or individual sports and pursue cardiovascular and resistance training outside of class time.
Do you administer standardized testing?
No. The curriculum of the Fairhaven Program far exceeds the educational standards of the state, but according to Washington state law, homeschool students must demonstrate proficiency with either (1) an annual standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education, administered according to protocol by a qualified individual, or (2) an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress, written by a certified individual who is currently working in the field of education. We will help arrange and schedule either option.
What is the application process for the program?
We require a written application from parents, an entrance examination from the student, and an in-person interview. See our enrollment page for more information. You can register online for summer and spring classes without any application.
Is the program only for students beginning 9th grade or can students enter the program in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade?
The program is open to students in any year of high school! Our curriculum is different enough from that of any local school that a student can start the first year of the program after any amount of high school without duplicating anything. Contact us, and we can meet to figure out if the program will be a good fit for your family.
What about Physics, Biology, and Chemistry?
The Main Program is only two years long because it is designed for students who will be finishing high school through Running Start, where they can take physics, biology, chemistry, and other traditional STEM courses. The observation, experimentation, and problem solving involved in the mathematics and science curriculum of the program will serve as a good foundation for college-level science and mathematics. Read more about our approach to mathematics.
How will the Program prepare students for the SAT and college admissions?
A student completing the Main Program and finishing high school with college classes through Running Start will have a unique, compelling portfolio for college admissions, and the Fairhaven Program provides complimentary career and college counseling to all alumni of the full two-year Main Program. Participation in the Touchstones Discussion Program, a core element of our curriculum, has been demonstrated to raise scores on the verbal portion of the SAT. Our mathematics curriculum will prepare a student for higher-level mathematics, but it is not aligned with the math portion of the SAT®. Students interested in the SAT® will need to review the sort of problems featured on the test.
Do you supply a transcript?
The Fairhaven Program is not a school, so we do not provide a transcript. Rather, each student finishes the program with a portfolio of work and end-of-semester evaluations for each class, along with a letter of recommendation for future schooling and employment that describes and contextualizes the student’s achievements. And we provide college and career counseling to alumni of the full two-year Main Program and help with the preparation of homeschool transcripts and diplomas.
What does “without politics” mean?
Contemporary education has become sharply polarized around social and political questions. The Fairhaven Program seeks to preserve itself as a place to learn about our world without engaging in political advocacy or argument. 9th-12th grade are precisely the years when students most need an opportunity to study and learn free from self-preoccupation and political pressure.