Fairhaven Girls' School to Open This Fall
by Theresa Carpine8/1/2008 4:09:44 PM
Login to leave ratings
Average Rating : 0.0
“You have to use your imagination,” Amanda Werchan said as she walked through a former lawn mower shop that she's transforming into a private school for middle school girls. At first glance, altering the barren commercial space into two classrooms, a library, a kitchen and art lab, and a common room for the start of the 2008-2009 school year seems ambitious. But with Amanda’s determination, the school will definitely be ready for 15 pre-teen girls when they enter the building on September 2 as the first class of Fairhaven Girls’ School.
FGS summer campers show off their catapult.
Photo courtesy Amanda Werchan It’s been a busy summer for Amanda, as her other business venture, Eco Milk Delivery, continued to grow and enthusiasm for FGS day camps prompted the addition of a second session for August. But her biggest summer project has been preparing the school’s location at 1830 Cornwall Avenue for the start of the school year, as well as finalizing enrollment, which is open until August 15.
Amanda’s decision to open a school for girls in 5th, 6th and 7th grades (8th grade will also be offered next year) was motivated by a desire to find a different learning opportunity for her own daughters, currently ages 11 and 7. The middle school years, for both boys and girls, are an important time for amassing skills, explained Amanda, who has previously worked with young women as a music instructor and YWCA Youth Program Coordinator. Amanda believes that a single-sex educational setting helps girls focus on their academic development, “instead of the stress of talking to boys.”
Along with eliminating distractions, FGS’ classes are limited to 20 students (currently divided into 5th/6th and 6th/7th sections), allowing instructors to support the varied learning styles of individual students. Their curriculum also covers 21 subjects, in alignment with Washington State educational guidelines.
FGS Girls' Camp attendees made lava lamps, geodesic dome structures, box kites and more this summer.
Photo courtesy Amanda Werchan “Our school will run parallel to subjects required in public schools, so the girls won’t miss anything,” Amanda explained. If anything, the academic schedule and subjects at FGS will be more rigorous to give students a head start on subjects they’ll encounter when they return to public schools for high school.
Since FGS does not interrupt their student schedule with Teacher In-Service & Development Days like public schools, they’ll have 1600 contact hours (The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requires a minimum of 1000 contact hours) during the school year. “We’re allowed to do so much more with the extra time,” Amanda said. Along with a varied but comprehensive elective schedule, the girls will have the opportunity to explore special interest subjects and potential career options with local professionals.
FGS keeps the same schedule as Bellingham Public Schools, for the most part, but their academic calendar will follow the quarter system, with interim sessions preceding winter and spring breaks. “The topics for those sessions are decided by the kids, and will focus on in-depth learning from outside sources and a mandatory community service element,” Amanda explained.
Giving back to the community is something FGS will definitely encourage in their students, especially after all the community support they’ve received in preparation for the school’s opening. Many of the materials for the school’s restoration have been donated, and school supporters are volunteering their time during building work parties. FGS also recently received an anonymous donation of 30 laptops with software. “Every student can use a laptop and we’ll have wireless access throughout the building,” Amanda said. “That gift really changed how we could use this space.”
Five FGS campers together work on a project.
Photo courtesy Amanda WerchanIn the next four weeks before the school opens its doors, Amanda would like to see several things happen. “I’d love to get five more students,” she said, which would ease many of the school’s opening costs. They also need continued support for building renovations and other supplies, as well as scholarship funding. “Seventy-five percent of our students have requested scholarship aid. We don’t want the financial issue to get in the way of an invaluable learning opportunity,” Amanda said.
“Opening this school is something I’ve been dreaming about for four years. I’ve definitely had a ‘Build it and they will come’ mentality,” Amanda said. “The sense of relief that parents express when they hear about the school helps keep me going. Even if they don’t have daughters in middle school yet, they’re so grateful to know that this school will be there for their daughters during their middle school years.”
You can support FGS by making online donations for scholarships and building renovations. You can also view the FGS Wishlist to see what other items you can donate for the school’s opening. Or donate your time by helping with building renovations and mentoring students in the fall. You can reach Amanda at (360) 527-3695 to find out more details about enrollment and getting involved with Fairhaven Girls’ School.