The Fay School

The Fay School (TFS) is a private elementary school founded in 1991 by Marie Fay Evnochides in her home along Houston’s Buffalo Bayou.  In its first year, the school worked with early childhood students and added a grade level each year after, culminating in the fifth grade.  The school boasts a holistic learning environment founded on three core values: Prepared, Well-Rounded, and Articulate.  The Fay School attempts to prepare students for middle school and high school, include community, family, and nature in its education, and develop students’ communication skills.

The Fay School

105 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77024                                  Mr. Bob Meyer, Head of School

713-681-8300                                                                                 Ms. Allison B. Teare, Director of Admissions

www.TheFaySchool.org

Religious Affiliation

The Fay School does not have any religious affiliation.

Location and Facilities

Located just north of Woodway Drive and west of 610, The Fay School sits on 8.5 acres along the Buffalo Bayou. Its facilities include four academic buildings, the original Fay family home, outdoor classroom, backyard habitat, nature trail and play areas. The 3-story, 30,000 square foot elementary school building holds classrooms, labs, a covered play area, dining area, multi-purpose spaces and a wrap-around porch. The Marie Fay Evnochides Building holds a library, multi-purpose gym and space for parent volunteers.

Admissions

The Fay School admits students on an open enrollment basis. However, first round admissions are usually due in January. TFS requires: 1) Online Application, 2) $200 Application Fee, 3) Report Cards, 4) Teacher Recommendations, 5) Individual Evaluation (if applicable), 6) Testing (if applicable).

TFS gives tours and Open Houses. Pre-K through first grade applicants may attend a one-hour group visit in a classroom setting, and second through fifth grade applicants may visit the school for a full day. Qualified siblings are given first priority for admissions. 

Academic Tracks and Curriculum

Montessori influenced, The Fay School’s curriculum includes core subjects (language arts, math, science, social studies), along with technology, outdoor education, leadership development, and an Emotional Intelligence Program. The purpose of this program is to develop the student’s emotional intelligence quotient, which is based upon self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social awareness and relationship skills. Other programs include a book club, author visits, and a grade-level research program.

Special Needs

No information provided.

Foreign Languages

The Fay School curriculum includes Spanish, in which students learn the language, along with the customs, traditions, manners, values, art and music of Spanish culture.

Arts

At The Fay School, students take art as part of their curriculum, working with 2-D and 3-D art materials and learning about various artists.

Technology

Before first grade, students at The Fay School begin learning how to use computers by writing stories and creating graphs, for example. By first and second grade, students are creating multi-media presentations and using search engines on the Internet for research. Other computer lessons include keyboarding, word processing, page formatting, integrating graphics and photos, and computer ethics. All kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms utilize Smart Boards. Computers on Wheels (COW) are available when each student in a classroom needs a laptop for classwork.

Extracurricular Activities

Afterschool activities at The Fay School include: Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Building Brains, Drama, Mad Science, Lego Engineering, Imaginations at Work, Creative Chefs Cooking, Chess, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Homework Helper, Smart Art, Chorus and Private Piano.

TFS hosts annual events, including: Popsicles in the Park, Halloween Carnival, Book Fair, Grandparent’s Day, Fast Forward Day, Go Western Day, Gala, Fay Fun Day, Picnic, and Publisher’s Picnic. Students may also perform in school musicals.

Athletics

Students participate in Physical Education during school. Afterschool athletics at The Fay School include: Martial Arts, Taekwondo, Ballet & Jazz, Gymnastics, Soccer, Sports with Coach Carter, Mini-Stars Sports, Fencing and Tennis at The Houstonian.

Parent Involvement

The Fay School’s Parents’ Club is a volunteer program that supports school programs, such as: Grandparents’ Day, Book Fair, the Picnic, the Gala, grade-level plays, outdoor education, and the library. The teachers communicate with parents via The Fay School’s website, the parent portal, and the Fay Flyer that goes home with students every Thursday.

TFS hosts monthly and annual events for parents. On the last Thursday of each month, Mr. Bob Meyer hosts a Head of School Coffee in the Wolf Library to cover updates on the school and answer questions. In September, TFS hosts the All School Parent Night for parents to meet their students’ teachers. Also in September is the Fay Parent Social. 

The Fay School Fast Facts

Overview
School Type	Independent, Coeducational
Religious Affiliation	None
Uniforms	Yes
Date Founded	1991
Endowment	$500,000
Grades Served	Pre-K – 5
Enrollment	294
Grade 5	22
Grade 4	29
Grade 3	39
Grade 2	29
Grade 1	40
KG	38
PK	97
Student to Teacher Ratio	11:1
Faculty with Advanced Degrees (#/%)	N/A
Minorities in Student Body	14%
Curriculum
Academic Tracks Offered	One Track (Montessori influenced)
Advanced Placement Courses Offered	N/A
Languages Offered	Spanish
Calendar (Semester / Trimester / Other)	Trimester
Interscholastic Sports Programs	N/A
Admissions
Prime Entry Points	Pre-K, K
Grades Pre-K-5	$11,395 – $18,430
New Student Fee	$500
Tuition Refund Insurance	$229 – $383
Students on Financial Aid	N/A

 

Excerpted from General Academic’s publication, “Houston Private & Select Public Schools: Survey, Analysis, and Research, 3rd Edition.”