Fairfax High Seeing Big Improvements

As schools across California submit to painful budget cuts, Fairfax High School is riding out the crisis with relative ease.

Thanks to four years of intensive fundraising, the school has collected more than $12 million for capital improvements for a renovated auditorium, an expanded parent center and a new sports stadium. 

"We wrote grants, talked to alumni, worked with businesses, the city--anyone and everyone," said Joyce Kleifield, the school's director of development.

It all started in 2006 , when Edward M. Zubiate took over as principal.

At that time, the school was severely overcrowded, with more than 3,000 students, many bused from distant neighborhoods. Buildings needed new paint, greenery needed tending and overall school morale needed a lift.

"The school did not reflect the community in which it resided," Kleifield said. "Mr. Zubiate's answer was to partner with the community, get the community to take ownership of the school."

Now the historic Fairfax High auditorium has been renovated, the courtyard is landscaped and the stadium's new grandstand has the green light.

The number of students has declined, so classrooms and corridors are less crowded. Many other projects are in the works, either awaiting further funding or approval from the district or state.

Early on, major support came from Greenway Arts Alliance, a nonprofit organization established in 1999 by local theater producers Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz to support arts and education at Fairfax High.

The alliance launched the  Melrose Trading Post, a Sunday flea market in the school's parking lot,  and established the Greenway Court Theatre on campus to provide artistic opportunities for students while raising funds for the school.

Kleifield was an active member of the neighborhood council when  Zubiate approached the group for ideas and support. Kleifield was enthusiastic about supporting his efforts. "I wanted my youngest child to attend an improved Fairfax High."

Zubiate created the development position for Kleifield and brought her onboard at the school, which hasn't been the same  since.

Community partners for the ongoing projects include the city of West Hollywood, the city of Los Angeles, CBS, Lowe's, Whole Foods, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, the Grove, Canter's restaurant, Maggiano's restaurant, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative, LAPD Wilshire Division and BRE Properties.

Much of the money for the bigger projects came from state or local bond funds. The biggest project, the football/track stadium, is expected to cost $4 million and be complete for the 2011-12 school year.

Half a million dollars came from a private foundation; $250,000 came from L.A. County; more than $2 million from the American Youth Soccer Organization; and $150,000 from a pro/amateur soccer league. The Fairfax Parents and Friends Foundation helped with fundraising as well.

This fall, the Parent Center will expand to include  Spanish and Korean language support, and Kleifield will have her own office across the hall with two assistants. "The Development Office will be able to raise money for the school more efficiently, effectively and professionally," Kleifield said.

But the physical changes are only part of the story.

Over the past four years standardized test scores have increased nearly 100 points. Fairfax has gone from being ranked 18th among LAUSD high schools to  being fourth; dropout rates have decreased and graduation rates increased; and the school's state ranking has gone from a 6 to a 9 out of a possible 10.

"We are a true community school now," Kleifield said.