Fairview Middle School first opened its doors to students in 1970. The
school was designed in the open concept model that was a popular
educational philosophy during this time period. Our sister school,
BelleVue, and several other Leon County schools, also adopted this new
innovative style of educational architecture. This concept meant there
were no walls, doors, or other obstructions in the design of the school.
An individual could stand at one corner of the classroom building and
see another person at the opposite corner!
Even from its inception, Fairview was considered an educational
innovator and leader among public schools. Several educational
publications and numerous articles from the early 1970’s cite Fairview
Middle School and its commitment to the middle school concept of
educating the “whole child” and to the fledging idea of technology in
the classroom.
Mr. Floyd Davis was the first principal of the school and was succeeded
by Mr. Harry “Nick” Nims in the early 1970’s. Mr Nims had been the
assistant principal assigned to 8th graders at Rickards High School. His
tenure saw Fairview change from a 5-7 grade institution to the current
6-8 grade level model still in use today. He and his assistant
principals, Dr. Mary Markin and Wes Carter, were responsible for
maintaining the high standards implemented at the opening of the school.
Under his leadership, Fairview prospered and grew.
The start of the 1980’s brought a change in leadership to Fairview. Mr.
Nims’ retirement in the early 1980’s brought changes in the
administration. Dr. Markin succeeded Mr. Nims at the helm of leadership.
Harris Wells became the new assistant principal for discipline and Mr.
Bob McDaris assumed the role of Assistant Principal for Curriculum. It
became apparent at this time that the open concept model of instruction
was not conducive to a positive learning environment. The ingenious
methods of teachers utilizing chalkboards, filing cabinets, and other
materials provided boundaries for the enclosed classrooms needed for
education.
In 1985, Ms. Kae Ingram was named as the new Principal of Fairview
Middle School. Her tenure saw many changes within the school population
and physical plant. Permanent dividers were installed to create
classrooms within the main school building. The increase of the school’s
population to over 1200 students called for the addition of a new wing
of classrooms, remodeling of the cafeteria, and other physical
improvements. She maintained Fairview’s commitment to the emerging
technology era of educational reform by securing numerous grants from
state and other sources. Fairview was Tallahassee’s first middle school
facility to be retro-fitted connecting each and every classroom and
workstation to the world wide web. It was also the first Leon County
School to institute an in-house day care program for faculty and staff
members. The school’s faculty also plunged head first into the
revitalization of the middle school concept for education in grades 6-8.
Each grade level was divided into teams of students. Instruction focused
on an interdisciplinary approach with thematic units, team concepts, and
other means of connecting the subject area classrooms. During Ms.
Ingram’s eleven years of service to Fairview, many Assistant Principals
used her guidance and leadership as launching grounds to successful
tenures at other schools. Mr. Paul Green, Ms. Inez Henry, Mr. Bob
McDaris, and Ms. Virginia Lawrence at one time served as administrators
at Fairview Middle School before securing principal positions at other
institutions. Ms. Ingram is also responsible for the inception of the
Middle Years Pre-International Baccalaureate Program that began at
Fairview in the late 1990’s. The Kae Ingram era came to a conclusion
with her promotion to Area Leader under Superintendent Montford in 1996.
Although now at the county office, Ms. Ingram maintained her connection
with the school as its Area Leader, and as the grandmother of a student
enrolled in the Falcon’s Nest Day Care program.
Ms. Charlene Hogan, Assistant Principal at Swift Creek Middle School,
assumed the leadership role at Fairview in 1997. At the time of her
appointment, Fairview’s population was on the decline, from over 1200
students in the mid 1990’s to less than 600 in 1997. Ms. Hogan knew she
had to develop a plan to keep Fairview a viable and successful
institution. Capitalizing upon Ms. Ingram’s idea of building a Magnet
program, Ms. Hogan took this concept and forged forward. Under her
leadership, the Magnet program was granted in 1998 and grew
from 44 students at its start to over 200 upon her departure in 2000.
Ms. Hogan also developed the academies that now comprise the curriculum
areas at Fairview. A renewed emphasis upon Site-based decision-making
was incorporated into her style of leadership. Assisted in her duties by
Mr. Scotty Crowe, currently Principal of Hartsfield Elementary, Mr. Lee
Fagan, curriculum and Magnet coordinator, and Mr. Everett Fleming, now
Assistant Principal of Wesson Elementary School, Ms. Hogan laid a
foundation for success upon which the school rests today. Due to the
development of the instructional academies and the Magnet program, the
enrollment decline was negated and the school began to grow again.
The new century brought new leadership to Fairview. Dr. Roger Pinholster
was assigned as the new Principal. Dr. Pinholster came to Fairview via
Assistant Principal duties at Lincoln and Godby High Schools. His
administrative team was comprised of veteran administrators, Dr. Nickie
Beasley and Mr. Ernest Jones. The only remaining administrator from Ms.
Hogan’s tenure was Lee Fagan as Curriculum and Magnet Administrator. Dr.
Pinholster expanded the academy concept within the schools instructional
program. The incoming Magnet class of 2001-2002 had over 110 students,
the largest ever. He continued the commitment of providing a quality
education to all students regardless of their abilities. A renewed
interest in technology could be seen through the development of the
connected classroom program and other initiatives to expose more
students to technology either at home or within the school. The
instructional academies flourished and expanded under his guidance. His
leadership witnessed the school receiving its first designated A rating
from the Florida Department of Education at the conclusion of the
2000-2001 school year. For the faculty and staff, this was verification
of what they already knew in their hearts. Fairview Middle School was a
quality institution to the core! We are currently the only middle school
in Leon County to use the traditional middle school concept of teaming
with students assigned to teams of teachers and common planning for all
teachers on each team.
As we move into the first decade of the new millennium, FMS has
continued to score a letter grade of A or B each year. Our school has
continued to earn numerous accolades in academic and extra-curricular
competitions and earned the honor of a visit from the governor on two
occasions due to our success. The Magnet program has over 300 students
enrolled while continuing to recruit over 100 students each year to this
prestigious magnet program. In recent years, Mr. Rick Williams, Mrs.
Stacy Stallworth, Mrs. Althoria Pickett, and Mrs. Meghan Davis have joined the FMS administration continuing the excellence in
leadership started by Mr. Nick Nims over 30 years ago.
While much of the new century lies ahead, it continues to hold many
promises and challenges for Fairview Middle School.