Fairmont Elementary School first opened in 1903, before El Cerrito's incorporation in 1917. The school's website describes the school as having "a family-like atmosphere, small class sizes and our safe, nurturing, environment." It has a "Green School Project" and a school garden. Its special events include a science fair, a book fair, a family math/science night and a solar cookout, among other activities. It also has several after-school classes. It is part of the financially struggling West Contra Costa Unified School District.

The data below are from the 2008-09 school year:

• Enrollment: 330
• Average class size: 24.7
• 2009 API (Academic Performance Index): 765
• 2009 API state rank: 4th lowest decile (60% of elementary schools had higher API scores and 30% had lower scores)
• Percent of students who are: African American 26.4, Asian 16.1, Filipino 1.5, Hispanic 37.7, White 7.9, Multiple/no response 11.2
• Percent of students who are English learners: 37.3
• Percent of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches: 69.4

Source: Ed-Data