Experience the Power of a
One-to-One Education
Life Changing Individualized Education GRADES 6-12
03 04 13 15 18 20 25 28 30 32 34 36 38 43 44 46 49 51
A Letter from Our President What is Fusion Academy? One-to-One Learning How We Personalize Who Attends Fusion? Our Teachers Our Programs Course Offerings Student Schedules School Experience Parent Communication Life After Fusion College Acceptances Frequently Asked Questions Fusion Stories - Experts Fusion Stories - Parents Graduation Stories Next Steps
“Every day I am inspired by our teachers, students, and parents. The stories of how Fusion changes lives never fail to inspire. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do and the teams who make it happen.” Jeff Poole President & COO
‘22-’23
More Than Just
Academics The first time I stepped onto a Fusion Academy campus was in 2008. This was the only location at that time: the original Solana Beach, California campus led by our Founder, Michelle Rose Gilman. My initial impression was that this place was special; an inspiring educational environment unlike any I had seen. Although not a large space, the campus vibe was lively and pleasant, with an air of calmness. In the one-to-one classrooms, students and teachers were engaged in teaching and learning, and the conversations clearly suggested that learning was happening naturally, not through coercion or with reluctance. I could tell the teachers sincerely cared about the students and knew them well enough to personalize the course content just for them. Bottom line, Fusion did not fit the traditional mold of education, and the campus atmosphere was truly different and special. I knew then and there that this school model had incredible potential and we needed to make this available to students nationwide. Today, when visiting Fusion campuses, I hear many stories of how Fusion has changed the lives of our students, and families. For example, during a recent visit to our Rockville, Maryland campus, I met a student who was struggling when he enrolled. With the support of the campus team, the student unearthed a passion and talent for rap music, which came from his love of poetry. If you visit that campus, you’ll more than likely find this student in the music studio, and you’ll see a student who has come alive. It’s amazing to think about how that one inspiring campus visit in 2008 made it possible for so many students to find success in their lives many years later. I’m so incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped Fusion grow to what it is today: over 80 campuses, 1,400+ teachers, and over 16,500 students taught since we first opened. As a father, I know looking for and choosing a school is difficult. We don’t take your time or decision lightly, and we thank you for trusting us enough to consider Fusion Academy. This brochure will tell you the why, what and how of Fusion. We’ve included some stories as well that may resonate with what you dream for your child. My hope is that these pages will change your idea of what school can be.
Warm regards,
Jeff Poole President Fusion Academy
A Letter from Jeff Poole | 3
Our Mosaic The Fusion Mosaic represents who we are: a collage of distinctive, creative individuals who come together as a one-of-a-kind community. Each of our students and team members are unique, and no matter how different, when we all work together, we make something beautiful. You’ll see the Mosaic throughout our campuses, and even in our logo. It’s that important.
Our Mission Guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person, our mission is to help each Fusion student flourish – emotionally, socially, and academically – through positive mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience.
4 | What is Fusion?
“I am very happy to see the change in my son. He was not doing well at his previous school, and now he is a great student who loves to go to Fusion. Previously, it was a “chore” every day to get him to go to school. I am very thankful for Fusion.” Guy Allen Fusion Parent
“Fusion has given our daughter the chance to shine and be the student and person we always knew she was. She has made so many friends; people she actually spends time with outside of school. She connects with her teachers and has demonstrated herself to be an amazing student, so creative and outgoing.” Meg Bennett Fusion parent
About Fusion A Brief History In 1989, Michelle Rose Gilman worked at a tutoring center. One day she went to work and found it closed permanently. It had lost its funding and had left Michelle and others out of a job. More devastating, there was now a group of students with nowhere to go. Michelle took a leap of faith and imagined a new way to teach middle and high school: one student and one teacher in a classroom. That dream became Fusion Academy. In 2010, with the help and partnership of the newly-formed Fusion Education Group, Fusion Academy opened its second campus in Los Angeles, California. Today, there are more than 80 campuses nationwide with more campuses opening each year.
Though Fusion has grown tremendously, our purpose has not changed: to provide life-changing education through one-to-one instruction for every student.
Accreditations Accreditation validates our unique education model and measures it against standards of educational quality. This recognition also enables a smooth transition for students seeking educational opportunities after their time at Fusion. We have earned accreditations from the following accrediting bodies:
National Accreditation: Fusion is nationally accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), which includes NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NWAC.
Regional Accreditations: Regional accreditations include: MSA, NEASC, and WASC
ACCREDITING COMMISSION
FOR SCHOOLS
What is Fusion? | 7
Attending Fusion We have over 80 campus locations across the country and also have an 100% virtual learning option: Fusion Global Academy. Both in-person and virtual instruction are taught one-to-one and completely personalized for each student.
Campus Locations Arizona Fusion Scottsdale
California - Bay Area Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Berkeley Cupertino Los Gatos Marin Palo Alto Pleasanton San Francisco San Mateo San Mateo - Foster City Walnut Creek Walnut Creek - Downtown
California - Los Angeles Area Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Los Angeles (West LA) Manhattan Beach Miracle Mile (Mid Wilshire) Palos Verdes Pasadena Pasadena - Downtown South Bay Warner Center Westlake Village
California - Orange County Fusion Aliso Viejo Fusion Anaheim Hills Fusion Huntington Beach Fusion Huntington Beach - Seacliff Village Fusion Mission Viejo Fusion Newport Beach
California - Sacramento Area Fusion Folsom
California - San Diego Area Fusion Carlsbad Fusion San Diego
8 | What is Fusion?
Fusion San Diego - Scripps Ranch Fusion Solana Beach
California - Santa Barbara
Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Englewood Morristown Montclair Princeton
Fusion Santa Barbara
New York
Colorado
Fusion Brooklyn Fusion Long Island Fusion Upper West Side Fusion Westchester
Fusion Boulder County Fusion Denver
Connecticut Fusion Fairfield Fusion Greenwich (Stamford)
Florida
North Carolina Fusion Charlotte Fusion Raleigh
Fusion Boca Raton Fusion Miami Fusion Palm Beach Gardens
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Tennessee
Fusion Alpharetta Fusion Buckhead
Fusion Franklin
Illinois
Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Evanston Lake Forest Lincoln Park Oak Brook
Maryland Fusion Columbia Fusion Rockville
Massachusetts
Fusion Ardmore Fusion Malvern
Texas Austin Dallas Houston Galleria Plano San Antonio Southlake Sugar Land The Woodlands
Virginia
Fusion Burlington Fusion Hingham Fusion Newton
Fusion Fusion Fusion Fusion
Alexandria Loudoun Reston Tysons
Minnesota
Washington D.C.
Fusion Minneapolis
Fusion Washington D.C.
New Jersey
Washington
Fusion Cherry Hill
Fusion Seattle
Each year we open more campuses. For a full list of our schools, visit FusionAcademy.com/campuses.
Global Academy Our Live, 100% Online School
Fusion Global Academy (FGA), launched in Spring 2020, provides a complete, accredited middle and high school program in a live, one-to-one virtual environment. This 100% virtual instruction school is open to students nationwide and those outside of the United States who would like to graduate with a U.S. diploma. Unlike many other virtual schools that rely on self-directed online content or remote group instruction, all FGA virtual classes are taught live and one-to-one by the teacher. This means when virtual students are participating in tutoring sessions or in class, a teacher is always present, working individually with the student for the entire session. Beyond instruction, FGA provides programs such as the global Homework Café, virtual field trips, and online clubs to create a
Fusion Global serves students worldwide across 33 countries and 47 U.S states.
dynamic community where students connect with peers to build lifelong friendships through shared passions. •
One-to-one instruction, taught live with a teacher
•
Fully accredited
•
250+ courses available
•
Full-time or part-time
•
Flexible scheduling
•
Global Homework Café
•
Social opportunities
What is Fusion? | 9
an education that inspires a
bright
future
“My son actually enjoys going to school now and loves that the teachers make learning fun! Fusion Academy has changed our lives in such a positive way!” Angie Hutson Fusion Parent
why one-to-one? Dr. Benjamin Bloom was an Educational Psychologist, instructor and University Examiner at the University of Chicago, and an educational adviser to numerous nations. He conducted a groundbreaking study1 demonstrating that the average student receiving
one-to-one instruction will outperform 98 percent of all other students in traditional group instruction. This is why Fusion Academy classes are one-to-one: one student and one teacher in a classroom. Our teaching philosophy is: Love, Motivate, Teach. We meet students where they are and personalize the entire educational experience according to their strengths, goals, and learning preferences. Because of this, not only do our students achieve academic growth and success, but they also develop socially and emotionally as well. We have a Mastery Learning model where students do not advance to the next subject until they have reached a specific level of content mastery. Scheduling, pacing, and instruction are all customized to meet your child’s and family’s needs. Fusion offers open enrollment so that students can start with us at any time of the year, even mid-semester.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT 95%
SOCIAL CONNECTION
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
90%
86%
57% 48%
42%
Before Fusion
After 3 months at Fusion
Getting the academic support they need to be successful
Before Fusion
After 3 months at Fusion
Felt they were respected by other students
Before Fusion
After 3 months at Fusion
Felt they were receiving the emotional support they needed
Data from the Fusion Academy Student Survey 1 Bloom, Benjamin S. “The 2 Sigma Problem: The Search for Methods of Group Instruction as Effective as One-to-One Tutoring.” Educational Researcher, vol. 13, no. 6, 1984, pp. 4–16., doi:10.2307/1175554.
One-to-One Learning | 13
Our approach is a key differentiator from other schools that claim to be individualized but do not continue personalization past the first assessment.
How we personalize Initial Assessments & Ongoing Individualization After your student enrolls full-time at Fusion, we typically provide two assessments: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP®) and Mindprint. The MAP® assessment is an independent assessment developed by NWEA and used worldwide. Through its computer adaptive approach, MAP® creates a personalized and accessible testing experience by adjusting questions based on a student’s ongoing performance. It covers three areas: Language Usage, Mathematics, and Reading. Fusion teachers utilize the results of this assessment to gain a more accurate sense of the content a student has mastered and what they are ready to begin learning. Mindprint is a cognitive assessment that reveals why a student is performing at a certain level. This tool helps teachers understand a student’s cognitive process while working to identify where challenges might occur due to processing speed, memory, executive functions, or complex reasoning. Both of these assessments help to inform instruction and serve as a basis for developing a Formal Education plan. This unique Fusion plan focuses on leveraging a student’s strengths and supporting growth areas. As teachers get to know their students better, they have the opportunity to further personalize the classroom experience.
How We Personalize | 15
Goals and Growth The Individual Reassessment of Commitment (IROC) process is one of the primary tools used to track student growth and goal attainment with full-time Fusion students. Students are encouraged to create goals for themselves at the beginning of the year that align with our School-Wide Learner Outcomes: Resourcefulness, Critical Thinking, Self-Awareness, and Inclusivity. Throughout the year, students are supported by their Lead Teacher as they reflect on these goals and demonstrate their progress. Additionally, each student’s team of teachers can actively address goals with their students to create multiple opportunities for application and to strengthen student growth.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT DATA Likely to ask questions or offer thoughts in class What they’re learning is related to their interests Frequently excited or curious about something new Able to explore creative interests Had fun at school
53% 95% 41% 87% 40% 85% 38% 90% 66% 85% Before Fusion
After Fusion
For more student data please visit: FusionAcademy.com/success
16 | How We Personalize
“This was the place where our daughter leaped the chasm between failure and anxiety to success and self-esteem. The unique environment and highly-motivated teachers listened to our child and tapped into the way she learns. The results of this are a delight to see.” Henry Sopher Fusion Parent
Who Attends Fusion? Each student comes to Fusion for their own unique reason. Here are a few profiles that highlight the various paths of our students:
Robbie was a professional snowboarder. He needed a more flexible schedule to accommodate practice and competitions. Since winter was the height of his competitive circuit, he took all his classes from April to October, during the off-season. Robbie was able to graduate on-time while still following his passion and maintaining his career.
Rebecca wanted to accelerate her
high school studies so she could take a gap
Marissa
year and still enter college with students her
felt like she didn’t fit in at her old school. She was
age. She took classes through the summer
bullied. The academic and social pressures led to
and was able to graduate early. She followed her gap year dream and is now attending her top-choice university.
anxiety and it got to a point where she refused to go to school. Her family found Fusion, and now she’s catching up on what she missed and can move forward in a supportive environment.
Luke has an autoimmune disease that
causes him to miss a lot of school due to
She’s been able to make friends in the Homework Café and even started a tabletop gaming club on campus that has grown to 15 members.
illness and doctor’s appointments. Learning in a one-to-one environment helps Luke to not stress about what piles up when he misses school. His class of one student doesn’t go on without him, so he doesn’t have to constantly play catch up.
Carter had a hard time concentrating
in a class of 30 students due to his
ADHD. With Fusion’s one-to-one, focused instruction, Carter is no longer a “problem” at school but is thriving in all his classes. He’s worked with his teachers on ways to improve his focus and has learned to selfadvocate for extra help when he needs it.
Drew is a bright kid who got bored in
his classes because they moved too slowly. His grades dropped because he stopped caring and his parents regularly received calls about how he was a distraction to the other students. At Fusion, he moves at his
own pace and can dive deeper into subject matter with his teachers. He has straight A’s and the communication his parents receive is now focused on how great he’s doing.
For more student stories and student videos please visit: FusionAcademy.com/students Who Attends Fusion? | 19
Our Teachers
When teachers can personalize content so students feel a personal connection to the subject, learning is more effective.
Fusion Teacher/Mentors are... passionate educators who are experts in the subjects they teach. Their title is Teacher/Mentor because in the one-to-one environment they’re more than a teacher; they’re someone a student can count on to be there for them, guide them, and mentor them. Our teacher training is focused on how to best serve each individual student to help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Some of our teachers have come from other private school environments, public schools, or were professionals in their field of study.
Knowledgeable educators passionate about personalized learning. 20 | Our Teachers
Andrew Smith-Fatten
Fusion Pasadena Teacher “Working at Fusion has truly shown me the future of education. In all my years in teaching, I have never worked with a team that is more dedicated to meeting and exceeding the individual needs of each student.”
Tara Ford
Fusion Los Gatos Teacher “I love teaching one-to-one at Fusion because I can meet the students where they are and individualize the classes just for them. What I didn’t expect to find here is the amazing passion and collaborative efforts amongst the staff – teachers and administration. Everyone works together to best support all of our students. It’s really an honor to be a part of such a heartfelt team.”
Kyle Mayers
Fusion Fairfield Teacher “Working at Fusion has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I get the opportunity to come in every day and make a difference. The growth of students in and out of the classroom is exponential, and noticeable every day. The environment at Fusion fosters nurturing and growth and allows both staff and student to make a positive impact. I love my job!”
Nancy Knor
Fusion Loudoun Teacher “I have taught in public, private, and Montessori schools and the Fusion one-to-one model, with love as the foundation, is by far my favorite system! I love and look forward to going to work every day. The culture at Fusion Loudoun is a breath of fresh air, and I have seen tremendous growth in the students. There is no place like Fusion!”
Visit the “Meet Our Team” page of your local campus website to learn more about the Fusion teachers in your community.
Fusion has over 1,400 teachers nationwide!
Welcome to your brilliant ambitious supportive
future
Our Programs Thousands of families have trusted Fusion Academy to be a part of their child’s education. Some students join us full-time, stay for years, and graduate with us. Other students take classes for one term before transferring back to their current school or join us after school for tutoring sessions or a class for credit to catch up or get ahead. Homeschooling families utilize our classes for credit in science, languages, music, etc.
Wherever your child is on their education journey, we’re ready to meet them where they are and customize a program just for them.
Full-Time Middle & High School Students in grades 6-12 can attend Fusion full-time for middle and high school. This includes one-to-one personalized instruction, a customized schedule, and time in the Homework Café to complete coursework on campus. Students can start full-time at any point in the year and work towards their education goals. Fusion is an accredited school and awards diplomas to students who meet graduation requirements. In addition to state requirements, our graduates take unique electives which equip them with tools to thrive after high school.
Classes for Credit
There are over 250 course options for middle and high school students to build a path to their future. Courses are taught one-to-one (one student and one teacher per class) and personalized for the student’s strengths, interests, and learning preferences. Students may take a single class for credit to catch up, remediate, or get ahead in their education.
Tutoring & Mentoring Some subjects don’t come easily and can become a barrier to moving forward – academically and emotionally. That’s why we offer tutoring across all required subject areas and for many electives as well. The Fusion approach to tutoring mirrors our teaching approach: always one-to-one, with one student and one teacher per class for the entire session. Our tutors are Fusion teachers who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher and are passionate about the subjects they teach. Our one-to-one approach and emphasis on positive relationships allow our teachers to have a mentoring role in their students’ lives, resulting in not only academic, but social and emotional growth as well.
Our Programs | 25
Homework Café Instead of taking it home, coursework can be completed on campus. These spaces are monitored by a teacher who is available to provide support and mentorship. This is also where clubs meet, student meetings are held, and where students can interact with their peers between classes. Socialization happens where it should: outside the classroom.
College and Post-Secondary Counseling To help students prepare for the future, we offer College and Post-Secondary Counseling virtually. We match your student with one of our trained Fusion counselors based on their needs and goals. With our counseling team, your student can work on the following:
•
Interest, major and school exploration
•
Summer program applications/ support
•
Essay writing and personal statement support
•
Letter of recommendation support
•
Scholarship & financial aid support
•
In-person interview preparation
•
Executive functioning/soft skill development
•
And more!
Our College and Post-Secondary Counselors can also support students after graduating as they begin their college journey. This includes career planning, gap year support, and time management techniques.
ACT/SAT Test Prep With a customized approach to standardized tests, our teachers can support with subject matter tutoring and test-taking strategies. Sessions are one-to-one and are personalized for your child. Students will have access to practice tests, online resources, and workbooks, all with the support of a teacher/mentor.
Summer Many students attend Fusion during the summer to catch up, get ahead, or try something new. All of our programs are available year-round and offer the same personalized approach. Students can take a class for credit, work through a tough subject with tutoring, or prepare for their future with college counseling, all with a customized schedule. Families can take vacation without having to worry about a rigid summer school schedule. For students who need even more flexibility, we also offer our programs online – still one-to-one with a live Fusion teacher.
For more info about our summer offerings please visit FusionAcademy.com/Summer 26 | Our Programs
Course Offerings Fusion offers core classes and unique electives for our middle and high school students. All courses meet or exceed state standards and are customized in our one-to-one classrooms for the strengths, interests, and learning preferences of every individual student. We offer multiple course levels for students who need additional support or want to accelerate. Each year more courses are added by our team of curriculum writers. For more information on the following courses or to see a list of UC-approved (California only) and NCAA course lists, connect directly with your nearest campus.
More than 250 Course Options! 28 | Course Offerings
English (English 6-8) (Language Arts 6-8) English 9* English 10* English 11* English 12*
Electives (Computer 6-8) (Community Minds) 3D Modeling African American History Anthropology Biotechnology Business Communications Business Entrepreneurship Business Law Careers in Criminal Justice Coding Community Minds Computer Programming 1-2 Computer Science Controversies in American Politics Creative Writing Deaf Studies Economics* Executive Skills Game Design 1-2 Global Perspectives Journalism Life Skills Management Marketing Personal Finance Philosophy Poetry Positive Psychology Post-Secondary Exploration Psychology Research and Technical Writing Roadtrip Nation Robotics Science & Practice of Mindfulness Screenwriting Senior Capstone Social Entrepreneurship Social Justice Sociology Study Skills Sports and Entertainment Marketing Web Development Wellness Work Experience
Fitness (Board Sports)
(Group PE 6-8) (Health) (Independent PE 6-8) (Yoga 6-8) Board Sports 1-4 Group Board Sports 1-4 Dance Foundations of Personal Fitness 1-4 Group PE 1-4 Health Independent PE 1-4 Yoga 1-4
History and Social Studies (Civics, Geography, & Economics) (Early US History) (Early World Cultures) (Early World History: Ancient Civ.) (E.W.H: Medieval & Early Modern History) (Modern Geography) (Modern US History) (Modern World Geography1-2) Ancient Civilizations* Big History Project - World History Cultural Geography* Government* US History* Modern World History*
Math (Math Course 1-2) (Pre-Algebra) Algebra 1 Algebra 1 Extended Algebra 2 with Trigonometry Business Calculus Business Math Calculus* Consumer Math Geometry* Integrated Math 1-3* Math Analysis with Trigonometry Pre-Algebra Pre-Calculus* Statistics* Trigonometry
Music & Arts (Art 6-8) (Digital Photography 6-8) (Music 6-8) Acting Advanced Digital Photography Advanced Recording Arts Advanced Studio Art Animation Production Art History
Bass 1,2 Digital Photography 1-4 Drums 1,2 Film Studies Graphic Design Guitar 1,2 Music Appreciation Music Theory 1-4* Portfolio Development Piano Recording Arts 1-4 Songwriting Studio Art 1-5 Theatre Appreciation Vocal Fundamentals 1,2
Science (Earth Science) (Integrated Science 1-3) (Life Science) (Physical Science) Anatomy & Physiology* Astronomy* Biology* Chemistry* Conceptual Chemistry Conceptual Physics Earth Space Science Engineering Environmental Science Forensic Science Integrated Chemistry & Physics Marine Biology Physics*
World Languages (American Sign Language) (French) (Japanese) (Latin) (Mandarin) (Spanish) (World Language Dialogue) American Sign Language 1-5* French 1-5* German 1-4 Hebrew 1-4* Italian 1-3* Japanese 1-3* Latin 1-4* Mandarin 1-5* Spanish 1-5* World Language Conversation
*Available at the honors level (Brackets indicate Middle School) Course offerings are subject to teacher availability. State specific courses not listed.
For a more detailed description of each course, visit FusionAcademy.com/Curriculum
customized scheduling
Each Fusion student’s schedule is unique. We are able to customize for peak learning times and around outside commitments (acting, sports, other schooling, etc.). Students follow a non-rotating block schedule (Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday classes) similar to how college classes are scheduled. Some campuses have Fridays open for field trips, one-to-one classes, and more. Other campuses have group classes on Fridays to meet state requirements. Our Directors of Student Development will work with your family to create a schedule and course load that makes sense for your student while still meeting credit requirements to advance in grade level. We offer four terms (winter, spring, summer, and fall) and rolling enrollment so students can start at any time, even mid-year. Below are examples of students and how we customize their schedule to fit their needs:
1
Olivia wanted to accelerate her high school experience so she is taking five classes per term and will graduate ahead of schedule.
2
Mike is a hockey player who plays on a travel team. He likes to have his classes done before lunch so he can attend afternoon practice and a personal, on-ice skill building session with his hockey trainer. Fusion’s customized schedule with no classes on Friday also allows him to go to out-of-state games and not fall behind.
3
Sam is taking a class at the local community college while finishing up senior year at Fusion. The college class meets Monday and Wednesday mornings, so Sam scheduled their Fusion classes at times that don’t conflict.
4
Asher didn’t like the pressure of his big private school but did well with the schedule. Fusion mirrored his schedule from his previous school to make the transition easier.
5
Victoria had health issues that caused her to miss a lot of school. Now she’s on a medication that helps, but also makes it difficult for her to get up early in the morning. She takes her classes in the afternoon and is catching up from what she missed at her previous school.
Rolling Enrollment Students can start at Fusion at any point in the year. Classes are one-to-one, so the course starts whenever the student does. Student Schedules | 31
32 | School Experience
School Experience Classes at Fusion are one-to-one, but socialization happens where it should: outside the classroom. Your child isn’t going to miss out on their middle or high school experience; we create ample opportunities for students on and off campus.
Clubs & Groups
Field Trips
Clubs and groups are formed on campus
Fusion field trips include educational, community
around topics of student interest. Some are
service, and fun opportunities, all focused on
student-led, while others are headed by
expanding minds and connecting students. Trips vary
teachers or staff. Examples of clubs from
by campus, but here is a sampling of past field trips
campuses across the country:
from our campuses:
•
Creativity Club
•
Marine life studies
•
Philosophers Club
•
Planetarium visits
•
Foreign Language/Foreign Films Club
•
Local visits to universities and/or colleges
•
Documentaries Club
•
Art museums or scavenger hunts
•
The Writer’s Club
•
Nature hiking and field studies
•
Drama Club
•
Volunteering at assisted living homes or food banks
•
Record Club
•
Bowling
•
Book Club
•
Skiing
•
Student Government
•
Whale watching
•
Photography Club
•
Volunteering at homeless or animal shelters
•
D&D Club
•
Indoor rock climbing
•
Video Game Club
•
Culinary Club
•
Animal Club
•
Yoga Club
•
Board Game Club
•
Running Club
School Events Students typically have a lunch period at the same time each day. If approved by their parents, students can have off-campus privileges, but many choose to eat together on campus. This is also the time we hold weekly student meetings so all can be present. Each campus team plans their own special events for students, but all campuses hold the typical rites of passage such as prom and graduation.
Our Parent
Communication Daily Communication Fusion parents receive daily communication from each teacher their child had a class with that day. This includes a brief rundown of content covered, successes, concerns, and questions.
Parent Portal Each parent also gets a Parent Portal account. This Parent Portal includes their student’s schedule, class information, billing logins, and places to update contact information.
Campus Events Each Fusion campus hosts regular events on and off campus. These might include community education nights, open houses, coffee chats, documentary screenings, anniversary celebrations, seasonal art & music festivals, and more. The purpose of these events is to connect our community members and to talk about topics that are important to the Fusion family.
34 | Parent Communication
“Fusion was instrumental in getting my teenage daughter re-engaged with school after a challenging first-semester in her high school. From the moment we stepped in the school we felt warmly welcomed and reassured that she could get quickly integrated into the Fusion curriculum. Which she did! I asked my daughter about the teachers, and the common thread was their desire to see her succeed while challenging her every step of the way. The one-to-one teaching model was perfect for her.” Melayne Packer Fusion Parent
Life After Fusion How Fusion Prepares Students for the Future Our goal is to help students forge a path toward the future that is the best fit for them. For many, that means a four-year college, while for others it means attending a trade school or community college, taking a gap year, enlisting in military service, entering the workforce, or following another opportunity that’s right for them. Fusion’s one-to-one model helps students build confidence through constant interaction with teachers. Through our one-to-one program, students spend many hours in class holding conversations with an adult teacher/mentor, and build significant communication and self-advocacy skills. Fusion offers post-secondary/college counseling to help students chart the course for their future. In these one-to-one sessions, students are supported with choosing and applying to colleges, essay writing, ACT/SAT prep, letters of recommendation support, and more. (See more about our College Counseling on page 26)
Jonny B.
FUSION ALUMNus
“Fusion was a lifesaver for me. If it wasn’t for Fusion I wouldn’t have gotten through high school, wouldn’t know what the definition of true friends is and wouldn’t have found my passion for music. I’d like to thank everyone that had an impact on me. It was the only school experience I could tolerate. Fusion will always have the most special place in my heart because I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.” 36 | Life After Fusion
Rebecca Penner
Fusion San Diego Alumna “Fusion was the perfect high school experience for me. It allowed me to move at a faster speed than my previous school and allowed me to go far more in depth with my studies. The classes were personalized for me and what I was interested in. I also have teachers who will be lifelong mentors. My calc teacher and I still communicate while I’m at college. The teachers at Fusion are genuinely interested in what they are teaching, and they inspire you to be excited about it as well. I would recommend Fusion to anyone. It is like nothing else. I currently go to Johns Hopkins University and am majoring in Chemistry. Fusion has prepared me so well to thrive in this very high-stress and difficult academic environment. I am excelling in my studies and I owe so much of that to Fusion. Fusion taught me how to advocate for myself which has helped me land a prestigious research position in an inorganic chemistry lab in my first semester at Johns Hopkins. I am so grateful for what Fusion has allowed me to accomplish, like graduating high school in three years and attending my dream university.”
Alumni Paths
Olivia Valkenburg
While the vast majority of our students go directly to college, some students pursue different post-high school routes, including:
Fusion Englewood Alumna “Fusion Academy provided me with a high school experience better than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams. The one-to-one classes allowed me to work at my own pace and learn about things I was truly interested in. Every teacher I had at Fusion was incredible. They were all so experienced in the topics they taught and incredibly enthusiastic, which made learning fun. Without Fusion Academy, I never would have gotten into my dream school that I now attend, Fordham University in New York City. A lot of people wonder if I had difficulty making friends when I tell them I went to such a unique and small school, but for me that was not the case. I made lifelong friends at Fusion Academy. I really related to my fellow Fusion students because we all had reasons to be in a non-traditional school setting, which was a uniting factor. The Homework Cafés and lunch periods allowed me to interact with my peers even though our classes were isolated. Overall, Fusion Academy was absolutely the right choice for me, and I am so grateful for the time I spent there.”
• starting and running a business that was inspired by their work in Fusion’s Business Entrepreneurship course • a gap year with AmeriCorps with a goal to enter the Peace Corps after graduating college • attending a makeup school in Los Angeles with a goal of being a special effects makeup artist
The list of acceptances for Fusion students who pursue post-secondary schooling is impressive and diverse. They include top national universities, gap year programs, community colleges, art schools, international programs, and more. Some of our
College Acceptances
students are entrepreneurs and have started their own businesses by the time they graduate, while others land an incredible job and go right from high school to the work force. Whatever their dream, we help them pursue their bright future.
Sampling of College Acceptances in Recent Years: Adelphi University American University Amherst College Arizona State University Art Institute of California Averett University Azusa Pacific University Bard College Baylor University Becker College Belmont University Bennington College Berklee College of Music Binghamton University Boise State University Boston Conservatory Boston University Bowdoin College Brigham Young University Brown University California College of the Arts California Institute of Arts California Institute of Technology California Polytechnic State University California State University, Monterey Bay California State University, San Bernadino Carnegie Mellon University Chapman University Claremont McKenna College Clark University Colby College Colgate University College of Mount Saint Vincent College of William and Mary Colorado State University Colorado University Boulder Columbia University Concordia College-Selma
Cornell University CUNY New York College of Technology Dartmouth College Davidson College DePaul University Dickinson College Digipen Institute of Technology Drake University Drexel University Duke University Earlham College Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Emory University Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Fordham University Full Sail University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Goldsmiths, University of London Gonzaga University Hamilton College Hampshire College Harvard University Hofstra University Indiana University Iowa State University Ithaca College Johns Hopkins University Johnson & Wales University Kalamazoo College Kenyon College Lake Erie College Lake Forest College Lawrence University Lehigh University
Lesley University Los Angeles College of Music Los Angeles Recording School Loyola Marymount University Macalester College Marist College Maryland Institute College of Arts Menlo College Michigan State University Mills College Montana State University Mount Holyoke College Naropa University New School for Performing Arts New York University North Carolina State University North Park University, Chicago Northwestern University Notre Dame de Namur University Occidental College Ohio State University Pace University Parson’s School of Art and Design Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Point Loma Nazarene University Pomona College Pratt Institute Princeton University Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Reed College Regis University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rice University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Saint Edward’s University Sam Houston State University San Diego State University San Francisco Art Institute San Francisco State University San Jose State University Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of Visual Arts (NYC)
Seattle University Smith College Sophia University, Japan Southern Methodist University Southwestern University St. John’s College St. John’s University Stanford University Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University SUNY at Purchase College SUNY Binghamton University SUNY College at Buffalo Syracuse University Temple University Texas Tech University The College of Wooster The Evergreen State College The Juilliard School The New School The Ohio State University Towson University Trinity University Tufts University Tulane University Union College University of Alabama University of Alaska University of Arizona University of Brighton University of Buffalo University of California at Berkeley University of California Davis University of California Irvine University of California Los Angeles University of California Merced University of California Riverside University of California San Diego University of California Santa Barbara University of California Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Georgia University of Hawaii University of Idaho University of Illinois
University of Jamestown University of Kentucky University of La Verne University of Las Vegas University of Liverpool (UK) University of Louisiana University of Maryland University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Memphis University of Mexico University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Missouri, Columbia University of Montana University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of North Texas University of Northern Colorado University of Notre Dame University of Ohio University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of Rhode Island University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Sciences University of Southern California University of Tampa University of Texas at Dallas University of the Pacific University of Vermont University of Washington Vanderbilt University Wagner College Wake Forest University Washington University of St. Louis Whitman College Whittier College Willamette University Xavier University Yale University
College Acceptances | 39
small class,
big future
Frequently asked Questions Is Fusion really one-to-one?
How does tuition work?
Fusion courses are truly one teacher and one student
Like everything at Fusion, tuition is unique for each
per class for the entire period. We do offer some
student. It is based on the number of courses a
group learning experiences, including our Learning
student takes during the term. Full-time tuition
Labs mentioned in the answer below.
covers one-to-one instruction and homework time and support. Your Head of School can answer questions on how Fusion’s tuition works, and you’ll
Some schools require attendance five days a week and others don’t. Why is that?
connect with your admin team who will walk you
Fusion locations in certain states mandate a required
to your Head of School with questions about your
number of school days per year. In those particular
student’s customized tuition or academic plan.
through the entire scheduling process. Reach out
states, Fusion students attend school on Fridays, whether that be group Learning Labs or other Friday programming (wellness, tutoring and mentoring,
I heard there is no homework. Is that true?
enrichment, P.E., field trips, and one-to-one classes).
Time is built into each full-time student’s schedule for homework. It is during this time they can
Being a one-to-one school, how is my child going to socialize?
complete coursework from the classes they took that day. If they are struggling with assignments, there are teachers available to support and help ensure the
Though classes are one-to-one, there are many
work can be completed before the student leaves for
options for socialization where it should happen:
the day. Doing “homework” on campus throughout
outside the classroom. Between classes, students
the day reinforces learning shortly after class and
spend time doing homework, but this is also when
develops executive functioning skills such as time
students can socialize, play games, have club
management, organization, and prioritization.
meetings, and more. Students also take field trips, volunteer together, start clubs, and have other activities like prom.
Can my child attend Fusion and then attend or return to another school?
We want to try Fusion; can we start with just one class? Absolutely! Students can take a class for credit with us, even while attending their current school. We’re open past traditional school hours to accommodate
Yes. Our curriculum meets state standards and
for this. With Fusion’s rolling enrollment, students
our campuses are accredited. If you are planning
can start at any time of year. This allows students to
to transfer any credits, you will be responsible for
try a class during the summer, or even start mid-
connecting us with your school to ensure they will
semester before completely transferring to Fusion.
accept Fusion’s credits. Making connections with local schools is a priority for Fusion to ensure smooth transitions for students between schools.
FAQs | 43
“
Hear from the Experts
“As a School Psychologist and a Marriage Family Therapist I understand the value Fusion provides each student who enters their doors each day. The amount of attention from a teacher can really excel learning potential and provide the
mentoring
and
guidance
students need as they grow. I turned to Fusion when helping a student transition schools. I was so impressed with their concept, I continue to refer students and their families as often as I can.
“The amount of attention from a teacher can really excel learning potential and provide the mentoring and guidance students need as they grow.”
Fusion would have been my dream school had it been around when I was younger. I love their concept of one-to-one learning! The staff at Fusion is so professional and knowledgeable and provides excellent community outreach that keeps me very involved as a professional and as a parent.”
Katharine Messerschmidt, MA, LMFT School Psychologist
“The team learned that Fusion’s success begins with the core belief that each student is unique and that students learn best when they feel safe, cared for, engaged, and confident. These beliefs are summarized in
“Fusion’s success begins with the core belief that each student is unique and that students learn best when they feel safe, cared for, engaged, and confident.”
an
important
guiding
approach to all interactions with students, ‘Love, Motivate, and Teach.’ Leaders have devoted significant
efforts
to
the
planning and implementation of
intentional,
purposeful
processes to address the individualized needs of learners within a changing and complex world. Fusion is committed to success for every student by providing ‘celebrity experiences’ to honor their individual academic, social, and emotional goals.”
Cognia (Previously AdvancED) Engagement Review 2019
44 | Fusion Stories
“If your child struggles to adapt to the traditional
“I have found the personalized support and the atmosphere ideal for fostering independent learning and creative problemsolving and thinking.”
school setting or needs more personalized accommodation or works more effectively in a one-to-one setting, Fusion just might be the best option for you. While they provide core course(s), I have found the personalized support and the atmosphere ideal for fostering independent learning
and
creative
problem-solving
and
thinking.”
Craig James Co-Founder of Insight Into Action Therapy in Virginia
“Fusion Academy epitomizes the developmental
“In an unprecedented didactic paradigm, the system adjusts to the student!”
concept of scaffolding: In an unprecedented didactic
paradigm,
the
system
adjusts
to
the student! By teaching to strengths and accommodating needs, Fusion liberates students to realize their true potential.”
Dr. Joe Dilley Clinical Psychologist
“Fusion Academy provides an atmosphere of creativity, further fostering their students above and beyond just the academic. The arts have been shown to improve language, spatial, and mathematic abilities, as well as foster conflictresolution and social emotional wellness. Thank you Fusion Academy for providing the very best for your students by incorporating the arts into their learning.”
Azizi Marshall Founder & CEO for Creative Arts Therapy in Illinois
“Thank you Fusion Academy for providing the very best for your students by incorporating the arts into their learning.”
“
Notes from our parents “The Fusion model allows teachers to truly understand my child, both academically and emotionally. The teachers not only are teaching her the course content, but make adjustments as needed to fill in gaps in her prior learning or to move ahead when she already has mastered something. My daughter is flourishing in the Fusion environment.”
Marge Wilcox Fusion Parent
“I have never met a group of teachers more willing to put children first.”
“I have worked in education for 25 years and I have never met a group of teachers more willing to put children first. My son has blossomed into a young man I only dreamed I might someday meet.”
Melissa Sadin Fusion Parent
“It’s a joy to see the lack of constant stress on my daughter’s face. She’s an elite athlete, and since coming to Fusion I can see her being able to enjoy life and her beloved soccer without being judged and constantly feeling like she is falling behind. She can finally be herself.”
Maurizio Cascapera Fusion Parent
46 | Fusion Stories
“The Fusion model allows teachers to truly understand my child, both academically and emotionally.”
“I can see her being able to enjoy life and her beloved soccer without being judged and constantly feeling like she is falling behind.”
“We always knew our son had the talent to succeed in school but his results were spotty. Sometimes he would excel in difficult classes and perform poorly in easy classes. Teacher feedback ranged from “very bright” to “possible learning impairment”. We finally realized that the one-size-fits-all approach his public school offered didn’t fit. He learns differently and needs to be taught differently. That’s when we found Fusion. From the first meeting he was excited about the school, the teachers and learning. He loves Fusion, is gaining confidence in his ability to learn and is setting systematically higher goals. We (and more importantly he) are thrilled with the change from the public school to Fusion.”
“He loves Fusion, is gaining confidence in his ability to learn and is setting systematically higher goals.”
Steve Van Wart Fusion Parent
“When we first started looking at Fusion as the school for our son to attend we had no idea that we would be making the best decision in the world. He had always had a problem with keeping up with his classes starting with elementary school. This kept up through middle school and once he started high school it
“He is such a different young man today. He is excited to go to school and his selfesteem is through the roof.”
just fell apart. His self-esteem took a toll. He was not able to keep up with his classes and it became a battle to keep his grades up. He is such a different young man today. He is excited to go to school and his selfesteem is through the roof. He loves his teachers and enjoys a great social circle of friends through Fusion. He will be graduating this year and is looking forward to attending college. Before Fusion his questions were how long do I have to go to school and when can I quit school. Thank you Fusion for giving our child the love of learning and the selfconfidence to stay on a path of learning.”
Myrna Husting Fusion Parent
“
Our son Gavin is graduating from Princeton Fusion in June, after three hugely successful, enriching, and happy years attending the school. I hardly know where to begin in praising
what Fusion has done for Gavin and made possible for him. To a person, the teachers and
staff are deeply committed, invested, professional, creative, patient, kind, caring, understanding, passionate, and inspiring. At other schools, Gavin would often model his behavior on the worst-behaved peer in class. From almost Day 1 at Fusion, he so admired and connected with staff and his teachers, that he emulated their behavior and attitudes and learned so much about what being a mature, thoughtful, hardworking adult means and what it looks like. The one-to-one teaching allowed him to assimilate, integrate, understand, AND retain a copious amount of information in a comparatively short period of time. One-to-one classes kept Gavin
dialed-in, his attention focused. He couldn’t hide in the back of the room, decline to participate, or allow his mind to wander. In the gentlest, kindest, safest way imaginable, he was asked to be present and accountable. The one-to-one teaching also removed so much
peer social anxiety from the mix, a stressor that would send Gavin off the rails at other schools. Yet the Fusion program is so well designed that there are abundant opportunities throughout the day (and exciting and enriching special events and celebrations throughout the year) for subtly managed social interaction, social pragmatics, and positive socialization.
Fusion has taken a struggling “C” student with attention, executive function, and selfregulation issues and helped him transform himself into an “A” student who, most importantly, enjoys learning, seeks out knowledge, is curious about the world around him and the people in it, has friends and social connections, and is mature, thoughtful, empathetic, diligent, and responsible. Gavin has even been accepted into college, beginning in the fall – an outcome that, three years ago, was by no means certain or even likely. We are so grateful to Fusion and feel we owe them so much. They made everything possible for our son. A part of us wishes he could stay there forever – it is such a special, safe, nurturing, stimulating, joyous place. But we know that Fusion has led Gavin to where he needs to be to begin the next great phase of his life. They have given him wings and taught him how to soar. John Kemmerer Fusion Parent
48 | Fusion Stories
Student Stories Graduation is a special time for our schools. We had video crews visit a few of our campuses to allow students to tell their Fusion stories and to capture our unique graduation ceremonies. Here’s a preview of what you can see when you watch their videos online.
For more student stories and videos please visit: FusionAcademy.com/students
“Getting to work at Fusion is truly a gift. There is nothing more special than getting to talk with a family on the phone who is feeling helpless and watch their kid blossom in a matter of days. I feel so blessed to be able to change the lives of our students and families on a daily basis. Geanne Weaver-Hepler Director of Outreach - Dallas Region
Enrolling At Fusion Academy Choosing a school is an important decision, and we’re here for you every step of the way. Here’s what Fusion’s Admissions Process looks like:
1
Initial Connection: When you connect with us, you’ll first talk to a member of our admissions team to ask any questions you have. You can also schedule a tour of a campus where you’ll see firsthand how one-to-one works.
2
Meet the Head of School: If you think Fusion is a good fit for your child, you’ll meet with the Head of School. During this meeting, the Head of School will learn more about what brings your family to Fusion and what your educational goals are.
3
Receive Recommendations: If your family and the Head of School agree Fusion would be a good fit, you’ll discuss customized social, emotional, and academic recommendations for your child and begin registration.
4
Enroll: You’ll then connect with a member of our admin team to build your child’s customized schedule and determine a start date.
Ready to connect? Find your nearest campus: FusionAcademy.com/Campuses Give us a call: 888.572.7459
Next Steps | 51
Watch Our Student Videos For more student stories visit: FusionAcademy.com/students
Find A Campus To find a campus near you please visit: FusionAcademy.com/Campuses
FusionAcademy.com 888.572.7459
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