Fusion Academy is a private middle and high school, but don’t be quick to envision uniforms and lecture halls. At Fusion, classes are one-to-one: just one student and one teacher per classroom. This allows for the personalization of curriculum for each individual student’s strengths, interests, and learning style.
This education model was born of frustration with the status quo, and out of a passionate belief in the power of positive relationships to unlock academic potential. This unique, relationships-based school began when founder, Michelle Rose Gilman, began tutoring and mentoring students out of her home in Solana Beach, CA.
After demand outgrew their space, Gilman and her teachers moved into a building and expanded their offerings to be the private, accredited, one-to-one school Fusion is today. In 2010 the first campus replication opened in Los Angeles, CA, and the model has grown exponentially since to 39 campuses across the country in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington D.C., and Virginia. The Washington D.C. campus opened in June, and locations in Alexandria and Tysons will be opening soon.
The educational experience at Fusion is completely customized to ignite a student’s passion for learning. Classes are self-paced, and course material is presented in ways that suit students’ individual interests, strengths, and challenges. It was modeled around the needs of students who weren’t finding their place in more traditional school environments – whether they struggled with mild learning differences, social issues, the rigid scheduling of more traditional schools, or the boredom of a classroom not geared to accelerated learners.
Along with personalized curriculum, Fusion’s one-to-one teaching model also allows for the customization of scheduling. Students may enroll at any time of the year, and take classes at a time of day that works best for them, which appeals to students who have demanding schedules outside of school because of sports or artistic involvement.
Each campus includes a state-of-the-art recording studio and mixed-media art studio for students to express their creativity, and two Homework Café® spaces, one silent and one social, where students complete their homework before leaving for the day.
Some students enroll full time, while others utilize Fusion’s tutoring and mentoring services. Families also turn to Fusion to support their homeschooling efforts by taking classes for credit like world languages and lab sciences. Beyond academics, Fusion partners with outside therapeutic professionals to support students’ emotional health and help foster a balanced life.
From algebra to yoga and everything in between, Fusion offers over 250 middle and high school courses, all of which meet state standards. Creative expression is at the core of Fusion, as they understand the pivotal role it plays in students’ well being. They offer a robust roster of elective classes like DJ Performing Arts, Graphic Design, Music Theory, Vocal Fundamentals, Recording Arts, Digital Photography, Film Studies, and more.
The Alexandria campus will be opening soon at 333 John Carlyle St., and are enrolling students now. Connect with them at FusionAlexandria.com or by calling 866.350.4678.
The preceding was written and sponsored by Fusion Academy.