Fusion, a private school boasting a one-to-one (teacher to student) classroom ratio, will open in D.C. on June 15. The first of its kind in the area, Fusion is set to offer a holistic and customized approach to learning for each student. The school’s intake would include students in grades 6th to 12th.
“In D.C.’s highly competitive educational system, Fusion Academy will be a much-needed breath of fresh air, offering flexible, customized learning for students whose needs aren’t met by traditional K-12 schools,” said Laura DeLima, head of school at Fusion Academy D.C. “We’re delighted to bring this proven one-to-one approach to the area, helping every kind of learner become college-ready in a safe, enjoyable, low-stress environment.”
Fusion Academy D.C., located at 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite N100, will be the first of what Fusion expects to be several schools in the area, with campuses anticipated in Tyson’s Corner and Alexandria, Virginia in the coming year. The school’s footprint currently includes 37 locations in seven states across the U.S., including California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Virginia.
For one local organization, the introduction of Fusion and its customized approach to learning will complement local programs supporting children so that they do not fall through the cracks. “In working with families at Vive, we often come across young people who are struggling with school issues – behavioral, academic, truancy, etc. The best outcomes tend to come from a combination of support at home and a good match between the young person’s needs and their educational program,” said Christopher Lee, clinical team lead at Vive Family Support Program in D.C. The program provides therapeutic mentorship, parent coaching and counseling. “Fusion’s emphasis on providing one-on-one instruction well mirrors our values at Vive of showing up for our families and providing the individualized support required at that moment.”
According to the school’s website, Fusion was founded in San Diego, California out of frustration with the status quo in traditional K-12 schools. The one-to-one approach to teaching proved to unlock academic potential, while opening opportunities for emotional and social growth. The decision to open in D.C. was based on research that indicated there was a strong need in the area for a one-on-one educational option.
Joy Freeman, a retired D.C. educator said the idea of moving young people into an one-on-one learning environment can definitely be rewarding and would return many District students to a community-model of learning where their teachers know them and their families, live in the same neighborhoods, and offer one-on-one tutoring and mentoring within the larger community. “I think my only reservation, which will be answered more fully when I attend a few open houses with Fusion, is who provides the instruction,” she said. “With a majority of students being of color, there needs to be faces among the administrators and teachers that resemble the children.”