Fusion Academy

Fusion advertises itself as an ADHD school which it is not. The teachers aren't trained and they have no services to help kids with learning disorders. If they did, they charge extra for it.
—Submitted by a parent

Fusion Academy at Solana Beach is an amazing school. I m surprised by the negative reviews by some parents because our overall experience has been an extremely positive one. The school is expensive, but worth every penny when you see your child finally happy and really embracing the learning process and becoming more self-confident. My son was absolutely miserable in his previous middle school but now, he looks forward to going to school everyday and loves all his teachers. Students here create a real rapport with their teachers whom are very qualified, enthusiastic, and really do challenge the students. At Fusion students don't get lost in the shuffle in comparison to a larger school because the teachers and staff genuinely care and create a safe, nurturing and accepting environment. We feel our son is getting a top-notch education at Fusion Academy and we couldn't be happier. We're thrilled that he's attending such a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last post. This place is just out for the money. The academia is a joke, and it is like a Boys 'n Girls Club. They talk a big game, but they just have great marketing teams and wealthy investors. The "teachers" are completely unqualified. It's like they are so desperate for staff they just hire anybody to work there.

Fusion is a great idea in theory, 'One to one" education almost ensures student success, but there's a lot of ugly secrets behind the curtains. First, the tuition is astronomical (more than most colleges per year) and the real academic expectations of students are the bare minimum; It's basically a degree mill for the "1% ers" out there whose kids have been kicked out of 2-3 schools before they show up at Fusion. The parents have no where to turn, and Fusion is definitely a better option than boarding school. If you can afford the $27,000 a year , give or take, then your child will get a good experience, as attention is paid to students emotional as well as academic well being. In a perfect world, all schools should provide a one to one model, but in reality its the uber-rich that are the only people who can benefit. It's a business, owned by a investment firm, that's in turn owned by an even bigger elite investment firm. So, profit is the bottom line. Parents and teachers are scared to say what everyone on the inside knows: "The Emperor where's no clothes."

Fusion Academy at Warner Center has turned my daughters life around. In just one semester she has rekindled her love of learning, gone from barely passing to all A's, and found a renewed sense of self worth. The emotional trauma she went through in public middle school almost did her in. The staff is totally invested in her academic success, and she is appreciated for who she is as an individual. I was raised to believe that public school prepares you for the hard knocks of life. But the hard knocks of middle school destroyed my daughters self confidence, and the nurturing environment of Fusion Academy is building it back up one class at a time. We found this school just in time.
—Submitted by a parent

Fushion Academy has become a place where I call "home away from home". I had orignally wanted my 8th grade daughter to take an after school math tutor class, but after speaking with the administrators. I had decided to put her there full time...Even she has only been there for a short time, her skills in ALL subjects have benefited from the one-on-one approach. The warm and nurturing environment also allows her to be herself and becoming more confident. I am very thankful that I found Fushion.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a proud parent of a Fusion student. Let me say that both as a Special Education Consultant and a parent, this Program is the finest I have found in a very long time. Fusion's Program is designed around each student, meeting their specific needs, goals and interests; whether academic, social/emotional, etc. I would like to respond to the negative comments in an earlier review. We drive 130 miles x 2 each week to school form L.A. The Director is akin to a big brother to my child. All of the teachers are consistantly involved in how my child is doing, as well as inquiring re my wellbeing. If your child is right for Fusion, there is NO BETTER CHOICE TO BE MADE!
—Submitted by a parent

My son, who attends a public high school, recently started one-on-one tuttorng after school once a week at Fusion with help on very specific executive functioning skills: using his agenda and calendar planning, test-taking strategies, note-taking and study skills. The mentor's approaches were practical, customized to his needs, and quickly successful. His grades jumped up in just a few weeks and he has new momentum for feeling like he can be an achiever. I am so grateful.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends a local public high school and is a good student but has had difficulty in math and science. Last year we used one on one tutoring twice a week to assist her in math and she was able to excel on tests and in overall confidence. This year she is taking a one on one Anatomy class to complete her college science requirement. The teacher has made the class challenging but also fun for her - a first! The staff and facility are great and always responsive. I was referred to Fusion by a friend who loved it and now I referred my neighbor for tutoring and she loves it. For this family, Fusion has been a great experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Fusion has been created for the students that have difficulty in large schools/public schools. Any negative reviews on Fusion is probably due to the fact that those students do not fit the environment that Fusion provides. My son is smart, but the public schools and big class rooms zip through the subject material way too fast. When there is a test on Chapter 15 and my son fails it.....the big schools say TOO BAD we are going on to Chp 16. At Fusion it is about your child GETTING IT...UNDERSTANDING THE SUBJECT before moving on to the next chapter. It is 1-on-1 teaching where the teacher goes at the student's pace. Plus, the students finish all their homework at school. Free time with families in the evening. I wish the public schools would design this. The teachers are genuine....big hearts and they will do cartwheels to make your child enjoy learning. They really go out of their way. My son is happy here. I cannot say enough how I love this school and how my son loves this school. Its like a second family :)) You need to take the time and check Fusion Academy out.
—Submitted by a parent

I am personally enrolled in a program with Fusion that is unique and fits my specific needs. That is why I chose Fusion. I have had private schooling up to college. However, after college I needed guidance for the workplace where this type of guidance is missing. I think Fusion offers tailored programs for individuals and ideal for 1 on 1. I encourage all my friends with kids to look at the resources they offer.

To the parent below who wrote the negative review - We are very sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with Fusion. Yours was our very first negative review in over 7 years and we take this very seriously. We always look for ways to improve our program. Again, we apologize that you experienced a less than favorable situation. Warm regards, Michelle Rose Gilman Founder

This school is very poorly run! The administrative staff is flakey, completely unorganized and very unprofessional. The school does not care about their students or their families - only money! My experience, and the experience of many others whom I know looked into Fusion, was very negative. I would strongly urge everyone to stay away from Fusion and explore other venues!
—Submitted by a parent

Fusion succeeds where other schools have failed because students are taught using their individual strengths instead of forcing them to fit into a one-size-fits-all mold. The pressures of classroom learning do not exist here - students feel comfortable asking questions which truly makes them participants in their own learning.
—Submitted by a teacher

The one-to-one attention Fusion's unique program offers allows me, as a teacher, to really provide the academic instruction a student really needs. It is amazing to see how a previously disenfranchised student can, through the unique mentoring approach, feel success and confidence in their academic abilities. I can't imagine working anywhere else!
—Submitted by a teacher

There's nothing else like it and I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I feel like I am making a difference every day. It's because of the one to one learning - I can connect with each and every student and make their learning real and run for them.
—Submitted by a teacher

Fusion has changed not only our daughter's life, but our entire family's life! It has eliminated all homework struggles we had previously when she was at a public school. She gets up every morning excited to get to Fusion to see her friends and teachers:)
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to be educated in an emotionally and physically safe environment, then Fusion is the place!
—Submitted by a parent

If you have the opportunity to have your child attend Fusion, do not hesitate! It was absolutely amazing to see the transformation it made in my daughter. In her public school, she was failing all of her classes and absolutely hated school, all she wanted to do was miss class and be out all night with friends. We pulled her out of that school and sent her to Fusion and she got almost all A's. Their teaching technique is phenomenal. They realize that all students are different and require different approaches. My daughter learned 10 times more at that school than she ever would have at any school, public or private. The teachers went so far beyond text books. Now my daughter loves learning, she is constantly going above and beyond. She was able to discover the best way for her to learn and study thanks to Fusion.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been quite pleased with the educational opportunities provided. Our daughter was not succeeding in her freshman year at a public high school (academically or behaviorally), but blossomed within a few months at Fusion Learning Center. Not only did her grades improve, but so did her self esteem and attitude in general.
—Submitted by a parent