2019 EDUCATION IMPACT REPORT Contents

A Note From Fusion Leadership 3 About Fusion 4 Our Mission 4 Schoolwide Learner Outcomes 5 2018-2019 School Year 6 Empowering Learners 9 Real Results 13 • Relationship Building 16 • Emotional Support 17 • Academic Thriving 18 • Student Engagement 19 • Academic Confidence 21 • Academic Success 22 • Homework 24 • Social Confidence 25 Impact of Long-Term Enrollment 27 • Improving Positive Relationships 28 • Developing Resilience 29 • Expanding Possibilities 29 Class of 2019 30 Fusion Family Stories 32

2 A Note From Fusion Leadership

Dear Fusion families, friends, and teammates,

Welcome to the 2019 Fusion Impact Report. In the following pages you will see just how life-changing a Fusion education is for students and their families. By educating the whole student, we’re able to help kids of all types flourish socially, emotionally, and academically in ways they’ve not experienced in previous schools.

The stories and data inside are possible because of the hard work of our teacher/mentors, campus administration, regional and HomeBase teams, and our extended support network. It is an honor to work with this team of outstanding individuals and to be part of an organization that is helping students grow and expand their vision for their future.

As you read the stories and analyze the information in this report, we hope you are as energized as we are about what it represents: Fusion Academy is changing the way school is done and positively impacting the lives of students and their families nationwide.

With gratitude,

Peter G. Ruppert Jeff Poole CEO President & COO Fusion Academy Fusion Academy

3 About Fusion

Fusion Academy is an accredited private school providing one-to-one, personalized education for grades 6-12 with full-time and part-time programs. Since 2007, Fusion has changed the lives of thousands of students and their families. By tailoring the educational experience to each student and leveraging their unique strengths, interests, and learning style, Fusion unlocks each student’s true potential.

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 Fusion Academy students will be:

Resourceful individuals who… • know how to seek out information • are able to advocate on their own behalf • participate in their own educations and lives • are able to manage their time and prioritize their responsibilities • are productive and creative problem-solvers

Compassionate individuals who… • recognize the value of their own and others’ unique strengths and challenges • wholeheartedly strive to build inclusive and connected communities • demonstrate curiosity and caring for the thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives of others

Emotionally secure individuals who… • exhibit empathy toward others • understand the balance between systems and relationships • have high self-worth • communicate effectively

Independent, critical thinking individuals who… • possess literacy across multiple disciplines • use higher-order thinking skills to problem-solve • are effective oral and written communicators • can work autonomously, collaboratively, and as a leader • are life-long learners who demonstrate innovation and creativity

Our Schoolwide Our Schoolwide learner outcomes • engage in global discourse

5 Fusion Academy 2018-2019 School Year

Served 6,049 middle and high school students

AT Across 16 states and 55 Washington D.C. Campuses and we taught advanced graduated level courses to 35% of our students 573 Seniors

6 7 Before being enrolled into Fusion Academy, I was having a really difficult time at school. My mom would ask me how my “day was, and my day never got any better than a monotone “good.” Before I transferred, I was failing three classes and I did not feel the motivation to try and get my grades up, because I had no motivation to learn. However, when I transferred to Fusion, things got much better for me — I feel motivation to learn, I’m getting all A’s, and most importantly, my days went from a monotone “good” to a beaming “great!” I feel right at home at Fusion, and I couldn’t ask for a more perfect school. Olivia K., Fusion Student “

8 Empowering Learners

Fusion is designed to support the needs of diverse learners. We meet students where they are and help them thrive. While most 2018-2019 Fusion Academy students had above average academic skills, many reported struggling in their previous school environments for a variety reasons. Through our thoughtfully designed approach of “Love, Motivate, Teach,” we help students of all types better understand themselves and envision the kind of future they have the power to create.

9 A snapshot of our Before Fusion 2018-19 student population 82% did not receive In the 2018-19 school year, many students came to Fusion feeling unsupported, disconnected, disengaged, the ACADEMIC unheard, and unsafe. Despite strong academic abilities, they often lacked confidence, struggled socially, and SUPPORT NEEDED experienced school-related conflict with their families. at their previous school.

While every student is unique, each learns best when they feel safe, cared for, engaged, and confident. This report shows that students quickly begin to flourish in the Fusion school environment. We believe our focus on creating positive, authentic relationships — fostered by our one-to-one learning model — is key to unlocking academic and personal potential. 70% Lacked confidence in their ability to learn the material.

64% didn’t enjoy participating in social activities and 43% participated in no activities at their previous school

57% Didn’t feel respected by the other students and 43% Didn’t feel Safe from bullying

10 When asked what they wanted out of their Fusion experience, most students said they desired more confidence and a better education.

I would like to be able to enjoy learning a bit more, “ by learning in a more ideal environment for me. I would like to be able to learn at a more personalized pace and get more out of my learning. I would also like to have more time to pursue personal interests. “ I want to feel “proud of myself. “ I hope to be more confident, grateful and happier “ when I get home after my Fusion experience. “ FALL 2018 FUSION ACADEMY MAP SCORES

34% 32%

24% 1st - 20th percentile 23% 22% 22% 22% 21st - 40th percentile 17% 17% 18% 17% 15% 15% 41st - 60th percentile 13% 11% 61st - 80th percentile 81st - 99th percentile

Language Usage Mathematics Reading

The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test is a nationally-normed, independent assessment developed by NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association). It is given to students when they first begin attending Fusion full-time. This assessment covers three areas: Language Usage, Mathematics, and Reading. The results of this test allows Fusion to have a more accurate sense of student strengths and gaps in knowledge or skills. 11 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 “

12 Real Results

Survey results from hundreds of students and parents1 affirm that Fusion students experience life-changing shifts that result in long-term transformation. By first establishing positive, authentic relationships and then customizing the entire educational experience, Fusion helps students reverse their patterns of disconnection and disengagement. When Fusion students feel safe and understood, they fully engage in their personalized learning process. This allows them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

1 Survey results reflect responses from approximately 1,720 students (gathered in February-March of 2019) and approximately 1,250 parents (gathered in May-June 2019)

13 Impacting the Whole Student

Fusion’s revolutionary approach focuses on the success of the whole student — relationally, academically, socially and emotionally. In this section, we share our results in four key areas:

1. Relationship Building

2. Emotional Support

3. Academic Thriving

4. Social Confidence

14 Without Fusion, I believe our son would have become a high school dropout “because of the immense frustration he was experiencing in the classroom. He is now the family entrepreneur and already running his own business. If you are a parent that’s concerned about your child’s performance in a “traditional” school setting, I urge you, as a parent that’s been down that painful road, please consider Fusion. It can change your child’s future from a frightening unknown to a bright and confident one. We are incredibly grateful to Fusion Academy.

Toni Vlaovich, Fusion Parent 15 “ Relationship Building

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

92% 87% 86%

42% 38% 31%

Felt listened to and Felt listened to and Felt cared about by treated with respect treated with respect adults at school by their teachers by their administrators

Before Fusion After 3 months at Fusion

At Fusion, every educational journey begins with the 96 relationship between student and teacher. PERCENT

of parents report that their In the 2018-2019 school year, our students quickly child has positive relationships developed more positive relationships with Fusion with his/her teachers. faculty and administration than they experienced at their previous schools.

16 Emotional EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Support All Fusion Students 86% Before Fusion Like adults, many adolescents struggle with emotions: the fear of failure, the After 3 months 48% at Fusion search for social belonging, or the aftermath of negative experiences. These challenges can be painful and lonely to navigate. They also make it difficult to focus on and engage in school.

Fusion teachers use their training as mentors to ensure students are Felt they were receiving the emotionally supported, clearing the path for them to learn. emotional support they needed

Before coming to Fusion, less than half of our students felt emotionally supported by their previous school; that number doubled after just three months at Fusion.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Students Who Highly Prioritize Emotional Support

Not all students come to Fusion seeking emotional support, but we identified 95% a subset of students in our data who recognized emotional support as a high priority or essential. Of these students, only 23 percent felt they received the emotional support needed at their previous school. At Fusion, the number quickly soared to 95 percent. Before Fusion According to neuroscience, a person must feel safe in order to learn. When 23% After 3 months students experience fear, stress, or anxiety in school, they not only have at Fusion difficulty learning, but they also associate negative emotions with it that can lead to a neurobiological aversion to school. Felt they were receiving the emotional support they needed

17 97% of parents report Academic Fusion teachers as Engaging in the Thriving classroom

Positive changes in mindset and academic behaviors yield positive changes in learning outcomes. Once trusting relationships and a safe environment are established, Fusion students experience a reawakening of curiosity, an infusion of confidence, and a positive connection to school. Teaching in a one-to-one setting and customizing each course builds on this foundation and shifts the way students relate to learning. This sets students on an upward trajectory toward academic flourishing.

2018-2019 STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Likely to ask questions or 53% offer thoughts in class 95%

What they’re learning is 41% related to their interests 87%

Frequently excited or curious 40% about something new 85% School Engagement

38% Able to explore When a student’s interest is captured, they are more likely to creative interests 90% persist through challenges, retain new information, and pursue 66% learning independently. If you’ve ever seen how quickly a teenager Had fun at school 85% learns to navigate a new app, you’ve seen this in action! Learning is always most effective when students are intrinsically motivated Before Fusion After Fusion by an interest in, or personal connection to, a subject.

18 Fusion teachers personalize learning by leveraging each student’s At Fusion, student engagement is not only higher than the creative and personal interests. This sparks curiosity and national average, it is consistently high across all grades. excitement for learning, and it results in dramatic increases in student engagement. Student engagement is critical to success in high school and a strong predictor of postsecondary outcomes. According to national After just three months at Fusion, 85 percent of students describe data from the 2016 Gallup Student Poll, student engagement themselves as frequently excited or curious about something new; 96 is a persistent problem and rapidly declines by grade across the percent take the initiative to ask questions or offer thoughts in class. country.2 This is in contrast to Fusion student engagement, which starts high and remains steady throughout high school.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Engagement nationally Engagement at Fusion

2 Based on a 2016 poll of ~ 3,000 students nationally. Gallup defines engagement as “the involvement in and enthusiasm for school.” Fusion student engagement is based on an index of the first four questions shown in the previous graph (n=1,719). 19 20 Academic Confidence Reigniting students’ belief in themselves is as important as finding the right classes, teachers, content, and teaching 81 styles. Students who are confident in their ability to learn PERCENT perform better in a post-secondary environment.3 This of parents report that their child positive mindset is also critical to being a lifelong learner. is more confident overall since attending Fusion. At Fusion, student confidence soars as they experience success as learners.

CONFIDENCE AS A LEARNER 85 95% PERCENT

of parents believe their child is more successful academically at Fusion 59% compared to their previous school.

After 3 Before months at Fusion Fusion Confident in their ability to 88 learn the material PERCENT of students say they are frequently proud of the work they do at Fusion. More than 40 percent of our students lacked confidence in their ability to learn the material when they started at Fusion, but within three months, 94 percent were confident in their ability.

3 Nagaoka, J., Farrington, C.A., Roderick, M., Allensworth, E., Keyes, T.S., Johnson, D.W., Beechum, N.O. (2013). 21 Readiness for college: the role of noncognitive factors and context. Voices in Urban Education, (45-52).38 Academic success

The connections Fusion teachers form with students not only create an environment of safety and support, but also an opportunity to customize their teaching style and content as they get to know the students. Fusion teachers set their students up for success and reverse the pattern of failure by adjusting their pace, approach, and assignments to target each student’s needs and ensure mastery of the curriculum.

A student’s academic mindset, behaviors, and learning are all strengthened when supported academically in the right school setting.

The majority of our students said they weren’t getting the academic support they needed prior to Fusion. After a few short months, 95 percent said that they are getting the academic support they need to ACADEMIC SUPPORT be successful. 95%

Learning soars and students take pride in their accomplishments when they are engaged in the classroom, feel confident about themselves as learners, and regularly complete school work.

85 percent of parents report their child is more successful 42% academically since attending Fusion and 85 percent of students say they are learning more at Fusion than their previous school. After 3 Before months at Fusion Fusion

Getting the academic support they need to be successful

22 Positive psychology suggests that a sense of positive accomplishment is key to overall well-being.4

For students with a history of negative experiences such as academic failure, bullying, and/or social/emotional issues – all of which are typically marked by, or result in feelings of worthlessness – believing in themselves is scary. Self-deprecation can be a survival mechanism for adolescents. High self-worth, on the other hand, requires trusting that you no longer need those defense mechanisms. It requires vulnerability, a safe space to explore, and the tools to effectively build confidence. Fusion students who experienced a pattern of academic failure at their previous school have been able to reverse that trend and find success in all academic subject areas.

INCREASED LEARNING Compared to my previous schools, the education I receive at Fusion is helping me learn... 63%

21% 11% 2% 4%

Much less A little less Same amount A little more A lot more

4 Seligman, Martin E. P. Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being. 2013. 23 Homework Homework is a common struggle for students before coming to Fusion, but quickly resolves itself through the structure and support of our Homework Café®. This dedicated space on campus provides easy access to teachers and resources for student success. Fusion students begin to shift their relationship with homework in as little as a few weeks through a positive Homework Café® experience.

STUDENT PERCEPTION OF THE HOMEWORK CAFÉ® Less than 3 months after enrollment

97% 90% 80%

It’s easy to get help I know how to find the I like doing my homework in from teachers resources I need the Homework Café®

Doing homework on campus throughout the day helps students reinforce learning shortly after class and develops executive functioning skills like time management, organization, and prioritization. As a result, students complete homework at a higher rate than at their previous schools. While some students are already diligent with coursework, 65 percent report completing more homework than at their previous school.

HOMEWORK COMPLETION Compared to my previous schools, at Fusion I do my homework... 42%

26% 23% 2% 6%

Much less A little less Same amount A little more A lot more

Students who complete their homework not only flourish academically, but also are free to enjoy their time outside of school. These academic behaviors are key predictors of success in college.5

24 5 Nagaoka, J., Farrington, C. A., Roderick, M., Allensworth, E., Keyes, T. S., Johnson, D. W., et al. (2013). Readiness for College: The role of noncognitive factors and context. College Readiness Indicator Systems, 45 Social Confidence

Fusion creates a safe, supportive environment that fosters positive relationships among students.

The longer students stay at Fusion Academy, the more likely they are to participate in social activities.

90% feel 81% feel quite 91% feel comfortable respected or completely safe being themselves by other students from bullying

70% enjoy participating in 86% feel they have 85% have friendships Social activities fun at school at Fusion (like clubs, field with other students trips, after school activities)

25 My son has been attending Fusion for nearly four years, and it’s had a transformative effect on him personally in addition to “helping him academically. Basically, he entered Fusion a very anxious dyslexic student with little to no confidence that he could succeed. Thanks to the warm teachers and staff, he has more than succeeded and thrives academically! I am also very grateful for the generosity of the school — their flexibility and understanding of different issues has been incredible. I can’t say enough positive about our experience at Fusion. Elizabeth Aquino, Fusion Parent “

26 Impact of long-term enrollment

27 Improving positive relationships

Students tell us the connection with their teachers matters and has led to increased comfort communicating with adults in their lives. Our 2019 Student Survey shows the longer students experience positive relationships at Fusion, the more confident they are in advocating for themselves.

According to Gallup Poll research, the most important elements for student success are having someone who cares about their development and having an opportunity to do what they do best every day (Busteed, B. Gallup Business Journal, 2014). In our one-to-one classrooms, teachers provide students with opportunities to learn and to demonstrate essential life competencies, including communication skills that translate into greater student advocacy.

LONG-TERM IMPACT OF POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS The one-on-one environment offers the perfect 4.2 level of interaction for my son — on many different Feeling Connected levels. First, the personal relationship he has to Teachers “developed with his tutors inspires him to prepare 3.9 for his classes on his own. He has found mentors Comfort in his teachers. The teachers are genuinely excited Communicating 3.6 with Adults about inspiring students. I no longer worry about Scale of 1-5 of Scale social connections as the school provides so many Comfort opportunities for meaningful interactions among 3.3 Advocating for peers. I highly recommend Fusion Academy — it Yourself has changed our lives!

3.0 Less than Four to six Seven to One to two More than Brooke Morton, Fusion Parent three months months twelve months years two years

28 “ Developing Resilience

INCREASED RESILIENCE Fusion provides a stable and secure environment where teachers 3.9 prioritize getting to know their students. Our teachers focus on Persistence in student strengths, while promoting essential elements such their Goal Pursuit wellbeing and resilience. When resiliency is embedded in the 3.6 classroom culture, teachers transform the lives of students (Cahill, Motivated Toward Beadle, Farrelly, Forster, & Smith, 2014). Accomplishing 3.3 Goals In 2019, students said the longer they are enrolled at Fusion, the more Persistence in likely they are to experience increased resilience in pursuing their goals 3.0 the Face of Fear such as improving social skills and developing plans for their future. Four to six Seven to One to two More than months twelve months years two years

Length of Enrollment

Expanding Possibilities

According to Dr. Martin Seligman, former president of the American Psychological Association, “The gold standard for measuring well-being is flourishing” (2012). INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE

4.8 Long-term enrollment at Fusion is associated with 4.6 Confidence in Graduating High School increased confidence and a strengthened vision for 4.4 4.2 the student’s academic future. Students appreciate the 4.0 Scale of 1-5 of Scale opportunity to develop skills that impact their future, 3.8 Desire to Go to College such as learning how to prioritize, complete homework, Less than Four to six Seven to One to two More than three months months twelve months years two years communicate effectively and think critically. Length of Enrollment

29 Class of 2019: Bright Futures

While success is defined differently for each Fusion student, one thing is true: our goal is to help them discover and pursue their own unique path.

30 For many students, this means finding the Sample of Colleges and right four-year college or university – not University Acceptances just the school that sounds best on paper, but the one that allows them to flourish. Our Top-tier schools students are accepted by, and attend, a wide Harvard, Princeton, Yale, array of public and private schools, ranging Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford, Columbia, Brown, Vanderbilt, Cornell, Georgetown, in size, geographic location, and areas of Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern specialty and training.

Small, liberal arts schools At Fusion, we are committed to helping Dartmouth College, Sarah Lawrence College, students find the path that’s right for them. Wesleyan University, Goucher College, Trinity University, This sometimes means pursuing highly Bard College, and Loyola Marymount University specific interests that may be best developed outside the traditional college model. We Large state universities help connect students to local opportunities, University (NYU), University of (UCLA, UC Berkeley), internships, specialized programs, and/or University of Michigan, University of Maryland, certifications to develop their expertise and Ohio State University, University of , A & M launch their careers. University, Penn State, North Carolina State University, and Arizona State University For example, one of our recent graduates was accepted to the Mark Kislingbury Academy Some of the best fine and performing arts schools in the country Rhode Island School of Design, Savannah College of Art and for Court Reporting. Another chose to attend Design, California Institute of , Pratt Institute, E.I. School of Professional Makeup for special Berklee College of Music, School of the Art Institute of effects makeup. A few students decided to Chicago, and Tisch School of the Arts, and The Juilliard School take gap years — one is spending her year working with AmeriCorps, and another Technological and technical-vocational schools is headed to Israel to study Hebrew, do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, DigiPen Institute community service, and work for a lifestyle of Technology, Fashion Institute of Design and blog. Merchandising, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Sciences, and New York Film Academy

31 The Williams Family Story

Dena Williams Fusion Houston Galleria

Three years ago, my son attended Fusion Academy to brush Another aspect of Fusion we believe important, the teaching up on his math skills during summer break. He quickly fell in staff kept us well informed of his progress on a daily basis. love with the one-to-one teaching methods, learning style Communications of this type are not available outside of a one-to- promoted at Fusion, along with the warm and nurturing one environment, yet are incredibly helpful so that our feedback academic staff. It was an easy decision to move him to Fusion from the day is more than just “it was good” which we heard a lot full-time to start his 8th grade year. previously.

Fusion tailored a program for him that would accent his Our son has always loved school but this environment allowed strengths in math, science and especially his love of computers. him to focus and move forward at his own pace. His time Our son quickly began to take the initiative to finish his management skills improved and he is now able organize, prep homework during assigned lab times, this was a major win for and study for tests on his own. This is reflected in improvements us as homework (on-time) was not a strength before attending in standardized tests such as the PSAT. Fusion Academy met our Fusion. He also researched and completed independent goals of finding a school that would instill good study skills, teach projects on his own while at school. All the typical end-of-day our son how to organize his work, and how to self-motivate so homework tension at home dissolved, as he was able to do his that he can be successful in college. work at school — and do it successfully.

32 33 The Nikolich Family Story

Sanja Nikolich Fusion Oak Brook

My son was always an enigma: he was extraordinarily to-one approach would be great for my son. We LOVED bright, but produced little work. By the time he made it to the homework being done at school concept. We signed middle school, we were devoting three to four hours per up and have not looked back. In the two years he has night to getting his homework done. Testing showed him been at Fusion, he has grown into a confident, happy, and to have ADD and we decided to try medication. It helped successful young man. “ a bit. We thought changing schools from private to public when he started high school would help as well. It did He has discovered his passion, art. He chose a college and because his freshman year was a review of what he had worked hard to get in. He is aware of his strengths and done in middle school and he somehow made it through. of his weaknesses. He has become an amazing, articulate Sophomore year was another story. He could not get any young man. We are very proud of him. Fusion has not only homework done. Our family evenings were completely changed Matt. It has changed our family. We are happier, devoted to getting SOME of his homework done. He was calmer, and a more cohesive unit. We have fun with our miserable and thought of himself as a failure. By the end of children without arguing about homework. We have the first semester, he was failing three classes. actually taken several vacations- something very unusual for us. Thank you for coming to Chicago when you did. I started looking for alternatives. My mother spotted an article about Fusion opening in the Chicago area. We reached out for more information and thought the one- 34 “ “ 35 “

36 Luke’s story Told by his mom

Danyne Senft Fusion Cherry Hill

Our son, Luke, currently attends Fusion and just successfully child for who they are and meet each child wherever they finished his junior year. Prior to attending Fusion, Luke are in their journey. The individual one-to-one teaching started struggling during his 8th grade year in the traditional approach is exactly what Luke needed. Since attending school setting. He was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, and an Fusion, Luke has transformed into a successful student autoimmune illness. Luke missed many days getting treatment that is thriving and loves school once again. “ and fell behind academically and socially which added to the pressure of trying to keep up with his make-up work and By attending Fusion, Luke has been able to get treatment complete his courses on time. when needed without the pressure of keeping up in a traditional school setting. Each teacher formulates a one- While suffering from anxiety, OCD, and health issues, to-one individual teaching plan that is geared specifically attending his traditional school became an increasingly to meet Luke’s educational needs and proceed at a pace high source of anxiety for Luke on many levels. We started that fits Luke’s needs. The flexibility has made a huge searching for other schools that could meet Luke’s unique difference in getting treatment for Luke. The philosophy of needs. After hearing about Fusion, we scheduled our first no homework is amazing! All homework is done in school tour. Luke left our tour excited about going to school for the allowing us to be a family again without the stress and first time in several years. I saw an enthusiasm and smile on interruption of homework. Luke’s face that had been missing for so long. Fusion was the school we were searching for. Fusion gave Luke a second chance at becoming successful in high school academically, socially, and emotionally. We Fusion has had such a positive impact on Luke and our entire will forever be grateful for the amazing positive impact family. There is no stigma there. The teachers accept each that Fusion has had on Luke and our entire family. 37 “ The Bennett Family Story

Meg Bennett Fusion Malvern

Prior to joining the Fusion family, our daughter was time with outside of school. She connects with her teachers disengaged from school. She struggled with connecting and has demonstrated herself to be an amazing student, so to people in her classes, understanding her teachers, and creative and outgoing. She was recently elected as Student even just getting her homework done. She was anxious Ambassador, a role that requires her to be in front of her and did everything she could to avoid going to school. peers, new students, new families, introducing them to the “As parents, we had to constantly fight and beg to get her school and welcoming them. We could write books on the what she needed, to get the teachers to engage with her difference Fusion has made for our daughter. But the reality in anyway that could even attempt (although often failing) is, Fusion has made a difference for our whole family. We to help. We often had to become her teachers and spend don’t spend time focused on keeping her anxiety at bay hours with her doing homework, time that should’ve been because Fusion creates a safe space for her to be herself. spent just being together as a family. We don’t have to reteach her content or even help with her homework because Fusion has created a space where she Fusion has given our daughter the chance to shine and feels empowered to work with her teachers to get what she be the student and person we always knew she was. She needs. And as if that wasn’t enough, we don’t have to be has made so many friends, people she actually spends the squeaky wheel and fight for her rights anymore because

38 Fusion just does what is needed to help not only build her To say we are thankful would be an understatement. We confidence, but help her see that she truly is an amazing don’t know where we would be without this school, these student, leader, person. teachers, this uniquely wonderful, non-traditional way of engaging with students. And for that, and for everything We don’t know that our daughter would have “survived” we know we will continue to see as she goes through in the traditional high school setting. When we think back high school, we are, from the bottom of my heart, so very to where we were just about a year ago, we are amazed by grateful. the progress and growth in our her. It’s not fair to say that she’s become a different person because she really has just become who she always was. The person that was hidden from everything because of how she felt. Fusion gave her the chance to just be herself. And that person has proven “ to be a star in her own right.

39 FUSIONACADEMY.COM