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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.