Class Size of 1: Fusion Academy of Solana Beach, CA

The slogan on Fusion Academy’s brochure goes, “You’ve never been schooled like this before.” After a tour of their Solana Beach campus, I’m inclined to agree.

This alternative private school, servicing students in grades 6-12, is decidedly different from any middle or high school I’ve ever heard of. Situated in an office park near the Del Mar Race Track, the school grounds include a “Homework Café,” a recording studio, an expressive arts studio, a yoga room, a chemistry and bio lab, and rows of individual classrooms.

But the one thing that truly differentiates Fusion Academy from anything else offered out there is their class size. At a student:teacher ratio of 1-to-1, their class size is as small as it gets. With intentional one-on-one instruction, the students of Fusion Academy are mentored not just in their academics, but also through their everyday social and emotional experiences. It’s a unique approach and it’s one that is working. Last year, Fusion Academy Solana Beach graduated 26 students—all of them college-bound.

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From 1 Garage to 14 Campuses

Fusion Academy began with founder Michelle Rose Gilman, whose experiences in special education taught her that some kids, especially those who do not fare well in traditional schools, excel when taught 1-to-1. This teaching model allows educators to tailor the school experience to the individual needs and learning style of each student, all the while caring for the student as a whole person.

This approach of customized learning led Gilman from teaching kids in her garage to opening the first official Fusion Academy campus in Solana Beach.  Today there are 14 Fusion Academy campuses in California and New York, all operating under this mentor-teacher philosophy.

A Typical Day at an Atypical School

At the Solana Beach campus, a student starts their day with a one-on-one class with their teacher.  Each of these classes begins with a personal “check-in,” and then moves on to the WASC-accredited/UC approved curriculum. Between their classes, students spend time in the Homework Café, where they work on their assignments and socialize.  P.E. requirements are met through one-to-one yoga, surf PE or small group PE.

Class schedules vary for each student—they can begin their day early in the morning, or they can schedule their classes for the afternoon or evening.  Assessment is as personalized as the instruction. Students are encouraged to express what they’ve learned creatively, not just through traditional tests and papers.

Kids Getting What They Need Here

The flexibility of Fusion Academy’s program accounts for the diversity of students that it attracts. There are students who struggle at traditional school, as well as students who desire an accelerated curriculum. There are kids with learning differences and emotional challenges. And there are kids who require a more flexible class schedule– some of these students are Olympic hopefuls and business owners. Fusion Academy’s program allows them to plan their own schedules to accommodate for these outside pursuits, while still keeping up with their academics.

Regardless of what brings a student to Fusion Academy, each one of them is seen and truly known as an individual.  It’s a place of real authenticity, where faculty members honor and respect the unique learning process of each student. Kids are getting what they need here, and that’s what everyone wants.

To learn more about Fusion Academy, and to find a location near you, visit their website at FusionAcademy.com.

by Pamela Layug Laney