Social life at Fusion

[Anonymous]

Hello. We are considering Fusion for our DS who is in high school. Academics seem great for his needs but it's hard to get a sense of the social life/opportunities. We are considering the one in Rockville, but would consider DC if that is bigger or better socially. Would appreciate any thoughts -- thanks!

[Anonymous]

Bump. Any insights?

[Anonymous]

My kid is very happy at Fusion Tysons. Kid has made some nice friends and likes going to school. They do a great job of creating a kind and welcoming atmosphere which is awesome for kids who are dealing with anxiety.

What is missing is after school activities and sports. Maybe your kid already has lots of friends and activities so this would be fine.

[Anonymous]

As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

Wow - this is quite an indictment of Fusion. You sound so very well qualified to make these assertions, however what you describe is completely the opposite of my child's actual experience at the school.

Teachers have been excellent - no turnover among my child's teachers in the past year. For most kids, it would not be a great long term choice. I think it is often used as a bridge when a kid needs to leave a bad school situation quickly or needs to build confidence before returning to a more traditional school setting. If your kid needs a gentle environment where the teachers can meet your kid where they are - and every day you get an email report of how that day went, Fusion could be a great choice for you. Is it expensive? 100%. But I can tell you we looked high and low for another school that would meet my kid's needs right now, and Fusion was the best choice. A kid that was completely unwilling to go to school now hops out of bed every morning. A kid that claimed they would never go to college and wanted to get a GED now loves their classes. These things make Fusion worth the money to my family.

I encourage you to visit a few different Fusion locations and ask a lot of questions before you decide what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

I looked at it over the summer based off recommendations here and this is what I observed. We wanted a smaller environment due to covid. It seemed good for kids who need a small environment and cannot make it at other traditional schools and you want your child to graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

Wow, sour grapes here. For my kid it was life-changing. Yes some teachers have weak skills so you need to choose wisely. And i didnt see all of these many other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

Wow, sour grapes here. For my kid it was life-changing. Yes some teachers have weak skills so you need to choose wisely. And i didnt see all of these many other schools.

I would think now if your school system offered virtual, you'd be better off doing virtual and hiring tutors for each subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

“As a very seasoned educator,” I am not surprised you don’t recognize how hard it is for parents to find a school that can meet their special needs child’s particular needs. The standard non-profit special needs focused schools all serve a narrow group of students and public schools can be a crap shoot on whether they can meet the students’ needs. Fusion offers another option to special needs parents regardless of whether the educational establishment wants to attack it because it is for profit and the political bent of its owners. I am not saying you do not raise red flags about Fusion but our experience so far is that it’s a caring place and our child’s first few months there have been so much better than my child’s public school experience (and his last private school experience).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. What you state sounds logical given the business model of a company like Fusion. Not sure I would describe it as an actual school. I think parents, who are desperate for something different and a place where their child seems to be excelling, even if they really aren’t, will believe what they want and disbelieve anything to the contrary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

“As a very seasoned educator,” I am not surprised you don’t recognize how hard it is for parents to find a school that can meet their special needs child’s particular needs. The standard non-profit special needs focused schools all serve a narrow group of students and public schools can be a crap shoot on whether they can meet the students’ needs. Fusion offers another option to special needs parents regardless of whether the educational establishment wants to attack it because it is for profit and the political bent of its owners. I am not saying you do not raise red flags about Fusion but our experience so far is that it’s a caring place and our child’s first few months there have been so much better than my child’s public school experience (and his last private school experience).

This is a tutoring service not a school.

[Anonymous]

Here is a recent review of Fusion Academy on indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Fusion-Academy/reviews/exploits-students-and-teachers?id=b0e052e7c5b530f0

[Anonymous]

This sums up all of the issues that Fusion Faces at ALL of their locations...
https://www.aps1.net/DocumentCenter/View/9523/Fusion-SC-Meeting-April-2019

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

“As a very seasoned educator,” I am not surprised you don’t recognize how hard it is for parents to find a school that can meet their special needs child’s particular needs. The standard non-profit special needs focused schools all serve a narrow group of students and public schools can be a crap shoot on whether they can meet the students’ needs. Fusion offers another option to special needs parents regardless of whether the educational establishment wants to attack it because it is for profit and the political bent of its owners. I am not saying you do not raise red flags about Fusion but our experience so far is that it’s a caring place and our child’s first few months there have been so much better than my child’s public school experience (and his last private school experience).

This is a tutoring service not a school.

Do you have a kid who goes there? My kid would be very offended to hear that the community of students he belongs to isn't actually a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a very seasoned educator, someone who works in the field of disabilities, and has been in almost every private and public school in the area serving special needs children, I would never recommend Fusion. The teachers do not have teaching degrees, the tuition is high but teachers are paid very little and therefore, there is high turnover. You should ask Fusion about their staff turnover rate- both in teachers and administrators as well as the number of certified teachers. Let's face it, most teachers who have a teaching degree will teach at public schools because it is a MUCH higher salary and the health/retirement benefits are great. Fusion is VERY expensive and what it gives you is not at all worth the money. I have seen students come out of Fusion much worse they went in. They come out behind in academics- everyone gets A's and B's at Fusion- even if they are far below grade level. In addition, social life is lacking. Many children at Fusion have social/emotional needs and being in this type of environment only reinforces their issues and anxieties. I have had clients come out of Fusion who are afraid to enter a classroom or go to college because they have been in a one-on-one environment for so long. Please remember, this is a money-making operation. everything at fusion costs extra- tutoring, counseling. etc. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere. there are many other schools that will be able to meet the needs of your child for far less.

“As a very seasoned educator,” I am not surprised you don’t recognize how hard it is for parents to find a school that can meet their special needs child’s particular needs. The standard non-profit special needs focused schools all serve a narrow group of students and public schools can be a crap shoot on whether they can meet the students’ needs. Fusion offers another option to special needs parents regardless of whether the educational establishment wants to attack it because it is for profit and the political bent of its owners. I am not saying you do not raise red flags about Fusion but our experience so far is that it’s a caring place and our child’s first few months there have been so much better than my child’s public school experience (and his last private school experience).

This is a tutoring service not a school.

Do you have a kid who goes there? My kid would be very offended to hear that the community of students he belongs to isn't actually a school.

I think your kid would be more offended if he knew his parent did not conduct adequate research on a program that does not meet the education standards of a 6-12 curriculum. You are doing him a disservice especially if you have hopes of him going to college.