New school -- Fusion Academy -- anyone heard of it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not having this experience. In the daily status reports, each teacher indicates whether they are on track with the syllabus. We keep track and if they seem to be falling behind, we address it immediately. We signed that clause so we know we need to stay on top of it. No issues with extra billing.

But, yes, it’s a lot of money. We knew that going in.

+1. The daily reports from each teacher mention whether the student is “on pace”, “ahead”, or behind in the curriculum. It shouldn’t be a surprise if your child is behind and needs additional classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just horrible! We are draining our college fund for my son to get through high school then on top of that they actively charge my credit card for what they determine are necessary mastery sessions. Many, many parents complain of excessive mastery session charges but it seems to be at their discretion to add mastery classes. Just do not sign that clause or they will kill your credit cards then blame your child. Oh, and they might forget to include all your classes on your child's transcript. Yes, the admin is that bad!

I'm sorry you're having that experience. We feel like this school has saved our DS's academic career and social life. The teachers are so caring, the administration is equally so. We get daily reports from each teacher, with A LOT of detail on what exactly our DS worked on in class, if he participated, what his overall emotional state was, etc. And yes, we too have paid for Mastery sessions, but in all honesty I feel like he needs them. He has executive functioning challenges, ADHD, slower processing speeds - so if he got through any class without needing at least a couple, I'd be surprised.

Is it a lot of money? yes.

Is it worth it "FOR US"? yes.

Is it better than our public school alternative where we're exposed to IEP hell, and he was relegated to a self-contained classroom where kids throw desks and books and swear at the teacher (thank you MCPS)? YOU BETCHA!

[Anonymous]

Is anyone familiar with the online option of schooling? I love the 1:1 instruction idea but there are no locations near us.

[Anonymous]

I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

[Anonymous]

I did some heavy research a year ago and the consensus was the Tyson’s location was much stronger than the reston location - but this was a year ago

[Anonymous]

Since we are on the subject, if anyone wants to chime in about Rockville, that would be great. How is it run? How are the kids? We have heard very good things about Tysons, but Rockville would be easier for us with commutes.

[Anonymous]

How much does it cost per year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

What did your kid do after graduating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

Kid is in college. .. would not have made it to college if not for Fusion.

What did your kid do after graduating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

Thank you for your post. I am the poster who re-upped this thread. How long did your child go to Fusion? I'm exploring it for middle school for my son. The Reston Director seemed very good when I toured. What did your child and you like so much about the teachers? This is the part that makes me wonder since hearing some of the teachers on this earlier thread talk about hours and pay. I worry about the quality of instruction if they are THAT low paid (I know all teachers are, I was one....)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

Thank you for your post. I am the poster who re-upped this thread. How long did your child go to Fusion? I'm exploring it for middle school for my son. The Reston Director seemed very good when I toured. What did your child and you like so much about the teachers? This is the part that makes me wonder since hearing some of the teachers on this earlier thread talk about hours and pay. I worry about the quality of instruction if they are THAT low paid (I know all teachers are, I was one....)

How long did your child go to Fusion?
DC went to Fusion for 11th and 12th grade. We should have started sooner but we wanted the IEP to work. It was IEP hell.. had consultants, advocate, attorney. That all went away when we went to Fusion.

What did your child and you like so much about the teachers?
They were regular people. The principal at our public school was saying that her teachers had certifications and credentials and that Fusion teachers did not. She was right, but Fusion teachers had an empathy that the SPED teachers did not. I cringe to this day to hear from my DC just the mean things teachers have said. The Fusion teachers were also not jaded. I was surprised about the low pay, but they are teachers. My DC never had a negative interaction with any of the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm bumping this old thread to see if there are any new insights into Fusion here locally in the DMV? I'm in Reston area and visited the school here. Director seemed great. But the teachers posting here made me a bit nervous.

I know the Reston director and he is fantastic.
My kid is a Fusion graduate from Tysons who has the same director.
The teachers were great. We have kept in touch with a few of them (and actually hired one to tutor our younger kid).

Thank you for your post. I am the poster who re-upped this thread. How long did your child go to Fusion? I'm exploring it for middle school for my son. The Reston Director seemed very good when I toured. What did your child and you like so much about the teachers? This is the part that makes me wonder since hearing some of the teachers on this earlier thread talk about hours and pay. I worry about the quality of instruction if they are THAT low paid (I know all teachers are, I was one....)

How long did your child go to Fusion?
DC went to Fusion for 11th and 12th grade. We should have started sooner but we wanted the IEP to work. It was IEP hell.. had consultants, advocate, attorney. That all went away when we went to Fusion.

What did your child and you like so much about the teachers?
They were regular people. The principal at our public school was saying that her teachers had certifications and credentials and that Fusion teachers did not. She was right, but Fusion teachers had an empathy that the SPED teachers did not. I cringe to this day to hear from my DC just the mean things teachers have said. The Fusion teachers were also not jaded. I was surprised about the low pay, but they are teachers. My DC never had a negative interaction with any of the teachers.

Unfortunately, the low pay causes the teacher turnover which at some centers is an issue. Keep in mind, that many are not certified teachers in case that matters to you.

[Anonymous]

There will always be teacher turnover wherever you go.

We did have some turnover at Fusion but it wasn't any more disruptive than being in public school.
The great thing at Fusion was that if you want to switch teachers, it can be done, and done quickly.

[Anonymous]

I had some problems with really unqualified teachers being a Jack-of-all trades. The counseling and life prep classes were handed over to any warm body.

I think Fusion was helpful but definitely screen the teachers!!!!