Fusion Academy is introducing a revolutionary approach to education in Houston. The SACS accredited, non-traditional, private school for children in sixth-to-12th grade focuses on the whole student in a customized environment. The state-of-the-art campus in The Galleria offers students a wide range of traditional courses alongside a medley of enrichment activities in athletics, visual and performing arts and other interests.
“We believe in the power of one-to-one teaching. We are a school for students who aren’t thriving in a more traditional school environment.”
“We believe in the power of one-to-one teaching,” Rebecca Lazarou, Head of School at Fusion Academy says. “We are a school for students who aren’t thriving in a more traditional school environment.”
The new campus is the company’s 23rd and the first in Houston, but the concept was created in 1989 by Michelle Rose Gilman in San Diego. When the school where Gilman was teaching suddenly closed down, Gilman taught a core group of students out of her home and the concept for Fusion Academy took flight.
Fusion Academy currently has schools in California, New York, New Jersey and Texas, with plans to expand the school to The Woodlands in the fall.
The creators of Fusion Academy believe education should be as individual as the children learning, so the curriculum is designed to accommodate each student where they are in their learning journey.
To achieve that goal, there is just one teacher and one student per classroom. Each class is 50 minutes long and after class, students go to the Homework Café, a relaxed space where students continue on with schoolwork independently, with an instructor or with a group of fellow students.
The Homework Café serves as the heart of Fusion Academy, drawing students and faculty together for lunch, school meetings and social engagement that involves talking, not texting. Connecting in real and meaningful ways is a cornerstone of Fusion Academy Teachers at the school are handpicked for not only their masters and doctorate degrees, but their ability to engage and support their students.
“Our teachers are real mentors to the students. We believe everything starts with love and the learning will follow,” Lazarou says.
Fusion Academy distinguishes itself from other schools by taking the “home” out of homework, allowing student’s time to accomplish work at school and freeing up time after school for other pursuits.
The school also offers students the opportunity to explore their interests beyond academic work. Fusion Academy features on-campus music and art studios where can record songs, edit music tracks with Pro Tools software or just play their favorite instruments.
The mixed-media studio gives artists the freedom to work with photography, graphic design, sculpture, painting, and more. Yoga classes work both the body and the mind, and are part of the enrichment options.
Because of the personalized nature of Fusion Academy, students can enroll at any point during the year. To maintain the small, connected environment, Fusion Academy keeps its enrollment to no more than 65 students at a time, however the school does offer open tutoring, standardized test prep and enrichment classes in the Learning Center.
Fusion also offers Classes for Credit for public or other private school students who need to catch up, make up a class or move ahead in studying. The program is also open to homeschooled students.
Fusion Academy is located at 5065 Westheimer, Suite 840 and is currently enrolling students. For more information, call 713-963-9096.
Fusion Academy offers a customized approach to education.
