Welcome!December 7, 2009

Agenda

• Introductions• History• 10 Essential Elements• The Anti-Cookie Cutter School• Hope – Engagement – Well Being• Why One-to-One Works• Test Scores• Why West Los Angeles• Next Steps• Feedback

Introductions

Michelle Rose GilmanPresident and Founder of Fusion Academy

Grace Colman LosadaDirector of Fusion Academy Los Angeles

American Education Group Peter Ruppert - CEOJeff Poole – Senior Vice PresidentMike VanDinther – Director of New Business

Why Is Fusion Here?

• 9-12% of students in West LA have an IEP – often inadequate

• Dropout rates in West LA are as high as 7.9% annually. 30% over 4 years.

• School-wide average class size is at least 25.6+

• Pupil to teacher ratio grows as students get older

– Elementary = 18.9+– Middle School = 22+– High School = 22.8+– Alternative = 21.4+ (Capistrano = 37!)

Lack of appropriate education alternatives in the Los Angeles area

Why Is Fusion Here?

• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (2008)• 59% of students in the 10th and 11th grades

were considered proficient in English• 20% of students in the 10th and 11th grades

were considered proficient in Algebra• 91% of students passed the CAHSEE

• LA Unified School District (2008)• 28% of students in the 10th and 11th grades

were considered proficient in English• 11% of students in the 10th and 11th grades

were considered proficient in Algebra• 69% of students passed the CAHSEE

Critical Need Requires Action

Professionals and Parents Speak Up in LA• We have researched and spoken to hundreds of parents and

professionals in the LA area

What they say:No school remotely like Fusion is all of Los Angeles

Students who fall through the cracks have no where to goStudents needing flexible scheduling due to sports and acting

cannot go to traditional schoolStudents who require more support, individualization and

guidance suffer in traditional schoolsStudents transitioning from boarding schools need a “bridge”

schoolFamilies and professionals want “outside the box” options

Every Student is Different. So is Our

School.

Anti-Cookie Cutter

Anti-Cookie Cutter

Ideal Students for One-to-One Model:• Learning Differences• Emotional or Social Difficulties• Flexible Schedule Requirements• Accelerated Learning• Credit Deficient• Transitioning• Chronic Illness or Long-term Illness

Fusion Through The YearsA History In Pictures

Since 1989…

The Early Years

Through the Years

Formal office space!

Growth Means Transitions

Hello, Fusion!!!!

Hello, Fusion!!!!

Hello, Fusion!!!!

Music Studio Expansion

Affecting Lives

“Thank you so much for all you have done…”

“You expanded my mind to many things.”

“Today was my first day in your center – I am very moved – I actually got emotional.”“Thank you for making me feel special.”

“It is the most important thing that our children are cared for and are given the help

and love they need to succeed in life… thank you for that.”

Affecting Lives

Graduations

10 Essential ElementsOf Successful

One-to-One Learning

10 Essential Elements

1. Understand Each Child’s Unique Needs and Learning Styles

2. Create an Individualized Plan3. Adaptability4. Mastery Learning5. Encourage Creative Expression

Through Arts and Music

6. Take the “Home” Out of Homework and Put the Work Back in School Where it Belongs

7. Continually Evaluate Student Goals8. Engage Parents in Student’s Learning

Process 9. Employ the Most Passionate,

Dedicated, and Qualified Teachers, Specialists, and Staff Members

10. Foster a Culture of Compassion

10 Essential Elements

Essential Element #1

Understand Each Child’s Unique Needs and Learning Styles

• Admissions Process– Interview with Family– Student tour and interview– Communication with professionals

Essential Element #2

Create an Individualized Plan

• Flexible to the needs of the student• Formal education plan• Three tracks

– Basic– Standard– Honors

Essential Element #3

Adaptability

• Flexible school day• Flexible school year• No missed content when absent• Flexible, Nimble & Responsive• Constant program development to meet the

needs of our students• Partner with professionals to provide the best

possible service

Essential Element #4

Mastery Learning(NCLB? The Fusion Solution)• Minimum of 70% mastery of content

• Building strong foundations• Filling in the holes of “swiss cheese learning”

Essential Element #5

Encourage Creative Expression Through Arts and Music

• Studio arts program• Music• Recording studio• Fusion band• Film• Photography

Essential Element #6

Take the “Home” Out of Homework and Put the Work Back in School Where it Belongs

• Homework = stress for family• Homework Caf鮕 Benefits = mastery and teacher review

Essential Element #7

Continually Evaluate Student Goals

• Written progress reports every three weeks• Individual reassessment of commitment (IROC)• Daily goal charting

Essential Element #8

Engage Parents in Student’s Learning Process

• Lead teacher relationship• Daily written communication• Open door policy

Essential Element #9

Employ the Most Passionate, Dedicated, and Qualified Teachers, Specialists, and Staff Members

• Mentoring approach• Specialists on staff• Fusion Specific Training

Essential Element #10

Foster a Culture of Compassion

• Lead by example• Social acceptance• School-wide gatherings• Welcoming environment• Learning happens when the student feels safe

HopeEngagementWell-Being

Gallop Student Poll findings supported by a nationally representative sample of

students, collected in April 2009

Our Results Are Different Too

Hope – Engagement – Well-Being

The ideas and energy we have for the future.• Drives attendance, credits earned, and GPA of high

school students• Predicts GPA and retention in college• Scores are more robust predictors of college success

than high school GPA or SAT and ACT scores

Hope

Gallop Poll’s Hope Index:50% of students are not hopeful about their future17% feel discouraged about their future33% are stuck or struggling

Hope – Engagement – Well-Being

The involvement in and enthusiasm for school• Distinguishes between high-performing and low-

performing schools

Engagement

Gallop Poll’s Engagement Index:50% are not engaged in school

Hope – Engagement – Well-Being

How we think about and experience our lives• Tells us how our students are doing today• Predicts their success in the future• High school freshman with a high well-being

score earn more credits with a higher GPA

Well-Being

Gallop Poll’s Well-Being Index:Thriving = 63%Suffering = 1%Struggling = 36%

Personalized Learning: Education That Fits You

One-to-One Works!

Relationship with parents

improved

Connection with teachers

Respect from teachers

Listened to by administration

Someone at Fusion to help

with a crisis

Overall success0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

69%

78%

100% 96%

67%

96%

Student Survey

One-to-One Works

• 100% of students report that Fusion helped them be more successful academically.

• 96% of students report that they plan on going to college.

Hope

One-to-One Works

• 100% of students report that they feel the education they get at Fusion is appropriate to their needs.

• 82% of students report that they feel engaged in a variety of ways to show knowledge.

Engagement

One-to-One Works

• 100% of students report that Fusion teachers listen to them and treat them with respect.

• 96% of students report that they feel more successful overall since coming to Fusion.

Well-Being

Real school.Real standards.Unreal Results.

CAT6 Test Scores

GRADE SUBJECT TEST 2008-2009

9 Reading 75%

  Language 100%

  Math 75%

  Science 75%

  Social Studies 50%

10 Reading 100%

  Language 100%

  Math 100%

  Science 100%

  Social Studies 100%

CAT6 Test Scores

GRADE SUBJECT TEST 2008-2009

11 Reading 91%  Language 73%  Math 91%  Science 82%  Social Studies 91%     

12 Reading 100% *

  Language 100% *

  Math 100%  Science 100%  Social Studies 100%

* All students scored above average on CAT6.

Colleges Recently Accepting Our Grads

Arizona State UniversityArt Institute of CaliforniaBrown UniversityCalifornia Polytechnic - PomonaCalifornia Polytechnic - San Luis ObispoCollege ExcelCSU Channel IslandsCSU ChicoCSU Monterey BayCSU NorthridgeCSU SacramentoCSU San MarcosEmbry-Riddle Aeronautic UniversityEmerson CollegeFashion Business InstituteHumboldt StateMarist CollegeMarymount CollegeMesa College

Mira Costa CollegeNaropa UniversityNorthern Texas UniversityPrescott CollegeRider UniversitySaddleback CollegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Francisco State UniversitySeton HallSt. Peter's CollegeSyracuseTemple UniversityTowsonUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of California - Santa BarbaraUniversity of Liverpool (United Kingdom)University of OregonUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWhittier College

ExpectedSchool-wideLearning Results

ESLRs

Resourceful Individuals Who• Know how to seek out information• Are able to advocate on their own behalf• Participate in their own education and their lives• Are able to manage their time and prioritize their

responsibilities• Are productive and creative problem solvers

ESLRs

Compassionate and Tolerant Individuals Who

• Show respect for the thoughts and beliefs of others• Are aware of their and others’ unique strengths and

weaknesses• Create work that has personal meaning

ESLRs

Emotionally Secure Individuals Who• Exhibit empathy toward others• Understand the balance between systems and

relationships• Have high self-worth• Communicate effectively

ESLRs

Academic Achievers Who• Strive to meet or exceed California state standards• Demonstrate academic growth toward California

state standards• Will be exposed to California state standards through

a variety of experience

Ann Aarons

Fusion Parent and Educational ConsultantPlease Welcome Ann!

In Summary

• 10 Essential Elements• The Anti-Cookie Cutter School• Why One-to-One Works• Test Scores• Community and Parent

Ambassadors

Experience the One-to-One Difference.

Why West Los Angeles?

• Critical need; Lack of Programs with Our Model• Educational Therapist and Consultants Guidance• Most Accessible Area in LA for the Largest

Number of Families• Proximity to Original Fusion

Thank You!Questions and Feedback?

www.FusionLosAngeles.com