New, Alternative Private School Opening Near Altadena

A new type of private school has announced plans to open this spring in Pasadena, at 825 Colorado Blvd., directly off Route 134 and the Figueroa exit. The school, called Fusion Academy and Learning Center, was founded 22 years ago in San Diego, and is branching into a number of Los Angeles area towns, including Calabasas and Hermosa Beach. 

"Everything we do at Fusion is individualized," said the school's founder and president Michelle Rose Gilman. 

The school strives to provide personalized one-on-one classes, tailored to the students needs, but the increased attention comes at a price. Tuition for one academic year costs $30,000 to $35,000 for a full load of eight classes. Since the Fusion Academy is not a nonprofit, it does not have funding for scholarships, Gilman said.

She said Fusion's schools have students of all kinds, from geniuses to youngsters with social difficulties. "We have students transitioning out of boarding school, students who are having trouble in regular schools," Gilman said.

The concept is unique; unlike a regular school's 9-month academic year, this school is year-round and students can start or stop anytime within the year, and they move up in grade level when they are ready. Fusion originally started as a tutoring and mentoring facility, with after-school tutoring sessions, and then grew into a full-fledged school. 

The school's small size -- about 60 students per school -- make it "an intimate, family-like environment," Gilman said. She added that this type of model works well for learning disabled students.

"There's a therapeutic component for kids that are more tender, who are dealing with family issues, anxiety and emotional issues," she said. In addition, the school has a marriage and family therapist as well as a substance abuse counselor to work with students as necessary.

Francisco Ayala, a Monrovia resident and formerly a regional supervisor for the Options for Youth, Inc. network of 31 public charter schools across the state, will be the Head of School for the Pasadena Fusion Academy. 

“As educators, it is crucial that we understand our students’ needs and individual learning styles so that we can tailor our instructional programs to support each student in meeting their goals,” Ayala said.

The school also has a flexible schedule, and classes are offered all day, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and students can choose their own timings. 

In addition to regular classes like math and science, Gilman said the school boasts a full music recording studio and elaborate art studio. They also require specialized classes, such as life skills and wellness. Gilman said Fusion Academy also uses standardized testing like other schools.

When asked whether the recession impacted student enrollment, given the price tag for the tuition, Gilman said the economic downturn has not hindered Fusion Academy. They have also chosen to open in affluent neighborhoods, such as Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo and Santa Monica, where many parents consider .

The school has  scheduled an information meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at Cafe Santorini's Rococo Room, 64 West Union Street, Pasadena.