Classes in Session at Fusion Academy

Behind the walls of the Hermosa Pavilion on PCH, four students sat on comfortable black couches, writing and studying, in what has been named “the homework lounge” at the new Fusion Academy and Learning Center in Hermosa Beach.

As she continued to work, 16-year-old high school student Brigitte Dzus told Patch that the academy’s one-on-one tutoring lessons are helping her better understand her school assignments.

"I'm learning more because they actually make sure you get it and everything, because it's one-on-one," Dzus said. "They make you understand everything. If you don't, then they go over it and help you understand."

Another student who was studying in the lounge, eighth-grader Joseph Mendes, agreed.

"This is, like, way better compared to other schools, because it has one-on-one teaching," he said. "It's your limit, how much you want to do at once."

The private, alternative school’s Hermosa Beach branch opened its doors for the first time Monday to provide one-on-one academic lessons and art lectures to its students.

"It's a really interesting population of students, so I was really excited to get to work with them and just kind of see how art helps them," said art instructor Kelly Hayes.

The students are “able to move at their own pace," said . "So we can move slower if they need it or we can also ramp it up if they're a really bright student… we're really able to tailor everything we do around that student."

Instructors at the academy range from specializing in music to art to yoga. Students “actually get P.E. credit for yoga," Lyn-Forney said.

"You know, there's a huge therapeutic component to Fusion and so we really believe in that wellness of yoga, art and music," she added.

Music teacher Jonathan Chi, who was monitoring the academy’s front desk Monday, told Patch that he enjoys the freedom Fusion Academy gives its instructors.

"Every teacher can kind of custom-tailor their approach to a student and the material and make them match well," Chi said. "I can kind of be creative in how I present material to students. It makes it a lot easier to engage the kids in that."

The year-round Fusion Academy in Hermosa Beach is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.