Fusion Mission Viejo Students Mentor Younger Children from Project HOPE

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—High school students at Fusion Academy & Learning Center Mission Viejo recently had the pleasure to serve as mentors to 40 students in grades K-5 from Project HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program in Education), an Orange County-run school designed to help children without permanent homes transition into the mainstream educational system. The students took an educational field trip to Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado.

A part of American Education Group’s growing network of customized private schools, Fusion Academy & Learning Center Mission Viejo is an alternative private school offering students in grades 6-12 a unique one-to-one learning experience. While at Rancho Las Lomas, an open-air museum that lives, breathes, squawks and growls, students from Fusion Academy and Project HOPE had the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with Bengal tigers, zebras and other exotic animals.

The event at Rancho Las Lomas provided older students from Fusion Academy an opportunity to give back to their community while serving as role models to the younger children, which, according to educators at Fusion Academy, was critical to the academic and social development of all participants.

“This was an invaluable program for everyone who participated,” said Dr. Peter Mikulecky, head of school at Fusion Academy & Learning Center Mission Viejo. “Our students learned lessons in patience and communications, while the youngsters benefited from working with peer role models. We will look for additional opportunities to work with Project HOPE again in the future as they provide a vital service to Orange County and its children.”

About Fusion Academy and Learning Center

Fusion Academy and Learning Center offers students an alternative to the traditional classroom setting through one-to-one teaching and customized academic programs. Fusion Academy is a WASC accredited private school for grades 6-12. Through individual mentoring, teaching and custom-tailored programs, each student's unique talents are both recognized and encouraged in a positive environment. Fusion Learning Center offers one-to-one tutoring, mentoring, independent studies and test preparation, as well as a rich music and art program.