News

Leading one-to-one school organization iEducation Group further strengthens personalized learning offerings for families across the country.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – May 20, 2019 – Leading one-to-one school organization, iEducation Group (formerly known as Fusion Education Group), announced today that it has acquired Futures Academy, adding the nation’s second-largest one-to-one school group to its educational offerings. To reflect this expanded range of services, Fusion has changed its name to iEducation Group.   

The formation of iEducation Group creates one organization that will operate three individual school groups, including Futures, Fusion and Barnstable Academy. iEducation will continue to build partnerships with other leaders in personalized learning. iEducation Group is backed by Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, the New York-based investment firm.

Fusion Academy, founded in 1992 with a single campus in Solana Beach, California, transforms students’ lives through one-to-one (one teacher, one student) instruction that emphasizes both academics and the emotional needs of its students.  Today, there are more than 50 Fusion campuses across 16 states and the District of Columbia.  

Similarly, Futures Academy, founded in 1985, offers one-teacher to one-student learning at its 16 campuses throughout California, customizing education to fit each student’s unique talents, challenges and interests. Fusion and Futures will continue to operate as independent and separate school organizations, with Kelly Bozarth continuing as CEO of Futures. Futures has been backed by Crane Street Capital Group, LLC.

“Our collective organization is focused on driving great outcomes for more and more students across the country, and we believe expanding our personalized education platform, particularly one-to-one schools, is critical in doing so,” said Peter Ruppert, CEO of iEducation Group. “Our combination with Futures Academy is a bold step toward achieving this vision, one which will help us impact the lives of thousands of children and families across the nation.”

For students who don’t thrive in a traditional classroom environment, Futures offers a proven educational alternative through personalized one-to-one instruction tailored to students’ individual needs.  With a 94% college acceptance rate, Futures not only helps students succeed in middle and high school but also prepares them for success in their post-secondary life.

At Futures, solid academic fundamentals are paired with learning how to learn, building successful study skills, and developing a growth mindset. Numerous campus activities provide leadership opportunities and allow students to engage outside the classroom. Future’s new 21st Century Skills Elective program offers more than 70 courses in emerging fields and encourages students to explore interests as they discover their strengths and purpose in life.  

Futures Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers more than 170 courses including 27 Honors and 18 Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

“At Futures Academy, we are deeply committed to continually innovating, adding new programs and services, attracting exceptional teachers, and partnering with our community,” Bozarth said. “This partnership will allow each school brand to better serve its unique student population, while creating more opportunities for our students, teachers and all stakeholders in our community.”

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About Fusion Academy
Fusion Academy is an accredited private middle and high school that was founded out of frustration with the status quo in traditional schools. Guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person, Fusion Academy seeks to help each student flourish – emotionally, socially, and academically – through positive mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience. Fusion Academy has more than 50 campuses across the United States. For more information, visit www.FusionAcademy.com. 

About Futures Academy
Since 1985, Futures Academy’s one-to-one teaching model has helped more than 19,000 students in grades 6-12 achieve educational success. Futures offers an alternative to the traditional classroom and helps students develop the knowledge, skills, mindsets, character, and habits needed to achieve personal goals. For more information visit www.futures.edu.

About iEducation Group
The pioneer in one-to-one education, Michigan-based iEducation provides students and families a growing array of personalized learning options delivered through more than 70 schools in 16 states. iEducation is the parent organization of Fusion Academy, Futures Academy and Barnstable Academy, and is committed to education that is innovative, individualized, and inspired.  The mission of iEducation Group is to help each student flourish – emotionally, socially and academically – through positive, mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience.

About Leeds Equity Partners
Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, is a New York-based private equity firm dedicated exclusively to partnering with management teams in the education, training and information services industries (the "Knowledge Industries"). The firm was founded in 1993 and currently manages $1.7 billion of capital across a broad spectrum of companies within the Knowledge Industries. Leeds Equity seeks to leverage its sector-focused expertise and market insights to create long-term value for its partner companies.  Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics, serves also as the Chair of the Leeds Equity Partners Board of Advisors.

About Crane Street Capital
Crane Street Capital Group, LLC is a mission-oriented private equity firm that seeks to enable and foster the spread of outstanding education and training businesses to benefit students and society.  Founded in 2009, the firm focuses on equity investments in “high-impact” micro-cap companies predominantly in education services which have unbounded growth potential. Businesses of this size and great potential for growth remain largely underserved by institutional capital. Crane Street typically partners with education industry owners and managers seeking to enhance their companies’ growth trajectories, create substantial value and broaden their societal impacts.