Nelson County showcases Fusion Micro School; district reports early learning gains
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Summary
Nelson County school leaders and students described Fusion, a new 7th–8th grade STEM micro school that partners with local industry; staff reported a 14% increase in students scoring at or above grade level on a January diagnostic and highlighted employer partnerships.
The Nelson County Board of Education on Feb. 17 heard a program presentation on Fusion, a micro school for seventh- and eighth-grade students focused on accelerated work in math and science. Teachers, a student and community partners described hands-on projects and employer collaborations that district staff say are producing early gains.
Fusion began as part of a district micro-school design process and opened this August at OKH, drawing about 30 students from Bloomfield and OKH, according to Liana Van Dyke, the district’s math design lead for grades 6–12. Van Dyke said all students in the program were partnered with three employer partners through three community challenge projects and that a January diagnostic showed a 14% increase in students scoring at or above grade level. “So halfway through, we’ve already got a 14% increase in students at or above grade level,” Van Dyke said.
Seventh-grader Alex Brown told the board Fusion “has really given me an excellent experience,” praising field trips to 3 Rivers Energy and the Bardstown water treatment plant and saying the hands-on work has helped him consider a future in science and math. His parent, Jamie Mericle, said her son had been disengaged in a traditional classroom but became motivated in Fusion, demonstrating problem-solving and public-speaking skills when presenting group projects. “He said freedom — that he didn’t feel micromanaged,” Mericle said of her son’s description of the class.
Science teacher Cameron Richards described projects modeled on academic posters and said students have developed experimental methods they may seek to publish in a peer‑reviewed student journal. Community partner David Martin, site manager at 3 Rivers Energy, said hosting student visits helped both students and plant staff learn: “We learned with the students and we learned every day.”
Board members commended the program’s industry connections and student outcomes and were invited to attend Fusion presentations. The district said it will continue to track student performance and report back as the program matures.