Fusion After School

I hadn’t heard great things about this school but due to a temporary change of residence, very limited resources and not knowing enough about the area, I sent my kids to this after-​school albeit with some skepticism.
Whatever I had heard, I experienced in magnitude.
First, let me say that my experience with Anjali (the founder) was excellent. She likes to stay on top of things (time-​permitting) and likes to solve any issues that you may be facing. She is also very empathetic. The problem however lies somewhere else. Ever since Anjali opened the Finch center, she has made her parents in-​charge for the Stelling Center. My child had a harrowing experience with the founder’s father, Captain Nipi. He treated the kids very badly. He leads the center like a military regiment and yells at the kids for no reason. As soon as the school opened in Sept, they started preparing for the annual Diwali party in October. Good effort but extremely stressful for the kids. He wanted the kids to do yoga and would constantly yell at them. Teaching is about instilling compassion, not fear. My son and his friends would be so scared of the practice. Yoga became a nightmare for my son. Come to think of it, if a child has never practiced yoga, how can you expect them to perfect the asanas after the first two classes.
At one occasion, a parent asked my friend to coordinate a playdate between their kids. Somehow Capt Nippi was in ear’s reach and he heard the conversation. As soon as the other parent stepped out, Capt Nippi pulled my friend and said, «Do not encourage your child to be friend’s with this kid. He has ADHD and will be a bad influence on your son.» We were totally appalled to hear this. While my friend had the wisdom to not name the other parent/​child while telling me this story, as a caregiver, Capt Nipi compromised the privacy of a child/​family. Also, someone should tell him that ADHD is not an infectious disease that will spread like wildfire. These kids are just as beautiful as others and must get the same treatment, privileges, love and empathy just like any other kid.
Anjali has very good intentions and her plans are well thought out too. The execution however is extremely poor. She tries to cram in a lot of stuff and children do not get a breather the entire time they are there at the school. I know she has her heart in the right place and I would just wish that she could step up and hire the right people to run the school with the same passion with which she started this in the first place.

My son has been going to Fusion at Stelling center for a half year now. We love the teachers. We love their programs. We could not be happier that we found it!

My son has been going to the Stelling center for 3 years now. I could not recommend a better place than this after school. Things that we are happy and love about Fusion —
1) The classes are by grade, so kids are with their peers and get challenged and learn together. In other after-​schools, the classes are mixed grade and kids can end up learning wrong things.
2) They have a time-​table they follow which allocates time for completing homework, do practice work to reinforce concepts and extra curricular activities. My son has always finished his homework there so he is free to relax when he comes home. They send a regular report home of your child’s progress.
3) The owner takes personal interest and arranges for various classes — some free, some paid and the kids have a variety of activities other than studies they can take part in — learn chess, martial arts, yoga, music, dance, crafts, basketball, Hindi, Mandarin, just to name a few.
4) The owner and staff are truly engaged and concerned about the kids. I have always found the staff to be courteous and interested in my child’s progress. I am relieved knowing that my son is cared for and safe there.
5) I love the functions and activities they organize throughout the year. Their science camp and Diwali function, Chinese New Year celebration are activities that not only the kids but the parents look forward to as well.
6) Because Fusion caters to the various neighborhood schools in the area my son has friends in different schools and helps him expand his friend circle to outside his own school.
Honestly, the school is run by an Indian and majority of the kids may be of Indian origin and that is one of the reasons why I prefer this after school. They impart Indian/​Asian values and traditions which our kids here are not exposed to otherwise in a public surrounding and helps reinforce the values we teach them at home.
I am actually appalled by the review badmouthing this place, as its ridiculous! I don’t know who this person is but definitely not someone who is familiar with the after school program. My son in his Cupertino public school had all Indian classmates, I would call that lack of diversity, not racism!
I am posting this as it is not fair to tarnish the name of a good institution. I am a parent and always on the look out for a good place where I know my kids will be learning and growing and most importantly safe.
Don’t go by my review alone, I encourage you to go visit the program and you will see for yourself that this is one of the best after school programs in the Cupertino area.
— Deepa