Franklin Academy
Address
140 River Road

East Haddam
,
Connecticut
06423

United States
Coordinates41°26′26″N 72°26′06″W / 41.4406°N 72.4349°W / 41.4406; -72.4349[1]
Information
TypePrivate boarding secondary
MottoBelong, Grow, Succeed
Established2001 (2001)
CEEB code070166
Grades8-PG
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment80
Color(s)Maroon and blue
  
MascotPhoenix
AccreditationNew England Association of Schools and Colleges
Websitewww.fa-ct.org

Franklin Academy is a co-ed special education boarding school in East Haddam, Connecticut, serving students in grades 8-12 as well as post-graduate students. The school's primary mission is to provide education to adolescents and young adults with nonverbal learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

Description

The Middletown Press reported,

Franklin Academy is the first accredited college preparatory boarding school in the country that has developed a program specifically tailored to nonverbal learning disabilities or those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger's Syndrome.[2]

The students are boys and girls in grades 8-12 as well as some doing a post-graduate program.[3] The school also runs a Summer Sojourn program which focuses on experiential learning.[3] The camp:

...offers outdoor activities such as horseback riding at a nearby stable, swimming and boating, and classes on topics such as myths and legends, cooking and good vs. evil. It also offers classes that more directly address issues that the campers face. A class called "self-exploration" gives students the chance to practice "the skills of motor coordination, executive functioning, and social dynamics."

— Kathleen Megan [4]

Franklin Academy's online learning curriculum mirrors a classroom built on student and teacher interaction, according to reporter Dave Puglisi. Built in just a week, the online platform system includes students' routines, providing a schedule of a full day's classes and social activities.[5]

Both boarding and day school programs are available. Its student to faculty ratio in 2022 was approximately 2.4:1.[6]

Franklin Academy is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.[7] It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges,[8] and is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.[9]

History

Campus map of Becket Academy (sketch).
Sketch of Becket Academy circa 1971 showing various campus buildings, roads, and other complexes.[10]

The East Haddam property on which Franklin Academy's campus is located previously had been home to three other institutions: Becket Academy, established in 1964 as a residential school for boys;[10] Founders School;[11] and Haddam Hills Academy for juvenile offenders.[11]

In November 2001, Franklin Academy was incorporated by John Claude Bahrenburg and Albert Brayson, leaders of the former Haddam Hills.[12][13] Initially, "business partners intend to open Franklin Academy without seeking state approval", according to Hartford Courant reporting.[14] Preparations for opening began with an administrative team in 2002, with founding headmaster Frederick Weissbach.[15] After the Connecticut State Department of Education granted approval to operate, the school spent $2.5 million on campus facilities.[16]

On February 22, 2021, Franklin Academy and its headmaster were sued for alleged racism. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount.[17] The school's legal issues are documented on Unsilenced, a non-profit website.[18]

In 2022, Tom Hays became director of Franklin Academy, with Fred Weissbach taking the role of president.[19] On November 2, 2023, the Board of Trustees announced retirements of Fred Weissbach and Tom Hays at the end of the school year, and the appointment of Alex Morris-Wood as Head of School on July 1, 2024.[20]

Enrollment

Franklin Academy opened with an enrollment of 33 students in September 2003.[16] Enrollment has generally increased with time. Its opening enrollment of 33 students climbed to 57 to start 2005, then 68 in 2006.[21] As of 2020, enrollment was 76 students.[6] Since at least 2010, the enrollment total seems to have steadied around 80 students annually, according to statements by independent organizations.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Maps and Directions - Franklin Academy". Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Melissa Ziobron advocates for autism awareness at State Capitol". The Middletown Press. April 4, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Franklin Academy | New England Psychology". directory.nepsy.com. September 29, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Sharing Life's Challenges >> Counselors Have Same Disorders as Campers". Hartford Courant. July 28, 2012. pp. A01. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Franklin Academy in East Haddam creates unique online platform for students with special needs". fox61.com. April 10, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Private Schools - Detail for Franklin Academy". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ Tigas, Mike; Wei, Sisi. "Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica". ProPublica. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Franklin Academy". December 14, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "NAIS - School, Institution: Franklin Academy". National Association of Independent Schools. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  10. 1 2 J., Wolter, John (1972). Becket Academy, the first seven years, A case study (Thesis). University of Massachusetts Amherst.{{cite thesis}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. 1 2 "Report of the attorney general and the child advocate : Department of Children & Families oversight of Haddam Hills Academy - Page 20". cslib.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  12. ↑ Kovner, Josh; Poitras, Josh (February 26, 2002). "School May Avoid Oversight by State". Hartford Courant. pp. A1. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Already, A Shaky Beginning". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018. Attorney John Claude Bahrenburg and his partners say they plan to open the residential treatment facility in September... The corporation that will run Franklin Academy is headed by Albert Brayson, who was instrumental in the running of Haddam Hills.
  14. ↑ Covner, Josh; Poitras, Colin (February 26, 2002). "School may avoid oversight by state". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  15. ↑ Jacobs, Janet (January 16, 2002). "St. Stephen's taps priest who was in Peace Corps as its new headmaster". Austin American Statesman. p. B7. ProQuest 256824455. Retrieved November 28, 2022 – via ProQuest. Fred Weissbach... has been headmaster of St. Stephen's since 1989. Weissbach is moving to Connecticut, where he will become the headmaster at Franklin Academy, a new boarding school for learning-challenged students.
  16. 1 2 "The History of Franklin Academy". Franklin Academy. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Winborne v. Franklin Academy Inc. et al.". Justia Dockets & Filings. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Franklin Academy". Unsilenced. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  19. ↑ Weissbach, Frederick (March 14, 2022). "Administrative Restructuring 1". Franklin Academy. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  20. ↑ "New Head of School Announcement" (PDF). November 2, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  21. ↑ "LD Resources » Sanford Shapiro looks at Franklin Academy". LD Resources. January 16, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
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