Franklin Academy (Connecticut)

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

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.

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

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

History
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; Founders School; and Haddam Hills Academy for juvenile offenders.

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

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

In 2022, Tom Hays became director of Franklin Academy, with Fred Weissbach taking the role of president. 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.

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