Message from the Head of School

Welcome to Franklin Academy! I am delighted you are exploring our website to discover more about our school. As you navigate through our site, you will find a school that not only provides neurodivergent learners with an opportunity to grow academically, but also to become part of a warm and inclusive community. Our programs are designed to foster a sense of belonging, preparing students for a successful transition to college or a career.

Franklin Academy has transformed the lives of our students and families through our unique approach to learning. Our experiential and differentiated educational model allows students to develop the necessary skills to become lifelong learners. They dive deep into their passions and are challenged by dedicated staff who create a classroom environment that makes learning exciting. We see our students as talented young people, and through this strength-based approach, we recognize that success shows up in many different ways. For some, it is taking a course through our dual-enrollment program with the University of Connecticut; for others, it is completing an honors animal science course. Academic success could even be a student finding their lifelong passion by interning with a cybersecurity company.

Our students also soar to new heights because of our residential life model. Franklin Academy is in beautiful East Haddam, Connecticut, a safe community surrounded by preserved land and state parks. Once you step foot on our campus, however, you will find a bustling place with students and staff engaged in various programs and community activities. Our social and emotional curriculum is active – we teach students how to form and deepen relationships and provide the practice and feedback to find social success. This allows our students to take healthy risks, including starting a student club, running for a student government position, or acting in our spring musical. Franklin Academy students form lifelong friendships that grow deeper through our weekend activities, varsity athletics, or international travel experiences. As our students often say, “They find their people.”

Our integrated approach to learning is a critical factor that separates Franklin Academy from other schools. We recognize that, depending on their profiles and prior experiences, our students may benefit from additional resources to find postsecondary success. Therefore, we provide robust opportunities to build student academic and social-emotional skills with consistent executive functioning support woven through all aspects of our program. In doing so, our students generalize skills and go on to implement these strategies at one of the 450 colleges they have been admitted to since our opening or within the workforce.

The Franklin Academy community extends beyond our students. We value our partnership with families and actively encourage their involvement through ongoing communication, outreach, and opportunities to form connections. Our alumni, who return each year to mentor current students and share their experiences with our families, are an integral part of our community. Our partnership with the town of East Haddam further enriches our students’ experience, preparing them for a fulfilling life.

Please accept my warmest welcome to the Franklin Academy community. Our website captures our unique learning environment and the deep traditions of our school. Please visit the campus, where I can personally welcome you to the most outstanding high school for neurodivergent learners in the country.

Warmly,
Alexander Morris-Wood
Head of School