At Franklin Academy, we believe that education should be driven by passion. Our students bring diverse interests, from music to animals to coding, and our elective classes and immersive experiences are designed to allow them to pursue existing passions or discover new ones. This year, our faculty has gone above and beyond to create exceptional opportunities based on both their own passions and those of our students.
Musical theater has emerged as a significant force among our students this year. Our dedicated faculty crafted classes that allowed this to flourish and be shared with the school community. An impressive 38% of our student body has participated in a theater class this year, taking on roles as performers, stage managers, or set builders. These classes culminated in a stunning performance of “Anything Goes,” featuring a handmade set created by our talented students. Additionally, our students showcased their acting prowess at the Connecticut Drama Association’s CT Drama Festival, where they won several awards, including outstanding scenery, outstanding ensemble, and multiple excellence in acting awards. These achievements bring joy and confidence to our students and provide a platform for them to apply the skills they learn daily in an exciting and engaging context.
Working with animals is consistently popular among both students and faculty. This passion has led to the introduction of six unique animal-based courses this year, with an impressive 42% of our student body participating. These courses have allowed us to forge a partnership with a local farm, Ray of Light, where students learn about nonverbal communication with animals, explore various career opportunities, and gain hands-on experience with horses. This collaboration has also opened doors for students to secure internships aligned with their interests, such as working at the farm or interning at a local veterinary office. Our students and faculty have even built a farm from scratch on our campus, complete with sustainable buildings and a home for sixteen laying hens, one rooster, and four goats (two of whom were born on campus with the assistance of Franklin faculty). This hands-on experience teaches students about farming and animal care and the science behind raising animals, including birthing and vaccinations.
Franklin Academy loves bringing our passions to the students and letting them bring theirs to us! We look forward to seeing what other opportunities become available in the future as students and faculty continue to introduce their favorite areas to us!
