Family Engagement & Outreach
The Franklin community extends beyond our students and includes all family members. We understand the journey to Franklin may have been rough, and we are here to be supportive in making goals and future plans. Together, we will forge a new pathway where success can be redefined and reached.
Family involvement at Franklin Academy goes beyond information sharing. We want this to be an engaging and transformative experience for our parents so they can support their student’s journey to college, career, and beyond.
Family Engagement
At Franklin we know that a student’s family is a key piece of their support team. Coordinated communication is part of the Franklin model. Each family is paired with an Associate Dean who will oversee their journey. As the communication touchpoint, the advisor will support the academic and residential experience for the family and provide timely and robust updates about student performance, strengths, areas of progress, and future goals.
Here is more about the outreach families can expect:
- Summer Connection Series & Advising: Prior to the start of the academic year, Franklin hosts a series of webinars to introduce families to the community, preview the year, and establish goals. This is also when parents meet with their Family & Student Advisors and with the Associate Dean of College & Career Counseling.
- Orientation: At the start of the school year, as well as after the winter break, students and families participate in an orientation program to focus on key topics related to the student and family’s transition. Topics may include communication skills, how to problem-solve around homesickness, or information related to college and career. This is also a great time for families to connect with other parents and our educators.
- Student Performance Outreach: Each Quint (our five-week terms), families will start and end with a family-based program by the Form Leadership. Additionally, families will have a conference each Quint that focuses on student development, performance benchmarks, and transitional goals. Finally, families can always contact teachers and other school-based resources to learn about how their student is benefiting from the Franklin model.
- Ongoing Education & Support: Throughout the year, Franklin Academy hosts parent and family webinars to support understanding of their emerging adults. Topics range from mental health interventions, planning for breaks, college accommodations, and assistive technology. All of our resources for parents are free and are recorded for later viewing!
Parent Portal
Having students live away from home is never easy, no matter if the student is in high school or college! Therefore, Franklin Academy wants to keep families informed about how students are performing, what is happening on campus, and what opportunities they have as Franklin parents. Our families utilize the portal to access key information from the school.
In the parent portal, families will find:
- Weekly academic updates
- Academic reports and grades
- Overview of student social programming opportunities
- Information and access to special events
- Important forms
Family Association Board
Franklin Academy aims to foster a connected community that also supports our families. Interested family members can join the Franklin Academy Family Association Board to strengthen their involvement with the school. The Association Board will focus on three main initiatives:
- Engage in a mentorship relationship with current and alumni families through meet-and-greets, regional mixers, and virtual connections. These opportunities aim to build a network of family connections where mutual respect and understanding of the journey is celebrated.
- Support key initiatives of Franklin Academy through annual events including the Fall Family Weekend, spring musical, senior week, alumni events, and other regional admissions and advancement outreach.
- Provide ongoing feedback to the Head of School about their experience at Franklin Academy. Through roundtable discussions, virtual sessions, and surveying, the Board aims to partner with the Head to continue to evaluate, enhance, and expand Franklin Academy initiatives.
To become a member of the Board, or serve in an executive role, please contact Cindy Pope, Dean of Enrollment & Strategic Initiatives (ci********@fa***.org)
Professional Outreach & Training
We pride ourselves on being experts in the field of neurodiversity. As such, Franklin Academy regularly offers free and fee-based professional development for schools, local organizations, and parent groups. Topics that may be of interest to school counselors, special educators, school administrators, independent consultants, and parent groups include:
- Strength-Based Programming
- Family Dynamics & Systems Theory
- Interpreting Psychoeducational Testing
- Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act for College Planning
- Designing Transitional Goals for IEPs
- Evaluating College Options for Students who are Neurodiverse
Our Code of Conduct emphasizes that each community member “takes care of the world”, and at Franklin Academy, we do that by supporting other schools and organizations. Franklin partners with high schools and colleges who want to build or expand their programs for students who are neurodiverse through consultations, curriculum development, and program evaluations. In addition, Franklin Academy supports diversity, equity, and inclusion work with businesses as they foster an inclusive environment for all employees, especially those who are neurodiverse.
