special education
Special education (known as special-needs education, aided education, exceptional education, alternative provision, exceptional student education, special ed., SDC, or SPED) is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates th ...
boarding school
A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. As they have existed for many centuries, and now exten ...
in
East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut. The population was 8,875 at the time of the 2020 census.
History
Until 1650, the area of East Haddam was inhabited by at least three Indigenous peoples: the Wangunk, the Mohegan and the Ni ...
, 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 disorder
The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental disorder, neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) ...
s.
Description
''
The Middletown Press
The Middletown Press is a newspaper based in Middletown, Connecticut that is the main daily newspaper of Middletown and its surrounding area in Middlesex County, Connecticut.
It was founded in 1878 as the Middlesex Monitor, a daily flyer, by Ern ...
'' reported,
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:
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)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...
nonprofit organization. It is accredited by the
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) is a United States' regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation. NEASC serves over 1500 public, independent schools, and technical/career institution ...
, and is also a member of the
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1962, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boar ...
.
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
The ''Hartford Courant'' is the largest daily newspaper in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is considered to be the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. A morning newspaper serving most of the state north of New Haven ...
'' reporting. Preparations for opening began with an administrative team in 2002, with founding headmaster Frederick Weissbach. After the