Franklin Academy

140 River Road

East Haddam, CT 06423

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

8-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

Our daughter has been a boarder student at Franklin Academy for the last four years. She started in 8th grade. When she started, she was a typical disorganized rising 8th grader with little to no social skills. To her credit, we were still in the mask wearing stage of Covid-19, just returning to in-person education. At the end of her 8th grade year, when I went to pick her up, she was not ready, her room was a disaster, and she didn't seem to mind one bit. Fast forward to the end of her 10th grade year, she was waiting for me, packed, organized, and her room was so clean I could have eaten off the floor. This transformation in a matter of three years is only the start of the transformation we have experienced since she began Franklin Academy. In general, her grades have always been good. However, she was lacking in the social/emotional department, organization skills, and hygiene. We have found that she excels when she has the structure of her school day. She knows exactly when to get up, eat, go to classes, study, and socialize. Now, she has taken on the added responsibility of managing the school store and hopes to begin an internship at a local coffee shop. As much as I never expected my 8th grade daughter to leave for boarding school, she has grown as an independent, confident student. I know college students who are not as organized as she is!However, she did not do this alone. The teachers and staff at Franklin Academy have been there to guide her every step of the way. It takes a lot for a neurodivergent student to gain the self-confidence to grow into adulthood. Our daughter learned to discuss her emotions, which better helped her in her academics, e.g., worried about a math test and how to study so she would feel more confident. Within social interactions, she has learned additional skills, e.g., someone was coming on too strong, and how to communicate her feelings in a win/win situation for all. Some people may know how to do this naturally, but Franklin Academy's teachers and staff not only "do a job", they work with the whole student to learn life skills which will stay with them forever. We couldn't be happier with the outcome of our student at Franklin Academy. My only hope is that more families can experience the transformative education that Franklin Academy has to offer.
Submitted by other on October 12, 2022

I attended this school fairly early on, but keep up with what happens there. It's actually gone *downhill* since I attended. I was 'asked to leave' after I spiralled into horrible depression, and was told that if I kept up my 'attitude' and 'disruptive behaviour' I would be 'asked to leave'. They then sent me home on the train with a few clothes and no computer 'for a weekend', and my father had to threaten to sue to get them to allow me - or other people - to come back to pack up my room and get my things. By that time many of my things had been stolen as the doors have no locks and the only reason my laptop hadn't been is because instead of leaving it with the school I left it with a day-student friend to take home with them, as someone had gotten their laptop stolen by the school earlier that year in similar circumstances.Apparently, all the teachers I knew when I was there have been let go or fired, and the majority of the non-teacher, non-admin staff are also gone, several times over.They say they cater to people with autism, ADHD, and other issues, but in my experience and from accounts from recent grads there are more behavioural-issue students there than anything else.Also, as a writer, many of these reviews look like they're written by the same person with minor edits.I cannot in good conscience recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2022

First-hand experience regarding this school comes as a parent who was active in school activities and programs.First, the school has a major problem with bullying. Teachers favor certain students while diminishing the fears, concerns, and emotions of others regardless of issues facing them of any sort. Staff often break the school's own ethics code in dealing with students, tolerate harrassment of all sorts, and occasionally participate themselves. Granted some teachers do not engage in these acts, but often these teachers don't last for whatever reason while the unethical ones stay as teachers for years. Staff often intimidate students through methods of acting as if their feelings don't matter such as saying such meaningless platitudes as "just be positive", or "negativity solves nothing", or outright claiming they will send false information in reports to parents. My son also witnessed a male student being physically assaulted and a female student being groped by another male student, and despite acting as a witness, nothing came from either of these and the student in question was given no discipline whatsoever (I later found this student's parents were quite the donors to the school"The school costs an immense amount of money. Despite a preachy white savior attitude, the school nevertheless refuses to admit virtually any students of color, and those who do make it in are usually expelled within a year. My own son was expelled for having "emotional issues" while I witnessed white students having far worse outbursts than those they claimed my son had done. They also claimed he did not "fit their environment".I would stay far away from this unless you want your child to walk away with major new insecurities, social anxiety or worse....
Submitted by other on April 12, 2021

Very good school for those who need understanding and compassion. It's not perfect but it is absolutely getting on track to be. VERY expensive so do be wary of that. Overall very good student and teacher population. Could definitely use more diversity though...
Submitted by other on December 08, 2019

This school not only made me able to pass high school, but made me a better person. Because of Franklin, I'm always striving to make positive changes in my life, even when things get rough. I can't thank the leadership, counselors, teachers, and other staff at this school, enough.
Submitted by student on August 14, 2019

This school has taken me to inamaginable places, a couple years ago I was failing the sixth grade just because I couldn't handle the immense pressure of public school, I was a wreck. Now I'm doing geometry over the summer to sharpen my mind, have a self made sleep window, love my life, and actively plan and coordinate time with friends that I all made here. I owe this place my life and more, so thank you FA.
Submitted by other on May 19, 2018

I graduated in 2014 and going to Franklin Academy changed my life for the better. There is a very strong sense of community.
Submitted by other on May 27, 2017

I spent all four years of my highschool experience at Franklin, and it made me who I am today. I went from regularly hiding under my desk crying in middle school to a successful student who graduated college in three year's with the title of Cum Laude. Without this program I doubt I would have been able to complete highschool. If your son/daughter has the drive to be better then they currently are, this program has the supportive community which will help them strive to be their best selves.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2017

Franklin Academy is really a wonderful place to go to school! I went there my junior and senior year of high school there and all the faculty members really helped me learn and grow. I highly recommend this school to kids who are struggling with ADD/ADHD, NLD, Autism, Aspergers, etc... Franklin Academy really provides a wonderful community. Franklin Academy also welcomes both boarding and day students.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2017

Franklin changed my life . From Franklin I learned impulse control , social skills, time manegment , organization and muc more. Living away from home made the transition much easier into college. I am very greatful for my time at Franklin and I would not be where I am today without it.
Submitted by student on May 20, 2017

Franklin is a school that really helps its students. You just need to buy in the program and they can work wonders for you. I am a student that would not be where I am today if it wasn't for Franklin. I highly recommend you consider Franklin as an option for your child. I am proof of the wonders that this boarding school can do. I'd like to especially point out how helpful specific teachers can be - Krishna is one of them.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2017

Franklin Academy has a wonderful and supporting community. Everyone knows each others differences and accepts them. I highly recommend this boarding school to anyone who struggles with disabilities such as ADHD, ADD, NSD, etc.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2017

Great and accepting community. Small student to staff ratio so you get a lot of individual attention.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2017

Graduated in 2011 it was such a great place to feel welcome and feel like you belong. All staff are amazing and really help you learn skills you will implement in life.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2017

I graduated from Franklin after being there for two years. I would not be the college student I am today without Franklin. Franklin was the first school I attended to have people that believed I could be successful and had potential to achieve my dreams. Their program (especially FLI) is wonderful and I believe that the positive aspects and benefits of attending Franklin are worth looking past the criticism for.
Submitted by teacher on May 05, 2017

I have worked at Franklin Academy (CT) for over 10 years. The students are great, the faculty is caring and knowledgable, and the administration is committed to the school.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

The school is a farce. It is not what it purports to be.
Submitted by teacher on March 14, 2017

I can't believe this school hasn't been shut down. Where does the 80k in tuition go? It doesn't go into facilities or hiring competent staff.
Submitted by other on February 22, 2017

I spent from Sophomore to Senior year at Franklin along with one post-grad year and I can honestly say they were the most transformative years of my life. The staff show honest care and investment for every student and the supportive environment, small size of the school, and well-balanced classes allowed me to practice my academic skills and bring my social skills from abominable to a good degree beyond "passable." I started withdrawn, surly, and lacking in self confidence and left at a point where I could happily lead group projects if need be and can comfortably get along with coworkers. If your child has trouble socially or is struggling academically or with their confidence I absolutely suggest Franklin Academy.
Submitted by teacher on October 02, 2016

I have spent the last 13 years of my 28 year teaching career at Franklin Academy. I have taught in schools with some of the most gifted students in this country and I would not go back. Our students are kind, intelligent and motivated despite the many challenges they have faced. They come from schools where they were misunderstood and often bullied by both students and faculty. It is truly an honor to work with them and their parents to forge a future of their choosing and to help guide them to setting and meeting their goals. There is no perfect place, but the Franklin Academy community strives to honor its code of conduct. It is a place that provides a safe environment where students can develop a sense of belonging, so that they can make the growth necessary to be successful in their future endeavors.