THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED DAYS -- WINTER 2004

Franklin Academy opened for operation this past September with thirty-three students coming from fourteen states across the country. Our boys and girls are bright, talented, and creative. They are great children who possess tremendous potential, but some have been marginalized by their previous educational experiences. Therefore, our highest priority from the very beginning has been to create a school community where every student feels safe, connected, understood, and supported. Rather than existing alone at periphery of a school's population, these children are thriving "front and center" at Franklin Academy where they have the chance to live and learn together in an atmosphere of respect and compassion.

I believe that we are succeeding in creating the type of boarding school community that our students need and want. Here are some recent quotes from parents and consultants who have seen what I see everyday as headmaster - an abundance of smiles and enthusiastic interactions between students and teachers at Franklin Academy:

	"Thank you once again for a wonderful visit on Tuesday. I again have to tell you how exciting it was to watch and absorb your enthusiasm for the NLD population."
	"My husband and I found Franklin's approach to NLD both exciting and exhilarating. You have unearthed an NLD child's biggest struggles and their worst nightmares - both academically and socially. In doing this you have found a way to educate them, to help them educate themselves, and to aid them in securing a place in society that is safe, enjoyable, and productive."
	"We were very impressed by your understanding and compassion for children (like our son) who have had such difficulty in traditional school settings. It is wonderful that Franklin Academy has designed a learning and living environment where these children can create their own brand of success."
	"You are all to be congratulated for your vision, efforts and accomplishments for such a special group of students."
	"The talent, knowledge, and energy that has been put in (this) school by all involved is amazing. It can only be a success! And the children seemed so happy and involved with their environment."
	"Dear Cindy, I am so grateful to you for the chance to visit Franklin Academy. You have been able to collect an amazing group of administrators and a needy and deserving student body - such lovely kids!"
	"When my son called to say he was elected to student government, I cried."

While our first school year is just half over, we are already witnessing remarkable transformations. Here are just a few examples.

One of our day students missed 70 days of public school last year. Frankly, he dreaded attending classes. Now, he cannot wait to come to Franklin Academy each day, and often he stays until the dinner hour.

A very shy and reticent boy almost did not gain entry to Franklin Academy. He seemed too fragile and too determined to avoid interaction with other students. After several lengthy meetings with the family, we decided to give this student a chance in the day program. Since opening day, his progress has been truly dramatic. Body language, facial expressions, and eye contact reveal newfound confidence and growing self-esteem. During our fall Parents' and Grandparents' day he volunteered to greet our guests as they arrived on campus. In late October he moved into the boarding program, and recently he was instrumental in helping to recruit one of our newest students who enrolled this January.

One of our older students had been out of school for over a year. A high school diploma seemed out of the question. Now, he is looking at a variety of college opportunities to follow his graduation from Franklin Academy.

A Franklin mom recently reported that she took her son to see his psychologist while he was home for winter vacation in December. The psychologist could not believe it was the same boy who left for Franklin Academy in September, and he said to the mother: "Whatever Franklin Academy is doing, it is really working for your son."

Of course, there have been some struggles and surprises. With no other boarding school providing a model to emulate, it has been necessary to pioneer our own strategies for serving students with nonverbal learning differences. Some of the ideas work. Others need to be jettisoned as we learn more about our students. Nonetheless, I am delighted at how quickly Franklin Academy has rooted, grown, and blossomed in the countryside of East Haddam, Connecticut. A mere four months ago we were strangers to each other. Now, we are a school community that is much like a small village where everyone knows each other exceedingly well. We live and learn together. We care for each other, and we share so many experiences, making it seem as if we have been together for a much longer time than just one hundred days.

Sincerely,

Frederick Weissbach, Headmaster