Franklin Academy the first boarding school to focus exclusively on students in grades 6-12 who have Non Verbal Learning Disabilities, is currently receiving applications and is scheduled to open in September of 2003. Students with NVLD, despite their intellectual potential, usually of average to above average intelligence, often struggle with seemingly routine tasks such as perceiving nonverbal cues, following instructions, linking concepts, and visualizing and organizing information. Many of these children shut down and resign themselves to frustration and continued failure for their entire school careers. Franklin Academy believes that “a combination of a safe and supportive environment, a predictable schedule, an integrated curriculum, and an innovative and well-trained faculty” will be the difference these children need and deserve.
The Academy will offer a middle and high school program that is tailored to students’ individual learning styles, that focuses on skill acquisition. The teaching methods incorporate “sensory integration, language-based approaches, and life-space interventions to bolster” the learning process.
Academy faculty and staff are committed to helping students develop strong character traits such as integrity, compassion, and tolerance. All of the social and academic aspects of the program are built on a strong foundation of trust that also provides students with practical instruction to encourage personal responsibility for their individual decisions, behavior and actions.
The Franklin Academy is located in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley, with ponds and a nature preserve bordering the 25-acre campus. Each student has his or her own bedroom that connects to a larger common area and all faculty live on campus, which helps to create a close knit community that fosters significant connections between students and staff.