Franklin Academy - East Haddam, Connecticut

Eli

I wrote my first review when I was a minor. It left out important details and events. After visiting friends and their families who share my experience, I think it's time to update.

I have been going to this school for a longer time than any high school. I went because it was supposed to help out with people who had minor troubles regarding social life. While it had its benefits, it had many glaring problems that disturb the experience.

I was physically assaulted in an unprovoked attack by another student. The staff did nothing about it, never even had the student apologize. The other student finally left a year later after abusing another student.

Tuition is super expensive, higher than Ivy League colleges. Athletics are poor and there is no good gym. When my friends and I noticed, we discussed it with staff. But instead of them trying to mend the problems, they dismissed as us being 'negative' and that a solution could be us just being “positive."

This underlines a problem that causes many staff and students to leave after only being there for a short time. In fact, many of the well-liked staff leave after only working there for a few years.

Despite them preaching social skills, the staff have acted rudely to students and clearly broke their own code. Often they invalidate students' feelings and experiences. One of them mocked my good friend for his political views in supporting a less-popular presidential candidate.  Some staff tolerate students who engage in harassment and abuse, while condemning the students who speak out. This is something that people should know about. One major problem, which was the nail in the coffin for my family, is the fact that the staff report many things to parents that often aren’t true.  After sending home the report, they later backtrack and say it was a misunderstanding, but only after telling parents. This has happened to me and my friends before, which makes us justifiably not trust the school.

Again, this school has a few good aspects. It provides a somewhat safe community where people can gain more friends from both other students and teachers. The food is amazing. Even some of the staff are fantastic people. Every experience at Franklin is different yet everyone experiences glaring problems.

matteo C.

Franklin Academy is a wonderful place for students with a learning disability like myself. Franklin Academy has a tight knit and friendly community of staff and students and has helped me grow in many ways since I first started here and it has prepared me socially and academically and in other ways for life after Franklin including college and what may come after. If you are looking for a place that specializes with kids who have learning disabilities and who are on the spectrum I would highly recommend Franklin Academy.

Calvin C.

I was in a difficult position in high school. I didnt have any understanding of any difficulties and how to manage such difficulties. Looking back at Franklin academy I recognize my own short comings in me putting forth a full effort in my time there but also in retrospect I did not receive any meaningful help into understanding myself and recognizing any of my core strengths and how to cope with my struggles with my own mental health. I understand that for some it does work but I find that was mostly due to the kids and social environment they were in rather than the support or education received at Franklin. Most of the staff seemed overwhelmed when kids had meltdowns and couldn't spare the attention to manage such situations appropriately. I hope one day this institution finds away to help kids more than it does just take in money.

Drew D.

Pretty good school. People are friendly and there are things to do after school. But if you are republican I would warn you not to talk politics here as I made that mistake. Also making friends is really easy at Franklin. The main reason for 4 stars and not 5 is the never ending mask mandates there that are not as strict or in place at all at other schools. But overall good place.

Joseph R.

PRE-REVIEW: Now, I know this isn't going to be that type of review where I've been there for so long and am now writing my thoughts about it. No, for now, I actually decided to write what I predict my overall experience will be before I actually start over my entire time there.

Well, something I can go off of is the reviews that others have sent about this place, and most importantly, the way the school handled that. Like, it actually redefined how schools handled constructive feedback given to it for my definition.

First and foremost, majority of reviews (except for the last 2 which are definitely not thought out, thus seeing no reply there) were almost 90% positive. This includes stuff like really good food for taste, and daily diets, people being nice in general, and the list goes on. And also replies from the school like, "Wow, this is a well thought out review, while maybe not having really impressive back up facts, certainly good ones nonetheless" have really proven to me that school actually CAN handle feedback from their student via something like this.

Hannah P.

Horrible scam! The staff had so little faith in me they forced the psychologist to put me on more medication to make me behave. They are not used to typical autistic behaviors and have no idea how to deal with them. Lack of after school or weekend activities is an issue and the staff are both teachers and residential so are overworked.

Kieran F.

Franklin Academy changed my life. You really are a part of community there.

Franklin will be there for you to succeed, but you always have to do your best. Try, and you will find success in some way.

Lexa C.

I have a lot of trauma from franklin academy including confinement, seclusion, and emotional abuse by staff. I go to a support group for survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry.