Electronic Version Summer Sojourn Brochure

Summer Sojourn
at Franklin Academy Overview
Founded in 2001, Franklin Academy is the first boarding school in the nation to bring together a group of bright
students with unique learning styles (including NLD, ASD, and Asperger’s) using a college-prep and competency-based
curriculum. Franklin led the way to a better understanding of this population of young people and
continues to innovate in our dynamic program.
Summer Sojourn is Franklin Academy’s renowned college-prep program in summer mode!
Summer Sojourn provides a tranquil yet stirring camp-like experience where students can have fun, make friends,
and create memories! Similar to our academic program, Summer Sojourn creates a community where students
are celebrated for their gifts and have the freedom to be themselves while they learn and grow. Our community
offers a nurturing environment designed to foster in each student the self-confidence to take positive risks, build
friendships, and practice skills necessary to navigate life successfully. Our goal is that each student experiences a
sense of belonging and safety, allowing them to embrace new opportunities and learning.
Path Classes
The Path classes bring together students of similar interests and talents so friendships can easily and naturally
form. Paths are designed to develop skills in the given discipline, as well as offering practice to improve social and
executive functioning skills necessary for independence and learning in other aspects of life.
Social and Executive Functioning Skills Programming
The Summer Sojourn program provides support for social and executive functioning skills across the program,
from wake-up through Path class to activities and self-care. While a few weeks is not likely to create a total organizational
transformation, the support and coaching help students to be able to relax and enjoy their summer.
Parents are offered a weekly phone update and a written report summarizing their child’s experience. Typically,
students make lasting friendships and admit that they have even learned a thing or two during their Summer
Sojourn adventure!
Our Staff
A highly trained staff of teachers, counselors, learning specialists, and residential life experts from Franklin
Academy provides a better than 2-to-1 student to staff ratio, giving ample individual attention in a safe environment.
This ensures that each student has opportunities to practice independence and collaboration – important
to the development of lifelong leadership skills and a successful adult life.
A distinctive feature of Summer Sojourn is our Intern Program, which brings back to campus mature, successful
Franklin Academy alumni along with other college students to serve as mentors and coaches for Sojourn students.
Our alumni have walked in the shoes of our Sojourners, and they are a great source of inspiration to students
and adults alike. Indeed, the high interest of alumni to give back to Franklin Academy in such a meaningful
way is a testament to their own transformative experiences on our campus.
Join Us!