4 Catherine Ave
Franklin, MA 02038

My son went to school here, and while he wasn't the most diligent of students, he received an exceptional amount of support for four years. The teachers were genuinely concerned for student welfare and academic achievement and reached out (usually by email) to update parents on classroom activities. The high school offered many opportunities for student engagement with after-school clubs, sports programs, and summer camps. My son required a special ed plan and received one. It was reviewed periodically and measured for goal setting. When the pandemic hit, it was very, very hard for everyone. The teachers tried to be flexible and creative to maintain interest in remote learning and when the students returned to classrooms, hygiene was of extreme importance--hand washing, wiping down desks, masking, etc. All in all, my son had a very good experience at this school.

Communication exists in a newsletter only that constantly has incorrect information. Kids whom lash out cause they've had enough bullying tend to be the ones punished not the bullies themselves. Some teachers are excellent and caring while more than half forget these are middle schoolers and to treat them as such (meaning not adults just basically becoming a teen). Environment is not a happy one at the school. Principal is rarely seen and doesn't know kids names.

My daughter attended Kindergarten here and we had to sell our home and leave Franklin due to her horrible experience. She was bullied for the color of her skin (we're South Asian), in Kindergarten! Her teacher, though excellent, was not aware of it due to the large class size. The principal (Ashley) however, gets the award for continuing and supporting racism. When I brought up the situation with her, she initially blamed my daughter for bringing it upon herself. When I insisted, she spoke with the parents of the bullies. Then, that was it. She did not follow up with me, with the class or with anybody else. There was no systemic change. We were lucky enough to be able to leave the town. I later connected with various other minority parents and heard many stories of racism in the entire school district. We now live in a top school district with a lot of diversity. Kindness, equality, hope and good behavior are part of the school district's guidelines!! The difference is night and day in my daughter's experience. If you are not white, I would strongly caution you against buying a home in Franklin. Please don't put your children through needless suffering.