It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!

It’s School Board Appreciation Month, and we’re taking a moment to thank the dedicated volunteers who guide our schools and shape the future of our students.

Their tireless work, often behind the scenes, makes a world of difference. Let’s show them some love! #SchoolBoardAppreciationMonth #ThankYouBoardMembers

Our school store is now open! Show your school pride and order Franklin Foxes swag for your child.

As we start looking forward to the 24/25 school year, please review the re-enrollment process infographic.

Your early decision and response helps us plan effectively for the upcoming year. Thank you for being a part of our school family! 

HERE’S HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:

STEP 1 »

STEP 2 »

STEP 3 »

STEP 4 »

STEP 5 »

January	March	July	August	August
Respond to our text message with your Intent to Return	Complete the Re-Enrollment Form & Provide updated Proof of Residency	Connect with us by phone to confirm your re-enrollment & Free School-Branded Shirt Size	Check the mail for our Back to School Welcome Kit & Event Information	Begin the 2024-25 School Year & receive your student’s School-Branded Shirt

Part I: Cognitive Development

Children’s brains grow more in their first five years than at any other time in their lives, according to First Things First. And while we adults fumble, trying to remember what we were going to say, our preschoolers are adding about eight new words daily to their vocabularies!

Growing Further with Preschool

These early years are a time of remarkable growth, change, challenge and hope. And far from simply being “a place to go play,” today’s preschools offer critical opportunities for three-year-olds to grow cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically. Studies show the more years children spend in preschool, the larger their educational gains down the road (e.g., stronger graduation rates, longer schooling careers, fewer instances of crime/teen pregnancy, and higher earnings later in life). Additionally, while academic gains tend to level out during the first few years of elementary school, social benefits do not: Children taking part in high-quality preschool programs, especially those from lower-income families, seem to reap the most rewards from this exciting group dynamic.

In this four-part blog series, we’ll look at how preschool programs plant the seeds for long-term success, and why every child should be given a chance to grow further with a strong socio-educational foundation.

The Top 5 Brain-Boosting Benefits

Have you ever looked at your preschooler’s head and wondered what, exactly, was happening up there? Truth is, it’s equal parts chaos and calm, tornado and temple: They’re learning (and moving) constantly, making sense of their surroundings and asking Why dozens of times daily. Simultaneously, though, they’re also looking for patterns and people they can count on in their strange new worlds; they want life to be fun, but also to make sense.

Early childhood education settings offers preschoolers several levels of stability as they make their way through their wondrous days. Of critical importance is cognitive growth.  

The top five benefits three-year-olds receive from preschool include:

1. Getting to learn—visually, aurally, and kinesthetically: These active children are hands-on, often learning best when experiencing lessons physically, aurally, and visually…and then putting everything they learn into practice.
2. Growing their love of learning: Through play-based environments, three-year-olds pick up skills, expand their vocabularies, and build on their curiosity and from their imaginations.
3. Strengthening academic skills: This is the cognitive foundation-building that’s so critical; in preschool, three-year-olds begin learning the sorting, matching, counting, experimenting, and reading skills that will carry them through their schooling careers.
4. Utilizing tools at their fingertips: With art supplies, books, games, play equipment, water tables and more at the ready, preschoolers get to discover their likes and dislikes, talents and interests.
5. Receiving necessary intervention services sooner: Deeply trained educators are best equipped to ensure early childhood milestones are being met, and will flag any areas of concern so extra support can be provided toward healthy development.

Preschool harnesses the immense cognitive development happening in these early years and helps young children with kindergarten readiness, sets the foundation for educational success for the rest of their lives, and so much more.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of preschool? Look out for Parts 2, 3, and 4 of The Well-Rounded Three-Year-Old: How Preschool Plants the Seeds for Success for the top five emotional, social, and physical benefits of starting schooling sooner. We’ll be publishing these soon!

For some, the words “play” and “learning” are on opposite ends of the education spectrum. Playing brings to mind games, exercise, that special peal of laughter you might hear walking past a school at recess. Learning, on the other hand, might recall students with heads down in quiet classrooms. For early childhood educators, these two concepts are inextricably linked. Because play is such a crucial part of how children grow and develop, it’s important to find opportunities to integrate play into learning.

What Does Play-Based Learning Mean?

Put simply, play-based learning is what happens when educators design an environment where play is an integral part of learning and discovery. In this setting, educators provide opportunities for learners to explore through open-ended play. This is where the magic of learning and play combine to provide a multitude of benefits for developing young children.

The Benefits of Play-Based Learning

Blossoms Creativity and Imagination. When children are given the freedom to explore, they use their creativity and imagination. Play-based learning might ask students to create their favorite animal from scratch using Play-Doh, paint, or construction paper. In doing this, children will learn about colors, different textures and materials, and how to create things.

Encourages Social-Emotional Development. Play-based learning encourages interaction with others, which helps them develop relationships and learn about social norms. Additionally, children have the opportunity to learn about feelings as they explore new lessons. They learn what makes them happy, what makes them sad, and what to do when feelings arise.

Keeps Children Active. Play-based learning gives children opportunities to work on fine and gross motor skills through movement. Learners can throw and catch balls, hop on one foot, and practice their balancing, all while having fun!

Fosters Cognitive Growth. This method of learning encourages children to explore and learn about the world about them. Through these learning experiences, students will learn how to solve problems, how to think critically, and how to use creativity.

In childcare centers, play-based learning is an essential part of how we teach. At home, keep the learning and playing going! Painting, creating things with Play-Doh, and getting creative with sensory bins are all great ways to keep your child learning, growing, and having fun.

Build a strong academic foundation from the start. Begin your education journey with us and save your student’s seat today!

Your child’s life is full of firsts. From first steps and first words to the first day of school—every milestone matters. Franklin Learning Academy is a public charter school focused on the needs of students just starting out on their academic journey. You’ll be amazed at what your child can achieve in just one short school year.

1) Cognitive Skills – Success in school is about learning how to think and apply what you know. Early elementary school sharpens your student’s cognitive abilities by encouraging curiosity, exploration, and experimentation.

2) Teamwork – Meeting new classmates, playing together, and working with peers in group settings teach children what it means to be a team. Throughout the first year of school, students are learning how to connect and communicate with others, demonstrate empathy and understanding, and work with others to solve problems and resolve conflicts.

3) Healthy Habits – A daily school routine helps children learn how to maintain their health and hygiene. Dressing themselves, brushing their teeth, and tying their shoes are good habits that help young students feel confident and at their best.

4) Independence – Children make great strides in self-reliance during their first year of school. Discovering a new school, meeting teachers and classmates, and learning to take responsibility for their learning provides a big boost of self-worth and confidence.

5) Self-Regulation – School is a foundational life experience that helps children learn to balance their needs and desires with those of a group. Early elementary school sets students up for success in life by teaching students how to listen and follow instructions, manage strong emotions, and think before acting.

Franklin Learning Academy is a premier early learning school that is free and open to all! We’re still enrolling students from Early K* to Grade 2 for the 2023-24 school year.

Interested in enrolling with us?

• Schedule a school tour »
• Attend an upcoming event »
• Enroll online today »

*Students turning five years old before January 1st are eligible for Early Kindergarten

Greetings Franklin Learning Academy Families! 

It is my pleasure to serve you as principal this year! I am excited to welcome all scholars and families to be a part of our school community. Prior to becoming a principal I had many leadership experiences including consulting teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal in Columbus, Ohio. Even with these amazing experiences, I will always be a teacher at heart. I also have 10 years of teaching experience. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from The University of Toledo, a Master’s of Education from Ohio Dominican University. I intend to be an example to students and teachers that we should never stop learning, growing and achieving goals. 

I am blessed to be the mother of two amazing children. I have a wonderful husband who is a middle school teacher in Columbus and supportive friends and family. I am also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and I love volunteering in my community.  It is my privilege to lead Franklin Learning Academy and the talented teachers and students here! My goal is to continue to provide a supportive climate and culture at Franklin that is conducive to teaching and learning. I look forward to interacting with every person in our school community this year! 

Kind Regards, 

Ashley Alexander-Robinson M.Ed 

We are a proud member of ACCEL Schools—a public charter school network serving thousands of PK-12 students throughout the United States. ACCEL was founded in 2012 by the early pioneers of online learning. Our leadership believes that all children, regardless of location or socio-economic background, deserve a quality education that prepares them to succeed in school and become productive global citizens.  

ACCEL Schools Instructional Model provides: 

• Aligned Academics meet or exceed state standards ensuring your child is on track for rigorous college and career opportunities.    
  
• Certified, Licensed Teachers and a student-centered staff are united in executing our mission to make a difference in the life trajectory of each student.    
  
• More Time on Task and double the instructional minutes for ELA and Math maximizes learning in your child’s school day.   
  
• Short Cycle Assessments keep track of how students are progressing in the program, giving teachers ongoing feedback so they can tailor instruction to your student’s needs.    
  
• Individualized Instruction driven by assessment data means we are familiar with the needs of each child and set students up for success in each course of study.    
  
• State Testing Preparation reduces the anxiety often associated with high stakes tests, helping our teachers and students feel confident with the structure and methodology of state exams.    
  
• Academic Support including education technology, interventional specialists, and instructional aides assist students during the school day. After school tutoring, summer school, and Saturday school programs extend support services beyond the traditional school day and year.   
  
• Extracurricular Courses & Activities round out our educational offerings providing students social-emotional learning, athletics, arts, service learning & more.