Franklin High showcases extracurricular gains; recommends Program of Studies edits for 2025–26

Franklin High School administrators presented highlights of student activities, athletics and music accomplishments and reviewed proposed changes to the school’s Program of Studies for 2025–26.

Highlights: Assistant principals and building leaders said the school ran two pep rallies, hosted community events such as Unified Community Night, and expanded student travel and club programming. Music faculty reported 27 students accepted into the Massachusetts Central District Honor ensembles; eight students placed first chair in their sections and 18 students qualified to audition for the Massachusetts All‑State Festival. Athletics reported several league championships and named three coaches as MIAA Coach of the Year honorees.

Program of Studies changes: The administration proposed several course adjustments and clarifications for the coming year. Notable changes presented: - Art: Ceramics I will no longer require Foundations of Art as a prerequisite to broaden access for ninth‑grade students. - English: A new senior elective, English 12: American Earth, will be offered; staff described it as literature with an environmental theme and said it requires no new funding. - World Language and FAA: The district will continue a phased discontinuation of Latin; the last FAA English 12 cohort will graduate under the program’s current distinction. - Community service requirement: The Program of Studies will not add a district‑wide community service graduation requirement next year because the district lacks the staff infrastructure to track and verify hours across all students. - Add/drop policy: The district recommended clarifying the add/drop policy and narrowing fall changes to level changes only (for example moving between levels within the same course) to reduce schedule disruption after sections are set.

Why it matters: Administrators said these changes aim to increase access, align course offerings with enrollment trends and reduce mid‑term schedule changes that can strain staffing and classroom capacity. The administrators also stressed that many extracurricular programs run at high quality largely because teachers and staff volunteer extra time and warned sustaining offerings could require additional fiscal support.

What’s next: The Program of Studies changes were distributed to the committee for a vote at a future meeting; counselors will use the revised Program of Studies during January advisory sessions and one‑on‑one scheduling meetings with students. "Our guidance counselors meet individually with their students to pick courses," said a guidance representative; the administration said the district has added worksheets and advisory time to help students make informed choices.

Ending: Committee members praised FHS staff and students and asked administrators to publicize successful programs widely to help build community support and make the case for stable funding.