Hello and welcome! I am Graham O., a seventh grader at The Founders Academy, and today I would like to tell you a few things I enjoy about my school. TFA has many great qualities. One of those qualities is the levelized curriculum. If a student needs a challenge in a particular class, they are able to go to a higher level class, so that they are always learning. Being a student that is in some higher level classes, I can say that it is a great opportunity that makes sure I am always learning. Another great trait of our school is the dedication our teachers show. Our school has teachers from all over the state. There are teachers that live over an hour away from our school, but they still go through the effort to put together great lesson plans, and detailed projects, so that their students are challenged. All of the teachers I have this year, show in every class that they want us to learn and understand the subject. In my opinion, that is what makes the teachers at our school so great. Also, students at TFA have many opportunities such as this. Over the last few years, some of those opportunities have included meeting state representatives, a New Hampshire Senator, and even a presidential candidate. Many students at TFA have had a chance to meet people from the government and give them tours or ask them questions. This is something not many students, or schools, can say they have done. It also teaches students here leadership skills and teaches them about the community. Skills like that will get them many places in life. One more thing, is that middle school students at TFA are required to take some form of music. I think this is great, because it gives opportunities for kids like me who love music to find friends that are just like them. Many of my friendships at TFA were made during band or chorus class. When you meet people that have lots in common with you, it is easy to make a new friend. Over the past two years I have been involved in a cappella, chamber choir, and Jazz band along with my regular music classes. These are just a few great things about TFA, but I would be talking to you for hours if I were to say everything great about this school. I spend one and a half hours every day in the car while traveling to and from TFA, but the things I learn and the people I meet make it all worth it. In my opinion, TFA is a great place for all types of students. It teaches everything from math, to music, to leadership. The qualities students walk away with from TFA are wonderful, and I personally can say that I have become a better person in a many ways after coming to this school.
mmooney
Hello, my name is Kylie and I am currently a 7th grade student at The Founders Academy. The Founders Academy has amazing teachers. I love the Founders Academy because every teacher cares about our grades and gives us every opportunity to succeed. I love this because they will send out every assignment, allow us to study for every test and usually offer extra credit. It has helped me get my grades higher and makes me love school that much more. I can’t choose a favorite class because all of them are awesome. I have also found great friends here and am very lucky and grateful to be here.
In advisory, (which is like homeroom, the first period of the day) we have sign-up sheets to sign up by yourself or with a friend for lunch with a teacher. My friend and I got picked to eat lunch with Dean Mooney last year. We talked about school and we had a wonderful room to eat in. I enjoy every minute here. I have learned so much more than I expected and I know I have already learned more than I would have if I had gone to another school.
Our school has a lot of classrooms and wonderful tools available to us. The computer lab is an awesome classroom. It is definitely by far my favorite room. We have many computers and keyboards. In our science room we have a greenhouse! It is a spacious greenhouse and is beautiful inside. For science we have a classroom, but across the hall we also have a science lab where we perform our experiments.
Last summer I took a couple of summer camps at Founders. It was a wonderful experience as an incoming 6th grader and I highly recommend them. I was able to meet new friends and teachers as well as familiarize myself with the layout of the school. The camps were really fun and made my transition in September much easier.
My experience has been very positive. I look forward to the future as I continue to grow in my studies and my character.
mmooney
Hi! My name is Edna N. and I am an 8th-grade student here at The Founders Academy. I enrolled here in sixth grade my first year of middle school and I have stayed ever since growing to love and appreciate all that this school has done for me. The Founders Academy teachers work so hard planning lessons and getting ready for the student to learn new innovative lessons and be in an environment healthy for learning. The teachers here are very good in the sense that they care for each student and give plenty of chances to grow and learn and become the best you can be. In this school, my experience was that I can easily make friends with kids that share the same interests and goals as I do which has been such a great thing for me. One of the things I love most about Founders is that the mistakes you make don't determine who you are and aren't necessarily something to be shunned and turned away from; they're something to grow and learn from. In conclusion thank you Founders for molding me to be the person I am today.
mmooney
Hello, My name is David G., a Junior here at the Founders Academy Public Charter School. The Founders Academy has a lot to offer the students and in return gives them experiences to remember. The Founders Academy allows students to be leaders inside the classroom. Inside the classroom, teachers allow the kids to have Socratic discussions based off what the students are currently learning in that particular class. In a Socratic discussion, the students lead the discussion while the teacher listens and takes notes on how the discussion went and writes down key points students brought up. The Founders Academy also allows students to take initiative by allowing them to create their own clubs and run them with an advisor to watch them. Some clubs that have been created are ocean club, board game club, debate club, and many more. Allowing students to create their own clubs allows students to lead outside the classroom in addition to leading inside the classroom. I have had experiences to remember here while at the Founders Academy. Back in the winter of last year, I had the opportunity to testify in support of House Bill 91 which would change General John Stark day from the fourth Monday in April which is when schools have April vacation, to the second Monday in April, which would give the students the opportunity to celebrate the day at school. Another recent opportunity I had was going down to New York City with some other students to appear on Fox and Friends, a television news network that is nationally broadcasted to millions of Americans to celebrate Constitution Day. The Founders Academy has given myself as well as other students experiences to remember for a lifetime. Thank You. By: David G. at the Admissions Information Open House on November 6, 2017.
mmooney
Hello, my name is Allison and I am going to be a ninth grader here at the Founders Academy. Prior to coming to Founders I attended my town’s public school. My parents and I looked into many other school options because we were never really happy with the school I was in.
One of the main reasons we chose founders was because of the leveling system. Here I can attend classes based on my academic level rather than my grade level. Leveling was a system my previous school didn’t have. Because of the lack of levels, no matter how advanced or behind you were everyone was put in the same class. I, personally, was told multiple times that I had to wait for my fellow classmates to reach the level I was already at.
Another unique feature Founders has is the freedom they give their students. Students are able and encouraged to start clubs or committees that interest them. Because of this we have a very wide variety of clubs and committees. We have a school, newspaper, drama club. many more. Drama Club, being one of the clubs with the highest attendance, has but on 2 shows in the past two years. This year we are planning to have 2 shows, one for a middle school production and one for a high school production. Founder’s leadership committee is also a very big part of our school. It is our school’s version of a student council. Students are a part of important decisions such as creating and implementing our schools code of conduct. Our dress code was also amended by our student leadership committee, along with their faculty adviser.
Founder’s also has a different class set up than most schools. With smaller class sizes Founder’s teachers are able to focus on a student and their needs as well as the entire class. We also have some classes that are double blocked. Which means that that class will go on for 2 periods instead of just one. This makes it easier for teachers to teach a longer lesson in one class, instead of over 2 or 3 days. Teachers are able to employ various teaching methods here at Founders. For example, one of our English teachers likes to use the Harkness style of discussion. A Harkness table discussion is when students sit around a table and discuss literature, art, history, concepts, or problems. These discussions are student led as well as student moderated. This allows the students to express their opinions in an open ended forum. This class is structured yet free form feeling. This encourages students to speak out and learn how to respectfully disagree with each other. Because of the free form feel of the class, students can easily engage in the material. This teacher has clear expectations which allows students to fulfill their possibility in that class.
Round table is TFA's version of homeroom. When school starts we go to our assigned round table and prepare for the day. As Dean Mooney mentioned round table is named and inspired by a family sitting down to dinner and having discussions. In round table we discuss many things from study tips to communication and role models. We have a quote of the week every week and we will discuss the quote and analyze it as well as the person we are quoting.
Even though academics and clubs come first for me the main reason I love Founders so much is the environment. Students are pushed to do their best, encouraged to help each other, and teachers are there for anything a student might need. It’s easy in a large public school for faculty and school board members to see a student as a number or a dollar sign that they must compensate for. Whereas here at founders the students and their education are the priority. Teachers teach to the whole student; nurturing them academically, mentally, socially, as well as focusing on character education. We are taught morals and goals alongside math and science. Because Founders recognizes that to be productive and capable members of society a student must be well rounded, intelligent, and have leadership qualities and by knowing this we, as a community, are working to create the leaders of tomorrow.
mmooney
The Harvard of Charter Schools.
- Sid Glassner
mmooney
"I was at school today observing the 5 children I will be working with throughout the year on social skills. I so enjoyed my time today at Founders. Every staff member I had the pleasure of meeting was kind, helpful and friendly. They were also respectful, funny and definitely knew their stuff. Every child that passed me in the hallway or in the classroom smiled my way. I left Founders today feeling smarter than when I walked in too. I know I have taken many history classes in my day but I learned a lot in the 2 classes I sat in on this morning. In one of the history classes, Socratic questioning is on the docket. I am so bummed I won't be sitting in on that class tomorrow. What a cool and important way to learn! In my behavior work I teach parents how to talk through certain behaviors with their children using Socratic questioning. I have found it hard to teach adults. Imagine they had the chance to test it out when they were in middle school?
I am very excited to work with your staff and students over the next year. Thank you for a wonderful experience. As an independent consultant, working for the district, I travel throughout the country and find myself in many schools. I would love to say they are all on the level of Founders but unfortunately that is not the case. The Founders Academy is a great place for a child's spirit as well as a child's mind and I am thrilled for my spirit and mind to be invited into this enriching, warm and vibrant school. Thank you!!!!
Joyfully,
Megg Thompson (Visitor at the School)"
mmooney
The New England Association for College Admission Counselors is hosting two college fairs. The first is being held at Keene State College on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
The second is being held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm as well as Friday, April 13, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Pinkerton Academy is also hosting a college fair on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Nashua High School South is holding a College Fair on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6:30-8:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to learn about a large variety of college and universities in a short amount of time. You can also talk with College Admissions Counselors!
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Looking for something to do this evening? Interested in attending a college fair on the University of New Hampshire's campus? Then look no further! The New England Association for College Admissions Counseling is hosting a college fair tonight, October 2, 2017 from 6-8:00 pm.
This event will take place at the Lundholm Gymnasium, Field House on the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham. For additional college fairs, a list of attending colleges or for more information, please visit the NEACAC website.
The Student Services Department is planning to take all current Juniors to the College Access Convention on Friday, October 27, 2017. Field trip permission forms and more information will be sent home soon!
Save the Dates: The Founders Academy will be hosting an Early College Planning presentation on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 6:00 pm. All families are welcome to attend but the presentation is geared towards families of Freshmen & Sophomores. We will also be hosting a College Overview for Juniors presentation on Thursday, February 8, 2018. This evening will be specifically designed for Juniors and their parents/guardians. These events will be presented by the NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation's Center for College Planning.
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