The Axford Family

How in the world do we attempt to explain all that Franklin Road Academy means to our family in a few sentences?  We're about to begin our sixth year as a part of FRA, and yet it feels like we've been here forever.  FRA is definitely one of our favorite places, and we are so proud to be a part of this family. One quality that helps FRA stand out is the sense of community on this campus.  We feel it is such an advantage to have all ages and grades on campus together and interacting throughout the school year.

Our oldest, Ally ’20, always loved helping lead sessions at summer cheer camp or greeting in car line at the lower school on game days.  Similarly, our younger girls always enjoy any opportunities to interact with students both older and younger during the many opportunities FRA provides. Our girls are each unique and have had their own individual experiences and interests at FRA, yet the one thing they have all had in common is a deep sense of community and purpose here. We are so thankful to have faculty and staff, their friends, and even other parents who partner with us in encouraging them and helping build their sense of self-worth and confidence in who God created them to be.

Our community is greatly enhanced by the spaces and environment our children experience daily.  Just in our short time at FRA, we've seen two transformational projects take place - the construction of the Weicker Center and the restoration of the Scarlett Family Chapel.  These spaces have impacted our kids and family firsthand.  Ally was able to sing worship music during chapel and even had Kathryn, our youngest, join her to pray during one of her devotion times at convocation. We've seen Mary Ellen participate in choral concerts in the chapel, and most recently have watched Annie walk across the stage during fourth grade promotion.  It seems that every person that enters the Weicker Center for the first time is immediately impressed.  While the facilities are gorgeous and top-notch, we value even more the space it creates for community.  Whether it is enjoying a family breakfast on Wednesday mornings, fathers gathering with their kids for All-Pro Dads, or meeting another parent for coffee, the space is used constantly to enhance and strengthen our community.  

We give to FRA because FRA has given and will continue to give so much to our family. We've been blessed during our time at FRA by the generous giving of others and feel compelled to do our part (however big or small) to continue to enhance the FRA experience for our kids and other families who will follow. We want to be part of the legacy that FRA is creating both now and for future generations.  We have no doubt our children will look back on their experience here with fondness and gratitude, and will always be proud to call FRA home!