Accepting K-12 Academy Applications for the 2026-27 School Year
Learn more information here or begin the application process by clicking the yellow "schedule a conversation" button above.

Learn more information here or begin the application process by clicking the yellow "schedule a conversation" button above.

About Franklin Center - Located just outside Minneapolis, Minnesota

We transform lives by addressing the holistic academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of the neurodiverse community.

Enable our neurodiverse community to have an exceptional human experience.
Courage: We are never afraid to try new ideas. We stand up for others.
Creativity: We innovate, invent, and apply the best thinking in our programs and methods.
Collaboration: We work together across disciplines to achieve better outcomes.
Accountability: We take initiative, we are factual, we accept feedback humbly, and we assume responsibility.
Celebrate the neurodiverse: We tailor our work to meet the unique needs of every person we serve.
Tenacity: We persevere with patience.
Formerly called The Whole Learning School, and then Academy of Whole Learning, we were founded in 2003 by a group of parents of children with neurodiversities. They knew their children had potential, and they built a school to unlock that potential.
Even though we've 22 years old, we’re essentially a start-up — passionate about our purpose and innovating every step of the way to meet the needs and fulfill the promise of our community.
We have grown each year, whether by adding grades and electives to our K-12 school, or adding more services, such as behavioral and mental health therapy services, summer camp, and most recently, an adult program.
Just as we’ve grown, so has enrollment at our school and in each of our programs. In fact, numbers have more than quadrupled in the past 10 years, as more and more families realize we offer not just an alternative, but an avenue to unlock the potential for learning, belonging, and succeeding.

Join our community to receive newsletters, updates on upcoming events, and resources to support individuals with autism and related neurodiversities.