The FHS Music Department is a part of the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association Central District (CD-MMEA) and sends several students to join the senior festival every year. It is also a part of the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA), where all ensembles participate in their respective annual festivals. The Jazz Band participates in their own separate festival.
Franklin Arts Academy (FAA): An alternate course pathway, the FAA enables students that are accepted into the program to take courses only available to FAA students, requiring an art component as part of the application. The courses include FAA versions of regular English, history, and some science classes, as well FAA art courses. The FAA also holds fundraisers to go on one field trip a year to a performance and/or museum. Students can join beginning in their sophomore year, applying as a freshman. All fine arts students, including both the performing and visual arts, are able to join.
Senior Project: As a participant in Senior Project, students will increase their awareness of the necessary steps for achieving a set career, service, or artistic path by participating in a full-time externship during the final quarter of their senior year. Students will complete various project objectives including: 70 hours of professional externship experience, written reflection papers, a cumulative portfolio, and a final presentation to a panel. Students must submit a proposal for Senior Project by the end of their junior year. The proposal is reviewed by a panel who will determine if the Project had the potential to be completed successfully. Upon acceptance into the Senior Project, students will enroll in a preparatory course during the 3rd term of their senior year and then commence their externship during the final quarter of their senior year. Senior Project provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic, social, and civic skills developed throughout the course of their experiences at FHS and realize connections between their high school education and future careers.
