Maggie Ellis is the proud principal of Franklin Academy Palm Beach Gardens and a member of the North Palm Beach community where she lives with her husband and toddler. She came to Franklin Academy last year following a thirteen-year career at Florida Atlantic University’s perennially A-rated Laboratory School, A. D. Henderson University School and FAU High School. She began her career as a middle school teacher there and quickly earned her Master’s degree in Reading Education, focusing her research on improving adolescent struggling readers’ self-efficacy through buddy work with younger students. She has presented her research at several venues, including the International Association of Laboratory School’s 2011 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh. Ms. Ellis left her comfort zone and began teaching elementary school while pursuing her Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Her leadership talent was quickly recognized by school and university administration and she was awarded a position working in an administrative capacity during the remainder of her Specialist coursework. Leaving the classroom was a difficult choice, but Ms. Ellis found her passion in leading great teachers to impact student achievement. She spent two years as an Assistant Principal at FAU’s lab school before making the jump to Franklin in 2016. To Franklin, Ms. Ellis brought her high standards, intimate knowledge of state-level educational policy and practice, and belief in innovation. During her first year at Franklin, the Middle School, which she oversaw, raised its school grade from a C in 2016 to an A in 2017, as calculated by the Florida Department of Education’s school grading formula. This summer, Ms. Ellis was selected by the Florida Charter Foundation to take the lead as principal at the Palm Beach Garden’s campus of Franklin Academy and continue to guide the school in its mission of Building Better People, Every Day.
Gabby Kurth is a 7 th grade student at Franklin Academy Palm Beach Gardens. During the 2016-2017 school year Gabby was inspired by TV commercials regarding children at the Shriner’s Hospital. As a result, she worked with the Franklin Academy Parent Teacher Organization and, with their assistance, organized a bake sale at the school’s Fall Festival. She was able to raise a considerable amount, all of which was donated to the Shriner’s Hospital. This year Gabby turned her interests to helping local children. Gabby met with staff from St Mary’s Hospital to see if she could arrange some entertainment for the children that were long-term residents of the hospital. Gabby had several meetings with hospital representatives and Franklin staff to coordinate her plan. Ultimately, with the assistance of Franklin Academy Band and Chorus Director, Mr. Provenzano, and others, she organized a Franklin Holiday band and choir performance at the hospital. The performance was held in the lobby of the hospital and patients, hospital staff and passersby were all entertained and appreciative. All of the Franklin children that participated did a great job! At home, Gabby is always on the lookout for items such as clothing and toys that she can donate to local churches. All of Gabby’s volunteer endeavors are self-initiated. She really enjoys helping others and making people smile; especially those that are less fortunate. We are proud to have Gabby as one of our Faces of Franklin.
Franklin Academy Palm Beach Gardens Campus is located at 5651 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (561) 348-2525
We are proud to present Franklin Academy as a sponsor of Palm Beach Gardens-Jupiter Macaroni Kid.
