Proudly serving more than 500 students annually from 40 communities in Massachusetts’ Metro West region, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is committed to quality education in the arts with exceptional curriculum, outstanding professional faculty, and unwavering dedication to each and every student enrolled.

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance, and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities. With broad-based and varied curricula, FSPA guides students in the development of technique, creativity, and artistic expression to last a lifetime. FSPA’s faculty boasts outstanding professional artists, performers, and teachers.  Their impressive credentials are indicative of the excellent instruction available in all programs and the high standards of excellence we hold for our school. FSPA instructors strive to meet the individual needs of each student, working to develop each student’s abilities to his or her own potential.  Performance is an integral part of an FSPA education and the school offers unrivaled performing opportunities for students throughout the year.  On the calendar annually are student recitals, concerts by faculty and guest artists, master classes, student showcases, holiday shows, the school’s signature Spring Concert, and summer camps and intensives.  In addition, for students whose level of interest is more focused, there are special performing ensemble opportunities available by audition.  THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), a 200-seat flexible theater located behind FSPA, provides a professional venue for FSPA student productions, while FPAC offers opportunities by audition for student performers.

FSPA founder Raye Lynn Mercer believes that an education in the performing arts, whether or not pursued for a professional career, provides young people with lasting life skills.  Students of the arts develop personal attributes including focus, discipline, self-esteem, and an understanding of teamwork.  Superior communication and social skills become attributes of students who pursue music, dance, and drama.  Conservatory and career bound students, as well as those who attend classes for fun, gain a sense of accomplishment and the confidence they need to succeed in all endeavors.

In addition to Franklin, we serve students in Ashland, Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Braintree, Canton, Cumberland, RI, Foxborough, Hingham, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Mansfield, Marlborough, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Northborough, Northbridge, North Easton, Norton, North Attleboro, Norwood, Pawtucket, RI, Plainville, Plymouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Sharon, Sherborn, Shrewsbury, Southborough, South Walpole, Upton, Uxbridge, Walpole, Westwood, Whitinsville, and Wrentham.

Click here to find out about our programs in Music , Dance , and Drama .