BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
ACADEMICS
Since 1957, Benjamin Franklin High School has educated the city’s best and brightest and is ranked as one of the top public charter schools in the nation. The Franklin family fosters a tradition of excellence in all of its students, who go into the world fully prepared for life in higher education and beyond.
99 percent of our graduates enter college. Our students are recruited and accepted by the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world. More than 100 college and university representatives visit our campus annually. Franklin students’ average ACT, SAT, and PSAT scores are consistently among the highest in Louisiana.
fostering...
COLLEGE COUNSELING
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
The Advanced Placement program allows Benjamin Franklin High School students to take college-level courses. These courses offer our students the opportunity both for college-level learning and for demonstrating their accomplishments. Through the AP examinations that we administer each May, students may earn college credit and/or advanced placement at the college of their choice.
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REQUIRED AP COURSES
All students are required to take at least 3 AP courses during their 4 years. Over 50% of our students decide to take more than 3 AP courses.
AP COURSE OFFERINGS
We offer 28 AP courses, ranging from AP Spanish to AP Environmental Science.
Benjamin Franklin High School offers a comprehensive College Counseling program designed to help students identify colleges that fit their interests, abilities, skills, and values. Our program is based on the beliefs that: a) the college choice is a process which requires well-honed research and decision-making skills, and b) the college choice should be geared to the individual, and student and college should be appropriately matched.
To accomplish these goals, we offer a range of large and small group, as well as individual meetings to help students and their families make informed, well-reasoned college choices, and we encourage students and parents to take advantage of these opportunities.
99% College/University attendance
55% attend a Private Institution
45% attend a Public Institution
54% outside of Louisiana
Class of 2023 SAT Mean Composite: 1350
Class of 2023 ACT Mean Composite: 26.4
99% of graduates are eligible for TOPS
Top in LA for SAT & ACT scores
"The BFHS College and Academic Counseling Office has been invaluable in supporting our son's college goals. The office and counselors helped us deal with the stressful time of college applications. Our first time navigating the financial aid process was also made easier by the parent information sessions. The counselors played an important role in our son achieving his goals for admission into college." - BFHS parent
At Franklin, we follow the Section 504 eligibility process outlined in the NOLA Public Schools Special Education Resource Guide. Once a student is suspected of having a disability, there is a collaborative section 504 planning and implementation process that relies on shared interests and reciprocal trust to ensure positive educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
The Special Populations Department strives to provide our IDEA students with disabilities (IEPs) appropriate support services, technologies, and individualized planning and goals in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). At our school, our special education students are fully integrated with their peers in general education classrooms. Our policies and procedures are governed by federal, state, and local regulations with a focus on providing high quality enriched educational experiences for all students. Our students receive resources that they need to become productive citizens in a global society. We adhere to the Louisiana Department of Education’s Child Find Written Guidance for conducting comprehensive evaluations for students suspected of having a disability.
This information is also available in Vietnamese and Spanish.
HOTLINES
Suicide Prevention: (800) 273-8255
OR text "HOME" to 741741
Bullying or Cyberbullying: (504) 304-5782
Child Protection: (855) 452-5437
UNIVSERSITY PARTNERSHIPS
We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the University of New Orleans to offer our students a superior academic experience. Benjamin Franklin students can take advantage of the following university resources:
The Dual Enrollment Program is an accessible way to take classes and earn both high school and college credit. Each year our dual enrollment offerings increase, but students can currently consider Dual-Enrollment Pre-Calculus, Media Arts and Philosophy courses.
The University of New Orleans library allows Franklin students to utilize the Earl K. Long library. The library is within walking distance from the Franklin campus. Students are able to access JSTOR, EBSCO and other university library databases and e-journals to conduct research for their classes. This prepares our students for their next steps at university.
Franklin Students are able to use the wireless internet with their Franklin credentials when they are on UNO's campus, whether they are in the library or in a university classroom.
In collaboration with LSU, we provide two STEM Pathways for students:
Pre-Engineering
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Intro to Engineering Design DE
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Intro to Computational Thinking
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Introduction to Robotics*
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Principles of Engineering *
*prerequisite required
Digital Design & Emergent Media
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Digital Storytelling
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Intro to Computational Thinking
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Programming for Digital Media*
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Coding for the Web*
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Video Game Design
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Digital Image & Motion Graphics
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Media Arts II: Filmmaking
We are excited to recently launch a DE Mass Communications class in partnership with Loyola's esteemed Journalism department taught by Loyola faculty members on our campus.
SUPPORT SERVICES
One of the reasons why our students are able to become the best possible versions of themselves in academics, athletics, and clubs, competitions, etc. is because of the strong support system provided by teachers, counselors, and other staff members. Franklin provides a solid network of support services including the Student Assistance Team, New Student Support Counseling, and Special Services for students with disabilities or temporary medical conditions that require additional support.
HOTLINES
Suicide Prevention: (800) 273-8255
OR text "HOME" to 741741
Bullying or Cyberbullying: (504) 304-5782
Child Protection: (855) 452-5437
Special Services
At Franklin, we follow the Section 504 eligibility process outlined in the NOLA Public Schools Special Education Resource Guide. Once a student is suspected of having a disability, there is a collaborative section 504 planning and implementation process that relies on shared interests and reciprocal trust to ensure positive educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
The Special Populations Department strives to provide our IDEA students with disabilities (IEPs) appropriate support services, technologies, and individualized planning and goals in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). At our school, our special education students are fully integrated with their peers in general education classrooms. Our policies and procedures are governed by federal, state, and local regulations with a focus on providing high quality enriched educational experiences for all students. Our students receive resources that they need to become productive citizens in a global society. We adhere to the Louisiana Department of Education’s Child Find Written Guidance for conducting comprehensive evaluations for students suspected of having a disability.
This information is also available in Vietnamese and Spanish.
Special Education Advisory Council
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Dr. Kendall McManus-Thomas, Principal
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Lori DeFils, Director of Student Support Services
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Rachel Wilson, Parent
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Parent- TBA
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Amanda Morehouse, Teacher
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Special Education Teacher -TBA
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Paul Tran, Mental Health Professional
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Tiffany Beck-Ortner, Families Helping Families NOLA, Community Partner
Dates: Oct 23, 2024; Jan. 15, 2025; March 19, 2025; May 21, 2025
We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the University of New Orleans to offer our students a superior academic experience. Benjamin Franklin students can take advantage of the following university resources:
The Dual Enrollment Program is an accessible way to take classes and earn both high school and college credit. Each year our dual enrollment offerings increase, but students can currently consider Dual-Enrollment Pre-Calculus, Media Arts and Philosophy courses.
The University of New Orleans library allows Franklin students to utilize the Earl K. Long library. The library is within walking distance from the Franklin campus. Students are able to access JSTOR, EBSCO and other university library databases and e-journals to conduct research for their classes. This prepares our students for their next steps at university.
Franklin Students are able to use the wireless internet with their Franklin credentials when they are on UNO's campus, whether they are in the library or in a university classroom.
The Gifted and Talented (G/T) program at BFHS offers specialized instructional services to students who meet the Louisiana State Department of Education (LDOE) criteria for the classification of G/T. If the student has a LDOE, Bulletin 1508 compliant G/T evaluation or current IEP, please submit a copy with their admission’s application.
We offer gifted courses in our English and math departments utilizing college prep materials with an emphasis on incorporating higher level thinking skills into the academic curriculum. If the student does not have a Gifted designation, but you are interested in pursuing Gifted, please consider these options.
Our talented course offerings include Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with an emphasis on incorporating theory, critique, and intensive skill building techniques. For students interested in pursuing our Talented Arts Program, click here to find out more information about the evaluation process.
Gifted & Talented
Student Assistance Team
The Student Assistance Team (SAT) may include the classroom teachers, the academic counselor, the school social worker, the school nurse, the 504 coordinator and, the school administrator. Referrals are brought to this team from teachers, parents, or other professionals. The team aims to address individual needs of students who are experiencing difficulty in school due to academic, social, and/or behavioral concerns.
School Nurse
Our nurse is available to assist students with medical concerns during the instructional day. The school nurse distributes medication, provides guidelines to students with chronic illnesses, and responds to illnesses and medical emergencies
Mental Health Professionals
Our staff also includes full-time Mental Health professionals who are available to support students and parents. The social worker accepts referrals from all of the school constituents.
Test Coordinator
Our test coordinator is here to help students navigate assessments that they will take throughout their years at Franklin. From standardized tests (including PSAT, ACT, AP and LEAP) to midterm and final exams, the test coordinator is responsible for ensuring the delivery of appropriate testing accommodations as stipulated on the students IEP or Section 504 plan. The testing coordinator works with staff members to schedule tests, secure testing rooms, assign proctors, and secure all testing materials for the day of the tests.
9th & 10th Grade Support
Our 9th and 10th grades counselors are available to support students as they transition to a new school, which always includes new challenges. Please contact the student’s counselor if you have questions or concerns regarding course selections that enhance academic and career goals or other supports that promote positive educational outcomes. Some commonly addressed concerns include: academic performance, student habits (study skills, organization, time management), and social adjustment. For help calculating your student’s core (or retention) GPA, reference this worksheet.