Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Our son attended the "gifted" program at Franklin and we found the school to be completely unsatisfactory. Parental volunteerism was discouraged. The principal yelled at the students as her way to communicate with them, either good or bad (mostly bad). She had a very militant style. The students were expected to learn by rote, which is not a good learning tool for anyone, especially students who engage at a higher learning level. Our son was having trouble in math, and we asked him if he asked the teacher to explain it to him. He said she wouldn't answer his questions. The teacher confirmed it stating she didn't have time to answer questions during class time. The Johns Hopkins Math Program in 8th grade was taught by a student teacher who didn't understand the curriculum herself. Franklin Middle School was a complete waste of time.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is very disiplined, and students are tought right from wrong. I am a student going there and the school pushes all students to do the best they can.. Its all about choices.
--Submitted by a student

Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Springfield is great place to stuents to learn, participate in extra-curriculum activities, and excel in their performance acamedically. The multi track class system helps those students who need the extra help to the over achiever in sixth through eighth grades. This is a critical time in a young child's life and the proper environment is essential for the students to learn lifelong achievements and learn how to properly socialize with their fellow classmates.
--Submitted by a parent

This is not a good school. Choose a private or a charter school. The administration are rude and just want to ruin students career by giving out way to many detention.
--Submitted by a parent

Wow - I've had two children go through school at FMS and found the school, staff, and faculty to be absolutely wonderful. One of my children has 3 developmental disabilities, and the other was in regular track classes. In both cases we found the teachers to be very interested in our children and their well-being and educational progress. The child with developmental disabilities is now graduating from high school and started out freshman year in the high track classes. He is planning on going to college in Chemical Engineering. Our other child will be a freshman in high school next year and is sad to leave FMS. If your experience at FMS was poor, I suggest you look at your own attitude as to the reason. School is what the student and the parents make of it, and very seldom is the administration as poor as what people say.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is not friendly. Unless your child is in the gifted program or excels at sports, they are ignored. Wish I would have chosen a different middle school for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

The administration is poor and needs serious intervention. However,most of the teachers in the gifted program are for the most part serious about their work and strive for the best
--Submitted by a parent

This school is the best Middle School in the district! Great, teachers, and gifted program. Highly recommended. Uniforms are great!
--Submitted by a student

As an incoming freshman to high school, I can tell you FMS was an unbelievable school. The academics were top notch because of the teachers. Without them, I probably wouldn't be this far. While I was here, the school held pep rallies two or so times a year, and no club got unfair treatment, as Scholastic Bowl got the same credit as the boys or girls basketball, cross country, track, volleyball team etc. Most of the kids were nice and people were very friendly. Unfortunately, they had to make sacrifices by cutting foreign language and some electives. Other than that, Franklin was a perfect learning environment.
--Submitted by a former student

I feel that this school equipt my son for high school. He was very challenged. My daughter is now attending this school. I would highly recommend Franklin Middle School for any parent that wants to see their children succeed.
--Submitted by a parent