Benjamin Franklin High School

Ben Franklin is an excellent high school for students who desire rigorous preparation for college.
—Submitted by a parent

To the comment "Ugh. I extremely dislike this school." This school is not for everyone. When it was public school when I attended, entrance was based on IQ scores, >120 or no acceptance... but some parent sued because it was discriminatory ... so now it is "charter school"... regardless, > 50% my class mates I see on FB these days are all professionals, doctors, lawyers, professors, teachers, scientists ... but we all had to work hard to get there... there were no excuses given to the non-motivated ... I now have 2 children of my own and hope to find a school in the future for them that could match up good as BF! Shout out to Mr. Gonzo ! Let me know you need a ride!
—Submitted by a student

I love this school but I wish that the counselor are more friendly and more caring to the students. That why students fail and drop out of this school. The student are very fun and the student counsel host various events. Most teachers are nice and are very informative but some teachers do not care about the students.
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of two graduates of BFHS and I also worked as a volunteer and a staff member. Incredible school with a focus that you will never find in any other school in La. BFHS is rated as one of the top schools in the USA for very good reason because once you get in you will be nurtured, academically challenged, have well rounded opportunities; in sports, clubs, programs abroad and graduate with college credits that are gained from AP classes not offered in most HSs in the country. BFHS has students from every walk of life who endear each other in one school environment. Art students can go to NOCCA and BFHS at the same time! The alumni are very strong and involved with sponsored gatherings twice a year. Colleges all over the world eagerly pursue and accept BFHS graduates because the college education level has already been ingrained into each scholar. As a parent you are encouraged and should still be involved with this school so that you can understand the opportunites you student has beyond HS. The college counseling program is wonderful with seasoned advisers for grants, summer internships, scholarships for college and other important advice !
—Submitted by a parent

As a former graduate of Ben Franklin High, I am very pleased with the education I received, the quality of the teachers & curriculum and the preparation for college. The school atmosphere was fun and supportive - it wasn't too small of a school nor was it too large where you could get lost in the crowd. My years at BFHS were memorable and I am proud to have attended one of the best schools in the country.
—Submitted by a student

Ugh. I extremely dislike this school. Without even giving you time to settle, the teachers dump a load of work on you. They expect your life to revolve around the school. Education-wise, the school is not for students who want to learn, but for students who can keep up with the curriculum. You probably expect that, being a prestigious school, all of the teachers are very good. Wrong. Suprisingly, some of the teachers are bad. Overall, I believe that the administration thinks they can get away with being mediocre because of the school's reputation.
—Submitted by a student

I went to BFHS, and it is a great school! The vibe was a very positive learning environment, not pretentious or snobby. I loved that some of the teachers were 'out of the box' and not conventional.
—Submitted by a student

i love ben franklin its one of the hardest out here but i know it will prepare me for college
—Submitted by a student

This school is very pestigous and is a great learning environment for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Ben Franklin is very challenging, and quite a few students end up leaving because of grades, etc. However, those who possess the qualities to be able to get in should have very little problems in staying in. There are some really great veteran teachers, while others are newer and have less experience and aren't the best. The course load is very challenging and thoroush.
—Submitted by a student

Benjamin Franklin High School challenges its students like no other school in the state of Louisiana. Its students excel in both academics and sports and have done so since the schools opening 50 years ago. No other school can compare to the level of dedication provided by the staff to ensure that the students are well-prepared for college and other challenges they may experience in life. Visit Benjamin Franklin High School on the web at www.benfranklinhighschool.org.
—Submitted by Dwayne Fontenette, a student

I've put two daughters through this school, and am quite satisfied. I've paid everywhere from $13,500/yr to $0/yr (Franklin) for schools, and as public high school it is outstanding. As in any school my kids have attended, there are great teachers, good teachers, and a handful of problematic teachers. The latter are mostly weeded out in short order. Katrina has proved a challenge, and one which the school has mastered well. As a a recently chartered school Franklin will have more flexibility in many areas, and as the area recovers I only expect it to get better.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is currently a junior at Franklin. It is a great school, high emphasis on academics, achievement and college. Very challenging, she studies a lot but also has a lot of fun. Like others have said, if the student is not self-motivated, interested in learning, responsible and proactive then this is not the right school for that kid.
—Submitted by a parent

If you wish to send your child to Ben Franklin, you must first understand that it will not be easy. Franklin is definitely an academic-oriented, college prep type school, so it your child is not ready to work hard do not send your child there.The student body is very close, possibly due to the fact that the school has less than 1000 students enrolled. The teachers are absolutely amazing.Volleyball, soccer and tennis are really amazing, as far as sports go;however, anything besides that at Franklin, don't expect much.Also, there is much diversity at Franklin, which gives students many opportunities to interact with children of different ethnic backgrounds. Overall, be ready to learn. Spirit week is the week leading up to homecoming--very fun. Finally, AP courses are required to graduate.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Franklin in 1997, and I owe a great deal of my success to the supberb learning environment that Franklin fostered. I never felt that it was particularly elitest, though there is a very strong emphasis on work and achievement. That may make it a bit stressful at times, but it's excellent preparation for what students will experience in college. But what really made it a wonderful place to be was the overall culture there- the excellent and dedicated faculty, terrific staff (Ms Dugger), and the students add up to a place that is incredibly welcoming at the same time that it pushes you to grow- an ideal environment to transition from child to young adult. After Franklin, I attended a top-notch college (Carnegie Mellon), and went on to get my MFA. I'm doing really well, and I have Franklin to thank for that.
—Submitted by J Adrian Herbez, a former student

Franklin is by far the best, offering a wide range of personalities, and backgrounds. Students encourage one another, and all students seek to learn from one another as much as from their teachers. Students form clubs and study groups, building teamwork and commradery. Franklin's challenging curriculum is not hard to handle if you manage your time right and put forth any effort. Teachers tend to be amazing, they want to be in school everyday and have a connection with students! The administration truly cares, and works with you.
—Submitted by Thomas Lambert, a student

I am a junior at Franklin. At this time I am unable to attend Franklin because of Hurricane Katrina. I am attending a Keller High and found that the curriculum is completely different. I regret complaing about how hard Franklin was. Franklin is a wonderful school. Yes, they are challenging, but it is to the benefit of the student. There are some teachers who are boring and cannot teach, but a majority of the teachers are wonderful and I feel better prepared with them teaching than teachers here.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in May of 2004. Despite what alot of people may think, the curriculum is extremely challenging, but it is also not overwhelming. There are people -including fellow students-there to help you with anything. The number one problem that I see is that people are embarrassed to get help with their studies because they think they are automatically supposed to 'get this stuff'. The truth is, most of the kids here get some kind of help or tutoring, especially from the Satarday Tutoring Program. There is phenomenal extracurricular participation, and kids can participate in anything that suits their interests. They can even petition to form their own clubs (as MANY have)! Contrary to popular belief, everyone 'fits in' here. You will never be without friends. Also, there is a BIG focus on college here, so be prepared to get into some of the BEST colleges in the country (including Harvard)!
—Submitted by Vanessa, a former student

This is the best high school in New Orleans. Not only is it academically advanced, but it is a safe haven for children to be themselves. There are many extracurricular activities for students to explore, and parents are more than welcome to share in their children's learning.
—Submitted by a former student

Academic program is rigorous yet acheivable. My daughter was fluent in french by the time she entered college, thanks to a Lyon, France native teacher and a connection with an overseas program through the high school as well. Other areas, math, science, excellent!
—Submitted by a former student