Benjamin Franklin High School was founded in the 1950s as a place where New Orleans’ exceptional students would be able to learn from its best educators. This was the first advanced placement school in the city, and it came about because of the famous “Space Race” between the United States and Russia. The school moved to its current location at 2001 Leon C. Simon Drive in 1990, and the building has since been renamed for Katherine C. Johnson, a mathematician and NASA scientist.
Benjamin Franklin High School is one of the highest achieving academic facilities in New Orleans. On state tests, the school has a 99% proficiency or higher in reading and 95% of students are proficient or better in math. The school prepares its students for college by making sure each student is clear on their goals and what universities are best to help achieve them. This approach seems to be working since 100% of their graduates go on to a four-year college and 54% are accepted to out-of-state universities.
In addition to academics, Benjamin Franklin offers fine arts courses like vocal music, band, drama and visual arts. For athletes, there are more than 20 competitive teams including volleyball, swimming, tennis and track and field. It also has an agreement with the University of New Orleans and the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and offers dual-enrollment for both.
Benjamin Franklin High School
Charter High School
|
Grade 9-12
2001 Leon C Simon Dr,
New Orleans, LA
School Details
Student Teacher Ratio
17:1
Average SAT Score
1320
Average ACT Score
29
Math Proficiency
92%
Reading Proficiency
98%
Average GPA
3.65
Graduation Rate
98%
Annual Tuition
$0
Niche Grade
A+
A
A+
B+
B
A
B-
C+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.65
Reading Proficiency
98%
Math Proficiency
92%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers
62
Full Time Teachers
62
Teachers in First or Second Year
3.9%
College Prep
Average SAT
1320
Math
650
Verbal
670
Average ACT
29
Math
27
English
30
Reading
30
Science
28
Number of AP Courses
30
AP Pass Rate
85.4%
AP Math Enrollment
Very High
AP Science Enrollment
Very High
Other AP Enrollment
Very High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
English
100%
State Average
10%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
255:1
Student Diversity
Female
58.2%
Male
41.8%
White
37.8%
Black
30.3%
Asian or Pacific Islander
19.1%
Hispanic
8.7%
Two or more races
3.7%
Native American
<1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
School Rankings
#1
Best Charter HS in Louisiana
#1
Best College Prep Public HS in Louisiana
#2
Best Magnet HS in Louisiana
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Louisiana State University
744 Students
Tulane University
505 Students
Loyola University New Orleans
353 Students
Xavier University of Louisiana
275 Students
Rice University
209 Students
University of New Orleans
205 Students
New York University
179 Students
Howard University
176 Students
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
158 Students
University of Southern California
150 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Biology
262 Students
Psychology
229 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
169 Students
Business
153 Students
Political Science and Government
95 Students
Computer Science
77 Students
Engineering
66 Students
Pre-Law Studies
65 Students
Architecture
61 Students
Nursing
60 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
8/17/2025
My favorite part about Benjamin Franklin is the variety of classes I can take. Because my high school is very science-based, there are many different AP and Honors science courses I can take each year. On the other hand, because Franklin is so focused on science and math, they don't have a very strong art department. In the future, I would like to see more support for the arts at Franklin, especially in the visual arts.
7/21/2025
Benjamin Franklin has very good academics with all base classes starting at honors level and going up to Ap and Duel-Enrollment. They also have many different clubs and you can make your own club to explore your passions.
5/27/2025
I have loved these last two years of my time at Ben Franklin High School. The teachers and involved parents are so supportive and I look forward to going to school everyday.
GreatSchools Reviews
8/4/2023
Benjamin Franklin High School is a student-driven school which advocates for diversity and leadership. This school has over 100 clubs that are all run by students and a student advocacy board that brings to light disparities in the community.
Agents Specializing Near This School
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THERESA PIPER WARD
THERESA PIPER WARD
HGI Realty, LLC
(504) 677-8150
20 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$257,500 Price
-
Deana Bradley
Deana Bradley
Atlas Real Estate Company, LLC
(504) 290-0394
81 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$520,000 Price
-
Tracie Ohlsen
Tracie Ohlsen
Compass Mandeville (LATT15)
(985) 333-7942
64 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$525,000 Price
-
Wendy Benedetto
Wendy Benedetto
Compass Destrehan (LATT21)
(504) 285-9429
427 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$482,000 Price
-
Roger Belsome
Roger Belsome
RE/MAX Affiliates
(504) 384-8229
45 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$665,000 Price Range
-
Erin Rotolo
Erin Rotolo
RE/MAX Affiliates
(504) 584-7023
110 Total Sales
21 Near This School
$260K - $829K Price Range
Map
List Price Range
$372K - $1.1M
Homes For Sale
8
Average Home Value
$544,506
Median Lot Size
10,890 Sq Ft
% Renters
32%
Average Household Income
$151,498
% of College Grads
79.5%
Median Age
30
Average House Size
2,938 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
51.4%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
-
$1,295 - $2,000 per month
- 1201 Canal Apartments
- 1 - 2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 546+ Sq Ft
- 1201 Canal St
- New Orleans, LA
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- Pre-K to 10th
- Charter
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
Parks in this Area
Donnelly Playground
- Playground
St John Park
Rome Park
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Floral Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
London Park
Lake Terrace Park
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Milneburg
Historic lakeside area with storied universities and Caribbean restaurants
Saint Anthony
Minutes from Lake Pontchartrain, a revived New Orleans residential community
Dillard
A college community that likes to keep it quiet
Fillmore
Quiet, affluent Gentilly suburb bordering City Park
Gentilly Terrace
A vibrant and long-standing neighborhood in Gentilly
Pontchartrain Park
A quiet, laid-back residential community with a strong sense of history
Benjamin Franklin High School is a charter school for students in grades 9-12 located at 2001 Leon C Simon Dr in New Orleans, LA. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 1,008 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. Academic records show that 92% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 98% are proficient in reading. Benjamin Franklin High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.65, the graduation rate is 98%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1320 and an ACT score of 29. The average home value in this area is $544,506. Discover additional schools in the area, like Pierre A. Capdau Charter School at Avery Alexander, John F. Kennedy High School, The NET Charter High School: Gentilly, and more. Learn more about what New Orleans has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Benjamin Franklin High School.