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
3.66
Graduation Rate
98%
Niche Grade
A+
A
A+
B+
B
A
B-
C+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
|
Average GPA
3.66
|
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
640
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
779 Students
Tulane University
528 Students
Loyola University New Orleans
362 Students
Xavier University of Louisiana
286 Students
Rice University
217 Students
University of New Orleans
202 Students
Howard University
185 Students
New York University
183 Students
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
162 Students
University of Southern California
157 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Biology
267 Students
Psychology
235 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
172 Students
Business
161 Students
Political Science and Government
98 Students
Computer Science
80 Students
Chemistry
70 Students
Pre-Law Studies
68 Students
Engineering
67 Students
Architecture
64 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
11/15/2025
The best parts of my experince have been so many things. From the sports (I play soccer and swim) to the clubs which are easy to start and are for everyone. The teachers are incredible and so is the school. The only bad thing I have to say is that the building is in bad shape and crowded however the administration is currently working on that. Love the school over all it is incredible.
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.
11/20/2024
I've had quite some experiences at Franklin high school. My freshman year I joined the tennis team and have been apart of it ever since. The coach is a little weird I will say. There are always tutors available to you and I've been having a good experience my senior year. The science teachers don't really know how to teach as a lot of student did not do good in advanced chemistry. And the government teacher is a little off the charts. But the staff are always there for you and try to to me you feel as safe as possible.
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
-
Angel Lopez
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9 Near This School
$79K - $299K Price Range
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11 Near This School
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26 Near This School
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44 Total Sales
3 Near This School
$295,000 Price Range
-
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Jenna Cosse
Collab Realty, LLC
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40 Total Sales
9 Near This School
$256K - $539K Price Range
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Joshua Walther
Witry Collective, L.L.C.
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100 Total Sales
27 Near This School
$275K - $832K Price Range
Map
Explore this Neighborhood
List Price Range
$303K - $1.2M
Homes For Sale
5
Average Home Value
$536,281
Median Lot Size
8,712 Sq Ft
% Renters
32%
Average Household Income
$151,498
% of College Grads
79.5%
Median Age
30
Average House Size
2,835 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
51.4%
Homes for Sale
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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
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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 3.66, 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 $536,281. 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.