HONOR
Service JUSTICE
Wisdom Mission Statement
The mission of Benjamin Franklin High School is to prepare students of high academic achievement to be successful in life.
A Tradition of Excellence Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans’ most outstanding public charter school, has been preparing students for success through academic achievement since it was founded in 1957. Consistently ranked as a “top public high school in the nation” by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and USA Today, Franklin has received the highest School Performance Score in Louisiana, making it the #1 public school in the state year after year. Franklin is repeatedly named a National Blue Ribbon School, producing multiple Presidential and National Merit Scholars each year. The exceptional students, faculty, and staff of Benjamin Franklin High School are the best and the brightest of New Orleans.
Head of School Patrick Widhalm, D.M.A.
Franklin Facts Founded in 1957 8,229 graduates Current enrollment is 1,022 #1 School in the State Louisiana Department of Education #1 Best Louisiana Public High School, #5 Best U.S. Charter School - Niche.com #1 Louisiana Public School, #13 U.S. Charter School, #64 U.S. High School - U.S. News & World Report #1 Louisiana Public School USA Today
How Do I Become a Falcon?
Thank you for considering Benjamin Franklin High School! We encourage you to visit the school to learn more. Please contact our admissions staff if you have any questions about the school or the admissions process. Visit www.bfhsla.org for important dates, deadlines and testing information. •
Attend the Virtual Admissions Open House on November 2, 2021.
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Complete the online registration entirely, including all requested documents.
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Once a registration has been submitted, the student will be scheduled for an admissions test. All tests are given on Saturdays at 7:45 a.m. at Ben Franklin.
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Eligibility letters will be mailed out beginning in February and will continue on a rolling basis.
Live in Orleans Parish. Meet Our Academic Criteria. Follow the Deadlines.
Five-time National Blue Ribbon recipient, including 2021. National Green Ribbon school Our students come from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds
The Best & the Brightest 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. Franklin is noted for having one of the highest rates of National Merit Scholars in the nation. In 2021, we had 16 National Merit Semifinalists, 18 National African American Scholars, seven National Hispanic Scholars, and one National Indigenous Scholar. In addition, Franklin is the top Advanced Placement testing school in the Southern region, with 160 students earning Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in 2021 in recognition of their exceptional achievement. Franklin serves a population of students of high academic potential with 99.9 percent of graduates entering college. Our students are recruited and accepted by the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world. More than 150 college and university representatives visit our campus annually. Franklin students’ average ACT, SAT, and PSAT scores are consistently among the highest in Louisiana. Through a partnership with the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University, Franklin students also have the opportunity to attend college classes in a concurrent or dual-enrollment program, earning high school and college credit simultaneously. Our success stems from an extraordinary and diverse learning environment. Our students work, learn, and grow together. The Franklin experience encourages expression in visual and media arts, vocal and instrumental music, and dramatic arts, as well as involvement in an abundant array of extracurricular activities.
scholarship 160 students earned AP Scholar Awards in 2021 38 students in Class of 2022 recognized by College Board 99% of graduates attend four-year colleges 98% of graduates are eligible for TOPS 150 colleges send recruiting reps to the campus annually Over $33 million in merit-based college scholarships awarded to Class of 2021
Our Faculty - Head of the Class We are exceptionally proud of our outstanding faculty and staff. These dedicated professionals play an essential role in the Franklin experience. Our faculty come from throughout the U.S. and the world to call our school home. Collectively, they represent centuries of experience in education, with many having been at Franklin for decades. Our faculty are highly trained by institutions across the globe. Forty-one hold master’s degrees and ten have Ph.D. (or terminal) degrees in specialized fields, as well as in education. Six faculty members have earned the distinction of National Board Certification, as well.
Our teachers bring their devotion, talent, and innovations to the courses they teach. Beyond the classroom, faculty spearhead clubs and organizations that span academics, arts, athletics, and community outreach. They strive to inspire a broad range of interests in our students. At Franklin we know that a great education is a community effort. Faculty continue their mentorship with students long after their years at Franklin. Alumni realize faculty and staff are a valuable source of guidance in their professional lives. The bonds continue to grow.
academics
Core Courses
English English I H and G English II H and G English III H, G, and AP English IV H, G, and AP Math Advanced Math Functions Algebra I H and G Geometry H and G Algebra II H and G Pre-Calculus H, DE, and G Probability and Statistics AP Calculus H AP Calculus, AB AP Calculus, BC Physical Education Physical Education I Health Physical Education II
Science Physics H Biology I H Chemistry I H Physics C: Mechanics AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism AP Biology II AP Chemistry II AP Environmental Science AP Earth Science H Social Studies World Geography H Human Geography AP Civics H American Government AP U.S. History H and AP World History H and AP European History AP
World Languages French I H French II H French III H French IV AP French V H Spanish I H Spanish II H Spanish III H Spanish IV AP Spanish V H German I H German II H German III H German IV AP Latin I H Latin II H
Latin III H Latin IV AP Chinese I H Chinese II H Chinese III H Chinese IV AP H = Honors G = Gifted AP = Advanced Placement DE = Dual Enrollment, this course grants both high school & college credits
Elective Courses
9th Grade Seminar African American Literature African Studies DE Art I-III, IV (Studio Art AP) Art History AP Band (Beg., Int., Adv. I and II) H Contemporary Literature Comparative Government AP Computer Science I AP Creative Writing I-III H Digital Storytelling English Research Ethics DE Greek & Roman History Intro to Engineering DE
Intro to Computational Thinking Math Lab Media Arts I, II (DE), III Music and Media Music Theory I , II AP Macro/Micro Economics AP Orchestra I-IV H Philosophy DE Photography I Physical Education III and IV Principles of Business DE Psychology H, AP Publications I, II Russian History Science Research
Social Studies Research Sociology Speech I and II STAR Teaching Research DE Studio Art AP Art III: 2D Design Studio Art AP: 3D Design Talented in Music I - IV Talented in Theater I-IV Talented in Visual Arts I - IV Technical Theater I, II Twentieth Century History Theater I, II Women’s Studies Research Writing Lab
student Life
Everyone Belongs Our Students - Driven & Diverse At Ben Franklin, we’re not merely tolerant. We absolutely revel in our diversity. We cherish it. We celebrate it. We show it off every chance we get. “Inclusivity” is more than a buzzword for us; it’s a way of life. With students from every ZIP code in the city, as well as students who moved here from other states and countries, we know that our students’ varied life experiences enrich us all as a community. Here, everyone belongs!.
Kind and calm: Those are two things that visitors always notice about our student body. The students here are exceptionally kind, empathetic, quick to hold the door for others or tear a sandwich in half to share. They are polite – they say “please” and “thank you” – but they’re more than just polite. They care deeply about and for one another, giving impromptu pep talks after bad days, holding study sessions on their own time to make sure everyone can ace the physics test. And they’re calm. It’s not that they’re not busy. It’s that they have a sense of purpose that keeps them focused on their goals. When the bell rings, they go to class. They want to go to class. They have better ways to use their time than on drama or chaos. Our students are many other things – curious, passionate, smart, ambitious, funny, quirky – but kindness and calmness pervade our hallways, and we couldn’t be prouder.
clubs & community service
With over 60 clubs and organizations, our students develop leadership skills; compete in local, state, and national competitions; and travel outside the country. 4 - H Club Academic Games Acapella Club American Sign Language Amnesty International Anime Architecture Arts & Crafts Club Asian Pacific Club Badminton Baking a Difference Benjamins Black Culture Club Book Club Cheerleading Chess Club Chinese Culture Club Computer Science Club Culinary Club Dance Club Dance Team Do Something Club Drama Club East Asia Dance Club Falcon Robotics Feminist Club Film Appreciation Club Franklin Art Club French Club Falcon TV Gender Sexuality Alliance German Club Green Society Hispanic Culture Club Interact Iota Sigma Jewish Culture Club
Key Club Literary Rally Majorettes March for Our Lives Middle Eastern Culture Club Mu Alpha Theta National Honor Society Newspaper (Franklin Forum) No Place for Hate PAWS Photography Ping Pong Poetry Out Loud Quiz Bowl Riverbend Review Sailing Science Olympiad SNOCLAF Squad South Asian Student Association Speech and Debate Spikeball Club Student to Scientist SWE - Society of Women Engineers Tabletop Gaming Club Turkish Club Ultimate Frisbee UNICEF Unity Club Urban Culture Step Club Writing Club Yearbook Club Yoga Club Young Democrats Young Musicians Young Republicans Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
Club offerings are subject to change depending on student interest and participation. Students are encouraged to organize new clubs to enhance the school community.
Franklin students are deeply committed to their school, their community, and the world in which they live. Many of our clubs and organizations such as Key Club, Green Society, Interact, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, UNICEF, and Student Council, turn this commitment into action. Franklin is a leading participant in the city-wide Mission Ignition Project, earning over 3,800 volunteer service hours the past three years. Franklin students are making a difference.
fine arts
Music
The Music Department includes beginner through advanced-level Orchestra and Band, along with Music Theory I and AP Music Theory classes. Music counts for one of the necessary art credits at Franklin, but it is more than just an elective. Franklin music classes also double as a club/organization, and students participate in two concerts every year; numerous fundraisers; music festivals; competitions; and out-of-school engagements, such as weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties and much more. Music is a great way to foster school spirit and ensure balance of work and artistic creative expression.
Theater Our theater program is expanding each year, and our newly renovated theater is now a worthy space for our remarkable students. The program has been recognized by the renowned New Orleans Theatre Association, which has underwritten numerous shows and funded upgrades to our auditorium. The Keller Foundation, RosaMary Foundation, Selley Foundation, Zemurray Foundation, and other private donors all have shown their enthusiasm and support of our talented Theater Department. The Theater Department is more popular than ever with recent exciting shows like High School Musical, Peter Pan, Mamma Mia, The Little Mermaid, and The Wiz.
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department offers a wide variety of courses in multiple disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, digital design, and other media arts. Our students and faculty make a fantastic creative learning team! Our students’ artwork has been recognized by numerous organizations including Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Rau for Art Foundation, Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Selley Foundation, and The George Rodrigue Foundation. Our outstanding Fine Arts faculty have participated in international and local exhibitions and have been published in national art journals.
Creative Writing
Our excellent creative writing program has produced the nationally acclaimed Riverbend Review, an anthology of student writing and artwork honored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association as one of the finest student publications in the country. Columbia has consistently recognized Riverbend Review with Gold and Silver Crown Awards. The Crown Awards honor top student publications for design, photography, concept, coverage, and writing.
NOCCA Partnership Franklin is proud to partner with the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), giving qualified students the opportunity for off-campus preprofessional arts training with intensive instruction in dance, media arts, music, theater arts, culinary arts, visual arts, and creative writing.
athletics The achievements of Franklin students are not limited to the classroom. Franklin has fielded numerous state championship athletic teams, and the school is frequently a contender for the Ford Cup, an award given to the best athletic program in the state of Louisiana. Franklin has 20 competitive sports teams, including soccer, football, cross-country, golf, volleyball, tennis, swimming, basketball, softball, baseball, and indoor/ outdoor track and field.
Fall Sports
• Boys’ Cross Country • Boys’ Swimming • Football • Girls’ Cross Country • Girls’ Swimming • Volleyball
Winter Sports
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Boys’ Basketball Boys’ Indoor Track & Field Boys’ Soccer Girls’ Basketball Girls’ Indoor Track & Field Girls’ Soccer
Spring Sports
• Baseball • Boys’ Golf • Boys’ Tennis • Boys’ Outdoor Track & Field • Girls’ Golf • Girls’ Tennis • Girls’ Outdoor Track & Field • Softball
Accolades
Academic
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Consistently ranked #1 public school in the state by the Louisiana Department of Education U.S. News & World Report named Franklin the #1 school in Louisiana and the #13 charter school and #64 high school nationally USA Today named us the #1 public school in the state 99.9% of graduates attend a four-year college $33 million in merit-based college scholarships earned by the class of 2021 • 150 colleges send recruiters to the campus annually • Average SAT composite score: 1350 • Average ACT composite score: 27.5 • 16 National Merit Semifinalists in 2021, along with 18 National African American Scholars, 7 National Hispanic Scholars, and 1 National Indigenous Scholar • 160 AP Scholar Award recipients in 2021 • 12 Presidential Scholar Finalists in 2021 • 8 POSSE Scholars in 2021 • 5 perfect ACT scores and 1 perfect SAT score in 2021 • 2021 National Blue Ribbon for Excellence Award Winner (fifth time) • Partnership with online learning powerhouse Khan Academy • Robotics team advanced to the World Championship • Kate Youngblood ’09, our English Department head, named Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year • Ava Wilkes ’21 chosen as LA Student of the Year finalist • Tiffany Nguyen ’21 selected as QuestBridge Scholar • Amy Ndiaye ’21 was one of six recipients in the world to receive the SWENext Global Innovator Award • Audrey Mann ’21 picked as one of two Louisiana delegates for the U.S. Senate Youth Program • Anita Zahiri ’22 was one of 200 students worldwide selected for Global Youth Institute
Artistic
• Amy Ndiaye ’21 won second in state Poetry Out Loud championship • Coco Dumez ’24 exhibited her art at Art for Art’s Sake • Yearbook staff & their faculty adviser, Rachel Becker ’99, won the Silver Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and second place from the American Scholastic Press Association • Morgan Prevost ’23 placed second in the New Orleans Public Library’s Black History Month art contest • Arts STEAM Pathway partnership with Louisiana State University • Theater Program supported by the New Orleans Theatre Association
Athletics
• Louisiana High School Coaches Association honors girls’ basketball coach and Athletic Director, Chrissa Hailey, for 25 years of service • Volleyball: 2019/2020 undefeated district champions, 2019 state runners-up, advanced to 2020 quarterfinals • Boys’ soccer: semifinals in 2021 & 2020 state runners-up • Girls’ soccer: quarterfinals in 2021 & semifinals in 2020 • Girls’ basketball: advanced to the quarterfinals in 2021 • Boys’ tennis: 2021 regional runner-up • Cate Daly ’21 and Ameli Tucker ’21 were regional girls’ tennis doubles champions in 2021 • Both boys’ and girls’ track teams went to state • Joseph White ’21 regional champion for the 400-meter race and signed with University of Louisiana Monroe to run track • Maddie Meeker ’21 signed with McGill University to play volleyball
Find the Facts! answers can be found throughout the folder
ACROSS 5 City-wide volunteer service project Mission _____ 10 This club plays one of the oldest games in history 11 One of the icons of Ben Franklin used in his electricity experiments 12 One of our online learning powerhouse partners 15 160 students earned this award in 2021 19 BFHS is five-time recipient of this national award 20 2020 boys’ ______team was state runner-up 21 Say Guten Tag to this class 22 This team creates battle bots for competitions 23 The mascot 24 One of our university partnerships 25 Class for wind and stringed instrument students
DOWN 1 This magazine named us the #13 charter school in the nation: U.S. News & World _________ 2 Benjamin ___________ 3 Our Head of School 4 This team honored by a national coach’s association for academics 10 years in a row 6 We had eight of these prestigious scholars in 2021 7 Year BFHS was founded (numerical) 8 www.__________.org 9 98% of our grads are eligible for this state scholarship 13 One of our partner schools for our creative students 14 Number of foreign languages we offer 16 Plato would have joined this course 17 Our award winning literary art magazine: __________ Review 18 ______ and the brightest 20 OG __________
Lynn Jenkins Admissions Director (504) 286-2610 ljenkins@bfhsla.org
www.bfhsla.org - 2001 Leon C. Simon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70122 -