Benjamin Franklin High School has once again earned the No. 1 ranking in Louisiana among U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in the Nation. With no enrollment cap, the Orleans Parish magnet school is experiencing its largest enrollment ever, with nearly 1,200 students from every ZIP code in the city.
Alex Jarrell, CEO of Ben Franklin, says: “We’re incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and families. This is a tremendous recognition of the hard work happening at Franklin every day. There’s something especially meaningful about having a public school in New Orleans and Louisiana recognized among the very best in the country. It says something important about what is possible for public education in our city and our state.”
Along with its growing student body, Franklin’s ranking continues to soar. Last year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Ben Franklin as No. 99 in the nation; this year, the school has risen to No. 53.
Amanda Morehouse, Assistant Principal of Benjamin Franklin High School, believes that “This growth reflects everything that makes Franklin work: 29 AP courses meeting students where their passions are, teachers in every discipline building skills and confidence, families championing their students, and a student body that takes pride in staying curious, taking risks, and supporting one another. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a community that shows up each day with commitment, love, and support for what Franklin means for our students, our families, and our city.”
Students at Ben Franklin have the opportunity to engage in 29 different AP classes, five world languages, LSU STEM pathways, 21 competitive sports teams, and over 80 different student-led organizations. Last year’s graduating class submitted over 12,000 service hours during their four years attending the school, and students go on to Ivy League schools, top HBCUs, and the best colleges in Louisiana.
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The school was founded in 1957 and in its 70th year, its excellence continues to flourish into something the entire city can be proud of