A capital campaign to
expand excellence.
Our legacy. Their future.
Join us in shaping the next chapter of Franklin’s story.
Ben Franklin High School is embarking on a $10.5 million capital campaign to renovate the Human Performance Center building that is a 3-4 minute walk from the main campus. We are seeking philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, and the local community to create a campus where students and faculty can learn, collaborate, compete, gather, and thrive.
As of the end of October, we have secured $5 million for this project from a variety of sources.
We invite you to invest in the next generation of scholars, leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens by supporting the expansion of Ben Franklin today.
Together, we can ensure that Benjamin Franklin High School continues to provide an exceptional education for generations to come.
Past & Present
From 1957 to 1990, Franklin flourished on the historic Carrollton Courthouse campus before enrollment growth and evolving academic needs necessitated a move to its current Gentilly campus. Since 1990, the school has continued to expand its impact, attracting increasing numbers of high-achieving students from across New Orleans.
Today, however, Franklin has once again outgrown its home. Enrollment demand continues to rise, and the existing campus can no longer adequately support the needs of its flourishing student population.
Why We Need a New Space
While Franklin leads in academic excellence and student achievement, its facilities lag behind. The current building cannot accommodate its students, let alone future growth. The commitment to accept every qualified student is the bedrock of the school’s identity. However, enrollment has risen 20% in the past decade, even as other high schools have experienced reductions.
Franklin serves over 1,100 students in a building designed for 900. To meet classroom needs, space is leased in a building several blocks away. The school’s common areas, including the auditorium and gym, are severely overcrowded, limiting students’ ability to socialize and collaborate.
The Human Performance Center on the LSU New Orleans campus represents a transformational opportunity for Franklin’s current and future students.
Originally an athletic facility, it sits just steps away from our main campus and offers the space and flexibility we need to serve a growing student body. The renovated facility will include a dedicated mental health and wellness wing, providing students with welcoming, confidential spaces to meet with counselors and access essential support. By bringing these services together in a calm, student-centered environment, Franklin will strengthen its commitment to students’ emotional well-being, resilience, and academic success.
The new building will increase square footage by 50%:
- 16 new classrooms
- 10 offices and student support spaces
- A gymnasium large enough to accommodate the entire student body
- Dedicated gathering and collaboration areas
- Multiple study nooks and informal learning spaces
- Convenient access just 3–4 minutes from Franklin’s main building
The Space Reimagined
Give Now
Show that you care about Franklin with a gift today!
To make a one-time or recurring donation online, use the following secure form.
You may also pay by check. Mail checks payable to:
Friends of Franklin
Attn: Development Office
2001 Leon C. Simon Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122
Tax ID: 83-2479067
Naming Opportunities
For more information regarding giving and naming opportunities, please contact:
Christy Cowart Read ’89, Development Director cread@bfhsla.org or 504-286-2615
Benjamin Franklin High School will not sell or trade a donor’s personal information to any other entity in existence without the donor’s written permission.
Contributions are tax-deductible! Franklin is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Our legal name is “Friends of Franklin” and our Tax ID number is 83-2479067.
For more information, please contact Development Director Christy Cowart Read ’89 at 504-286-2615 or by emailing cread@bfhsla.org.