Join us in shaping the next chapter of Franklin’s story.
Franklin is growing. We need a new facility to accommodate that growth. The school’s success supports today’s students and the city’s economic future.
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.
Future: A Reimagined Space
Ben Franklin High School is embarking on a project to renovate the Human Performance Center building that is a 3–4 minute walk from the main campus, significantly closer than the LSU New Orleans Education Building we are currently using.
We will be 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. This project will invest in the next generation of scholars, leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens by supporting the expansion of Ben Franklin today.
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
Giving and 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