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Below Average

#2415 of 2,842 schools in PA

Benjamin Franklin Sch

Elementary School · Harrisburg City SD

1205 N 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harrisburg

#29 of 40

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,398 of 1,625

In district

#7 of 12

Harrisburg City SD

About Benjamin Franklin Sch

Benjamin Franklin School serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This regular public elementary school enrolls 740 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 and a teaching staff of 45 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently working to strengthen its academic performance.

ELA and reading proficiency stands at 12% of students meeting or exceeding standards, while math proficiency is at 6%. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth and is likely focusing on developing foundational skills across its student population. The school ranks in the lower percentile statewide, reflecting these current academic challenges.

Benjamin Franklin's location on North 6th Street in Harrisburg's small city setting provides access to the community's resources and services. For families seeking an elementary school with a solid teacher presence and individualized attention through its 16:1 classroom ratio, Benjamin Franklin serves as a neighborhood option worth considering alongside other schools in the Harrisburg area. Parents evaluating this school may want to discuss the school's academic improvement plans and support strategies with administrators to understand how the school is addressing these performance metrics.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Benjamin Franklin Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11.2%
Math vs. State Avg-45.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-44.6 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,149

Benjamin Franklin Sch — Students at Benjamin Franklin Sch score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
9%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
6.4%
ELA
11.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Benjamin Franklin Sch Compares

See how Benjamin Franklin Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in PA
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers

Location

1205 N 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Franklin Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Premier Arts and Science CS (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg 0.3 mi 6.7
Pennsylvania STEAM Academy CS Harrisburg 0.3 mi 5.3
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.5 mi 7.5
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 0.6 mi 7.3
Downey Sch Harrisburg 0.5 mi 4.9
ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg 0.7 mi 7.6
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 0.7 mi 6.7
THE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG Harrisburg 0.8 mi 6.6
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 0.9 mi 5.8
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 0.9 mi 7.5
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.0 mi
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.0 mi 6.6
Commonwealth Charter Academy CS Harrisburg 1.5 mi 4.0
Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg 1.6 mi 5.2
Rowland Academy Harrisburg 1.5 mi 3.8
Sylvan Heights Science CS Harrisburg 1.6 mi 5.4
Washington Heights El Sch Lemoyne 1.8 mi 6.8
Scott Sch Harrisburg 1.6 mi 3.0
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.5 mi
Foose Sch Harrisburg 1.8 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,499

Median Home Value

$206,200

Median Rent

$1,400/mo

Population

26,401

College Educated

41%

Homeownership

62.1%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benjamin Franklin Sch has a median household income of $79,499. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,200, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carbondale El Sch Carbondale, PA 4.7
Mastery Prep Elementary CS Philadelphia, PA 4.7
Mount Carmel Area El Sch Mount Carmel, PA 4.7
Port Allegany El Sch Port Allegany, PA 4.7
Ross El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 4.7
Snyder El Sch Sayre, PA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Franklin Sch

What grades does Benjamin Franklin Sch serve?

Benjamin Franklin Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Benjamin Franklin Sch?

Benjamin Franklin Sch has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Sch is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Franklin Sch rank in PA?

Benjamin Franklin Sch is ranked #2415 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Benjamin Franklin Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Franklin Sch has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benjamin Franklin Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Franklin Sch has 6.3% math proficiency and 12.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benjamin Franklin Sch a charter school?

No, Benjamin Franklin Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benjamin Franklin Sch a Title I school?

No, Benjamin Franklin Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benjamin Franklin Sch?

100.0% of students at Benjamin Franklin Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrisburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Dauphin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harrisburg City SD
District Enrollment
6,395
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,239
District Rank
#7 of 12

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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