Skip to main content

Below Average

#2429 of 2,842 schools in PA

Franklin Benjamin HS

High School · Philadelphia City SD

550 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Enrollment

543

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#253 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#541 of 641

In district

#206 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Franklin Benjamin HS

Franklin Benjamin HS is a regular public high school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 543 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. The dedicated faculty, consisting of 40 full-time equivalent teachers, aims to support each student's unique learning needs.

Academically, Franklin Benjamin HS has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2448 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania. The school's academic score stands at 1.8 out of 10, with only 22% of students meeting proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and just 7% achieving proficiency in Math. Despite these challenges, the staff is committed to fostering a supportive environment that encourages student development and growth.

As a city school, Franklin Benjamin HS sits at the center of Philadelphia's vibrant community, offering students access to numerous cultural and educational resources within the city limits.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Franklin Benjamin HS 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Franklin Benjamin HS — Students at Franklin Benjamin HS score 16% 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 6.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
4.8%
ELA
17.6%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Franklin Benjamin HS Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in PA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

550 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Franklin Benjamin HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science Leadership Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin LC (rated 7.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Masterman Julia R Sec Sch (rated 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Science Leadership Academy Philadelphia 0.1 mi 7.9
Franklin LC Philadelphia 0.1 mi 7.3
Math Civics and Sciences CS Philadelphia 0.2 mi 2.6
Parkway Center City Middle College Philadelphia 0.1 mi 5.9
The SD of Philadelphia Virtual Academy Philadelphia 0.2 mi 4.9
Masterman Julia R Sec Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 6.5
People for People CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 3.8
OUR HOUSE MONTESSORI Philadelphia 0.3 mi
Waring Laura W Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.2
Spring Garden Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 4.7
Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures CS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.9
Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.3
ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.2
YouthBuild Phila CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.6
GESU SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.8
Russell Byers CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.1
Bache-Martin Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.6
GIRARD COLLEGE Philadelphia 0.8 mi 8.1
CLEMENTINE MONTESSORI Philadelphia 0.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,436

Median Home Value

$483,500

Median Rent

$1,836/mo

Population

30,424

College Educated

78.5%

Homeownership

38.7%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Franklin Benjamin HS has a median household income of $110,436. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $483,500, with a median rent of $1,836/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Beaver Falls Area SHS Beaver Falls, PA 4.7
Cranberry Area JSHS Seneca, PA 4.7
East Allegheny JSHS North Versailles, PA 4.7
Greater Nanticoke Area SHS Nanticoke, PA 4.7
Keystone JSHS Knox, PA 4.7
Middletown Area HS Middletown, PA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Franklin Benjamin HS

What grades does Franklin Benjamin HS serve?

Franklin Benjamin HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Franklin Benjamin HS?

Franklin Benjamin HS has an enrollment of approximately 543 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin Benjamin HS is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Franklin Benjamin HS rank in PA?

Franklin Benjamin HS is ranked #2429 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Franklin Benjamin HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin Benjamin HS 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 Franklin Benjamin HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Franklin Benjamin HS has 6.6% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Franklin Benjamin HS a charter school?

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

Is Franklin Benjamin HS a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Franklin Benjamin HS 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 (5,504/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
543
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#206 of 218

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.