History

“Once a Panther, Always a Panther.” 

Benjamin Franklin Senior High School was established in Highland Park in 1916 and has been the heart of the community for over 100 years. The school opened with 225 students and 115 faculty members at what is presently Monte Vista Elementary. As the school grew, a new location was opened in 1960 where Franklin is currently located. Currently, Benjamin Franklin High School and Dual Language Middle School has a student body of 1,403 students. The school also boasts a highly-active alumni community, with many multi-generational students currently enrolled. 

 

With the changing needs of the community, Franklin expanded to include four programs: Residential School, the SAS/High Achieving Program, STEM Magnet, and Dual Language Grades 6-12 Magnet. Additionally, Franklin is a full inclusion program with all students with exceptional abilities enrolled in mainstream courses. Students participate in career pathways in Engineering, Computer Science, Education, and Construction Management. A robust athletics and student activities program provides all students with opportunities to get involved beyond the classroom.   

 

The following programs and activities are available to all students:  

• Franklin STEM Magnet offers its students two career pathways in Engineering and Computer Science. 
• Franklin Dual Language Academy focuses on a Spanish-language theme and serves grades 6 through 12. Students aim to receive the Seal of Biliteracy granted by the State of California.  
• Franklin School for Advanced Studies (SAS) provides a rigorous pathway of advanced curriculum and coursework to support our Gifted and High Performing student population. Ultimately, students work towards earning the AP Diploma in addition to their high school diploma. 
• Inclusion Model: Franklin supports our students with disabilities (SWD) through the Inclusion model. Students are clustered in content courses with either a Paraprofessional, Advocate, or SPED teacher who co-teach with a core content area or content specialist teacher. Franklin continues to be a demonstration school for the inclusion model.
• Curricular and Co-Curricular Programming: Franklin’s campus offers 104 courses, 14 Advanced Placement, and 10 Honors courses. All core classes are incorporating the Common Core State Standards into their lessons. A majority of courses at Franklin cover A-G University of California/California State University requirements. The electives offered are Band, Drawing/Painting, Journalism, Yearbook, Computer Programming, Leadership, Academic Decathlon, JROTC, Peer Counseling, and Learning Center. Also available are Career pathways in Education and Construction. Other opportunities include Los Angeles Community College courses after school and the East Los Angeles College Escalante Program offered during the summer. UCLA Afterschool provides extra-curricular opportunities for students after school. 
• College Programming: TELACU Upward Bound, Occidental College Upward Bound, and College Match support college-bound students. The Franklin Educational Foundation also provides financial support for college to graduating seniors each year. 

Numerous awards and recognitions highlight the school’s successes. Accolades and recognitions include:

• California Gold Ribbon Award (2017)
• Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence (2016)
• Magnet Schools of America School with Distinction (2017, 2018, 2023)
• California Honor Roll (2017, 2018)
• US News Report Silver Medalist (2020-2022)
• Student Aid Commission State Champion (2020)
• Pivoting Practices Award (2022)
• FIRST Robotics Championship Qualifier (2022, 2023)
• FIRST Robotics Woodie Flowers Award (2023)
• 38th LAUSD Academic Decathlon Champions (2019)
• Football CIF LA City Section Champions (2016)
• E-Sports CIF Champions (2022)
• Girls Basketball CIF LA City Section Champions (2022)

• Alan Arkin, 1951 graduate, Oscar-winning actor
• Lee Baca, 1960 graduate, sheriff of Los Angeles County, 1998-2016
• Alana Cordy-Collins, 1962 graduate, archaeologist
• Rocky Delgadillo, 1978 graduate, politician and former City Attorney of Los Angeles (2001–2009)
• Daryl F. Gates, 1944 graduate, Los Angeles police chief (1978–1992)
• Eunisses Hernandez, 1990 graduate, councilmember of the Los Angeles City Council for the 1st district (elected 2022)
• Mike Hernandez, 1971 graduate, former member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 1st district (1991–2001)
• Allen Jacobs, 1960 graduate, National Football League player, fullback and halfback. Played for Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi.
• Sammy Lee, 1938 graduate, Olympic gold medalist diver
• Ron Lopez, 1988 graduate, football player, Utah State graduate.
• Dick Moje, 1945 graduate, National Football League player, defensive end
• Louis R. Nowell, 1933 graduate, former member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 1st district (1963–77)
• Bobby Riggs, 1936 graduate, Wimbledon champion and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
• Franklin E. Roach, 1923 graduate, astronomer, professor, ufologist, and a father of aeronomy
• Gene Roddenberry, 1939 graduate, television screenwriter and creator of Star Trek: The Original Series
• Bui Simon, graduate,1987 graduate, former Miss Universe and Miss Thailand 1988
• Richard "Humpty" Vission, 1987 graduate, Grammy-nominated producer and KPWR Power 106 FM DJ
• Jean Spangler, 1941 graduate, actress, model 
• Jim Tunney, 1947 graduate, NFL referee for 31 years, worked 3 Super Bowls; Franklin Principal (1972-1973)