Franklin Elementary School

2385 Trousdale Drive

School District

Burlingame Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Burlingame Elementary School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 11, 2024

Our family has been at Franklin for 2 years. We are very happy with the school and community. The teachers are all very experienced, many with 15-20 years at the district. Although public schools must adhere to CA curriculum, there are added enrichment opportunities throughout the school year. Our Kindergarten teacher brought really unique science projects last year. Individual attention is given to students that are ahead of the curve. The principal (Jude) is impressive. She is sincere, confident, highly involved in all aspects of the school. She knows the names of each child and their parent's names. Parents like and respect her. Over all I give this school a 10/10.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2022

Great school. Great teacher and principal. Very communicative and great academic progress. My son is very happy everyday. And his learning curve is off the chart.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2021

Wow! I can't say enough good things about this school. I heard there were issues with the previous Principal, but I was lucky enough to enter during Mrs. Lawrence's first year. She is incredible, to say the least. She knows every child's name, makes it a point to have weekly check ins with parents to make sure all questions/concerns are addressed, is first in line to make sure every child gets the support they need to succeed, and brings such a positive attitude to the school. I honestly cannot say enough good things about her. In the past year during the pandemic, she was on top of it!! I was very impressed by her clear and consistent communication to parents, all the while acknowledging and addressing the heavy emotions felt by teachers, staff, parents and students alike. The Secretary, Mrs. O'Dea, is just as amazing. She does everything with a smile on her face and is so responsive to parent questions. She, too, knows every student by name and always makes sure they are taken care of. I can't speak to all the teachers, but so far in my 2 years time at Franklin, my two boys have lucked out with such incredible, passionate, compassionate, and remarkable teachers. They've grown so much in the time we've been there and turning into such kind, intelligent, and brave boys. One of my boys has been diagnosed with Selective Mutism. In his entire life, he had never spoken to his teachers, until Franklin. Franklin was quick to help create a 504 plan that worked for him. He went to speaking a few words in whispers to his Kindergarten teacher, to now mid year in his second year at Franklin, he felt brave enough to start speaking in class completely. I was blown away and I give so much credit to the staff for providing a safe enough space that allowed him to grow in such a profound way. Thank you FRANKLIN.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2020

Since our new principal and our always very experienced, loving and caring teachers, we are feeling very confident in our kids learning and grow in a safe and happy environment.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2020

The school has experienced 4 principals and 3 secretaries in the last 4 years. The new principal and secretary are wonderful. They are respectful to parents and teachers, care about the school, and are willing to go the extra mile. Really happy with the change.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2020

The new principal is absolutely incredible! Kind, effective, intelligent and so in tune with the students- we are thrilled to have her. The school has definitely suffered under poor leadership for the previous few years, but Mrs. Lawrence is quickly turning things around. Within months she knows all the students by name and you can feel the different energy. Hopefully things continue to move up because the teachers are amazing at the school and the students are not only very smart but also very caring.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2018

Honestly they need to replace the principal. She can be very rude and sometimes don’t know her place when it comes to addressing a child to a parent. I loved when Mrs Booth was here. Now all the regular teachers are gone and the secretary is being replaced for the second time, that should tell you something. Ms. Cilder needs to go it’s been a couple yrs she’s been here and from the start no one was happy with her and till now we still are not.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2018

Truly disappointed in this school. Your ball will be passed back to you if something happens, and the staff will not recall any of the incidents that your child tells you about when you bring it to their attention. I am not sure how and why this principal can still be at the school. Administration lacks compassion and it is also evident in some of the teachers' interaction with parents. The afterschool program is even worse. Most teachers look like they really hate their jobs and they do not have any kind of communication with parents. My child absolutely refuses to go to their afterschool program. I am truly disappointed in this school.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2017

New principal is disappointing. Many teachers and staff have left. Parents are working hard to keep the spirit up. At school events, its are to actually see the principal. She will come in and wave sometimes. Unlike last principal who knew every student's name.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2017

Current Principal (Anne Cilidr) is a poor leader: nearly 75% teacher turnover in less than 2 years. Tenured teachers have been applying for transfers to ther BSD schools. The principal lacks effective communication schools to parents, students and faculty and instead is an intense micro-manager. The school used to be top notch, clearly not the case anymore.
Submitted by teacher on May 23, 2017

I am a substitute teacher for the Burlingame School District. Having only worked at this site but a few times, I have found teachers and the administration to be very welcoming and supportive. I am grateful to be a part of this environment.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2017

After the change of Principals 2 years ago, our teachers are so unhappy and many are leaving. Parents across all grade levels have bought up this issue at the district level, but we've been told to "give her time". Our children and teachers deserve better!!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2017

There was a change in leadership 2 years ago and the overall "feel" of the school has changed dramatically; there is no longer that warm, welcoming feeling on campus and 6 teachers have quit to either leave the district or take positions at other schools. There is far less parent involvement than in years past. Franklin went from an "amazing" school to one which is flatlined and mediocre.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2016

This school was top-notch under the leadership of Lisa Booth, Principal. But the replacement principal is horrible. the school is losing staff and teachers, and some children are terrified to go to school because of totalitarian nature of the new principal. Currently it is riding on the past glory, but it is only a matter of time when it will degenerate to ruins under the current principal, as the school loses more of its stellar teachers/staff that made this school great, and community discontent.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2014

This school is top notch. There is high standard of learning and the teachers are very progressive in thier styles and methods.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2013

Given that Franklin has some of the best API scores of elementary schools in the area (955 in 2012), my expectations were high. We chose to live in Burlingame so that our children could attend the "good" schools here. However, we were disappointed. I think the teachers were mediocre. They didn't seem excited about teaching. Communication at the higher grade levels was nonexistent. Some of the children at the school displayed bully-like behavior. I question lunch and recess supervision. There are 23 children in grades K-3rd and 32 in 4- 5th. Teachers have no aids, and it seems they need them. I'm disappointed in the use of Everyday Math and don't feel the kids are challenged in math. Science is lacking, but this is a problem at most elementary schools. There appears to be one art teacher for the whole district, so kids get an hour of art every 1-2 months. I'm not impressed with music education either. Gifted students get 5-6 days of pull-out for the year, and nothing else the rest of the time. The principal is very kind and has worked at the school for years. But given the reputation of Burlingame schools and the high API scores, I expected so much more.