Ben Franklin Academy

2270 Plaza Drive

School District

Douglas County Re 1
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

charter

School Map for Douglas County Re 1 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 teacher on December 06, 2024

This school has it all. We have the best and most supportive staff. We have everything we could ever ask for.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2024

The fact that the principal has let bullying last many years in this school is ridiculous. She doesn't fix the problem, especially when the bullies are the children of the staff. It's really sad seeing a strong parent community leave and transfer out because the principal won't address and correct these issues. I feel really bad for the parents of special needs kiddos. Good luck getting help with that.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2024

My gifted/special needs child is well support at BFA.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2024

Run, don’t walk, away from this middle school, especially if your child is gifted and/or has learning disabilities like dyslexia. This school will put your child behind their peers at local public schools especially in math. They say all of the right words on the tour about advancement, however when push comes to shove, they are unwilling to consider anything outside of grade level for most students. For example, there are two sixth grade math classes - regular and honors (for gifted students). They use the same textbooks at the same pace, the gifted class just has way more work. My child had already completed sixth grade math, when I asked about getting him placed into the 7/8 accelerated class they told me they had only promoted a handful of students ever, then told me they needed to collect their own “data” and that process would take months to a year. So my child would have basically wasted a year. The gt coordinator views herself as a gatekeeper for the program and does not value input, even from other teachers and schools. There is a rigid list of requirements (things like a 98% in the current class which is ridiculous. If your child misses one question on one test this is blown. It might as well be 100%). At other schools in the area, 8th graders commonly take geometry and even algebra 2. The highest level your child will be able to easily complete at this school without a fight is algebra 1. This puts a gt kid in a state of catch up to their peers upon entering high school. We also had problems with the punitive nature of the school. They make you sign a behavior contract and spell out “violations”. Things like forgetting to charge their Chromebook at night will earn your child a level 1 violation and three or so of those will result in a detention. This gave my good kiddo so much anxiety that they would wake up in the middle of the night to check their Chromebook. They are ignoring decades of child development and behavior research. We had other problems: there is a seriously lack of diversity, my child was included on some group texts with some racist content. There was more meanness than you see at most other schools. There is a lot (hours and hours) of homework, most of which was not value-add. I really have a hard time finding anything redeeming about this school. The sports were ok, but even that had issues, you’d think sports in middle school would be no cut so kids could try new things, but even the sports were a source of anxiety.
Submitted by other on January 02, 2024

We have been with BFA for eight years now with three kids attending and I have had many positive experiences with the staff, curriculum, academics, family engagement, activities/events, etc. Great communication too!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2023

We’ve been very happy with the quality of education our children have received at BFA, as well as the care the teachers and faculty have shown to students. Academically our kids have been challenged and we’ve been so impressed with what they’ve been learning at school.Not that it matters, but our family comes from an “underrepresented” group. We have felt so included at BFA. That’s the reason why it’s such a great school - they treat everyone equally and instead of focusing on distracting “new wave” education, they focus their efforts on educating children to be the best they can be.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2023

I loved BFA...at first. Then with parents becoming teachers, it shifted in the wrong direction. My kid had a teacher who had a bad reputation already and with numerous complaints, nothing was changed. This teacher would bully the students. Also, my kid's classmates would bully them and whenever I would try to address the issue, it was swept under the rug. The lack of diversity is heavenly noticeable and if you have a learning disability, good luck getting any form of support.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2023

If you're looking for a GSA club for middle school or any LGBTQIA inclusion/support at all, this is not the school for you. Many parents lost their minds over masks during the pandemic, which was ridiculous, harmful and set a bad example for students. About 70% of teachers voted against masks. Probably all you need to know.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2023

This school is great, as long as you fit within its narrow view of what an acceptable child is. Strict dress code is held at a higher level if importance than student learning. the electives are a joke (which will help my son or daughter get into college? Brain Break or Curl up and read?). If your child has any sort of learning needs, the teachers are either ill-equipped or just refuse to provide accommodations.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2023

Having such amazing years in the past with BFA, it is sad to see it go downhill. Bullying is a huge issue recently and there isn't much being done about it. Also, any students that have a learning disability are overlooked. When you ask for help, you get brushed aside. The board and staff are more worried about the "dress code" than helping their students. Unless you are a "popular" family or donated money to the school, you have no voice.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2023

Not only will the school look the other way while your kids are bullied, the teachers are also allowed to bully the kids in front of their peers. They ignore requests to get more help for your children, and will let them spiral into depression and anxiety. The only help you can get is going to another school.There are good teachers, but when you hit a road block bad apple, it can ruin your child's experience for life.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2022

The school itself is very organized. The biggest problems include issues with gender discrimination. There was a STEM program offered a few years ago that only allowed boys to take the extra-curricular activity that focused on ENGINEERING and MATH. Girls were allowed to do the activity that focused more on biology and soft-sciences. Additionally, there is a gender-biased uniform policy that also requires boys to have very short hair. The school does not regularly offer elective courses in foreign language or other offerings that are found at other schools.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2022

We love BFA. Our child is striving at this school. Our child started in preschool and now in elementary at the school. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great school.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2018

BFA is not a bad a school by any means, but it is definitely overrated. We had high hopes sending our children there, only to come away from our experience feeling like their school philosophy is less about the "13 virtues" and more about "style over substance". We switched to our local neighborhood school and this has been significantly more productive for the development of our children than BFA ever was.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2018

Ben Franklin Academy's academic program is amazing from Preschool to Eighth grade!! The teachers challenge kids in ways that make learning interesting and exciting!
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2017

Absolutely phenomenal! From teachers, admin. staff, kids, community outreach, class size, individual learning styles, the facility- They have it all-Amazing!! 6yrs at BFA
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2017

My children have been at this school since it first opened. I have nothing but wonderful things to say! Some of the teachers have made a huge positive impact on my kids. Very grateful for this school and all of the fantastic teachers and staff.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2016

I have 3 kids at this school. We've been here 4 years now. We love it so much better than our neighborhood school, especially using Saxon Math instead of Everyday Math. My kids look forward to going to school and I can't think of a single complaint.
Submitted by student on January 10, 2016

This school has taught me, as a seventh grader, so much. I love this school, and the teachers in it are so helpful and kind. I am so happy we decided to join this school.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

From staff to administration, BFA is a great Charter school. My children are receiving a well-rounded education in STEM and also the classics. They know that critical thinking is key to educating children.