Franklin Elementary School

2400 Montana Avenue

School District

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified 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 June 13, 2024

Classes are over-crowded, teachers do not give any individualized attention or feedback to kids, parents are treated as bothers and ignored. The worst is writing instruction which is entirely non-existent. Either you get a teacher that gives very few writing projects, so no practice and no feedback; or you get one that gives way too many but then doesn't ever grade them or give the children any feedback. We've had both kinds of teachers at Franklin. This past year my child did writing project after writing project, spending hours and hours on these. The teacher gave a single grade (no comments) on the first two in the fall, and then literally nothing the rest of the year. So these poor kids were toiling over these lengthy writing projects and then having to move on and do the next one with no idea of what the teacher thought of the one before. When my child asked for feedback the teacher snapped at her and told her to be patient. And then literally never gave her feedback. The two grades we saw had been good (4 out of 4), so when our kid got a low grade (2 out of 4) on their report card we were surprised and asked for a meeting. We were ignored. Our child asked again for feedback or whether the teacher had graded any of the numerous writing projects she had turned in, and the teacher said she hadn't gotten around to grading them yet because there were too many and she was too busy. The teacher gave her no feedback. We wrote into her with the same questions and asked if there was any specific feedback for our daughter to improve and got no response. We asked to see the writing projects that were sub-par so we could help her improve. We were told we couldn't see them. We finally gave up on getting any instruction through the school and hired private writing and math tutors.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2022

We had some horrible experiences at this school. If you can avoid this school, do so. Out of the 6 years that my son attended, we encountered two abusive teachers. Any kind of dialogue with the school administration was not possible. If your child has a problem with a teacher, it will always be your child's fault. The school is very pretentious. A lot of spoiled obnoxious children.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2021

I am the grandmother of a highly intelligent dyslexic child, for whom Franklin was a disaster. While her teachers recognized from first grade on that she had problems reading, they never recognized (or acknowledged) that she had garden-variety dyslexia. Indeed, they were not allowed (by the administration) to use the word “dyslexia.” When her third-grade teacher finally insisted that the school psychologist test her, she failed to diagnose dyslexia and attributed her problem to “average intelligence.” Enough was enough. I paid $5,000 to have her tested by a UCLA expert, who diagnosed her as moderately to severely dyslexic, highly intelligent and emotionally damaged by her years of school failure to address her dyslexia. We turned to PRIDE, which specializes in dyslexia. Fortunately I could afford the cost of trained tutors for 18 months, during which my granddaughter worked hard and progressed quickly. Then came COVID-19. Her mother was unable to manage home schooling and her demanding professional job, so the family returned to rural Ireland, where the family had lived before my American daughter and her family moved to Los Angeles 6 years earlier. What a difference a country makes! Her Irish public school accepted all her documentation, makes necessary accommodation for the anxiety sequellae of my granddaughter’s traumatic experience at Franklin, and follows up on the diagnosis of dyslexia. My granddaughter has become an avid reader and a good student who enjoys school for the first time in years. Is her Irish school as “advanced” or as well-funded as Franklin? No, but the faculty and staff are genuinely concerned about each child rather than the school’s reputation for serving bright students who have no discernible problems. Franklin’s teachers are generally good and caring, but they were hamstrung by the school’s obdurate unwillingness to respond to or even identify any student needs that might require the expenditure of resources. In view of the school’s abject failure, we received a negotiated settlement that covered some of the costs of remediation. But only now is my granddaughter regaining self-esteem and confidence damaged by her experience at Franklin. So be forewarned. If your child is not thriving at Franklin, be proactive and consider moving your child to a school where “college-ready” is not the school’s only goal. (The current principal was not in charge at the time and seems like a good person, but the systemic problem persists.)
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2019

Better than I could ever imagine, for sure!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

We are so lucky to be at Franklin where the students have a great academic foundation and get to experience the arts, P.E., and science on a regular basis. It's like getting a private school education, but at our local public school, where we can walk to campus. Get involved in your kids' classes, school activities like science club, and in the PTA and you will see for yourself how awesome this school is.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2018

We love Franklin. My daughter wants to go to school, even if she is sick. I have offered to have her skip school to go to Disneyland and she won't. I am continually amazed at the level that she is working at. She regularly blows my mind with the facts that she has learnt. I love the community. We walk to school, which in this day and age is a blessing.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2018

Excellent, could not be happier or more thankful.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2018

Did the first year thinking it could improve; went for the second year and yes it was better but by the third year we reached the top and moved on.Never again.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2018

I am the parent of a boy who attended Franklin, Lincoln, and SamoHi. Franklin is an excellent school and was competitive with any private school in L.A. The teachers were all terrific, and my son had every opportunity he needed. He made the transition to Lincoln very easily. The staff was warm and helpful and took good care of him, and I can't think of a single problem. I would recommend Franklin School to any parent. My son graduated from SamoHi and got into the Ivy League college of his choice (early acceptance) where he is thriving. His friends from Franklin, Lincoln, and SamoHi are also at top colleges and doing extremely well. I am a happy parent. Please note that you have to be an involved parent--and that means volunteering and helping your child with school work and lots of reading--to help your child succeed no matter which school you choose. Good parenting and as much volunteer work as possible help your child and the school to be their best.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2017

Had a life altering experience at this school. Going into further detail is too painful to do. This teacher's bullying of my child will be the lasting memory of Franklin. Test scores don't necessarily mean well being and intellectual growth for the individual child, this school maximized that experience. Tenure is really hurting kids, there are teachers here that seem to have disdain for certain kids. The fact that they just get to continue teaching is shocking. This school is like a pretty movie set, smoke and mirrors. No way would I write something like this if not to help other children and parents. Please look beyond the API score when placing your child at any school!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2016

I am the grandmother of a child who has had excellent experience at Franklin so far, kindergarten last year and first grade this year. Her teachers have been firm, kind, and effective. They are her role models. I write specially to comment on the content of the Common Core curriculum, which I have examined and seen put into practice by my granddaughter' teachers. As a law professor, it is what I wish my students had had in their formative years. It is conceptual, rather than rote, and teaches children how to think. It is important to distinguish between the Common Core curriculum, which is superb, and the testing associated with it, which seems unnecessary and counter productive. Reading the other comments, I suspect that the writers are a small minority of disgruntled parents. Most parents are satisfied and many are delighted by their children's experience at the school. Yes, the community is over privileged, but most of the children are sweet and friendly, and they are happy to be at school. This year, together with other parents and children, my daughter, who volunteers as a classroom aide, and my granddaughter helped install the school's new science lab. They look forward to more science in the early grades.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2016

Two words to describe this school:PRESSURE. COOKER.This is how a teacher from Lincoln Middle School (SMMUSD) described it, underscoring our experience exactly. Mind you, my child was only in k-i-n-d-e-r-g-a-r-t-e-n.The principal uses the words "rigor" and "career and college ready" regularly. She is an advocate for the common core and for constant testing. Mind you it is common knowledge that these standards were not written by early education experts including elementary school teachers and that the rest of the country is altering the standards or getting out of them altogether. Additionally, the plethora of testing is not made transparent to the parents. If you ask to opt-out of them you will be denied both your state and constitutional rights as a parent. This is the "leadership" at Franklin.The bottom line at this school is test scores, SMMEF money (which clearly creates clout undermining what should be a democratic institution), and real estate values (the local realtor sponsors school events). One could wonder if kickbacks are happening here.This is not a whole-child centered education. One star = terrible. I wish we could have one year of our lives back. I would choose any other school in Santa Monica over this one.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2016

My daughter loves going to Kindergarten every day and our teacher is exceptional. In Addition, I had a great experience with all the front desk staff. We recently had a family emergency and experienced great care and flexibility from everyone at the front desk.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

I would give this one star if I didn't think my daughters teacher was heroic teaching so many students with proficiency and grace. I am not up for that challenge. I have been overwhelmed by how overrated this schools reputation is. I'm specifically disappointed in the (frankly) rudeness of the tertiary staff and the combativeness of the principal. My daughter is also, as one of you described, above average reader/student. I have been actually pleased with how the teacher sees where my child can learn and be challenged and does this well. I am not a fan of the vibe, however. It's unkind and unhelpful. Feels more like kids are inmates than students. My husband was uber private schooled all over the world. I was publc schooled and mu experience was amazing for elementary school. It was a serene campus with values and kindness. I learned to love books and people and nature. Sadly. A lot happens in a generation. In general. I have found what another reviewer said to be true: they protect their teachers defensively. Even when things aren't adding up.i see this as a serious injustice. We cannot expect everything from a public school but we can expect: no yelling and responsiveness from staff if that is happening. My heart goes out to kids who experience anything less. I think franklin could be a lot more, a lot better but somehow it seems to me. They are resting on their laurels. Not interested in improving. Just interested in towing lines and getting by for a few hours so they can go home. Bottom line: none of the staff seems to like the parents or like Franklin. So why should we?
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2015

Parent participation is great. Teachers are good. Class size could be smaller. Overall though a very good school.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

Excellent teachers - great communication - fantastic parental involvement - excellent learning environment - I'd say its one of the top public elementary schools in Los Angeles
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2014

I think, as with any school, there are positives and negatives. For the parents who cariryng on about how our kids are getting a private school education in a public [aka free]school......you need to do the tours that the private schools offer or perhaps spend time with a family who sends their kid[s] to one and compare notes. I've done both and it's not even close.However, there is a perspective that is important keep. Your child can still thrive and be smart. But it will be up to you to supplement the confidencs building, the emotional curriculum, music[for the first few years], science and foreign language. You will also have to have the "umph" to ask questions. For instance, why are there funds for ballroom dancing not for Spanish or Science?? It's not perfect, in fact it's all quite challenging at times, but you can get involved and make it work, especially, like most of us posting here, we would send our students to private if it were an option.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2014

Given how much people talk about how great this school is and how it is the "best school" in Santa Monica, this has been a bit of a disappointment. While there are people who are genuinely trying to help and do the best they can, on the whole this school is significantly overrated. Teaching "to the test" reigns supreme and instruction lacks innovation and creativity. Science is nearly non-existent in the lower grades and school-wide projects seem to be haphazard. This school could be so much more than it is. I believe the new principal is a positive change and hope that she sets the stage for what can be a truly outstanding place to learn and grow.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2014

I am a elementary teacher in another district. My sons have been in Franklin since K. One just graduated and the other will be in 5th grade. Franklin is an excellent school. Both of my sons individual needs have been met and with exception of 1 teacher out of the 11 years total my sons have attended the teachers have all been great. They have met my sons' need for accelerated programs and my children have thrived. Although I could wish for smaller class sizes, I have never felt that my sons have lacked individual attention. Moreover, I know of no other public school and even private schools that can match Franklin's music program. My older son who graduated has had 3 years of music, two years focused on his pick of instruments and even though he is unlikely to pursue music as a career he is very good at his instrument and is looking forward to Lincoln's music program where he will continue to get instruction every day on his choice instrument. The gifted classes available after school to the students who qualify are terrific and have encourage both of my sons' STEM interests.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2014

I agree with the post from April 10th. But April 24th comments read like damage control. You simply cannot compare Franklin with the almost 30 kids per class to a private school where the teachers have the luxury of teaching only 15-20 kids. The other big difference is that a private school would fire a Kindergarten teacher who is always shouting at the little 5 and 6 year olds and leaving them terrified. Its clearly a policy of Franklin to put teacher's tenure first, regardless of the destructive behavior they may display. If I could give this place 1 star, I would.