Benjamin Franklin Charter School opened their campus in Mesa in 1995 with an average enrollment of 250 students per year in grades kindergarten through 6th. The school uses the same program throughout all of their charter schools, which enables students to excel in all core subjects. The school does have high academic standards, a dress code, and mandatory homework.

Along with core subjects, the school offers extra curricular activities, which include band, computer arts, orchestra, chorus, painting, and theater. Special programs include academic contests, yearbook, community service, student government, and science & technology. The student body is made up of 75% white, 13% Hispanic, 5% black, and 7% undetermined.

The only downside to the school noted by parents is that there are no sports teams at all. The only physical activity is physical education classes. Along with this, there is no library, no computers, and no play or theater performances created by the younger classrooms. The school is very small with many classes held in trailers. Other negative comments regarding the school is the outdoor playtime where aides are not very attentive to the students and are often talking among themselves in a group instead of patrolling the school playground.

Even with that said, most parents are very pleased with the accomplishment of their children and the way they are performing in core subjects. Teachers and staff are very attentive and very well like by students.

Students at the Mesa campus participated in the AIMS exam as other public charter and public schools across the state. The percentages of students at this school that passed or exceeded the standards of the exam as well as the average of students throughout Arizona are below.

In reading, 88% of 3rd graders with the state average at 76%, in writing 87% with the state at 79%, and in math 85% with the state at 68%. In reading, 84% of 4th graders with the state average at 75%, in science 75% with the state at 60%, in writing 91% with the state at 83%, and in math 78% with the state at 65%. In reading, 100% of 5th graders with the state average at 79%, in writing 81% with the state at 55%, and in math 78% with the state at 63%. In reading, 100% of 6th graders with the state at 81%, in writing 82% with the state at 56%, and in math 86% with the state at 59%.

Benjamin Franklin Charter School – Mesa
2345 N. Horne St.
Mesa, AZ 85203
480-649-0712
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