Ben Franklin Academy

Summary:

Ben Franklin Academy is a high-performing public charter elementary and middle school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, serving 893 students in grades PK-8 and part of the Douglas County School District, which is ranked 5th out of 116 districts in the state.

Ben Franklin Academy consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Colorado, with impressive academic performance on CMAS tests, where 64.1% of students scored proficient or better in English Language Arts and 56.7% in Math in 2023-2024. The school outperforms the Douglas County School District and the state of Colorado in most subject areas and grade levels. While the school's male students and white students perform exceptionally well, its gifted and talented students rank relatively lower. Ben Franklin Academy also maintains very low dropout rates and a chronic absenteeism rate of 9.4%, which is higher than the state average but lower than some nearby schools.

Compared to nearby public schools, Ben Franklin Academy's academic performance is generally higher, with the exception of Bear Canyon Elementary and Northridge Elementary, which also demonstrate strong academic performance. However, Trailblazer Elementary has a more mixed performance. The school's relatively low percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients suggests its student population may come from more affluent backgrounds, which can be a contributing factor to its academic success.


Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-8

 2270 Plaza Dr
       Highlands Ranch, CO  80129-1501


(720) 383-4519

District: Douglas County School District No. Re 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
127th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,429 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  19.6 Help
Number of students:  893

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.4%
Hispanic:
11.8%
Two or more races:
5.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  3.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ben Franklin Academy ranks better than 86.5% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks 22nd among 58 ranked elementary schools in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.45. (See more...)
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Compare Details Ben Franklin Academy ranks better than 88.5% of middle schools in Colorado. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.03. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Ben Franklin Academy has the largest elementary school student body size in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ben Franklin Academy is $10,429. 54 elementary schools in the Douglas County School District No. Re 1 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ben Franklin Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Ben Franklin Academy 127th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Ben Franklin Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Ben Franklin Academy 56th of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Ben Franklin Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
White students:


Douglas County School District No. Re 1:

SchoolDigger ranks Douglas County School District No. Re 1 5th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Ben Franklin Academy.

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Rank History for Ben Franklin Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2014 83.67 127th 962 86.8%
2015 76.44 192nd 938 79.5%
2016 74.42 207th 914 77.4%
2017 76.61 199th 929 78.6%
2018 85.92 105th 917 88.5%
2019 89.97 70th 965 92.7%
2021 78.54 167th 710 76.5%
2022 87.88 89th 921 90.3%
2023 90.74 69th 933 92.6%
2024 84.45 127th 943 86.5%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.49 182nd 690 73.6%
2019 77.89 143rd 758 81.1%
2021 68.24 124th 351 64.7%
2022 75.78 119th 595 80.0%
2023 78.73 113th 642 82.4%
2024 74.54 141st 684 79.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Gifted and Talented students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 58.69 53rd 110 51.8%
2024 54.15 54th 91 40.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.57 56th 693 91.9%
2019 90.87 43rd 764 94.4%
2021 71.39 116th 352 67.0%
2022 87.76 56th 594 90.6%
2023 91.29 37th 649 94.3%
2024 80.62 107th 683 84.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.45 97th 337 71.2%
2019 76.54 104th 596 82.6%
2021 55.78 147th 288 49.0%
2022 72.82 109th 454 76.0%
2023 80.52 65th 525 87.6%
2024 70.58 129th 539 76.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Ben Franklin Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2014 87.97 38th 461 91.8%
2015 71.83 86th 436 80.3%
2016 65.35 110th 400 72.5%
2017 81.59 58th 424 86.3%
2018 88.77 30th 418 92.8%
2019 94.06 19th 458 95.9%
2021 95.05 16th 369 95.7%
2022 91.19 30th 448 93.3%
2023 92.28 30th 480 93.8%
2024 85.03 56th 485 88.5%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.74 44th 315 86.0%
2019 85.59 42nd 352 88.1%
2021 91.63 17th 254 93.3%
2022 84.65 38th 326 88.3%
2023 84.67 46th 363 87.3%
2024 74.04 76th 350 78.3%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.21 42nd 121 65.3%
2019 69.16 33rd 134 75.4%
2023 63.66 59th 125 52.8%
2024 44.95 89th 126 29.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.49 24th 317 92.4%
2019 96.36 11th 343 96.8%
2021 93.18 13th 249 94.8%
2022 89.92 23rd 328 93.0%
2023 92.03 23rd 356 93.5%
2024 85.63 40th 357 88.8%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Ben Franklin Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.67 58th 199 70.9%
2019 84.65 29th 283 89.8%
2021 89.39 14th 203 93.1%
2022 79.76 38th 265 85.7%
2023 83.49 35th 286 87.8%
2024 73.13 56th 273 79.5%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ben Franklin Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
60%

0%

20%

20%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, February 25, 2019

Open Quote The staff there is amazing including the front desk ladies who are the gate keepers ). My daughter started kindergarten there, I didn't enroll her in preschool there but get alot of questions about the preschool there. I personally did the tour loved the vibe for kindergarten and up but wasnt impressed with the staff for preschool. I didn't see much smiling on the first impression for preschool especially one whose really LOUD and intense when she talks to you. The tours say all when your looking at schools. Good luck! Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, September 15, 2014

Open Quote We have been at BFA for several years and experienced kindergarten through middle school. The curriculum is fabulous, the teachers are great, and several great improvements have recently been made for the middle school. The staff is friendly and helpful. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, September 11, 2014

Open Quote Curriculum is good; however staff is not nice. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ben Franklin Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2012 532 2 63 36 0 2 12 0 647
2013 612 3 57 64 3 2 26 0 767
2014 670 7 68 73 4 0 37 0 859
2015 692 5 74 82 2 0 32 0 887
2016 712 5 64 82 3 0 30 0 896
2017 693 7 50 94 1 0 38 0 883
2018 717 9 51 89 4 0 33 0 903
2019 740 12 49 90 1 1 31 0 924
2020 718 11 53 99 5 1 43 0 930
2021 702 11 53 94 6 0 41 0 907
2022 707 5 42 104 5 0 42 0 905
2023 691 5 39 105 4 0 49 0 893

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ben Franklin Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2012 647 27.8 23.2 0.6
2013 767 32.6 23.4 1.6
2014 859 38.5 22.2 5.4
2015 887 43.0 20.6 4.5
2016 896 45.0 19.9 4.6
2017 883 46.4 18.9 3.2
2018 903 44.3 20.3 2
2019 924 45.3 20.3 3.1
2020 930 46.1 20.1 3.9
2021 907 41.9 21.6 4
2022 905 43.9 20.5 4
2023 893 45.5 19.6 3.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ben Franklin Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2012 647 27.8 23.2 0.6
2013 767 32.6 23.4 1.6
2014 859 38.5 22.2 5.4
2015 887 43.0 20.6 4.5
2016 896 45.0 19.9 4.6
2017 883 46.4 18.9 3.2
2018 903 44.3 20.3 2
2019 924 45.3 20.3 3.1
2020 930 46.1 20.1 3.9
2021 907 41.9 21.6 4
2022 905 43.9 20.5 4
2023 893 45.5 19.6 3.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ben Franklin Academy

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $8,562
2020 $8,826
2021 $9,058
2022 $9,287
2023 $10,429

Data source: Colorado Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ben Franklin Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 70th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 69th of 933 Elementary schools
 0.1%
Ranks 19th of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 30th of 480 Middle schools
 2.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)72.163.4
 8.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)5258
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)41.339.9
 1.4%
3rd Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)65.468.8
 3.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)52.659.4
 6.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)72.868.9
 3.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)5959.2
 0.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)58.356.7
 1.6%
   4th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)44.748.8
 4.1%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Ben Franklin Academy)65.773.4
 7.7%
   5th Grade Science (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)47.750.7
 3%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)68.472.7
 4.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)59.164.5
 5.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)53.167.7
 14.6%
   5th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)44.852.4
 7.6%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)69.464.7
 4.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)60.365.1
 4.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)58.260.9
 2.7%
   6th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)45.147.7
 2.6%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)8674.7
 11.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)56.764.4
 7.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)53.554.4
 0.9%
   7th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)43.544.9
 1.4%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Ben Franklin Academy)68.860.6
 8.2%
   8th Grade Science (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)41.945.9
 4%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)87.574.3
 13.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)52.558.4
 5.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.942.4
 4.5%
8th Grade Math (Ben Franklin Academy)78.880.6
 1.8%
   8th Grade Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)48.850.5
 1.7%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Ben Franklin Academy)75.669.1
 6.5%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)56.761.6
 4.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Ben Franklin Academy)6063.2
 3.2%
   All Grades Math (Douglas County School District No. Re 1)46.550.7
 4.2%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students924893
 3.4%
African American125
 58.3%
American Indian14
 300%
Asian4939
 20.4%
Hispanic90105
 16.7%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White740691
 6.6%
Two or More Races3149
 58.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients3.1%3.4%
 0.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Ben Franklin Academy

Ben Franklin Academy ranks 127th of 943 Colorado elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 893 students attended Ben Franklin Academy.

Students at Ben Franklin Academy are 77% White, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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