Benjamin Franklin Elementary/Middle Mathematics & Science School

Founded in 1986, Benjamin Franklin Elementary/Middle School was established under a desegregation order from the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) and initially served both blue-collar and white-collar families. Originally located in the Schwartz building on the Westbank, the school opened with lower elementary grades and expanded over time.

The school has benefited from stable leadership, with only five principals over its nearly 40-year history. The founding principal served for one year, followed by a second principal who led the school from 1987 to 2004 until retirement. A third principal served from 2004 to 2006, until Hurricane Katrina. A fourth principal led the school from 2006 to 2021. In 2023, Dr. Jeremye Cornell Brooks assumed leadership as CEO, overseeing both the elementary and middle school campuses.

In 2018, the school transitioned to charter status and reopened as Legacy of Excellence. Originally established as a gifted school with a strong focus on science and mathematics, admission required testing. Over the years, the campus has undergone significant expansion. Construction on the elementary building began in 2016 to accommodate the addition of grades 6 through 8. During renovations, the school operated in modular buildings and returned to the renovated facility in 2019. The middle school, formerly located on the Nashville campus, relocated to a new building on Laurel Street in 2023 to accommodate increasing enrollment across grade levels.

Today, Benjamin Franklin Elementary/Middle Mathematics & Science School is an open-enrollment charter school serving 747 students in Pre-K through 8th grade across two campuses. Our school design is rooted in our core values of Belief, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Service (B.E.A.R.S.), principles that align with best practices in academic achievement while also promoting student, family, and teacher well-being and social-emotional growth.

Key Facts:

• One school operating across two campuses, both located in Uptown New Orleans

• 100% of students qualify for free lunch

• 75% of students utilize school transportation services

• 16% of students receive special education services

Signature Programs:

• Gifted and Talented programming (including services for students with exceptionalities)

• Algebra I and English I offered in 8th grade

• Money Matters financial literacy program

• STARBASE at Jackson Barracks

• LEAP Before You Sleep after-school tutoring program