Franklin Towne Charter High School: What to Know Before Applying in 2024

Franklin Towne Charter High School
Franklin Towne Charter High School

If you’re considering Franklin Towne Charter High School for your child, you’re making the right decision. This school has been getting a lot of buzz lately for its innovative approach to education and strong academic programs.

But before you make any decisions, it’s important to get all the facts. Franklin Towne Charter High School could be your perfect hidden cove of opportunity, but a little research goes a long way.

In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about Franklin Towne Charter High School. From their admission requirements to their extracurricular activities, we’ll cover it all so you can make an informed decision.

About Franklin Towne Charter High School

Franklin Towne Charter High School is a college-preparatory school that will go above to give each of its students access to a welcoming, supportive, and familial environment. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment, and preparing students for success in higher education and beyond.

Located in Philadelphia, the school was founded in 1999 and it takes pride in its rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, and a wide range of extracurricular activities that cater to diverse student interests.

The school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is named after Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Towne, two prominent figures in Philadelphia’s history.

Franklin Towne Charter High School instills a sense of community and cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills among its students.

One of the unique aspects of Franklin Towne Charter High School is its commitment to accessibility. As a tuition-free institution for residents of Philadelphia, the school ensures that students from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to receive a first-class education.

This approach contributes to the school’s diverse student body and fosters a rich and inclusive learning environment.

Read: D’arbonne Woods Charter School: What to Know Before Applying in 2024

Franklin Towne Charter High School Ranking

Franklin Towne Charter High School has consistently maintained a high ranking among educational institutions in the region. Its commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching practices, and student achievement have earned the school recognition and accolades from various educational ranking systems.

The school has consistently ranked 73rd schools in Pennsylvania, and its students have achieved high academic performance scores. The school has received various awards and honors, including recognition for its athletic programs and community service initiatives.

This recognition highlights the school’s dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience. Among these include;

  • 2019 Varsity Brand’s Most Spirited High School
  • 2017-2018 Designated as an Exceptional Charter School by the National Association of Special Education Teachers
  • 2013-2017 Designated as a Pennsylvania State Distinguished Title I School
  • 2014 National Blue Ribbon School
  • 2006-2012 Keystone Achievement Awards for consecutive years earning AYP
  • 2011 Designated as a National Title I School of Excellence and Pennsylvania State Distinguished Title I School
  • 2010 MetLife Foundation- NASSP Breakthrough School of the Year
  • 2009 National Excellence in Urban Education Award, National Center for Urban School Transformation

Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School

Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School is an Independent charter school that provides education, along with special support services.

The School is a strong foundation for students transitioning into the high school program. With a focus on holistic development, the elementary school provides a supportive environment where students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills.

The curriculum emphasizes core subjects such as mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies while promoting creativity, character development, and teamwork.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Academic Courses

Students can shape their educational journey from core subjects that provide a solid academic foundation to specialized electives and vocational programs.

This comprehensive curriculum not only prepares students for higher education but also equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary for their future careers.

The academic programs at Franklin Towne Charter High School are designed to challenge students and help them achieve their full potential.

The school offers many core subjects and elective options, including Advanced Placement courses, honors courses, and career and technical education programs.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for college and the workforce by providing them with a strong foundation in math, science, and language arts.

From core subjects like English, mathematics, science, and social studies to specialized electives such as computer science, fine arts, foreign languages, and vocational programs, the curriculum at Franklin Towne Charter High School is comprehensive and well-rounded.

The school’s commitment to providing a broad range of courses ensures that students can explore their passions and develop skills that will benefit them in their future endeavors.

Further Course descriptions and additional information can be found in our course catalog below:
Franklin Towne Charter High School Elective Course Offerings

What is Franklin Towne Charter High School Tuition Fee

The School, like other charter schools, operates under a charter granted by a governing body, which in this case is the School District of Philadelphia. Charter schools receive funding from various sources, including federal, state, and local funds, as well as private donations.

As a charter school, Franklin Towne Charter High School is tuition-free for residents of Philadelphia. The school receives public funding, allowing it to offer a high-quality education without the burden of tuition fees.

The tuition for an average out-state student of Franklin Towne Charter High School is $5,837. This commitment to accessibility ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can access a first-class education and thrive academically.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Yearbook

The Franklin Towne Charter High School yearbook is a cherished memento of the students’ experiences and achievements throughout high school.

The School’s yearbook captures cherished memories, achievements, and significant events throughout the academic year. It serves as a keepsake for students, providing a visual representation of their journey and accomplishments during their time at the school.

It encapsulates the memories, friendships, and significant events that make up their educational journey.

The yearbook committee puts great effort into creating a visually appealing publication that reflects the vibrant spirit of the school community, ensuring that every student’s story is captured and celebrated.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Basketball

Basketball holds a special place within the sports culture of Franklin Towne Charter High School. The school’s basketball team has consistently demonstrated skill, sportsmanship, and determination on the court.

Coached by experienced professionals who emphasize skill development and teamwork, the basketball program allows students to excel athletically while instilling essential life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and leadership.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Sports

Recognizing the importance of physical fitness and teamwork, Franklin Towne Charter High School offers a variety of sports programs for students to engage in.

These programs promote physical well-being and instill essential values such as discipline, sportsmanship, and resilience.

Students can participate in various sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, track and field.

Franklin Towne Charter High School’s sports teams compete at a competitive level, allowing students to showcase their skills and passion for athletics. The school’s dedicated coaches and trainers work closely with students, providing guidance, training, and support to help them reach their full potential.

Franklin Towne Charter High School’s commitment to inclusivity extends to its sports programs as well. The school encourages participation from students of all skill levels, promoting a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the athletes.

Whether students are aspiring athletes or simply looking to stay active and be part of a team, Franklin Towne Charter High School offers a variety of sports options to cater to different interests.

Whether students participate in basketball, soccer, baseball, or track and field, they benefit from the valuable life lessons learned through teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Also, see: El Rancho Charter School: What You Need to Know Before Applying in 2024

Franklin Towne Charter High School Extracurricular Activities

There are also many clubs and organizations for students to join, such as the National Honor Society, student government, and various interest-based clubs. The school also places a strong emphasis on community service, with students participating in various service projects throughout the year.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Racism

Addressing and combating racism is a priority at Franklin Towne Charter High School. The school firmly believes in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background.

Through various educational initiatives, open discussions, and cultural awareness programs, the school actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. The administration and faculty work diligently to create an atmosphere where every student feels valued, supported, and safe.

By fostering understanding and empathy, Franklin Towne Charter High School strives to create responsible and compassionate global citizens.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Schedule

Franklin Towne Charter High School follows a structured schedule designed to optimize student learning and engagement. The school day is carefully planned to incorporate core subjects, elective courses, extracurricular activities, and dedicated time for independent study.

The schedule allows students to explore various disciplines while ensuring they meet the academic requirements for graduation.

Additionally, the schedule also accommodates extracurricular activities, special events, and guest speakers, providing students with a well-rounded education beyond the classroom.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Uniform

Franklin Towne Charter High School maintains a uniform policy to promote a sense of unity, professionalism, and equality among its students. The uniform policy ensures that all students dress appropriately and adhere to a standardized dress code.

By eliminating visible socio-economic differences and distractions related to clothing choices, the uniform policy fosters a focused and inclusive learning environment.

All students are expected to arrive at school wearing the appropriate school uniform. Those who disregard this regulation will face immediate administrative repercussions.

Students who arrive at school without proper attire will be given a detention and not be allowed to enter the classroom. A parent or guardian will be called and permitted to bring proper attire to correct the uniform infraction.

Students take pride in their appearance and representation of the school community by adhering to the uniform policy.

To learn about the Franklin Towne Charter High School Uniform and dress code, Click the Link.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Faculty Ratio

The faculty and staff at Franklin Towne Charter High School are dedicated to providing students with a quality education. The teachers are highly qualified and experienced in their respective fields.

They are committed to helping students succeed academically and personally. The school also provides professional development opportunities for faculty to ensure they remain up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and trends.

The Franklin Towne Charter High School Student-Teacher Ratio is 18:1

Franklin Towne Charter High School Facilities

Franklin Towne Charter High School has modern facilities and resources to support student’s academic and extracurricular needs. The classrooms have the latest technology infrastructure, including interactive whiteboards and high-speed internet access.

The school also has a library and research facilities, which provide students with access to various resources to support their academic endeavors.

Additionally, the school has sports facilities and grounds to support the athletic programs.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Support Services

Franklin Towne Charter High School offers various support services to students to help them succeed. The school has guidance counseling and college/career guidance services to help students plan their academic and career paths.

The school also has special education services to support students with learning disabilities. Additionally, the school supports English language learners to help them succeed academically.

Parent and Community Involvement

Parent and community involvement is an essential aspect of the school’s culture. The school has a parent-teacher association that actively engages with parents to ensure their involvement in their child’s education.

The association organizes regular meetings, workshops, and events to foster a strong partnership between parents and the school. Additionally, Franklin Towne Charter High School actively seeks partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide students with real-world learning opportunities and internships.

The school also encourages parents and community members to volunteer their time and expertise to support various school activities and initiatives.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Application

To enroll in Franklin Towne Charter High School, prospective students must complete an application process. The application typically includes a student information form, academic records, and, in some cases, a personal statement or recommendation letters.

Admissions decisions are based on a holistic evaluation of the applicant, considering their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and growth potential.

Franklin Towne Charter High School strives to select students who will not only benefit from the educational opportunities provided but also contribute positively to the school community.

The school website or in person are acceptable ways for applicants to submit a brief application. Both English and Spanish versions of the applications are offered.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Enrollment

General Lottery Application and Lottery Timeline:

  • Applications for the annual 9th-grade lottery can be submitted before the 2nd Friday of December of that current year’s lottery. 

    For the current school year, applications for all other grade levels (10th, 11th, and 12th) must be submitted between July 1 and the second Friday in December.
  • Applications selected during this period will be entered into the yearly lottery for the current year.
  • Families will need to reapply every year after the 9th grade.
  • The annual public drawing will be held in our high school auditorium on the Friday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day (mid-January) at 10:00 a.m.
  • The families of the students selected in the lottery will be informed by email immediately, along with the necessary information (including a deadline) they must submit to secure registration. The following papers are needed for enrollment:
    • Proof of Child’s Age
    • Proof of Residency
    • Record of Required Immunizations
    • Act 26 Form
    • Home Language Survey
  • We strongly advise all families to bring all necessary paperwork to school in person, but if you decide to mail the paperwork to the school, it is your responsibility to ensure it gets there by the deadline.  Daily office hours are from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
  • Families must submit all necessary enrollment paperwork by the third Friday in February, no later than 3:00 pm.
  • If you miss this deadline, you lose your spot at Franklin Towne and your child’s name will be added to the bottom of the waiting list.
  • Only families with language barriers will be given an exception, and only if they get in touch with the school before the deadlines listed above so that the school can make plans for translation services to be offered.

After Enrollment secured

  • The date of your child’s placement test will be communicated to you. Placement testing is used to give your child the most suitable schedule of classes for the upcoming school year and to identify students who must complete an academic summer support program.  It is never used to select students for enrollment.
  • Every family must turn in their child’s final report card by 2:00 pm on the last Thursday of June.  We urge all families to deliver report cards to the school personally.  If you decide to mail it to the school, you accept responsibility for the possibility that it won’t arrive by the deadline.
  • Final 8th-grade report cards must show that all prerequisites (a passing grade in Reading, Math, and Science) have been satisfied to enter the 9th grade properly.  A student cannot be rostered into 9th-grade classes at FTCHS without demonstrating proficiency in these necessary areas.

Wait List:

  • Names not selected in the lottery will be placed on a numbered Wait List.
  • The Wait List will be published on the school’s website and updated to reflect an accurate and up-to-date listing.
  • Families will receive an email with a Unique Identifying Number (UIN).  Parents can use the UIN to track their child’s position on the Wait List. 
  • Names placed on the wait list will remain until the following year’s lottery is run and a new Wait List is generated.

General Information

  • An application is not a guarantee of admission.
  • Only one application will be accepted per child.
  • If a child is not admitted within the school year, a parent/guardian must re-apply for the lottery for the next school year.
  • Franklin Towne will accept applications for all grades offered. Please note, however, that we anticipate most openings in grade 9. Some spaces may be available in other grades, but this may not be assessed until later in the year, with families not contacted until then (if space even exists).
  • The application process only involves submitting the application form by the deadline. No interview, school tour, information session, or fee is required.
  • As required by PA charter school law, Franklin Towne Charter School uses a lottery system for admitting its students, with siblings of currently enrolled Franklin Towne students and current students-in-good standing at our Elementary School receiving preference in the lottery (i.e., provided there is space available for their admission in the grade applied for).
  • To be eligible for the sibling preference, the applicant must be related to a current Franklin Towne High School student in one of the following ways:
    1. Has a shared legal guardian or is there shared legal custody of both students by an ordinary individual or
    2. is a half-sibling, step-sibling, or biological sibling. Residing at the same address as a current student alone does not make an applicant eligible for the sibling preference.

      There will be no sibling preference for those students who apply after the application deadline. To be eligible, applicants must indicate their sibling preference on their application.

      Franklin Towne will not retroactively apply sibling preference for anyone who did not request the sibling preference at the time of application before the application deadline. Franklin Towne reserves the right to determine if a student is eligible for sibling preference. 
  • For a student to receive Feeder’s Preference they will need to apply according to the Feeder’s Preference policy outlined by Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School. 
  • Please note that the main lottery will only accept applications with Philadelphia addresses.
  • Any application with an address outside of Philadelphia will be added to a distinct non-resident waiting list, the order of which is decided by a different lottery.

    In addition, if your student is chosen in the lottery and wants to proceed with enrollment, you must provide proof of residency.

    Any applicant who asked for their Philadelphia address during the residency verification process will also be added to the non-resident waiting list.
  • Franklin Towne seeks students from a variety of backgrounds because it values diversity. In its admissions policy, Franklin Towne Charter School does not discriminate against applicants on the
    grounds of age (to the extent that this is appropriate), race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, parental status, disability, achievement or aptitude, proficiency in the English language, or any other legally prohibited ground.

Application Form Download

Solicitud de Inscripción

Fill out our online application here

Also, see: Ridgeview Charter Middle School: What to Know Before Applying

Franklin Towne Charter High School Website

Franklin Towne Charter High School maintains a comprehensive and user-friendly website that is a valuable resource for students, parents, and the community.

The website provides information about the school’s mission, academic programs, extracurricular activities, faculty, and staff.

Additionally, it offers access to essential resources such as calendars, event schedules, news updates, and contact information. The website serves as a hub for communication and engagement, keeping the school community well-informed and connected. Click on the link to access the school website.

Franklin Towne Charter High School Location

Franklin Towne Charter High School

5301 Tacony Street, Building 108

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19137

(215) 289-5000

FAQs

What is the largest charter school?

Granada Hills Charter School 

Is a charter school a private school?

Charter schools are also private schools. However, they are not the kind of private schools one might associate with religious education or an independent institute. Instead, private refers to the entities that manage the charters.

How much is a charter school?

Charter schools are tuition-free, publicly funded schools. Charter school leaders accept greater accountability in exchange for greater autonomy.

Which city has the most charter schools?

The Los Angeles Unified School District and New York City Public Schools have the highest charter school enrollments. 

Conclusion

Franklin Towne Charter High School stands out as an exceptional educational institution dedicated to providing a holistic and enriching learning experience for its students.

With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, inclusivity, and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, the school nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of its students.

From its reputable elementary school that lays a strong foundation to its high school program that offers a diverse curriculum, Franklin Towne Charter High School is committed to preparing students for future success.

By focusing on the individual growth of each student and fostering a sense of community, the school prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.

To learn more about Franklin Towne Charter High School, visit their official website today.

References

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