Franklin Learning Center, formerly known as William Penn High School for Girls, is a historic high school located in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. The building was designed by Henry deCoursey Richards and built in 1908–1909.
Serving 763 students in grades 9-12, Franklin Learning Center ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75-79% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 94% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 763 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 81% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 30-34% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Franklin Learning Center ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Franklin Learning Center's student population of 763 students has declined by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 54 teachers has grown by 17% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
763 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
54 teachers
School Rankings
Franklin Learning Center ranks within the top 30% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Franklin Learning Center is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#707 out of 2733 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)30-34%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
12%
5%
Hispanic
31%
15%
Black
48%
14%
White
6%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(22-23)81%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
11%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Franklin Learning Center's ranking?
Franklin Learning Center is ranked #707 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Franklin Learning Center often compared to?
Franklin Learning Centeris often viewed alongside schools like Masterman Julia R Sec School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 75-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Franklin Learning Center?
The graduation rate of Franklin Learning Center is 81%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Franklin Learning Center?
763 students attend Franklin Learning Center.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of Franklin Learning Center students are Black, 31% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Asian, 6% of students are White, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Franklin Learning Center?
Franklin Learning Center has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Franklin Learning Center offer ?
Franklin Learning Center offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Franklin Learning Center part of?
Franklin Learning Center is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Franklin Learning Center located?
Franklin Learning Center is located in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 106 other public schools located in North Philadelphia.
School Reviews
Review Franklin Learning Center. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
