Original School Building

• Franklin Elementary was built in 1926. Five acres of land were purchased in 1925 and a contract was let for a school, which together with the site, cost about $60,000 (about $875,000 in current dollars). 
• The school continued to grow as classrooms were added in 1929 and 1947.
• The original school building was rehabilitated and additional classrooms were added in 1949 at a cost of about $220,000 ($2.5 million in current dollars).
• In 1955, a multipurpose room (the current library/computer lab) was built. It later functioned as the kindergarten classroom.

Recent Upgrades

• Our new building was completed in 2016, funded by the Measure S Bond and state matching grants.
• Our Urban Greening Grant project was completed in 2017 adding native, drought tolerant landscaping to the campus. The project was spearheaded by parent leaders and funded by a $1 million Urban Greening Grant from Proposition 84 state funds. Today, the plants are maintained by our Franklin Green Team.

Dual Language Immersion

• 2008: The first dual immersion program (German) launched.
• 2009: Italian and Spanish language programs launched. Parents founded the Benjamin Franklin Elementary Foundation (BFEF) to support the school.
• 2012: French dual immersion program launched.