The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in English language arts. The lowest is 44% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek (4355)
The Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek is a district that operates a network of four charter schools across the Queen Creek and Gilbert areas of Maricopa County. It serves a full K-12 grade span, encompassing elementary through high school, and while it is organized as a district, its charter identity means families choose it rather than being assigned by a traditional school boundary. The overall enrollment is substantial, and the student population leans heavily white, with a significant Hispanic presence and smaller representations of Asian, Black, multiracial, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. The proportion of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is not reported in the available data, which means it is not possible to gauge the economic profile of the student body from this source.
Academically, the district’s state assessment results place it a bit above the midpoint among the many districts in Maricopa County. In math, proficiency rates vary somewhat from grade to grade, with the earliest elementary grades showing stronger results and middle school grades showing a dip. English language arts proficiency follows a similar pattern; most grades hover near the middle of the range, with slightly stronger performance in grade 6. Science results in grades 5 and 8 are in the same general territory, modestly above the county median overall. Because only a single year of assessment data is available for this district, there is no basis to describe a trend of improvement or decline.
The district spends notably less per pupil than the typical Maricopa County district, falling in the lower range of spending. That could be a factor families may wish to explore further if they are concerned about resource levels, though a lower per-pupil figure does not by itself indicate lower quality. A more tangible area of concern is chronic absenteeism, which is reported at a level that exceeds the county median. A school where a significant share of students are missing many days can affect classroom pace and peer dynamics, so a parent might want to ask the district directly about the strategies it uses to improve attendance.
The high school graduation rate is not available in the data, which limits a full picture of how well the district supports students through to a diploma. Since the district does include a high school, this is a gap that a family considering the upper grades would want to investigate.
The district offers a choice-based environment for families who want a charter school setting with a classical name and a multi-campus structure. Its elementary grades show the strongest academic numbers, and the overall proficiency picture is solid relative to county peers, even if not at the top tier. The combination of lower spending and above-average absenteeism suggests that the district may be operating on a leaner budget while facing attendance challenges that could affect learning conditions. A parent who values a charter pathway, sees the academic results as adequate, and is willing to ask direct questions about attendance and resource allocation may find this a reasonable fit. Those who prioritize very high test scores or want reassurance about graduation outcomes may need to look more closely at the individual school level or at other options.
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