FAQ

Our elementary schools provide everything your child needs to attend school. There may be things specific to each class that are suggested, but not mandatory.

Yes, our dress code ensures an atmosphere conducive to student learning and free from unnecessary distractions. Pride in student dress is one of the most observable differences at Benjamin Franklin Charter School. Our Dress Code Policy can be found in our Family Handbooks, or you can visit our Dress Code Policy page for more information.

Class sizes may vary, but on average range between 26-28 students. The maximum class size is 32 students.

We love to have parents (and prospective parents) visit our campuses. Current BFCS parents are asked to notify teachers when visits are planned. For prospective parents, you are welcome to drop in anytime. However, to ensure a staff member is available to answer all of your questions, please schedule a tour here!

Homework is the important last step of the instructional process at BFCS and serves several important functions related to student growth and learning. The primary function of homework is for students to independently demonstrate mastery of the information taught during the school day. Homework is directly related to concepts taught in class that day so students should be able to independently complete homework. The elementary campuses typically assign homework Monday-Thursday.

Absolutely! We feel these are critical components to the well-rounded education of a child. Yes, all students, Kindergarten through 6th grade, attend PE, Music, and Art each week. The students participate in two music concerts during the year, a Christmas concert and our Spring Sing. All students participate in the Turkey Trot and Field Day, both school-wide physical fitness events. Additionally, our students have three recess breaks per day (with the exception of our half-day kindergarten, which has one).

BFCS students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Beginning and advanced band and orchestra are available for interested 4th-6th grade students. 

We also offer an array of student clubs! Some of our clubs include:

• Student Council (4th-6th grade)
• Yearbook Club
• Math League
• Quiz Bowl
• Battle of the Books
• Running Club
• and many more!

For more information about which clubs are available at your campus, please contact the front office.

Yes! Our before and after school program, Beyond the Bell, is available to our elementary families. Click here to learn more about our program. 

We do not accept teacher requests. This allows us to maintain balanced classrooms.

Each Kindergarten classroom has a dedicated, full-time instructional assistant. Instructional assistants help in other student support settings as well.

We are dedicated to helping each child learn and achieve their highest potential. Our program is very structured, which allows students to stay organized. A variety of student academic support programs are offered to qualified students at BFCS, including tutoring offered by every classroom teacher. Parents with concerns about their child's academic progress may reach out to the classroom teacher or the campus student support liaison listed below for more direction. 

Campus Student Support Liaisons

• Crismon - Kristin Dau: kdau@bfcsaz.com

• Gilbert - Sherry Stevens: sstevens@bfcsaz.com

• Power - Bianca DeAnda: bdeanda@bfcsaz.com

• BFHS - Michael Norzagaray: mnorzagaray@bfcsaz.com

We offer limited busing for students at select campuses. We also offer free shuttle services both before and after school between two elementary campuses and BFHS for our junior high and high school students. For more information or to sign up, visit our Transportation Page.

Benjamin Franklin Charter School has been serving children in the East Valley since 1995. Our schools are top-rated and accredited. Our time-proven, effective, and reliable curriculum continues to be successful in shaping the hearts and minds of our students.

Evolving curricula theories and methodologies are not new to public education. Something unique to Benjamin Franklin Charter School is that we rarely deviate from our core curriculum. By staying true to our exceptional curriculum, we have provided generations of students with stability and reinforced our high-achieving academic deliverables year after year. We have research-based evidence to support the effectiveness of both what we teach and what we do not teach. Typically, any changes in curriculum are limited to refinements rather than sweeping changes, and any refinements to the curriculum are researched and carefully implemented with the support and knowledge of our school community.

As a publicly-funded charter school, BFCS is mandated to participate in the various standardized tests that are given each year in the state of Arizona. At BFCS, we do not “teach to the test.” We use time-proven methods to educate students rather than focus on the narrow strand of knowledge contained in standardized tests. 

No, we do not teach sex education to our K-12 students. In the state of Arizona, sex education is not required as part of a school's curriculum.

Yes! Benjamin Franklin High School (BFHS) serves grades 7-12. It is centrally located to our elementary campuses at 18864 E Germann Rd in Queen Creek. For more information about becoming a Charger, please visit their website.