Benjamin Franklin School
was originally built as a junior high school. The main building was completed in 1928 on the site of an apple orchard.

   The cafetaria and gym were added soon after. More land was purchased in 1935 and 1945. In 1946 a new wing was added on the south side of the main building. A new boy's locker/shower room and a band room were added in 1952. New windows were added to the original building and parts of the building were refaced. The gym was remodeled in the 1970's. Total construction cost of Franklin School was about $573,000. The architect of the original building was John Maloney and the original contractor was Leo Ross.

   Classes were held in the fall of 1927. 594 students were in attendance. S.W. Ness served as principal until his retirement in 1946. During that time the campus was enlarged and completed. The terraces were built by the W.P.A. during the depression. Trees, shrubs, and bulbs were donated by parents and planted by students. The first cafeteria was set up in the north end of the shop with donated equipment.

   During the first years all students and teachers were required to participate in a club. An elaborate operetta was put on each spring. Gym and health were taught in home rooms. There were no intramural or interscholastic sports. A colorful graduation was held twice a year for the ninth grade class.

   Ted Murphy was the second principal. He was at Franklin until 1958. The Blue and White Revue was started in 1948. This is now known as the Franklin Follies. By 1953 there were 1144 students in attendace at Franklin.

   Elmer Huppman took over the responsibilities of Franklin in 1958. Jim Williams was principal from 1974 to 1976. Jack Nicholas became principal in 1977. A 50th anniversary was held in 1978. By that time there was no graduation, but rather a ninth grade recognition assembly. The gym was remodeled again during these years.

   Franklin  became a Middle School in 1986 under the leadership of principal Guy Kaplicky. Wes Crago and Gary Erb were principals in the mid-1990's. A grand Franklin Alumni Celebration was held December 6,1997 with students from past decades reminiscing and saying good-bye to the "old" Franklin school. Paving bricks were sold for the newly constructed walkway, decade boards displayed and folks toured the old building. Mr. Richard Otto , the principal during reconstruction and was instrumental in the new Franklin building. Construction started in 1996 and was completed early in 1998. Designed by KDF Architects and built by Shea Construction, the cost of the building was approximately $12.5 million. Current enrollment is approximately 850.