Public School Review - Established 2003

Benjamin Franklin School vs. Downey School

Should you attend Benjamin Franklin School or Downey School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Benjamin Franklin School
1205 N 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Downey School
1313 Monroe St
Harrisburg, PA 17103
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

Benjamin Franklin School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 1%)

Downey School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 740 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Benjamin Franklin School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 6% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 12% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Serving 406 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Downey School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 6-9% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Grades Offered
PK-5
PK-5
Total Students
740 students
406 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Benjamin Franklin School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Downey School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
57% | 43%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Benjamin Franklin School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Downey School.
Total Classroom Teachers
45 teachers
33 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Benjamin Franklin School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Downey School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
12:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Harrisburg City School District and the state of Pennsylvania, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Downey School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Harrisburg City School District and the state of Pennsylvania, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#2640 out of 2733 schools in PA
(Bottom 50%)
#2690 out of 2733 schools in PA
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Benjamin Franklin School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Downey School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.
6%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
≤5%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Benjamin Franklin School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Downey School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
12%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Benjamin Franklin School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Downey School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
25-29%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
25-29%
(Bottom 50% in PA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Benjamin Franklin School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Downey School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Benjamin Franklin School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Downey School by grade.
Pre-K Students
33
27
Kindergarten Students
109
51
Grade 1 Students
120
54
Grade 2 Students
123
69
Grade 3 Students
104
59
Grade 4 Students
127
77
Grade 5 Students
124
69

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Benjamin Franklin School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Downey School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
37%
45%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Benjamin Franklin School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Downey School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
52%
47%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Benjamin Franklin School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Downey School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
4%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Benjamin Franklin School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Downey School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
7%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Benjamin Franklin School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Downey School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Harrisburg City School District and in Pennsylvania, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.59
0.58
This chart showcases the diversity score of Benjamin Franklin School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Downey School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
100%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Benjamin Franklin School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Downey School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Harrisburg City School District and Pennsylvania, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
(13-14 School Year Data)
1%
(13-14 School Year Data)
 
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