ROCHESTER — The three academies housed at Benjamin Franklin High School will begin phasing out students this fall and two new academies will replace them as part of the city school district’s portfolio plan.
The International Finance & Economic Development Careers School and the Bioscience & Health Careers School at Franklin had been in danger of closure last summer, but public outcry led to the district deciding to hold off on the plan. Both academies have been on the state’s list of Schools Under Registration Review (SURR).
In the portfolio plan, which was approved by the board of education March 23, those two academies plus the Global Media Arts High School will begin the phase-out process this fall and will not accept any new students into grades 7 or 9, according to information from the district. The Integrated Arts and Technology High School and Vanguard Collegiate School will open in their places this fall. District officials said they received no opposition from Franklin staff or parents about the plan.
John Marshall High School also will phase out beginning with grade 7 starting this fall. The two new schools will open there in 2011. East High School and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy will undergo redesigns. Dr. Charles T. Lunford School No. 19 and Nathaniel Rochester Community School No. 3 will restructure to include grades 7 and 8 this fall.
"Our strategic plan calls for the creation of a portfolio of high-performing schools to meet the needs and demands of students and families," Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard state.
For more information on the plan in Spanish, visit the RCSD website.