$53.9M Middle School Opens In Bristol Township

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA —First came the ceremony. And then the doors opened to welcome students.

Following a $53.9 million renovation and expansion project, the Benjamin Franklin Middle School opened for its first day Monday.

“There were many pieces in play that resulted in Ben Franklin being ready to open,” School Board President James Morgan said. “I appreciate everyone working together to make that happen.”

Morgan and school board members gathered to welcome students transitioning from the FDR Middle School with a ceremonial opening of the doors Monday morning in honor of the first day at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

But the festivities are not over yet.

School officials are inviting community members and staff to Ben Franklin’s ribbon cutting and open house at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15.

The event will feature brief remarks by administrators and invited guests, and the community will be able to tour the new school. They will also be able to view before and after photos of the project and enjoy light refreshments.

“We are excited to welcome the community to Ben Franklin and show them how our beautiful new school maximizes student learning,” Principal Kevin Boles said.

The school has served numerous purposes over the years, school officials said.

It was an elementary school while Keystone Elementary School was being built. Then it became a middle school, a Freshman Center, and even served as the district's administrative building.

With the Ben Franklin Middle School opening, the FDR Middle School closed Monday. Its future use has yet to be determined.

The 35,000-square-foot addition includes 20 new modern classrooms, common learning areas, a two-story main entrance, a reception area, and a newly designed cafeteria and kitchen.

With the addition, the Ben Franklin Middle School measures 156,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 900 students.

At the core of the building, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) areas will enhance grades 6-8 curriculum through project-based learning and implementation.