In 1963, several African American parents applied to have their children attend Ben Franklin the following fall. While the rest of the city had been integrating at a turtle’s pace, one grade a year starting with first grade, some advocates hoped that—due to the unmatched quality of education provided by Franklin—qualified black children should not be denied access until integration reached the 10th year students. On May 17, US District Judge Frank B. Ellis ruled in favor of those parents and students, ordering that the sophomore class of Ben Franklin admit students strictly on qualifications, regardless of race.