Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is a magnet high school located in Washington, D.C., that was originally built to serve as a neighborhood Junior High School. The school's name commemorates Benjamin Banneker, an African-American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer. In 1980 the school was converted to a magnet high school for academics. The school is colloquially referred to by students and faculty as "Banneker." Some people consider it to be the top high school in the District of Columbia Public Schools, and one of the best in the region, because of its strenuous curriculum and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Banneker is located across the street from Howard University, to which it has strong ties. The school draws students from all parts of the city. Any student interested in applying must follow an entrance procedure, involving a multiple choice test, a written essay, an interview, recommendation(s), and a report of the applicant's standardized test scores and grades from previous years.
The school's current enrollment is approximately 450 students spanning from grades 9 through 12, up from 393 in 2009-10. Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is an IB Diploma Programme world school. Banneker AHS is consistently ranked among the best high schools in the United States in U.S. News & World Report's national rankings, coming in 575th in 2015 and 602nd in 2017. In the District, Banneker is among the top high schools, awarded 2nd in 2015 and 3rd in 2017.
Video Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Community
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School serves the entire District of Columbia. Prospective students must apply and be accepted into Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. Students in the surrounding community are not necessarily able to attend Banneker AHS, due to the academic requirements for admittance. These students may attend a local high school located just a few blocks away from Benjamin Banneker AHS, Cardozo Senior High School.
The school had the honor of hosting President Barack Obama for the yearly "Back To School" speech in September 2011.
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Curriculum
Benjamin Banneker AHS is D.C.'s citywide academic high school, grades 9 through 12. The school offers a highly structured four-year program leading to college entrance.
The school offers the following programs to students:
- Academic: Required and elective college preparatory courses with a balance of the liberal arts and sciences.
- Extended Day Program: There are a number activities including: Cheerleading, Debate Team, It's Academic Team, Chess Club, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), Recycling Club, the Student Government Association, and "Train of Thought" Newspaper.
- Community Laboratory Program: 270 hours of volunteer service over a four-year period to promote awareness of career goals is required of each student for graduation.
- Banneker Summer Institute (BSI): A five-week summer program designed to strengthen academic skills in science and mathematics. Courses in visual arts, music and Internet Access are also offered.
- Honors Courses including Algebra II/Trigonometry
- International Baccalaureate Courses: Languages, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, Arts and Individuals and Society.
- Advanced Placement Courses: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, English Literature, English Language and Composition, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Comparative Government, Statistics, and World History.
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
The school offers Girls Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Cross Country, Soccer, and Boys Basketball and Soccer.
Robotics
The robotics club has participated in the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams competition, twice winning a grant for their inventions: "Cell-Mate" (a cell-phone locker, 2006) and "DeadStop" (a door-hinge locker to prevent classroom access to terrorists, 2013). These successful inventions have showcased at other events, and the students applied for patents for their work.
References
External links
- Official school web page
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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