Why don't white students go to Banneker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Exactly.

Remember in the film about the big upcoming fight, Muhammad Ali commented with astonishment that the airline pilots were black?

It's quite dated, but you get the idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jclLiDjwuE0

It's important that my children see leaders, high achievers, involved parents (especially fathers!), who look like them so that they grow up with an understanding that this is possible. They are constantly fed a narrow stereotype of what AA youth represent, and it's so undermining. I like that they see teachers and families in a positive light and that they are exposed to a broad spectrum of people throughout the black community. African, Caribbean, homegrown DC, affluent, public housing----so much is represented within Cleveland. It's wonderful.

I don't think my stance is comparable to white supremacy. I believe it's more akin to single-sex education. I went to an all-girls school and a majority female college. I had a very different experience than those who went co-ed. Girls speak up in class and excel in math. Girls are strong and capable. Female head of school, female teachers. Great experience.

I also went to Banneker and relished being surrounded by a bunch of fellow black nerds. It felt great to belong and never be afraid of "acting white" or "talking white" when I just wanted to embrace algebra. I'm glad they had us all take Latin our first year there. I only pray my children get in and have the opportunity to be smart and engaged in a safe environment like Banneker. Other predominantly-black high schools punish their nerds. I don't want that for my children.

Understand it or not, it's real.

Well said, fellow Achiever.

I'll never forget my first day at Banneker. I was so used to being picked on for being smart that I didn't bother to raise my hand when the Biology teacher asked a question about cells. Every single hand in the class went up. I'd never experienced that before. It took a week for it to finally sink in that no one was going to tease, threaten, or attack me. We had two fights over the four years that I was there. The first group was suspended. The second group was expelled. Someone stole a jacket one year. The principal called an assembly, talked about us being a family, and the coat was returned right away. If you arrived early enough in the morning, there was always a student playing classical music on the piano in the auditorium. We had college recruiters visit several times a week from different schools, and (like Ali) I was always amazed that these people from Harvard, Dartmouth, and Stanford were black. At 14 or 15, it did something to me.

It was the first time that I'd seen large swaths of people who looked like me defy stereotypes every single day. All the same, there were a handful of white and Asian students there. The Latino population was second to ours. We constantly celebrated and recognized diversity (Celebrate Success Assemblies), and we had open discussions about race and stereotypes everyday. If not for Banneker I'd still have a very narrow view of the rest of the world. I don't know why more white families don't send their kids there, but the school is more than meets the eye.

Great to learn about your experience, it sounds amazing. Can i ask you, did you also apply to SWW? How are both schools seen by academic-oriented black teens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One truth I'm gathering from this post is that high-SES or high-education parents -- their "race" being irrelevant -- seek to place their kids in a school with likewise high-SES or high-education parents, or in a public magnet school (because magnet schools require a certain achievement level). And, the parents with a lot of disposable income will predominately choose to place their kids in a private school regardless.

Of course, it is so easy to accuse white parents of "racism" when they seek to avoid lower-performing DCPS schools (see the Hardy threads, for example), but when you see high-SES black parents doing the same thing, it puts the truth back in view.

In general, I agree. However, there are definitely at least a few (trolls, hopefully) who like to spew out racist/classist statements about certain schools--just check out one of the Hardy threads.

Let's focus on this thread, where the discourse has been very civilized. I agree with both of you that, at the end of the day, parents are parientes, and we simply want the best we can offer to our kids, which will of course depend on the options available to them and to us. In this age, those options depend more on SES and family priorities than on race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

Oh please, PP was just sharing his own opinions, without the arrogance and judgment you are bringing to the table. Get of your high horse...you dont even sound European.

Haha. NP here. . All I can say is wtf does a European sound like. What a stupid statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

I didn't say or imply anything about race relations in Europe or whether Americans are working on theirs or not, so that's completely besides the point. I wasn't making an argument that things are better in Europe either. And I am quite well informed abot American history, but I don't think that the history of slavery excuses all of the attitudes of present-day blacks towards whites. Clearly, you have a different opinion on that, but I don't think we'll bget far debating this here given the tone of your post.

OMG, how delusional are you! Therhim in the back.e are CURRENT racial problems in this country caused by current society's unwillingness to dismantle the current vestiges of institutional racism. If a black man knew or did not know of slavery does not effect how a white cop decides if he will shoot him in the back.

Can we continue the conversation about a high school without mentioning slavery...

I agree there is no sense in bringing slavery into the discussion. It was only mentioned because the PP brought up Emancipation Day. Neither does institutional racism have anything to do with the other PP's discomfort about sending his/her kids to an all black school.

[Anonymous]

White parent with an 8th grader at Deal this year. I had pushed very hard for my kid to apply at Banneker because I saw a family friend's daughters do very well there. My kid absolutely refused to even consider it. Lots of issues - none of her friends were going there, very few extra curriculars, scared of the high level of academics and being rejected. Long and short Wilson seemed like something that would allow her to find her tribe where as Banneker would put her on treadmill she was not ready for. As a parent I had to accept it was ok if my kid is not ivy bound. However, I am having her consider Howard for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

Oh please, PP was just sharing his own opinions, without the arrogance and judgment you are bringing to the table. Get of your high horse...you dont even sound European.

Haha. NP here. . All I can say is wtf does a European sound like. What a stupid statement.

Simple. A European person wouldn't refer to European people as "they." And it is very unlikely that he or she would use the expression "don't pull the race card" when talking to a fellow European, because that language is not used over there. Go back to your cave.

[Anonymous]

I think geography plays into it. Wilson and Walls are in areas which are more likely to be familiar (and comfortable) to white DC residents. And though things are changing wrt where Whites live and work in DC, it hasn't yet hit the level of 'comfort' where people will send their teens to previously 'sketchy' areas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think geography plays into it. Wilson and Walls are in areas which are more likely to be familiar (and comfortable) to white DC residents. And though things are changing wrt where Whites live and work in DC, it hasn't yet hit the level of 'comfort' where people will send their teens to previously 'sketchy' areas

I agree that location plays a role. But it is just one of multiple factors. Let me reverse the question. Given the availability of great public options such as Wilson, Walls and others, why would white students choose to go to Banneker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

Oh please, PP was just sharing his own opinions, without the arrogance and judgment you are bringing to the table. Get of your high horse...you dont even sound European.

Haha. NP here. . All I can say is wtf does a European sound like. What a stupid statement.

Simple. A European person wouldn't refer to European people as "they." And it is very unlikely that he or she would use the expression "don't pull the race card" when talking to a fellow European, because that language is not used over there. Go back to your cave.

Honestly, you are the one who comes across as a Neanderthal. Nobody who has spent any time in Europe would say it is not without its race problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

Oh please, PP was just sharing his own opinions, without the arrogance and judgment you are bringing to the table. Get of your high horse...you dont even sound European.

Haha. NP here. . All I can say is wtf does a European sound like. What a stupid statement.

Simple. A European person wouldn't refer to European people as "they." And it is very unlikely that he or she would use the expression "don't pull the race card" when talking to a fellow European, because that language is not used over there. Go back to your cave.

Honestly, you are the one who comes across as a Neanderthal. Nobody who has spent any time in Europe would say it is not without its race problems.

Sweetheart, shouldnt you finish high school, and make sure you can read, before engaging in a conversation like this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

Oh please, PP was just sharing his own opinions, without the arrogance and judgment you are bringing to the table. Get of your high horse...you dont even sound European.

Haha. NP here. . All I can say is wtf does a European sound like. What a stupid statement.

Simple. A European person wouldn't refer to European people as "they." And it is very unlikely that he or she would use the expression "don't pull the race card" when talking to a fellow European, because that language is not used over there. Go back to your cave.

Honestly, you are the one who comes across as a Neanderthal. Nobody who has spent any time in Europe would say it is not without its race problems.

Sweetheart, shouldnt you finish high school, and make sure you can read, before engaging in a conversation like this?

+1. PP, please point out where anybody said that Europe is without race problems. It was the "don't pull the race card" PP who pulled that assertion out of his ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

I didn't say or imply anything about race relations in Europe or whether Americans are working on theirs or not, so that's completely besides the point. I wasn't making an argument that things are better in Europe either. And I am quite well informed abot American history, but I don't think that the history of slavery excuses all of the attitudes of present-day blacks towards whites. Clearly, you have a different opinion on that, but I don't think we'll bget far debating this here given the tone of your post.

OMG, how delusional are you! Therhim in the back.e are CURRENT racial problems in this country caused by current society's unwillingness to dismantle the current vestiges of institutional racism. If a black man knew or did not know of slavery does not effect how a white cop decides if he will shoot him in the back.

Can we continue the conversation about a high school without mentioning slavery...

I agree there is no sense in bringing slavery into the discussion. It was only mentioned because the PP brought up Emancipation Day. Neither does institutional racism have anything to do with the other PP's discomfort about sending his/her kids to an all black school.

No it was brought up because the PP stated "anti-white sentiment among black people in this town." and could only PARTIALLY (not that I agree) understand why that may be, while also admitting that they hadn't got a "clue about race relations in this country" Nice way to sideskip that point...

Now let's get back on topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a topic that should be addressed in your piece – SAT scores. How does a selective admission school score below the national average on the SAT?

Below is data taken directly from the Banneker web site:
http://benjaminbanneker.k12.dc.us/about_bbahs.html

READING
DCPS 473
Banneker 496
National 496

MATH
DCPS 466
Banneker 506
National 514



WRITING
DCPS 461
Banneker 486
National 488

Those Banneker scores seem surprisingly low. If true, well, that answers the reporter's question.

I was thinking the same thing. For a test in school, the scores aren't anything special. It would be helpful to compare them to Wilson and TJ in Va, a real test in school. As for parents not sending their white kids to a majority AA school, that really oversimplifies the issues. its that a white kid would likely be the ONLY white kid in the entire school. I would worry about bullying, exclusion etc if that were my kid. No one wants to be the ONLY. Most white parents have their elem kids in majority non white elem schools but parents worry less about elem. By middle and high school, parents with high achieving kids (And also likely higher income), know its time to really buckle down and get hard core into academics, IB, AP and honors. Also, middle and HS is when the really serious behvaviroal and violent issues start to play out as the kids get older. The challenges of very low income kids really becomes a different reality at that age.

This. I moved to DC from Europe without much of a clue about race relations in this country. It didn't take long living in DC to realize that there is quite a bit of anti-white sentiment among black people in this town. I am a liberal and know that there are partially understandable reasons for that, but it is this fact that makes me not want to send my kids to a school that is almost entirely or even majority black, regardless of test scores.

I'm from Europe too, don't pull the race card on this one, there are so many racial incidents and the rise of the far right in Europe right now. You clearly don't know much about American history, if you say "I am a liberal and know there are partially understandable reasons for that..." You do know we just had Emancipation Day and the significance of that don't you. I actually think the race relations here, though many, are at least out in the open and Americans for the most part are attempting to understand and work on it. Europe likes to sit back and feel superior and pretend that they don't have any issues.

I didn't say or imply anything about race relations in Europe or whether Americans are working on theirs or not, so that's completely besides the point. I wasn't making an argument that things are better in Europe either. And I am quite well informed abot American history, but I don't think that the history of slavery excuses all of the attitudes of present-day blacks towards whites. Clearly, you have a different opinion on that, but I don't think we'll bget far debating this here given the tone of your post.

OMG, how delusional are you! Therhim in the back.e are CURRENT racial problems in this country caused by current society's unwillingness to dismantle the current vestiges of institutional racism. If a black man knew or did not know of slavery does not effect how a white cop decides if he will shoot him in the back.

Can we continue the conversation about a high school without mentioning slavery...

I agree there is no sense in bringing slavery into the discussion. It was only mentioned because the PP brought up Emancipation Day. Neither does institutional racism have anything to do with the other PP's discomfort about sending his/her kids to an all black school.

No it was brought up because the PP stated "anti-white sentiment among black people in this town." and could only PARTIALLY (not that I agree) understand why that may be, while also admitting that they hadn't got a "clue about race relations in this country" Nice way to sideskip that point...

Now let's get back on topic.

Yes, that is why PP brought up Emancipation Day. Exactly what I meant. So you agree with that PP that anti-white sentiment in DC is fully understandable because of the history of slavery? I mean, that is the implication of bringing up Emancipation Day in this context, right?

[Anonymous]

It's a great and selective school -- i know two very impressive grads. I hope my daughters get in. We are Asian. I care not at all what race the high achievers are.

[Anonymous]

16:48, how can you not understand the PP who posted that she is glad her child attends a school where high achievers and leaders look like her? Do you not understand that there is a woeful lack of role models in our culture that are African American or Latino? If you cant understand this, I dont think you will appreciate Cleveland or any any TItle I school that excels. We are a mixed race Asian/white Cleveland family and have never felt anything but welcome. We love that my daughter's high achieving peers are African American and Latino. We love that she was born under a black president, and that our next president will be a woman! Seriously, a little reading comprehension, people. You're scaring me with this dim wittedness!