Banneker IB?

[Anonymous]

Anybody have experience getting a kid all the way through IB at Banneker? How was it? Was it limiting on outside extracurriculars? A real burden? Or contrarily, not so hard?

[Anonymous]

It's difficult finding Banneker IB parents on DCUM fyi.

[Anonymous]

Very small and weak. Only the top students choose to do it and they are required to do some courses outside of regular school hours because it’s not a scheduling priority. Too bad.

[Anonymous]

PP sounds like you do not have any experience with an actual child that went through the IB program at Banneker, which is what the OP was asking for. Top students do not "choose" or not choose to do IB. They apply. There's room (trained teachers and space) for about 25 students. This year far, far more than that have applied to the program. There are two courses that the students take outside of regular school hours but it has nothing to do with scheduling priorities and everything to do with curricular requirements for a rigorous IB program. Your third-hand feelings based on external impression and no real experience are unhelpful.

[Anonymous]

Very small program. Very limited course offerings. Weak IB averages. It’s not like the kids have any strong previous exposure to languages to score anything great on that part either.

The program has been discussed before on here and it’s unclear why Banneker just doesn’t focus on AP instead of trying to do both.

[Anonymous]

IB is a lot of work, at Banneker as anywhere. It’s compatible with standard extracurriculars (the school play, debate, etc) and at least some school teams. But to the best of my knowledge every potentially recruitable athlete takes the AP path, which also has strong students at the top.

If your kid has a particular extracurricular commitment, this is something to ask about at the interview.

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping my kid will be into the groove enough that by the time IB becomes a big commitment they'll be used to requirements of their sport such that they'll be prepared to continue to participate even though doing IB. Kid seems pretty set on doing IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping my kid will be into the groove enough that by the time IB becomes a big commitment they'll be used to requirements of their sport such that they'll be prepared to continue to participate even though doing IB. Kid seems pretty set on doing IB.

I don’t see how that is going to work if the kids have to stay after to take courses in the IB program which BTW I have never heard of any other school doing.

[Anonymous]

Some individual work, probably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some individual work, probably.

So you think the school is going to give your special kid a pass for not taking a course required after school for their IB program and instead just have him do some “individual work”

[Anonymous]

No, I mean that the nature of the sport will allow for some individual work to maintain ability to participate. I appreciate your concern about making it all work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP sounds like you do not have any experience with an actual child that went through the IB program at Banneker, which is what the OP was asking for. Top students do not "choose" or not choose to do IB. They apply. There's room (trained teachers and space) for about 25 students. This year far, far more than that have applied to the program. There are two courses that the students take outside of regular school hours but it has nothing to do with scheduling priorities and everything to do with curricular requirements for a rigorous IB program. Your third-hand feelings based on external impression and no real experience are unhelpful.

How many applied this year?