Pros and Cons: Banneker - MacArthur

[Anonymous]

We are IB for MacArthur, but my kid also got into Banneker.

She has decided that Banneker is no longer a good fit. I think she’s intimidated by the “all AP” courses and very much afraid of not being able to keep up with the high intensity.

But I don’t know anything about MacArthur. I’d always assumed she’d be at J-R, and we don’t know anyone at MacArthur. From the outside, it looks like it is going to be similar to J-R (eg, the academies) just on a much smaller scale.

She’ll be moving over from a small k-12 private, and as far as I know doesn’t know any kids going to either school next year. She wants guidance and help making a decision. But I really don’t know where to start. Please help!

[Anonymous]

My son is a Soph now. He really enjoys it. He gets as many AP classes as he wants, but he also has access to admin to create new clubs, sports and other activities. It all depends on what your kid wants and responds to. In a small environment, the challenging classes may seem less daunting. You can do a tour to meet kids. Most of my sons friends did not do MacA but he found a lot of good kids and has thrived.

[Anonymous]

Banneker is going to have all students who want to be there and chose the more intense academics. McA has the same range of students you would find anywhere. Neither is inherently better or worse -- which environment is a better fit for your child?

[Anonymous]

You can always enroll in MacArthur if Banneker does not work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can always enroll in MacArthur if Banneker does not work out.

What’s more you can do BSI and if it turns out to be a bad fit you can still start high school at MacArthur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can always enroll in MacArthur if Banneker does not work out.

What’s more you can do BSI and if it turns out to be a bad fit you can still start high school at MacArthur.

What is BSI?

[Anonymous]

BSI is the pre-9th grade summer session at Banneker, the "Banneker Summer Institute."

[Anonymous]

So definitely there is the level of homework at Banneker, which I like for my kid. I assume MacArthur is between the lackadaisical workload or adherence thereto of most DCPS comprehensive high schools and the "hard if you want it" J-R opportunities.

I'd add one factor: at Banneker, it's practically serene. There is no chaos. It is organized. Chill. Almost quiet. Not disruptive. Every student wants to be there.

Based on what I hear about most DCPS HS, that's not normal. Craziness abounds.

Pick which of those your kid is able to manage.

[Anonymous]

Macarthur definitely is not serene. A lot going on. Banneker is the polar opposite. Macarthur is more racially diverse than Banneker. I believe both are Title I schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Macarthur definitely is not serene. A lot going on. Banneker is the polar opposite. Macarthur is more racially diverse than Banneker. I believe both are Title I schools.

Sounds like you have approximately zero first hand knowledge or experience with either school.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. We're still debating, but have a couple weeks before we have to complete enrollment. My hope is that wherever we enroll by May 1 and where she does the summer intensive (both of schools have this) is where she'll stay. It seems like a great way to get to know other students and to feel comfortable before classes begin.

[Anonymous]

On diversity, if I read the 2025 enrollment audit correctly, Banneker has 703 students, 65 white, 482 black, 22 of two or more races, 11 Asian, 122 Hispanic (shouldn’t sum with the rest).

MacArthur had 390 students, 68 white, 231 black, 16 of two or more races, 10 Asian, 65 Hispanic.

I guess maybe I’d say that’s not that MacArthur is really more diverse by individuals, it just has like 250 less black students and 50 less Hispanic students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On diversity, if I read the 2025 enrollment audit correctly, Banneker has 703 students, 65 white, 482 black, 22 of two or more races, 11 Asian, 122 Hispanic (shouldn’t sum with the rest).

MacArthur had 390 students, 68 white, 231 black, 16 of two or more races, 10 Asian, 65 Hispanic.

I guess maybe I’d say that’s not that MacArthur is really more diverse by individuals, it just has like 250 less black students and 50 less Hispanic students.

My kid falls into the two or more races category. She isn't really concerned about diversity right now; more about the school being a good fit as well as potential for making new friends.

[Anonymous]

Happy Banneker parent here. I say let her choose. Banneker was perfect for my kid, but there are other families complaining about the workload and 30 less kids in DC’s class than last year. I say this because it’s quite annoying when the school warns students and parents of the expectations beforehand and then those same families later whine about excessive homework. I can’t help but to think of the other kids in this city could have taken those spots instead.

You fortunately have a decent IB option. She will probably have a higher GPA there too.

[Anonymous]

Banneker doesn’t operate a waitlist. (00:48 is wrong about that.) They admit everyone on match day. (Some years the process generates a waitlist. Those years they admit the whole waitlist shortly after match day.)

So OP can help their own kid make the right choice for themselves without worrying one way or the other about anyone else’s opportunities.