Banneker interviews

[Anonymous]

Accessing schools has become increasingly challenging across the board, mirroring the trends observed in college admissions, albeit possibly for distinct reasons.

A growing number of parents are choosing selective schools, either due to financial considerations, such as avoiding private school expenses, or dissatisfaction with their designated boundary schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

[Anonymous]

The new campus really is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait... so you're all agreeing not to accept a Walls offer because of a question asked by a prospective parent who is a professor? Even though it was an open-to-all information session, the vast majority of kids who apply to Walls don't get in, and not all of those at these sessions even apply (and some of the more "pompous ones" just use Walls as a back up option for private school and end up elsewhere)?

Thank you! Maybe my kid will get in after all!

Only one person said they were anti-Walls because of their encounter with the obnoxious professor parent. I assume they are making the assumption that SWW may have many such parents while Banneker will be free of them.

my contention is that is a BIG assumption. It’s like the people who think JR is chaotic, not because they know anyone who goes there but because they’ve seen rowdy kids afterschool in Tenleytown.

Well, JR is chaotic. I have one kid who goes there and another who graduated a couple years ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

I do not see this happening for McKinley Tech unfortunately

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

But DCI is impossible to get into, right? Or is there preference for some kids? I was confused by it. It's on our lottery list, but not in the top 3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

BS. We know several DCI 8th graders who just interviewed for Banneker along with our son. For some DCI students, the commute to DCI is a good deal shorter. It's also a school with much better discipline that DCI, which appeals to some families. Yes, DCI's IB program is superior, but it's not the be and end all for everybody. Banneker has a much more stable and experienced faculty and staff.

[Anonymous]

I saw DCI kids at both Walls and Banneker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

But DCI is impossible to get into, right? Or is there preference for some kids? I was confused by it. It's on our lottery list, but not in the top 3

Yes virtually impossible to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

BS. We know several DCI 8th graders who just interviewed for Banneker along with our son. For some DCI students, the commute to DCI is a good deal shorter. It's also a school with much better discipline that DCI, which appeals to some families. Yes, DCI's IB program is superior, but it's not the be and end all for everybody. Banneker has a much more stable and experienced faculty and staff.

Your anecdotal of a few is not lots of kids. Data doesnt lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

I do not see this happening for McKinley Tech unfortunately

Not sure why you would say this. McKinley Tech had the same type of reputation now that Banneker had a few years ago. Good word on the street. Impressive test scores. This year, lots of kids aren't getting interviews for Banneker who would have gotten in any other year. Some of them will go to McKinley Tech rather than spend 180K on privates. Some of those kids will be white. They'll join the growing number of white kids who are already there and boom, five years from now, the conversation is quite different than it is now. I wouldn't be shocked if the conversation were pretty different next year even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

BS. We know several DCI 8th graders who just interviewed for Banneker along with our son. For some DCI students, the commute to DCI is a good deal shorter. It's also a school with much better discipline that DCI, which appeals to some families. Yes, DCI's IB program is superior, but it's not the be and end all for everybody. Banneker has a much more stable and experienced faculty and staff.

Your anecdotal of a few is not lots of kids. Data doesnt lie.

But lots of 8th graders at DCI applied to Walls. I know this because the teachers mentioned they had a lot of recommendations to write. Only a handful made it to the interview round. I think about 4 or so end up there each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Kind of amazing how much harder Banneker is to get into this year than just two or three years back. I don't remember reading this kind of angst-ridden thread about Banneker admissions before, at least not in the several years since the renovation opened up a bunch more spots.

More central location is a big reason. Throw in private school tuition increases, higher mortgage rates, etc. and this is what happens. Hopefully the same for McKinley Tech!

Also throw in increased competition for BASIS and Latin starting around four years ago. Some of us EotP were in the first group where most families who went with a DCPS ES or non-DCI feeder charter were shut out of both programs. On top of that, some of the kids who went to BASIS and DCI didn't like the middle schools well enough to want to stay for HS. These 8th graders are seeking greener pastures at Walls and Banneker. We're families that can't afford privates, don't want to move and won't try McKinley, Eastern etc.

The kids at DCI are not looking at Banneker. DCI has a much more robust IB program with lots more offerings and much better scores. BTW, DCI has a very high retention rate and it’s virtually impossible to get into 9th now except a few Chinese spots. You are basically shut out unless in a feeder. So lots of kids are not leaving for Banneker or Walls.

BTW, we toured both Banneker and DCI and DCI offers a ton more sports, extracurriculars, and clubs in addition to better IB offerings.

BS. We know several DCI 8th graders who just interviewed for Banneker along with our son. For some DCI students, the commute to DCI is a good deal shorter. It's also a school with much better discipline that DCI, which appeals to some families. Yes, DCI's IB program is superior, but it's not the be and end all for everybody. Banneker has a much more stable and experienced faculty and staff.

Your anecdotal of a few is not lots of kids. Data doesnt lie.

But lots of 8th graders at DCI applied to Walls. I know this because the teachers mentioned they had a lot of recommendations to write. Only a handful made it to the interview round. I think about 4 or so end up there each year.

Please keep up with the thread. We are talking about Banneker upthread.

I agree that more kids would apply to Walls. Some might go, some might not. Playing the lottery and applying to other schools doesn’t mean they will ultimately choose that school over current one. There are definitely some kids who got into Walls in previous years who chose to stay at DCI. They are fortunate to have options.