Reply to Banneker vs. Walls

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]To the parents of Banneker kids: what type of hw do they get? How many assignments per night? Are the kids stressed out? I have eperiences with Walls and the kids were stressed out. That is what I want to compare. Walls also did not provide good counseling and have a warm atmosphere. But there were positives too, like good college preparation. and a strong group of peers. [/quote]

My son is  junior at Banneker and gets a lot of homework.  He usually works until 1:00 or 2:00 am and averages 5 or so assignments each day.  The students do get stressed out. But, I can't compare it to other places.

He took the PSAT 8/9 in freshman year, PSAT in sophomore, and PSAT and SAT in junior year. He took a summer SAT prep class at Banneker. He scored a 1500 on his SAT.

He'll take 6 AP classes before he's finished. He scored a 5 on the AP World History exam sophomore year.  His AP teachers did a lot of prep work including taking mock exams on Saturdays. He will be in AP calculus next year.

The college counseling isn't much to brag about.

I have been pleased with the school.  The teachers are good, believe in the school, and push the students hard.

I'm blown away at how the school is discussed on this website. I'm Black and I straddle two worlds having grown up in DC and attending a white, top 25 universoty.  [b]I don't understand the "affirmative action" criticism in this thread.[/b] The school doesn't make  excuses, sets high expectations for students, and can get students with negative social determinants to good places.  Each student must choose IB or an AP track. If more white people applied, there would be more white students.

I'm not saying that it's the best school around. But, if you're considering the school, don't decide based on what you're reading on this website. Look for yourself.

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I don't understand your objections. PPs have pointed out that affirmative action appears to be on its way out, with new help from the Supreme Court.  It has been noted that Banneker doesn't seem to be changing it's approach to academic prep, college admissions, or its own admissions.  I don't hear criticism as much as reasonable predictions.  It's telling that top Banneker students take around 4 AP exams while the strongest minority Basis students take twice that number.  Why did the District needed a corporate Arizona charter franchise to step in to provide the most serious college prep to the strongest AA students in the system?  Is that criticism, or just a good question?

Nobody should be shocked if this SC comes at affirmative action in 2023 like it's coming at abortion in 2022. [/quote]

My main focus was on the person who asked about homework at the school.  I encourage that person and anyone else who is looking at high schools to avoid dismissing Banneker because of what they read in this thread.  I gave facts about my current experience and how my child is doing.  I'm not arguing that Banneker is the best school around.  I'm simply encouraging people to look for themselves and not get thrown off by what's being said in this thread.

Regarding affirmative action, I'm not debating what the SC might do.  You wrote earlier that the school "operates in an affirmative action time warp".  The school itself accepts the best students who submit applications and then pushes them hard to do their best.  So, I don't understand what you're saying.

Finally, for prospective parents, read my prior post about my son who's a junior a Banneker.  It is current and accurate.  Some of the other posts in this thread aren't accurate.  For example, the statement that "It's telling that top Banneker students take around 4 AP exams" is wrong.  My son will take 6 exams.  You can debate if 6 is good or not.  But, you should start with facts.

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