Anonymous
03/06/2026 19:19
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have recent info on whether an admitted child will be allowed to enroll as a 9th grader if they cannot attend summer bridge? I know this is a very privileged thing to ask, but our child really wants to go to Banneker but also is deeply committed to the final year of a life-changing Quaker summer camp that involves a 10-day hike and the culmination of six years of growth and community. If she got in and Banneker said no to missing it and then she had to choose, she would choose camp (it's that critical to her identity and community), in which case she should change her rankings so that she can have a shot at her #2 choice school. But if there's a good chance that Banneker will allow her to miss summer bridge (and of course she'd do any work/testing required; she just wouldn't attend the program itself), then she will stick with Banneker as her #1 choice. (FYI, we referenced this question a bit in the family interview, but the Dean of Students and a teacher basically just gave us blank stares and nodded when we said we would "cross that bridge if and when she's lucky enough to be offered a spot.")
Thank you so much in advance for any recent insights into what the school might do in this situation!!
Fire at the center forever. My DD was bawling last year after aging out of the regular camp.
BSI is highly recommended, but not required. Several students last year did not attend and began the year just fine. I do suggest that your student connect with a peer to find out what might be due at the beginning of the year as some of that is assigned in BSI. If memory serves me, they read "Passing" last summer.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 08:59
Subject: New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent participant this past year, I found the Banneker parent interview more engaging and interesting. Three reps from the school. They were open, honest, and inquisitive towards me. (Also funny.) The Walls interview, by contrast, was one teacher and one student and seemed more like a formal chore. The Banneker folks seemed to actually enjoy the meeting.
Yes, limited sample size, so don’t read into this. But I did notice a clear difference.
This exact experience at both this year.
+1
After completing both interviews we switched the ranking of our lottery application to put Banneker #1
My kid made the choice to do this, too. He was accepted into Banneker and loves it. The academic structure of the school is what really appealed to him.
Anonymous
03/06/2026 03:53
Subject: New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent participant this past year, I found the Banneker parent interview more engaging and interesting. Three reps from the school. They were open, honest, and inquisitive towards me. (Also funny.) The Walls interview, by contrast, was one teacher and one student and seemed more like a formal chore. The Banneker folks seemed to actually enjoy the meeting.
Yes, limited sample size, so don’t read into this. But I did notice a clear difference.
This exact experience at both this year.
+1
After completing both interviews we switched the ranking of our lottery application to put Banneker #1
Wasn’t aware this could be done!
Anonymous
03/05/2026 22:58
Subject: New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:As a parent participant this past year, I found the Banneker parent interview more engaging and interesting. Three reps from the school. They were open, honest, and inquisitive towards me. (Also funny.) The Walls interview, by contrast, was one teacher and one student and seemed more like a formal chore. The Banneker folks seemed to actually enjoy the meeting.
Yes, limited sample size, so don’t read into this. But I did notice a clear difference.
This exact experience at both this year.
+1
After completing both interviews we switched the ranking of our lottery application to put Banneker #1
Anonymous
03/05/2026 20:20
Subject: New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:As a parent participant this past year, I found the Banneker parent interview more engaging and interesting. Three reps from the school. They were open, honest, and inquisitive towards me. (Also funny.) The Walls interview, by contrast, was one teacher and one student and seemed more like a formal chore. The Banneker folks seemed to actually enjoy the meeting.
Yes, limited sample size, so don’t read into this. But I did notice a clear difference.
This exact experience at both this year.
Anonymous
03/05/2026 15:02
Subject: New to Banneker
Thank you all so much for the info on BSI! Much, much appreciated!
Anonymous
03/05/2026 14:36
Subject: New to Banneker
My kid was in SYEP and attended BSI. He missed the first full week of each. Not a big deal. But: there is summer work assigned that kids are then tested on in the fall. I don’t know what they do if the kids don’t attend BSI.
Anonymous
03/04/2026 16:32
Subject: New to Banneker
Can confirm it is OK to skip summer bridge at Banneker -- our current Banneker student skipped for very similar reasons.
For others, if you think your student will or might attend bridge, sign up by March 6 for the DC summer youth employment program. Going to summer bridge can be their SYEP "job" and they'll get paid for it. I did not know this, and if they wait until they find out/decide on high school it's too late to apply for SYEP. Applying to SYEP doesn't commit the student to doing it, it just puts them in they system so they can.
For others, if you think your student will or might attend bridge, sign up by March 6 for the DC summer youth employment program. Going to summer bridge can be their SYEP "job" and they'll get paid for it. I did not know this, and if they wait until they find out/decide on high school it's too late to apply for SYEP. Applying to SYEP doesn't commit the student to doing it, it just puts them in they system so they can.
Anonymous
03/04/2026 16:08
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
We are in the same boat with Duke Ellington. The program DC is applying to had a three-week “required” program last year that was the first three weeks of July. They won’t announce this summer’s dates until April they said. We opted not raise it during the family interview and are just hoping it’s later in the summer or OK to skip if camp is already paid for.
Anonymous
03/04/2026 15:53
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anyone else have recent info on whether an admitted child will be allowed to enroll as a 9th grader if they cannot attend summer bridge? I know this is a very privileged thing to ask, but our child really wants to go to Banneker but also is deeply committed to the final year of a life-changing Quaker summer camp that involves a 10-day hike and the culmination of six years of growth and community. If she got in and Banneker said no to missing it and then she had to choose, she would choose camp (it's that critical to her identity and community), in which case she should change her rankings so that she can have a shot at her #2 choice school. But if there's a good chance that Banneker will allow her to miss summer bridge (and of course she'd do any work/testing required; she just wouldn't attend the program itself), then she will stick with Banneker as her #1 choice. (FYI, we referenced this question a bit in the family interview, but the Dean of Students and a teacher basically just gave us blank stares and nodded when we said we would "cross that bridge if and when she's lucky enough to be offered a spot.")
Thank you so much in advance for any recent insights into what the school might do in this situation!!
Fire at the center forever. My DD was bawling last year after aging out of the regular camp.
Anonymous
03/04/2026 15:46
Subject: New to Banneker
Summer bridge is highly recommended but it is not required. (We were in the same boat and my kid definitely would have gone to camp instead of summer bridge, though he ended up at a different school.)
Anonymous
03/04/2026 15:42
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
Anyone else have recent info on whether an admitted child will be allowed to enroll as a 9th grader if they cannot attend summer bridge? I know this is a very privileged thing to ask, but our child really wants to go to Banneker but also is deeply committed to the final year of a life-changing Quaker summer camp that involves a 10-day hike and the culmination of six years of growth and community. If she got in and Banneker said no to missing it and then she had to choose, she would choose camp (it's that critical to her identity and community), in which case she should change her rankings so that she can have a shot at her #2 choice school. But if there's a good chance that Banneker will allow her to miss summer bridge (and of course she'd do any work/testing required; she just wouldn't attend the program itself), then she will stick with Banneker as her #1 choice. (FYI, we referenced this question a bit in the family interview, but the Dean of Students and a teacher basically just gave us blank stares and nodded when we said we would "cross that bridge if and when she's lucky enough to be offered a spot.")
Thank you so much in advance for any recent insights into what the school might do in this situation!!
Thank you so much in advance for any recent insights into what the school might do in this situation!!
Anonymous
11/12/2025 09:50
Subject: New to Banneker
My kid is in the pre-IB program, and it has thus far been a terrific experience. It's really been great witnessing him come alive as a learner, seeing how he and classmates have fun while collaborating on projects, and how proud he is now of his work.
I don't know why so many feel the need to nitpick. It is great for some kids (like mine); not for others. Just like any school.
I don't know why so many feel the need to nitpick. It is great for some kids (like mine); not for others. Just like any school.
Anonymous
11/12/2025 07:24
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Gosh Banneker seems hard. My DD was planning on applying but now after reading all this, I’d rather she not. Walls has less work and is still number 1. Win-Win and probably way better for the children’s stress level and mental health. We can’t forget that they aren’t adults yet and also need a break from time to time. Overworking them is not the solution.
My kid is at Banneker and has friends (they all graduated last year from the same MS) at Walls and the workload seems similar.
Yes. My family has direct experience at both and people on this thread are deluding themselves. The truth is that it's much easier to get into Banneker than Walls and the majority of students rank Walls ahead. As a result, the average student at Walls is much better prepared than the average student at Banneker. That means that Banneker seems harder, because it's harder for its average student, but it's not actually harder.
Also have experience with Walls. The IB track is harder than what’s offered at Walls. Banneker and Walls flip-flop for the top position all the time.
Not sure what you mean by "top position." But Walls has always been considerably harder to get into. The average SAT score differential between the schools is telling (and large).
Yes, I have had kids attend both schools. Both schools are great. Banneker’s IB program is the most challenging program in DCPS.
lol
You also have had kids attend every program in DCPS?
My oldest went to Walls and graduated. My youngest graduates this year from Banneker. This is actually pretty common. I have met a couple of parents that have had kids go to Walls and Banneker. I even know a parent that has had three kids at Walls, Banneker, and JR.
So the answer is no.
Anonymous
11/12/2025 05:12
Subject: Re:New to Banneker
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Gosh Banneker seems hard. My DD was planning on applying but now after reading all this, I’d rather she not. Walls has less work and is still number 1. Win-Win and probably way better for the children’s stress level and mental health. We can’t forget that they aren’t adults yet and also need a break from time to time. Overworking them is not the solution.
My kid is at Banneker and has friends (they all graduated last year from the same MS) at Walls and the workload seems similar.
Yes. My family has direct experience at both and people on this thread are deluding themselves. The truth is that it's much easier to get into Banneker than Walls and the majority of students rank Walls ahead. As a result, the average student at Walls is much better prepared than the average student at Banneker. That means that Banneker seems harder, because it's harder for its average student, but it's not actually harder.
Also have experience with Walls. The IB track is harder than what’s offered at Walls. Banneker and Walls flip-flop for the top position all the time.
Not sure what you mean by "top position." But Walls has always been considerably harder to get into. The average SAT score differential between the schools is telling (and large).
Yes, I have had kids attend both schools. Both schools are great. Banneker’s IB program is the most challenging program in DCPS.
No it isn't, not by a long shot, not when there are J-R and Walls students taking 8, 9 even 10 AP exams, scoring all 4s and 5s. J-R is teaching much tougher sciences than Banneker and a lot more AP subjects. Walls teaches more foreign languages and more humanities AP subjects. IB Diploma alone doesn't offer fantastic challenge. Bannker's IBD curriculum is ridiculously narrow and many of their IBD classes aren't even true IB classes (just for full IBD students).