Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White DCPS parent here. I asked a Black parent of my kid's friend (who grew up in DC) this. She advised against my kid applying/going and in fact said she wouldn't think of sending her kid there. Her reasons were more class than race: Bannaker, she says, is seen "for the have-nots" and well-off kids in general won't be welcomed.
But I agree with PP. Let's put it to the test and have all the kids who want an academically challenging school apply. Then we'll see for sure if indeed white families are still allergic to that neighborhood or if Banneker won't admit the percent of qualified non-AA who do apply....

She gave you poor advice. I attended SWW but my counterparts at Banneker were mostly middle class (with educated parents) in the late 90s. There were also some students from well-to-do families (parents millionaires), though I doubt you would be able to tell the difference. I know a family in the latter category whose eldest graduated a few years ago and my guess is their youngest will attend.

I chose SWW over Banneker (my parents' preferred school) because I wanted more "freedom". Banneker didn't seem as fun.

Anonymous wrote:I never understand the posts like a few PPs who dis Wilson as if it's something you stepped in, like dog poop.

Particularly the Academies, since in this thread we are talking about high-achieving students. At Wilson, the motivated, high achieving kids are in the Academies, not the general population.

And when you compare the Wilson academies to Banneker, and the outputs ... it's not really even a contest.

Banneker's average SAT scores reported last years are LOWER than the national average, for goodness sake. Think about that. (Free SAT test prep is offered at Banneker, for the naysayers who quick to announce that SAT scores only reflect the ability to pay for the Kaplan review course)

So, sure, Banneker should probably be in the mix for parents of conscientious students of all skin tones. But to wrinkle your nose at Wilson (academies) in comparing the two is just ... confusing.

Anonymous wrote:Not the PP but white people gentrifying neighborhoods and a white person sending their child to an all minority school is not an apples to apples comparison. The white pioneers into majority minority communities rarely are families. Usually they are young singles wanting to be closer to downtown neighborhoods. White families that gentrify a neighborhood, usually go into neighborhoods that were relatively safe and quiet prior to their arrival (eg. Brookland). (You can live inside your house and never have an occasion to interact with your neighbors if preferred).

It's one thing if a person subjects themselves to a minority status--it's another thing to subject your child to it. As an AA I am comfortable being the "only" in the room. But I'm an adult. I can handle any incident should it occur (which is rare). However, I am very careful to avoid placing my child into a situation where they are the "only" in a classroom. I would only do it if I felt my child was mentally prepared to handle what other kids (even if it's only one) might say, do or how they may treat my child because they are different. If my child isn't mentally prepared, the outcome could be devastating.

That being said, if you are white, I imagine your child will be fine in a school like Banneker. These kids have a higher level of maturity and exposure. Still, your child has to be mentally ready to handle being the kid who is different.

Anonymous wrote:Whether it counts or not is beside the point. Like Colombia Heights and Le Droit Park I would expect Banneker to be a natural site of gentrification but its not. Trying to understand why is interesting.