Rigorous Instruction

To ensure all students are challenged with rigorous college-preparatory and college-level content and tasks, Benjamin Banneker Academy is proud to offer:

• 19 Advanced Placement Courses
• 7 Dual Credit College Level Courses (Scholars receive both college and high school credit)
  • Syracuse University
    • Physics
    • Sociology
    • Spanish
  • SUNY Stony Brook
    • Introduction to film and literacy
    • Journalism
    • Engineering
  • SUNY Albany
    • Physics
• Partnerships with MEC, St. Joseph’s College, Syracuse, SUNY Stony Brook University and Long Island University
  • Medgar  Evers College at BBACD
    • Political Science
    • English
  • St. Joseph’s College
    • English(Dramatic and Visual Writing)
    • Introduction to computer programming
    • Child Psychology
  • Long Island University(Early Scholars)
    • Choice of over 150 courses
• 82% College Readiness Rate; an increase of 33% over the last two years

Student Centered Instruction

We believe students learn best when they are actively engaged, with minds-on/hands-on tasks, that ask them to struggle productively.  

• Tasks are challenging, complex, and collaborative
• Scholars experience independent and group task/assignments
• Scholars allowed to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways
• Instructional Technology (Google classroom) builds scholar capacity for intellectual engagement
• Scholars experience culturally responsive instruction

Supportive Environment

• One guidance counselor per cohort (counselors loop to follow scholars throughout their high school experience)
• Collaborative teacher teams meet weekly to provide each other feedback and analyze student work products for effective actionable feedback
• PTA Executive board meets monthly with administration to collaborate  on school wide initiatives
• Parent workshops geared towards supporting parents in areas of concern.  For example, see below:

1. FAFSA Workshop
2. Dealing with anxiety

• IO Education/Pupilpath for two way communication and IO Messenger for immediate messaging to mobile devices.
• Parent Coordinator facilitates school tours for prospective incoming 9th graders & supports families in ensuring communication is systematized and consistent
• Student safety has a holistic approach to behavioral concerns; students engage in mediation and service as a means to rectify most referrals
• Guidance and Administrative Team visible and available daily via consistent, meaningful interactions with student body regarding 21st century readiness and preparedness
• School culture of identifying and analyzing areas of strength and growth as leverage to creating next steps and/or SMART goals