Why Banneker?

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:

  • 20 Advanced Placement Courses
    • Language
    • Literature
    • Calculus AB
    • Calculus BC
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Environmental Science
    • Physics
    • Geography
    • World History
    • US History
    • Government
    • Macroeconomics
    • Psychology
    • Computer Science A
    • Computer Science Principles
    • Spanish
    • Art Studio
    • Capstone Seminar
    • Capstone Research
  • 15 Dual Credit College Level Courses (Scholars receive both college and high school credit)
    • SUNY Old Westbury
      • Pre-Calculus
      • College Algebra
      • English and Composition
    • SUNY Albany
      • Physics
      • Criminal Justice
      • Psychology
      • Public Health
    • SUNY Stony Brook
      • Engineering
      • Film
      • Journalism
    • Syracuse
      • Sociology
      • Physics
      • Spanish
    • Virginia State University
      • TBD
      • TBD
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:
  • FAFSA Workshop
  • 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