Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is a magnet high school located in Washington, D.C., that was originally built to serve as a neighborhood Junior High School. The school's name commemorates Benjamin Banneker, an African-American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer. In 1980 the school was converted to a magnet high school for academics. The school is colloquially referred to by students and faculty as "Banneker." Some people consider it to be the top high school in the District of Columbia Public Schools, and one of the best in the region, because of its strenuous curriculum and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Banneker is located across the street from Howard University, to which it has strong ties. The school draws students from all parts of the city. Any student interested in applying must follow an entrance procedure, involving a multiple choice test, a written essay, an interview, recommendation(s), and a report of the applicant's standardized test scores and grades from previous years.
The school's current enrollment is approximately 386 students spanning from grades 9 through 12, and the current principal is Anita M. Berger. Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is one of the many IB Diploma Programme world schools, however, is currently the only high school in Washington, D.C. with the IB Programme available. Banneker AHS was ranked 46th in Newsweek Magazine's 2007 Top 1,000 High Schools.
The school had the honor of hosting President Barack Obama for the yearly "Back To School" speech in September 2011.
Read more about Benjamin Banneker Academic High School: Community, Program Highlights, Curriculum, Athletics, Robotics
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