Application Preparation
Prepare for the pieces Banneker scores
Banneker scores four things. Two of them, the report cards and the recommendations, mostly depend on work already done. The essay and the interview are the parts a family can prepare for now.
Checked against Banneker's published admissions pages on November 5, 2026.
Testing
How Banneker scores applications.
There is no separate entrance exam listed. Banneker scores four parts and publishes the points.
- Points
- Points: report card review 20 of 50, essay in the My School DC application 6 of 50, recommendations 24 of 50 (three recommendations, 8 points each), and the family interview 15 of 15.
- First review
- Banneker first scores the report cards, essay and recommendations. No single part is the only deciding factor. The highest scoring applicants are invited to interview.
- Report cards
- Only grades are reviewed. Scale: all A's or A's and B's = 10 points, A's, B's and one C = 6, more than one C = 4, C average = 2. The rubric says successful applicants typically have all A's and B's on both reviewed report cards, and that applicants with lower grades have found success with the right academic support. Banneker may contact counselors for grade conversion scales, and treats all applicants, including international students, the same way.
- Recommendations
- Recommendation content and scores are confidential. Applicants can check recommendation status in My School DC and send reminders. A missing recommendation receives zero points.
- Interview invitation
- Applicants above the baseline score of 42 out of 50 are invited to interview. Invited applicants must complete the interview to be considered.
- Interview
- The interview is in person, on site. The student must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another close family member over 18. Students are evaluated on articulation, content and poise. Bringing the latest report card is suggested, and not bringing it is not penalized. The adult joins a family information session that is not scored.
- On-site writing
- After the interview, applicants write a prompt on paper on site. It gives the panel more information on critical and creative thinking and writing, and earns no additional points outside the interview.
- Eligibility and ranking
- An applicant who scores at least 12 of 15 on the interview is considered eligible for admission. If the interview score is below 12, Banneker uses a total score across all components. Eligible applicants are ranked by interview score.
- Accommodations
- Accommodations may be requested for any part of the admissions process. Families contact the Admissions Director or point of contact to discuss options.
- Which year's rubric
- The rubric we reviewed says it is in effect for the SY25-26 and SY26-27 admissions cycles. It does not name the SY27-28 cycle, which is the one for fall 2027 entry.
- 01
Ask the school counselor to confirm which report cards will be sent and that both are on file.
- 02
Do not buy outside testing for Banneker. No test is listed in the process.
Essays
The two essays.
One is online and one is written on site.
- Rules
- Two essays are required: one submitted online in the My School DC application (character limit 5,000), and one written in person on site.
- The online question
- The online essay question on the listing we reviewed: "As a student of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, please describe how you would manage and balance a rigorous academic workload along with your social, emotional and personal demands in your life."
- How it is scored
- The My School DC essay is worth 6 of 50 points. It is used to assess interest in the program, commitment to community, and experiences showing perseverance. Scoring focuses on the techniques of writing, including grammar and vocabulary.
- Writing tools
- The My School DC application has no spellcheck or character count. My School DC recommends writing the essay in a word processor first, then pasting it in.
- On-site writing
- After the interview, applicants write a prompt on paper on site. It gives the panel more information on critical and creative thinking and writing, and earns no additional points outside the interview.
- 01
Let your student write alone. The score looks at technique, including grammar and vocabulary.
- 02
Answer the question as asked: how would you balance a hard workload with the rest of your life? Use one real example.
- 03
Write in a word processor, check the 5,000 character limit, proofread, then paste it in.
Preparation plan
A plan that works backward from the deadline.
Adjust the pace to your student's schedule. The order matters more than the exact days.
First
Set up a My School DC family account
A student using a personal email should also add a guardian's email in Section 2.
Early
Line up the three recommenders
Name the English teacher, Math teacher and counselor or administrator, and check each email address.
Next
Confirm the report cards
Ask the school counselor that the report cards Banneker lists are on file.
Next
Draft the online essay
Write about balancing a hard workload with the rest of life, using one real example.
Before the deadline
Rank and submit
Rank schools in the order your student prefers and submit before February 1, 2027.
After submitting
Follow up on recommendations
Check status in My School DC and send reminders. A missing recommendation gets zero points.