Benjamin Banneker Academy for Community Development is a public high school located in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, New York City. The school was originally a Drake's Cakes factory. Still today, different floors of the school are in Drake's colors, blue and yellow.
Serving 835 students in grades 9-12, Benjamin Banneker Academy ranks in the top 10% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 80-84% (which is higher than the New York state average of 46%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥95% (which is higher than the New York state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the New York state average of 60% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 835 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 10% in NY)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 80-84% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Benjamin Banneker Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Benjamin Banneker Academy's student population of 835 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 58 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
835 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
58 teachers
Year Founded
1987
School Rankings
Benjamin Banneker Academy ranks within the top 10% of all 4,377 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Benjamin Banneker Academy is 0.43, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#257 out of 4377 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-84%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
78%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
2%
10%
Hispanic
17%
30%
Black
74%
16%
White
2%
40%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
3%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
75%
54%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Warriors
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Benjamin Banneker Academy's ranking?
Benjamin Banneker Academy is ranked #257 out of 4,377 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Benjamin Banneker Academy often compared to?
Benjamin Banneker Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Bedford Academy High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
80-84% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 46% NY state average), while ≥95% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
What is the graduation rate of Benjamin Banneker Academy?
The graduation rate of Benjamin Banneker Academy is 95%, which is higher than the New York state average of 87%.
How many students attend Benjamin Banneker Academy?
835 students attend Benjamin Banneker Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
74% of Benjamin Banneker Academy students are Black, 17% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, 2% of students are White, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Benjamin Banneker Academy?
Benjamin Banneker Academy has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Benjamin Banneker Academy offer ?
Benjamin Banneker Academy offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Benjamin Banneker Academy part of?
Benjamin Banneker Academy is part of New York City Geographic District #13 School District.
In what neighborhood is Benjamin Banneker Academy located?
Benjamin Banneker Academy is located in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. There are 6 other public schools located in Clinton Hill.
School Reviews
Review Benjamin Banneker Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
