The District of Columbia Public Schools encourages partnerships between schools and the community. Such arrangements provide students with learning opportunities outside the classroom, a broader vision of the world, and an awareness of an interaction with positive role models. Banneker currently has several such partnerships:

• Howard University (click on link for more information)
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority -- Sponsor of the Tutorial Program, provider of scholarships and awards, sponsor of career information and seminars
• Holland & Knight, LLP
  *Partnerships: Law firms and DCPS
• Honda North America -- It's Academic Team Sponsor
• National Academies -- National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council
  *National Academies Partners with Local High Schools
• DC Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section -- supports the Banneker Science Fair
• The Washington Post/Dorothy Gilliam -- provides technical assistance and sponsors several issues of the school newspaper
• Rock Creek Horse Center -- provides special horseback riding lessons for students and community service opportunities
• Student teacher partnerships with Gallaudet University, Howard University, Brigham Young University (Utah), and George Washington University
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum -- Sponsor of internships and field trips to promote understanding of historical consequences of racism

The Agreement Between The District of Columbia Board of Education
and Howard University

This long-standing agreement has involved Banneker Academic High School and other public schools in the area near Howard University. Over the years, the nature of these partnerships has changed. Most recently, Howard has launched a DC Public Schools Initiative that originated with Howard's School of Science and Engineering and focuses on three schools -- Banneker, Cardozo and Dunbar.

Representatives of all departments of the university are involved in the Initiative. Through this relationship, the following activities take place:

• Howard continues to provide access to the university library facilities for Banneker students
• The School of Science and Engineering works with the SECME sponsors and students at each of the three schools to provide training and technical assistance for their engineering projects and competitions. They also sponsor the participation of teachers and students in national SECME conferences
• The Office of the Secretary of Howard University invites large groups of students to fall and spring Convocation and invites selected SECME students to the President's Luncheon which follows Convocations
• The DC Public Schools Initiative Committee sponsors an essay contest and provides a special awards recognition program
• The School of Education provides personal development training for Banneker students, such as the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
• Staff of the Blackburn Center provide etiquette training for Banneker students
• The University provides exposure to various careers and year-long internships for Banneker students
• The Department of Surgery of Howard University Hospital is continuing a mentorship program for ten or more students at Banneker
• The Computer and Technology Department provides some technical assistance with maintenance of computer hardware at Banneker
• Howard University provides 20 parking spaces on their 9th Street lot for Banneker teachers