Banneker Elementary at Marquette

6401 Hemlock Avenue

School District

Gary Community School Corp
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Gary Community School Corp

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 11, 2025

If I could give zero stars I would the school is terrible it is in complete shambles. After working there for two years and having a son that attends the Banneker elementary.I wish they would shut down it is ridiculous when principals are gossiping and lack discipline for there own students couse there too busy looking out for there family members that work there and treating others like peasants. Teachers that can’t handle the classrooms or workload no one knows what too do there.
Submitted by other on March 06, 2018

Just visiting the school to check it out and i was truly impressed
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2016

My son attended kindergarten and 1st grade here. His kindergarten teacher, Ms. Ramsey, an EDUCATOR, demanded and received excellence, discipline and follow-through from her students.Many children entered her class barely able to read, write and/or complete math problems. Upon 'graduating', 99 percent of her students read, completed math problems and reading comprehension at a second and third grade level. It was obvious these excelling students completed their homework and their parents were involved in their education. Sadly, the remaining 1 percent of the failing students lacked family support.After Ms. Ramsey left to become principal at Bethune, I worried my son would not receive challenging work in first grade. I was correct! Although his teacher attempted to teach her class, she was prevented from doing so. Barriers included OLD 'Dick and Jane' school books; inconsistencies from the Administration; lack of a functioning school printer; distractions from coddling parents who thought the teacher provided too much school work and homework. In reality, it was NOT enough.Eventually, my son became bored from the easy work he did in kindergarten. He began talking, playing and not focusing on his work.BIG RED FLAG!!At the end of the school year, I transferred him to a high achiever school in another county located more than 15 miles away (yeah, I drive more than 60 miles per day, round trip). Initially, he missed his friends at Banneker, but gradually, he made new friend, 'loves' going to school, thrives in class, and enjoys the class's weekly hiking adventure. He doesn't have to worry about not having toilet paper in the bathrooms (Banneker), someone trying to bully him (school bus), or reading 40-year-old books (Dick & Jane).Everyday, he is excited about going to school; doesn't want to be late. Upon pick-up he excitedly talks about his day including his schoolwork. At school, he feels safe and all of his classmates play together instead of trying to dominate the outdoor slides (Banneker).BTW, Gary schools are set up to fail the students!! And, Banneker is NOT a school for HIGH ACHIEVERS! And, yes, I respect and like Ms. Givens. But, I think it's time for her to enjoy her retirement.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2015

My child was there from kindergarten to second grade. I did not particularly care for how Ms. Givens ran the school but I must admit she means well and has a good heart. She wants the best for her students and expects the best .The teachers are very caring and really there for the children. When she got to second grade she had three different teachers everyday and in my opinion that was too much for a second grader to handle. My child personally did not thrive in environment where everyone was always yelling and being treated like they were in prison. However some children do work well in that environment. It is a good school for some but not for others.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2014

Ms. Ramsey is the best Kindergarten Teacher in the Country. The students learn so fast. The students are reading full books.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Banneker is the best school in the city of Gary Indiana hands down students who attended this School are successful. It is very hard work but in the end there's a huge benefit to our children. Life is tough so if you want to excel school must be the same. Lots of homework and discipline but 100% on Ideas testing and pizza party after.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2014

The school is operated like a prison, the children care not allowed to talk during lunch and if they talk they have detention. The students have too much homework on a daily basis, including the weekend and holiday, it takes my child at least 3 hours to complete the homework.
Submitted by other on January 07, 2014

As a former student of banneker elementary I have to say that majority of the comments I have read are accurate but not seen from a student's point of view. As a child I and many of my peers were subject to physical punishment and ridicule but was also subject to personal pride and elecution. Yes there are more deficits then achievements but as a college freshman I can say majority if the principles and morals that I follow today academically, I aquired at Banneker school. My mother also had many problems with the school, faculty, and administrators which even resulted in a law suit but I didn't want to leave because of the promise that the school made us that we will be sucsuccessful at the end. I hope all parents can see this and make a wise decision when enrolling/ resigning their child from this school because as a student for 5 years I can say im glad I went.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2013

I HATE BANNEKER! Banneker is ran like a prison! The teachers & principal do nothing well yell, scream, threaten & beat! Yeah, academically your child will be ahead, but at what cost? OVER half the time, your teaching your children the material because the class size are at 30-40 children. This is my daughter's 2nd year and I will be pulling her out next year, where she will be returning to private school. I'm totally done!
Submitted by other on August 14, 2013

I went to this school as a child, my children and my children's children. I do not expect the school to teach my children what I should have taught them at home. It is my hope that we realize that this school excels upon completion of achievement with children in the forefront of the plan. As parents, we must support the school system. Learning begins at home. Teaching begins at home. Discipline begins at home. School brings the training that we have begun to another level, should you choose to have your child excel.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2013

Banneker school has got beyond itself. I am parent that is highly upset with Banneker.My child has attended Banneker since 4th grade. He is now in the 6th grade. I don't like the environment, learning skills, and the maintenance . My Issue with the teacher is that,when my son comes home from school he is not (learning.)He tells me that the teachers let the class play games and have free time all the time.Also another issue is the restroom. My child told me that they run out of tissue,soap, paper towels, etc , and the janitors will not give them any. That the teacher will not let him out until they think he really has to go.There are many problems going on with Banneker School.You say Banneker is a 5 star school . It is more like a 2 star school.I am highly upset !!! fix it soon
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2012

Banneker is a school where your child will get pushed to be the best they can be. Lots of homework, discipline and also love. The staff and the leadership care about the growth of the students. Areas that have just been added are band and there is a process of computer software on the third grade level that will be expanding to other grades. Out of all local schools it strives to be better ever day. There is proof in the results regardless of what we may say this school is productive.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2012

My child is disappointed. she is in 6th grade. Ms.Givens says that shes going to have sports, but has not happened. My child signed up for volleyball, but the instructor never came back to start classes. I asked Ms.Givens why hasn't she came back. She said "We don't have an okay for that sport yet." The children in 6th grade are supposed to be Middle school but they treat them like elementary. No band, No computer class, No foreign language, and No daily P.E class. Send your child to Emerson if he or she wants any of these classes with a great education. ~ Wrote by a Mother using daughter's words.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2012

I do not feel that Banneker is meeting the needs of majority of the students. Teachers are constantly yelling and hitting the students! The students are not in a conducive learning environment, and there are far too many teachers who inject their own personal feelings when dealing with students. Many of the children I have spoke with feel that the teachers and Administration are not doing a good job of treating everyone with the same level of fairness. Disciplinary actions are inconsistent, and far too many teachers are 'getting away' with ill behavior. I have personally brought several issues to the attention of the Administration, yet, there is no resolution.
Submitted by teacher on October 09, 2012

Banneker has a lot of memory, they throw out low test scores to help boost their I-Step score. Also a parent, If my son doesn't hand in his homework, they just don't add it into his grades. This caused him to make A/B honor roll, when he really didn't earn it. This made him feel very good about himself, but at the same time he learned that if he doesn't turn in his homework, there isn't a consequent for it & it also makes his grades higher, so homework really doesn't matter to him anymore. What a fight on my hands every night to get him to do his homework. Not something I wanted my child to learn. I am also not happy with Mrs. Givens, she walks up & down the hall yelling: "They are building jails for you right now!" No principal or teacher should be telling my child or all of the other children this! This school is no where close to where they want you to think it is but as far as Gary, this is the best they have to offer.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2012

My first issue is the Principal who appears to avoid the issues. My children have been at this school for 2 years & I am ready to take them out b/c of the activities that they describe of the student's behavior. It makes me very concerned about the safety of my children. This year they are coming home speaking improper & forgetting their place. I feel that the Principal likes to portray a certain image but if you go into the school & spend time as I have, you will see a whole other side. My daughter has a learning disability & due to it, she doesn't do well on I-Step. I was told her test wouldn't be turned into the state. It seems like they only turn in the scores that make them seem like an excellent school. I agree with the teacher & the Oct. 8, 2012 reviews. They are not aloud to talk during lunch or they will kick them out, without finishing their food, teachers hit & cuss children out, the school secretary is unprofessional, rude, & talks down on the children (just call & find out for yourself), the school nurse is rude & unproductive, & the school is very unorganized. They don't even keep track of something as simple as your child's attendance. Looking for another school.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2012

I am not happy with Banneker at all! My son is ready to move to another school asap. They are very rude (just call & find out for yourself) and very unorganized, they don't even keep track of something as simple as your child's attendance. When it comes to Gary, there really is not a great school for our children. We are looking for another school for him right now.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2012

Banneker is nothing, but hype. As a former educator, I have taught at some of the best schools and Banneker is just not it. They promote rote memorization vs. critical thinking skills. Students are not engaged in investigative learning as such as the "best" schools" in the country. If you compare it to schools in the inner city, yeah its good, matter of fact it would be great; however your child will not be able to compete with kids from the suburbs coming from Banneker. The school culture is ghetto from the top down. If you are MOVING TO THE AREA FROM ANY SUBURBS THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD. YOUR CHILD WILL BE EXPOSED TO GHETTO BEHAVIOR AND MENTALLY...PLEASE TAKE IT FROM A FORMER EDUCATOR...PLEASE RUN...LOOK ELSEWHERE...Also, where is the diversity? Students need to be around peers of various ethnicities so that they will not experience culture shock or they can simply learn from others. Lastly, they promote corporal punishment and not simply paddling...My child was hit in the back. She was the brightest and didn't quite understand the ghetto culture there.. .People from Gary thinks its good, but look what they have to compare it to.