by Citizen Stewart

D.C. Public Schools principal of the year leads Banneker High School

Anita Berger (left), principal of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, was named the principal of the year for D.C. Public Schools on Tuesday. in this file photo from September 2011, Berger and former Chancellor Kaya Henderson are shown chatting after a visit from former President Barack Obama. (Marvin Joseph/Washington Post)
Anita Berger (left), principal of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, was named the principal of the year for D.C. Public Schools on Tuesday. in this file photo from September 2011, Berger and former Chancellor Kaya Henderson are shown chatting after a visit from former President Barack Obama. (Marvin Joseph/Washington Post)

Principal Anita Berger of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School has been named the 2017  D.C. Public Schools’ principal of the year. According to Alejandra Matos of the Washington Post, Berger earned the award for her success in boosting graduation rates and academic achievement at the school once visited by former president Barack Obama. 

Incoming DCPS chancellor Antwan Wilson, and Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles, greeted Berger in person to surprise her with the news. 

According to Matos, Wilson praised Berger for her leadership in helping to lift the Banneker’s math and reading test scores by more than 20 percent in one year and graduating 100 percent of its students. The school is also recognized for a 35 percent increase in the number of students passing Advanced Placement exams, according to D.C. school officials.

“I know when you have an awesome high school that is leading the country in so many ways, that’s because you have a tremendous principal,” Wilson told a classroom of chemistry students. Read more here.