Bakare has attended Ile Omode since entering kindergarten in 2001 and has shown a strength in all subjects. In 2003, our school instituted the "Math Revolution" program, and over 40% of our students were placed a grade ahead in math. Some students were advanced a 2nd time, and have shined tremendously. According to the school's director, Jahi Awakoaiye, "over 80% of our students are now a grade ahead in math". Bakare was advanced a second time in the 4th grade, and completed Pre-Algebra in 5th grade, Algebra in the 6th, and Geometry in the 7th grade. By the 8th grade he was ready for Algebra 2 and sought the challenge of a college course. Bakare knew he was ready. It wasn't easy getting him enrolled at Laney College, as there was no clearly articulated system in place for a student his age, so they had to navigate through the bureaucracy a bit, often talking to the same people repeatedly. He eventually was able to take a placement test, which is required of all Laney students, and was recommended for placement in Trigonometry (the class after Algebra 2) and was a few points shy for Pre-Calculus. But his Ile Omode teacher felt it best to follow the course sequence, and not, "overly rush his advancement", stressing that, "it's school, not a race". When the semester first began he felt, "it was pretty easy, and just composed of Algebra and Geometry," but as the year progressed he said, "it started getting more difficulty and I had to sit down and study more." Initially he was driven to the campus, but eventually he was given a BART pass and had to learn to take BART, which has a station at the campus. This enhanced his sense of maturity, and coupled with his Laney College ID, he was beginning to feel "grown up". Being on the campus made him "feel like I was actually an adult - sort of," he said with a slight grin. In the course he has performed amazingly. In the course, MATH211, which is a four course sequence in Algebra 2, Bakare has earned an "A" in every course, MATH211A, MATH211B, MATH211C, and MATH211D. He's averaged over 96% on the exams, and notched at least half a dozen perfect test scores. Bakare enjoyed his test results, but apparently enjoyed getting donuts afterwards, as well as being "rewarded by my family", he says. Bakare admitted that he, "had a lot of fun, and a lot of people at Laney were surprised that I was taking Algebra 2". He studied at Ile Omode with his baba and teacher, Jahi Awakoaiye, but took all exams at Laney. Whenever he would go to take a test, he received surprised looks from the math teachers, "because when I came in to get my test, they would say, 'oh, you're taking Algebra 2'", with a surprised expression.
For the school's director, the real story is not just Bakare, "if it were just Bakare - that's one thing, but this reflects a system we have produced. Next year I have two students entering Laney, and 2 or 3 more in the following year." At school, along with his regular studies he also serves occassionally as a teacher's assistant, and has taught 3rd grade math, and several lessons to our Geometry students, some of which will be attending Laney College in the fall. He thinks his classmates "think it's going to be fun when they get to where I am", but right now he says they're, "just happy for me". Bakare said that taking the course, "made me feel proud of myself." We wish Bakare all the success in the world, and know that his story is only possible in an environment such as Ile Omode, where students are guided to their greatest potential.[Click here to support Ile Omode.] Share this article with your friends and family: 
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"The limits of knowledge have never been reached" 
Imhotep is known as the world's first multi-genius; he is the first recorded architect and physician in history |
Bakare Awakoaiye, an 8th grade student at Ile Omode, completed a 4 unit course in Algebra 2 at Laney College in Oakland this year.
He graduates this year, and was accepted to every high school he applied to. On the national High School Placement Exam he scored in at least the 82nd percentile in EVERY subject, and scored in the 92nd percentile in math. Next year he'll enter Bishop O'Dowd where he's taking advanced courses in Biology, honors History, and an honors Trigonometry course, along with trying out for the freshmen football team. 
