BASIS

[Anonymous]

The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If only it were all so lol hilarious. BASIS wants a very small senior class where at least a few students get to colleges admitting in the single digits. Many parents want BASIS as is. A few want a better education than AP test prep and superior leadership. Nothing will change because demand will remain sky high. Move on.

That's absurd.

Why would they *want* a small senior class? There's no basis for that assertion.

The reality is that the class size shrinks because 1) you can't transfer in and 2) kids (and their parents) self-select out of the system if they don't like it. Some go to Walls in 9th grade, and some go other places and there's nothing wrong with that.

Still, a very good acceptance list for around 60 graduating seniors in a non-application charter school in DC.

You have a student at BASIS? That's indeed what the BASIS franchise wants in DC. Students could transfer into BASIS' HS if the franchise were to work that out with DCPSCB. They don't even try to work it out. The Arizona campuses have always let high school students transfer in.

IMHO far more kids would stay for HS in DC if the program was better led and managed, if the curriculum was a little more flexible and intelligently implemented, and if enrichment and ECs were better, particularly at the HS level.

I have a sibling in Arizona who's had at least one kid in a BASIS program for over a decade. Things sound much better there.

No, that is just wrong. BASIS DC would love to cherry pick top students for high school like Walls but they can't under their charter.

Your argument doesn't even make sense. If BASIS Arizona schools allow transfers in (at the appropriate grade level after a placement test), why wouldn't BASIS DC do the same if it could? The fact is that they can't in DC.

Charters aren't allowed to do any form of test-in under DC's Charter law (the same limitation means DCPS can screen for ESL students at immersion schools and Charter schools can't). They could not work it out with the DCPCSB.

[Anonymous]

^^ Sorry, to be clear, I am agreeing with the immediate PP & disagreeing with the poster before that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

Nonsense. What is legal could work for BASIS. DC charters can admit students in any grade via an open lottery, then test them for placement once admitted. My eldest was tested for a 5th grade math placement at BASIS. My youngest was tested for placement in a language class at DCI as well as for placement in a math class. Every BASIS student doesn't take classes with classmates from their grade in every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

Nonsense. What is legal could work for BASIS. DC charters can admit students in any grade via an open lottery, then test them for placement once admitted. My eldest was tested for a 5th grade math placement at BASIS. My youngest was tested for placement in a language class at DCI as well as for placement in a math class. Every BASIS student doesn't take classes with classmates from their grade in every class.

This is not true in the way BASIS insists it would have to be, because they are not allowed to place students behind grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

Nonsense. What is legal could work for BASIS. DC charters can admit students in any grade via an open lottery, then test them for placement once admitted. My eldest was tested for a 5th grade math placement at BASIS. My youngest was tested for placement in a language class at DCI as well as for placement in a math class. Every BASIS student doesn't take classes with classmates from their grade in every class.

Totally wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

Nonsense. What is legal could work for BASIS. DC charters can admit students in any grade via an open lottery, then test them for placement once admitted. My eldest was tested for a 5th grade math placement at BASIS. My youngest was tested for placement in a language class at DCI as well as for placement in a math class. Every BASIS student doesn't take classes with classmates from their grade in every class.

This is not true in the way BASIS insists it would have to be, because they are not allowed to place students behind grade level.

So don't place students behind grade level and let them flunk out fast. That's what happened in the early years at BASIS with a bunch of middle school students. Soon enough, the word was out that it's dumb to enroll a kid at BASIS who can't handle the curriculum. We'd see the same phenomenon with high school students if spots were opened to them. I'm not buying that this is impossible. What's clear is that nothing will change because BASIS Arizona leaders don't want to take on the headaches associated with opening up high school spots, particularly political push back. Too bad - there are outside students who could handle BASIS high school work from day one who would take spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point is a good one. A number of other DC charter schools have successfully applied to modify their charters over the years (generally to open second campuses). BASIS MS/HS hasn't. I'm also not convinced that BASIS wouldn't be permitted to admit qualified HS students these days if they asked for permission to do this. They haven't. I am convinced, as a longtime BASIS parent, that DC doesn't want a larger high school. I'm also convinced they don't want to allow transfers.

It would be more difficult for admins to run the school as they do now if they let in new blood, pesky transfer families. These people could arrive with notions of a PTA, instrumental music lessons, one year of BC calc, up to four AP Physics taught, ditching the required MS linguistics classes, language before 8th grade and so on.

In leafy suburbs of Phoenix, parents have much better school options than in DC. They're not as desperate for a decent MS or HS, not as easily cowed.

Selective admission of students is ILLEGAL for Charters in DC under DC's Charter law. People need to stop spouting nonsense. Yes, they might be able to expand their HS. No, they would not be allowed to admit only qualified students or place them in other than their existing grade level as the Arizona campuses do with backfills/transfers. They cannot work this out with anyone without the law changing.

Nonsense. What is legal could work for BASIS. DC charters can admit students in any grade via an open lottery, then test them for placement once admitted. My eldest was tested for a 5th grade math placement at BASIS. My youngest was tested for placement in a language class at DCI as well as for placement in a math class. Every BASIS student doesn't take classes with classmates from their grade in every class.

This is not true in the way BASIS insists it would have to be, because they are not allowed to place students behind grade level.

So don't place students behind grade level and let them flunk out fast. That's what happened in the early years at BASIS with a bunch of middle school students. Soon enough, the word was out that it's dumb to enroll a kid at BASIS who can't handle the curriculum. We'd see the same phenomenon with high school students if spots were opened to them. I'm not buying that this is impossible. What's clear is that nothing will change because BASIS Arizona leaders don't want to take on the headaches associated with opening up high school spots, particularly political push back. Too bad - there are outside students who could handle BASIS high school work from day one who would take spots.

First off, if what you claim is right, no one would want to transfer into BASIS anyway because of lack of all the bells and whistles found in Arizona.

[Anonymous]

People still apply to BASIS without realizing the degree of rigor they got themselves into or without knowing much about the school at all (just look at how many people still include BASIS high school grades in their lottery selection when they should know full well at this point that there is zero chance they could be admitted under the current situation).

To expect that the random people who could be offered a spot from the lottery for high school grades are the ones who happened to do their BASIS homework (and will do their BASIS homework up to par if they were to enroll) is wishful thinking.

You say “let them just flunk out” but this seems like a terrible idea for those students and the school alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People still apply to BASIS without realizing the degree of rigor they got themselves into or without knowing much about the school at all (just look at how many people still include BASIS high school grades in their lottery selection when they should know full well at this point that there is zero chance they could be admitted under the current situation).

To expect that the random people who could be offered a spot from the lottery for high school grades are the ones who happened to do their BASIS homework (and will do their BASIS homework up to par if they were to enroll) is wishful thinking.

You say “let them just flunk out” but this seems like a terrible idea for those students and the school alike.

It seems fully cruel to those students. This is one of the worst ideas I’ve heard.

[Anonymous]

This is a zero sum game, no? If BASIS retained more/enrolled new students in high school, they'd have to offer fewer middle school spots.

I think the current emphasis on middle school is likely more beneficial to DC residents as a whole than a shift toward high school retention/growth would be.

[Anonymous]

You’re right that higher retention for high school students means less seats available for middle school - under the current situation. As I mentioned several pages ago, I think there is good reason to believe that families will increasingly stay at BASIS for high school for a variety of circumstances. The timing of this is coupled with BASIS looking to create an elementary school. It will be interesting to see if the high school shows signs of significant expansion in student body size, what BASIS might be willing to do to combine the current 5th grade class (the largest one in the building) with the new BASIS elementary school to create more room for more high school students in the current building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a zero sum game, no? If BASIS retained more/enrolled new students in high school, they'd have to offer fewer middle school spots.

I think the current emphasis on middle school is likely more beneficial to DC residents as a whole than a shift toward high school retention/growth would be.

This is a very good point. I totally agree.

BASIS offers an excellent middle school for a particular type of kid. Since Walls, Banneker and McKinley enter the scene as options in high school, there is less of a need for rigorous high school spots.

[Anonymous]

I don't agree, if you go with a DCPS middle school EotP and don't crack Walls or Banneker from 8th grade, you're screwed if you can't afford private school, don't want to move to the burbs and aren't willing to accept Eastern or Dunbar. We know kids with high 8th grade GPAs at Ward 6 middle schools who failed to get into Walls or Banneker, although they work a couple years ahead in math. This didn't happen in the past, before admission to Walls was essentially a lottery. McKinley is still iffy on rigor. These kids would have hit the ground running in 9th grade at BASIS. In fact, they were shut out of BASIS in 4th grade with low WL numbers, despite being math whizzes. The admissions system is really screwed up across the board in DC public schools and very likely to stay that way.