Basis families: talk to me about the building
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I'm intrigued by Basis for my kids -- they are academically inclined and like to be challenged, my husband and I were both students who took many APs and did science and math Olympiad. So that part is appealing. But im worried about the depressing environment of the building -- the lack of windows, the lack of recess.
What is that part like for your students, particularly in middle school before they are allowed to leave campus for lunch? Is it a deal breaker? |
Anonymous
|
5th grade (and 6th grade maybe? I forget) have mandatory PE. Weather permitting (aka precipitation not falling) they are outside. You can choose PE as an elective in 7th also, though my DS did not. We are in 8th grade now and DS basically always does outside lunch, even if its bad weather, they leave to go somewhere else.
Is it a beautiful campus? no of course not. Do the academics make up for it for us? yup. |
Anonymous
My son say the hallways are crowded but lively. Most classrooms have some windows. He doesn’t feel a lack of sunlight. There are a lot of stairs. He likes being downtown and near the mall. He says he prefers the mall to run around, go skating, picnic etc |
Anonymous
| BASIS is an urban school in downtown DC, so of course it is doesn’t look a suburban school. Your kids will literally be two blocks from the mall so they can run around there if they want to after school (plus loads of free museums, ice skating during the winter, MLK library, etc.). You come to BASIS for the academics, not the building. If you want your kid to be educated surrounded by manicured lawns and flowering shrubs, you shell out for private school or move to the burbs. |
Anonymous
|
My child is at BASIS. I would not make the decision about whether to go to BASIS on the building, but I find it depressing, dark, and somewhat cramped-feeling.
|
Anonymous
|
It is a historic property built in 1906.
Our house is from the same year. |
Anonymous
Whatever. We weren't blown away by BASIS academics before leaving after 6th grade last year. The English instruction wasn't the best, there was no foreign language instruction before 8th grade (then just beginning instruction, lame). Too many of the teachers were inexperienced, like admins. The math and science were impressive, the rest was average. We didn't like the emphasis on memorization and drill vs. promoting critical thinking skills and joy of learning. The building is tolerable, not more. We're happier at a parochial school with better teaching and leadership, a fine instrumental music program, a real community, a green campus and a palpable spirit of discovery although we're not religious. Think twice, OP. Yup. |
Anonymous
I just toured Basis last month. I made the decision not to consider it because of the building. IMO, the good academics just can’t compensate enough for the terrible facilities. I realize we are privileged in that we have other options while some families don’t. |
Anonymous
|
I was very stressed about my kid going to school in that building. Turns out she loves BASIS and the building doesn’t bother her at all.
Given what you have said about academics, my guess is you would love BASIS. |
Anonymous
|
Middle school academics at BASIS aren't GT and the building just isn't good. As others have pointed out, inexperienced and poorly trained teachers and high teacher turnover are real problems, not relative to other DC public schools but as compared to the better suburban public schools in the area.
The main problem I see at BASIS isn't the weak facility. It's that the school doesn't get the resources from the District or the BASIS franchise to offer first-rate anything, other than math instruction (which can be done cheaply). If you have a better option, or are willing to move, you avoid BASIS DC. If you don't, you can make the best of what they have to offer. |
Anonymous
Think back to when you were a kid. Did you care about buildiings/classrooms/windows? I sure didn't. I cared about seeing friends, clothes, etc. I have an 8th grader at BASIS and we have been very impressed by the program, with the exception of writing instruction - that has generally been minimal, up to now. Grammar, on the other hand - my kid nails that stuff  . And now that kid is in 8th grade she absolutely loves the off campus lunch option.
|
Anonymous
|
As the parent of a Basis high schooler, I'd think about 2 things: what is my long goal for high school? and what characteristic about my child would be a good fit for Basis?
Basis HS is different from Basis middle (see multiple threads on this). My geeky, smart kid would not thrive in our huge local high school. Being with the same small cohort for all of these years has served them well. |
Anonymous
| For those who left csn you please say where you went so.wr can understand your perception gor better/better fit? |
Anonymous
|
Previous posters have good points. BASIS's building is awful, there's no denying that. The hallways and lunch room are crowded. They do not go outside everyday until 8th grade. The sixth grade class has been punished multiple times this year with "silent lunches" because they are too loud at lunch (see: lack of recess/outside time). There are some great teachers, and some not so great teachers. Kids are learning a lot, but much of it is memorization. There is no emphasis on writing at all in lower grades (my understanding this is true for the entire middle school). Lots of test prep with months focused on precomp and comp review. It can be a real slog.
We know many families who are happy, and many that are fine with it as it's the best option they have. |
Anonymous
PP here - we know several families who have left before or by high school as well. |