School Without Walls interview

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS middle school family and we know people who chose Walls -- seems like the vibe is a little bit freer and friendlier at walls, but not as rigorous? And the BASIS high school is just so small and the building is claustrophobic -- I can imagine wanting out. (Although my middle schooler wants to stay through high school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS middle school family and we know people who chose Walls -- seems like the vibe is a little bit freer and friendlier at walls, but not as rigorous? And the BASIS high school is just so small and the building is claustrophobic -- I can imagine wanting out. (Although my middle schooler wants to stay through high school).

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS middle school family and we know people who chose Walls -- seems like the vibe is a little bit freer and friendlier at walls, but not as rigorous? And the BASIS high school is just so small and the building is claustrophobic -- I can imagine wanting out. (Although my middle schooler wants to stay through high school).

+1

Walls gets some Basis kids every year. I think some leave because their friends leave Basis, too small (as PP said) or they want something new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

- The worst interview experience was at McKinley. Parents were told to wait in the semi dark auditorium (by the security guard). Then someone came in and ushered the kids to a group interview- where they ask a question and every kid responds one by one all next to one another.
I really do not get the point of this type of interviewing..

My son liked this interview. It made him feel.comfortable to be with other students answering questions. He founds the small group of students he waited with in the auditorium to be nice and friendly (he said the ones he sat with went to McKinley middle school). Overall it was a very positive and stressfree experience and he is likely to enroll.

Some things a group interview can look at that an individual interview can’t: do students seem engaged and attentive when other students are answering (can students stay engaged for 45 minutes without looking at their phone/watch); Do students ever build off of or agree/disagree with another student, do kids just copy other student answers, do students volunteer to answer a question first? It also allows 8 students to ask questions in the same session which means students hear more about the school overall.

I think of it this way- in school students are rarely interacting one-in-one with a teacher but often will be doing so in groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who interviewed at Walls, how were your lottery results? We weren’t sure what to expect and were very happy/relieved that our kid was accepted.

My daughter got in! She is really excited - a few of her friends got in as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS middle school family and we know people who chose Walls -- seems like the vibe is a little bit freer and friendlier at walls, but not as rigorous? And the BASIS high school is just so small and the building is claustrophobic -- I can imagine wanting out. (Although my middle schooler wants to stay through high school).

+1

Walls gets some Basis kids every year. I think some leave because their friends leave Basis, too small (as PP said) or they want something new.

We left Basis for Walls because of the cohort. The Basis students in my kids cohort had a ton of disciplinary issues that admin ignored and it was hit or miss if the kids cared about academics. The kids at Walls at least generally are better behaved and care more about academics. 9th grade was a bore for my kid coming from Basis, 10th a little more intense and in 11th in fully in the throws, does not feel like a walk in the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS middle school family and we know people who chose Walls -- seems like the vibe is a little bit freer and friendlier at walls, but not as rigorous? And the BASIS high school is just so small and the building is claustrophobic -- I can imagine wanting out. (Although my middle schooler wants to stay through high school).

+1

Walls gets some Basis kids every year. I think some leave because their friends leave Basis, too small (as PP said) or they want something new.

We left Basis for Walls because of the cohort. The Basis students in my kids cohort had a ton of disciplinary issues that admin ignored and it was hit or miss if the kids cared about academics. The kids at Walls at least generally are better behaved and care more about academics. 9th grade was a bore for my kid coming from Basis, 10th a little more intense and in 11th in fully in the throws, does not feel like a walk in the park.

Is your student taking lots of APs that make 11th grade more challenging?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

[Anonymous]

My kid is considering leaving BASIS. It’s mainly for the chance to make new friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

How big is the 8th grade at Basis? Also of course it makes sense that walls draws from thr largest middle school in the city. How many Basis kids even apply to Walls or get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

How big is the 8th grade at Basis? Also of course it makes sense that walls draws from thr largest middle school in the city. How many Basis kids even apply to Walls or get in?

You can look up class sizes on the OSSE enrollment audit spreadsheets if you like. I don't think the other data is published.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

How big is the 8th grade at Basis? Also of course it makes sense that walls draws from thr largest middle school in the city. How many Basis kids even apply to Walls or get in?

You can look up class sizes on the OSSE enrollment audit spreadsheets if you like. I don't think the other data is published.

The 22-23 data set is available in the second graphic on this page https://edscape.dc.gov/page/student-enrollment-pathways

It shows that more than zero but less than 10 BASIS students went to Walls in that year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

That is the case for all years of published data.

Deal has @480 kids and @10% or so go to SWW every year. Hardy has @180 and 15-20% go to SWW in a given year. BASIS fluctuates between 70-90 with an average of about 80. Less than 10% go to SWW in a given year.
BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

How big is the 8th grade at Basis? Also of course it makes sense that walls draws from thr largest middle school in the city. How many Basis kids even apply to Walls or get in?

You can look up class sizes on the OSSE enrollment audit spreadsheets if you like. I don't think the other data is published.

The 22-23 data set is available in the second graphic on this page https://edscape.dc.gov/page/student-enrollment-pathways

It shows that more than zero but less than 10 BASIS students went to Walls in that year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the kids I know who were accepted are not entirely sure they want to take the spot. They seem legitimately torn. It was the hot topic at this morning's sports event, who's going and who's not. One more year till my kid decides whether to apply....

Torn between what?

Yes, this: JR/Latin/DCI/Basis

Curious why would a Basis student want to attend Walls? Is it generally a large wave of applicants coming from Basis or a small individual case by case ( e.g. Not belonging or adjusting to Basis etc.)

10% of Deal (480 per 8th grade). 15-20% of Hardy (180 per 8th). <10% of BASIS (70-90 per 9th, with average of 80).

BASIS parent here. By the time kids get to 8th grade the ones who can't adjust or really hate it are gone. What's left is kids who figured it out. Even still, these same kids have been in the same building with the same kids since the were 9 years old. Even kids (like mine) who really like BASIS want to explore what's out there.

The data shows very few (<10) kids go from BASIS to SWW. There was one class year a few years ago where an inordinate number made the move (still <10). Since then, it hasn't been a huge number. Last year very few made the move. My kid is friends with one who is at SWW in 9th this year and they are actually a bit lonely since there really aren't many BASIS kids in the class.

Since 2020 (last published year of data) Deal sends more kids to SWW than all other schools and Hardy is always #2.

How big is the 8th grade at Basis? Also of course it makes sense that walls draws from thr largest middle school in the city. How many Basis kids even apply to Walls or get in?

You can look up class sizes on the OSSE enrollment audit spreadsheets if you like. I don't think the other data is published.

The 22-23 data set is available in the second graphic on this page https://edscape.dc.gov/page/student-enrollment-pathways

It shows that more than zero but less than 10 BASIS students went to Walls in that year.