BASIS Elementary Expansion - What's the latest?

[Anonymous]

Just curious what happened with the BASIS proposal to add an elementary school. Was this passed? Does BASIS have a location?

[Anonymous]

No and no

[Anonymous]

They haven't applied yet-- it's not the time of year for doing that.

There was some talk of a building on I St NE (kind of near JO Wilson) but I'm not sure how serious that was.

[Anonymous]

I've always thought that Basis HQ was reaching for the low-hanging fruit by proposing an elementary expansion (we've got good elementaries in DC) and by then putting it Hill-adjacent.

If Basis is so great (and I think it's pretty good - my kid is in HS there), then why not open a new middle school and capture some of the population who are currently waitlisted?

But no.

[Anonymous]

It will ruin BASIS. I hope it doesn’t pass.

[Anonymous]

It is a vanity project that will reduce access to the middle school for lots of families who do not have the means to commute to basis for elementary.

[Anonymous]

I don't think BASIS HQ understands DC very well at all, so they keep making mistakes. Like starting an elementary at K whenever everyone is here for free PK makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is necessary in DC where what's really needed are better middle and high options (especially east of the river). However, I don't see how it is a mistake for BASIS to propose. Starting with elementary gives the best chance for success for a broader range of students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always thought that Basis HQ was reaching for the low-hanging fruit by proposing an elementary expansion (we've got good elementaries in DC) and by then putting it Hill-adjacent.

If Basis is so great (and I think it's pretty good - my kid is in HS there), then why not open a new middle school and capture some of the population who are currently waitlisted?

But no.

Yes. I am an ES parent undecided about Basis, but I would prefer a second middle/high school, same age group they already serve. It would be nice to know the odds of getting in are pretty good if we decide to try that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They haven't applied yet-- it's not the time of year for doing that.

There was some talk of a building on I St NE (kind of near JO Wilson) but I'm not sure how serious that was.

What time of year works for applying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They haven't applied yet-- it's not the time of year for doing that.

There was some talk of a building on I St NE (kind of near JO Wilson) but I'm not sure how serious that was.

What time of year works for applying?

They haven't announced the dates yet, but I would think it'll be similar to the prior year-- a "Letter of Intent" due in January, application itself in March.

https://dcpcsb.org/start-charter-school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is necessary in DC where what's really needed are better middle and high options (especially east of the river). However, I don't see how it is a mistake for BASIS to propose. Starting with elementary gives the best chance for success for a broader range of students.

No. This would only be true if they were seeking to locate in a high poverty area. For elementary school, lottery preferences are overwhelming driven by location except for UMC kids, so BASIS' draw will be heavily UMC kids who parents can deal with schlepping their 5 year old across the city (since independent commuting is not a thing for the ES set) & kids who live near wherever they locate. By choosing to float a Capitol Hill adjacent location, they very much tipped their hand on who they're trying to attract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is necessary in DC where what's really needed are better middle and high options (especially east of the river). However, I don't see how it is a mistake for BASIS to propose. Starting with elementary gives the best chance for success for a broader range of students.

No. This would only be true if they were seeking to locate in a high poverty area. For elementary school, lottery preferences are overwhelming driven by location except for UMC kids, so BASIS' draw will be heavily UMC kids who parents can deal with schlepping their 5 year old across the city (since independent commuting is not a thing for the ES set) & kids who live near wherever they locate. By choosing to float a Capitol Hill adjacent location, they very much tipped their hand on who they're trying to attract.

This. It's on the red line FFS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They haven't applied yet-- it's not the time of year for doing that.

There was some talk of a building on I St NE (kind of near JO Wilson) but I'm not sure how serious that was.

I live in this neighborhood and can't really think of a building near JOW that would be big enough. Would it be a pretty small school?

Also, how obnoxious would that be just as JOW is getting a renovation and might finally build steam with IB families, especially with TR4th in declining favor, for BASIS to come in with an elementary. My kids are no longer in elementary grades and we didn't even lottery for BASIS for MS because it's not a good fit for our family, but I'm just envisioning what that would feel like in the neighborhood and I am not enthusiastic about it. If they do it, go put it somewhere central and near public transportation, like the middle school.

[Anonymous]

i think the charter board is at this point only really inclined to approve new schools in wards 5, 7, and 8. the alleged proposed basis location in noma is very far southwest in ward 5.