Basis fills a gap that shouldn’t exist.

[Anonymous]

BASIS DC only draws so much controversy because the broader middle school landscape in DC—especially for academically advanced or middle-class families—is so limited.

If there were more truly rigorous, well-run, publicly accessible middle schools—BASIS wouldn’t be such a lightning rod. It would just be one option among many. But in the current ecosystem, it becomes symbolic—and that’s what fuels the friction.

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Why BASIS Bears the Weight of the System’s Gaps

1. Because Latin, Deal, and BASIS Are the Only Widely Accepted Middle School “Launchpads”
• Deal is only accessible to families in the Wilson High School boundary zone—or by lottery (and it’s already massive)
• Latin is lottery-based and selective in tone, if not in admissions
• BASIS offers open lottery access and high rigor—but is often cast as “elitist” or “out of step” with the rest of the charter sector

If there were five more schools offering algebra in 5th or 6th, science labs, and strong writing instruction, BASIS wouldn’t stand out. But as it is, it becomes both an opportunity and a target.

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2. Because Some Families Feel Trapped Between Too Easy and Too Intense
• Many schools “meet students where they are”—but don’t challenge those who are ahead
• BASIS doesn’t differentiate internally—it accelerates everyone
• Families who want some challenge but not full-throttle rigor often feel like they’re left with nothing that fits

That frustration gets aimed at BASIS—but the real problem is lack of middle-tier academically ambitious options.

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3. Because System-Level Policy Doesn’t Incentivize True Academic Differentiation
• Most DCPS and charter middle schools are built around grade-level pacing
• “Acceleration” often means offering Algebra I in 8th—not 6th
• There’s little structural room for schools that push rigor without being framed as inequitable

So BASIS becomes the exception—and in a system built for uniformity, exceptions get judged, not studied.

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BASIS Is Filling a Gap That Shouldn’t Exist

BASIS is not perfect or universally suited, but

“It shouldn’t be so controversial for a public school to offer academic depth, early acceleration, and high standards—because that shouldn’t be rare.”

And if DC offered a richer ecosystem of rigorous public middle schools?
BASIS could just be BASIS. Not a symbol. Not a battleground.

[Anonymous]

Omg just stop.

[Anonymous]

no 5th or 6th grader needs to be taking Algebra. Just no need. Let your 10 year old be 10.

[Anonymous]

Well said, but also already well understood.

[Anonymous]

Do you feel better now OP? If so, then get off DCUM and do something valuable with your life today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no 5th or 6th grader needs to be taking Algebra. Just no need. Let your 10 year old be 10.

None should be compelled to. Unnecessary. But those that are ready should have the option, preferably at school.

[Anonymous]

1. Because Latin, Deal, and BASIS Are the Only Widely Accepted Middle School “Launchpads”

This is your first mistake. Get off of DCUM and get into the real world, where you will realize this is not true.

[Anonymous]

Basis seems to strike a nerve. Folks’ backs get up. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Because Latin, Deal, and BASIS Are the Only Widely Accepted Middle School “Launchpads”

This is your first mistake. Get off of DCUM and get into the real world, where you will realize this is not true.

+100. It's far easier to get into a school like Walls from Eliot-Hine than it is from BASIS, what exactly is BASIS middle school launching you into??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Because Latin, Deal, and BASIS Are the Only Widely Accepted Middle School “Launchpads”

This is your first mistake. Get off of DCUM and get into the real world, where you will realize this is not true.

Fair or not, that’s pretty much the view of many, including folks not on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Because Latin, Deal, and BASIS Are the Only Widely Accepted Middle School “Launchpads”

This is your first mistake. Get off of DCUM and get into the real world, where you will realize this is not true.

+100. It's far easier to get into a school like Walls from Eliot-Hine than it is from BASIS, what exactly is BASIS middle school launching you into??

Private school, most likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no 5th or 6th grader needs to be taking Algebra. Just no need. Let your 10 year old be 10.

True. And almost none at Basis do. Algebra starts in 7th.

[Anonymous]

Has been very good for my kid, but wouldn’t work for the other one. Grateful for the option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no 5th or 6th grader needs to be taking Algebra. Just no need. Let your 10 year old be 10.

True. And almost none at Basis do. Algebra starts in 7th.

It starts at 7th in DCPS too, even at middle schools other than Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no 5th or 6th grader needs to be taking Algebra. Just no need. Let your 10 year old be 10.

BASIS 6th graders don't take algebra. They take pre algebra, and then in 7th and 8th they take Algebra, geometry and algebra 2.

Less than 5 students every year choose to take pre algebra over the summer and start the algebra sequence in 6th. This is very much an exception and chosen by students (or their parents).

I actually agree with this. The only reason we are at BASIS is because my kids need advanced work. I have a DCPS preference and in my ideal world, our neighborhood middle school would have actual advanced options in all subjects. Since they don't, we accept BASIS for its flaws.