BASIS DC precomps and comps

[Anonymous]

I checked out BASIS years ago for my kid and had an immediate, viscerally negative reaction. But each to their own - some families love it!

[Anonymous]

The way some are describing BASIS here makes it sound like... KIPP for math kids.
Here's how someone described KIPP elsewhere "discipline, structure, rigidity, conformation. It’s long school days and focus primarily is academics at the expense/exclusion of sports, extracurriculars, etc... "

Would that fit BASIS? I'm concerned. My high-achieving kids are conforming and academics-focused enough. We need Robin Williams.
Someone tell me there is creativity, positivity, art there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way some are describing BASIS here makes it sound like... KIPP for math kids.
Here's how someone described KIPP elsewhere "discipline, structure, rigidity, conformation. It’s long school days and focus primarily is academics at the expense/exclusion of sports, extracurriculars, etc... "

Would that fit BASIS? I'm concerned. My high-achieving kids are conforming and academics-focused enough. We need Robin Williams.
Someone tell me there is creativity, positivity, art there.

Just getting to know the school as a first year family. It does seem like there are creative assignments. Like creating your own civilization/ society. Or creating your own mythological creatures. There is memorization - like eventually they memorize the periodic table. My kid is loving it & feels challenged & cared for. It is important that he get him physical activity outside of school though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come on, how much joy of learning is there to be had in that joyless building? There isn't even a library or a tree.

Or a stage. Also, I'm from Virginia.

Yes, the building stinks, but you have to be pretty shallow to think that a tree and a building make for joyful learning.

All I know is that my kid is super happy to go to school every day and appears to be learning a lot. Not sure what else I would want for him.

Agree with PP. My DD loves going to BASIS and also loves trees. MLK Library is two blocks away. Why would they even try to compete with the best collection in DC? I ask my DD often and the response is always that she wants to stay at BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I checked out BASIS years ago for my kid and had an immediate, viscerally negative reaction. But each to their own - some families love it!

This family likes BASIS, but in the end it is the child who should really love the school, and she does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way some are describing BASIS here makes it sound like... KIPP for math kids.
Here's how someone described KIPP elsewhere "discipline, structure, rigidity, conformation. It’s long school days and focus primarily is academics at the expense/exclusion of sports, extracurriculars, etc... "

Would that fit BASIS? I'm concerned. My high-achieving kids are conforming and academics-focused enough. We need Robin Williams.
Someone tell me there is creativity, positivity, art there.

Just getting to know the school as a first year family. It does seem like there are creative assignments. Like creating your own civilization/ society. Or creating your own mythological creatures. There is memorization - like eventually they memorize the periodic table. My kid is loving it & feels challenged & cared for. It is important that he get him physical activity outside of school though.

We’re a 5th grade family, and so far my kid likes it. Does he complain about the lack of recess? Yes. But he also talks about having outdoor gym class, the different games in PE, etc. What he really likes are the friends he’s made. There are many good, kind, and friendly kids that he knows, and he enjoys being with them.

Btw, at least in 5th grade, the academics are a breeze. I’m glad they take this year to focus on organizational skills, study habits, etc. No more crumpled papers in his book bag— he’s actually got everything organized and can tell me if he’s missing an assignment!

[Anonymous]

Wait doesn't all DCPS do tests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way some are describing BASIS here makes it sound like... KIPP for math kids.
Here's how someone described KIPP elsewhere "discipline, structure, rigidity, conformation. It’s long school days and focus primarily is academics at the expense/exclusion of sports, extracurriculars, etc... "

Would that fit BASIS? I'm concerned. My high-achieving kids are conforming and academics-focused enough. We need Robin Williams.
Someone tell me there is creativity, positivity, art there.

Just getting to know the school as a first year family. It does seem like there are creative assignments. Like creating your own civilization/ society. Or creating your own mythological creatures. There is memorization - like eventually they memorize the periodic table. My kid is loving it & feels challenged & cared for. It is important that he get him physical activity outside of school though.

Says a parent of a 5th grader. Wait a few years.

There are some good teachers, but not on a par with Mr. Keating or Mr. Chips. Kids don't get to choose many electives. BASIS is essentially an academic bootcamp in a crappy building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait doesn't all DCPS do tests?

Comps at Basis start in 6th and count for a significant portion - up to 50% of the grading period's grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I checked out BASIS years ago for my kid and had an immediate, viscerally negative reaction. But each to their own - some families love it!

I had the same reaction and now have kids there who are very happy. They like being challenged, they’ve met some good friends, there are caring and creative teachers (some stand out more than others, of course), etc. I don’t think I would like it there but I’m not the one attending. Have there been aspects I don’t care for? For sure. But overall this basis family is pleased.

[Anonymous]

Our family has been thrilled with Basis! Super happy kid who's disappointed when there was a two-hour delay because of the classes missed.

[Anonymous]

Super happy kid at Basis. She doesn't care about the school building being what it is. When she arrives to school, it's school, regardless if you or I think it looks like and feels like an office building. To our kid, it feels like school, and she loves it.

I mean, sometimes she has gym and eats lunch on the National Mall just like two blocks away and that far surpasses whatever field or grassy area might be missing from Basis.

Also, the location of Basis is amazing being sandwiched between the Portrait Gallery and the National Archives building.

So no, Basis doesn't have a typical suburban-type school campus, but look where it's located?!

For some kids, they may need a more traditional school campus with grass and a playground, but our kid loves the location and is thriving at Basis.

And please, if you send your kid to Basis, you know that the school is an office building, so don't then post complaints that it's in an office building.

[Anonymous]

I always wonder about the people who complain about the BASIS building/facilities but then say they want to send their kid to SWW. Doesn't that school also lack access to gym/fields/auditorium, etc? Or am I mistaken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Super happy kid at Basis. She doesn't care about the school building being what it is. When she arrives to school, it's school, regardless if you or I think it looks like and feels like an office building. To our kid, it feels like school, and she loves it.

I mean, sometimes she has gym and eats lunch on the National Mall just like two blocks away and that far surpasses whatever field or grassy area might be missing from Basis.

Also, the location of Basis is amazing being sandwiched between the Portrait Gallery and the National Archives building.

So no, Basis doesn't have a typical suburban-type school campus, but look where it's located?!

For some kids, they may need a more traditional school campus with grass and a playground, but our kid loves the location and is thriving at Basis.

And please, if you send your kid to Basis, you know that the school is an office building, so don't then post complaints that it's in an office building.

What grade is your kid in, OP? My guess is 5th grade.

Also, why are you reviving a 1.5 year old thread? Your response doesn't even address the topic of the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder about the people who complain about the BASIS building/facilities but then say they want to send their kid to SWW. Doesn't that school also lack access to gym/fields/auditorium, etc? Or am I mistaken?

Correct. Some play word games and say that they have access to GW's facilities. GW doesn't have fields on campus either.