“Basis DC: Want the Peer Group, But Not the Boot Camp?”

[Anonymous]

Lot of butt-hurt BASIS haters here.

Why are you so angry?

Your kid washed out? Your kid didn’t get in?

Maybe get a life instead of spewing vitriol here.

The BASIS model is obviously extremely successful:

https://enrollbasis.com/2024-us-news-rankings/

[Anonymous]

The problem is that the “bitter” posters aren’t wrong. BASIS DC is undeniably a drag overall. We couldn’t wait to get our straight A girl to GDS, on fi aid I might add. Say more and some of you will figure out who we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lot of butt-hurt BASIS haters here.

Why are you so angry?

Your kid washed out? Your kid didn’t get in?

Maybe get a life instead of spewing vitriol here.

The BASIS model is obviously extremely successful:

https://enrollbasis.com/2024-us-news-rankings/

LOL! No skin in the game and don’t hate BASIS but you obviously have it wrong. All these threads have been started by Basis boosters not haters.

If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen or yet, here is a thought, stop starting Basis boosting threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that the “bitter” posters aren’t wrong. BASIS DC is undeniably a drag overall. We couldn’t wait to get our straight A girl to GDS, on fi aid I might add. Say more and some of you will figure out who we are.

It's a $55 k/year school that screens who it admits! If it weren't significantly better, I'd be very confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that the “bitter” posters aren’t wrong. BASIS DC is undeniably a drag overall. We couldn’t wait to get our straight A girl to GDS, on fi aid I might add. Say more and some of you will figure out who we are.

Basis for a few years then bounce to top private is a great play. No real difference in “intensity” but a well-rounded experience that is much more appreciated after the Basis slog

The fact that top privates respect Basis applicants (if not necessarily Basis) says a lot. We are starting 5th in the fall eyes wide open but considering a move to private for 8th or 9th, though probably not a peer school to GDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that the “bitter” posters aren’t wrong. BASIS DC is undeniably a drag overall. We couldn’t wait to get our straight A girl to GDS, on fi aid I might add. Say more and some of you will figure out who we are.

Basis for a few years then bounce to top private is a great play. No real difference in “intensity” but a well-rounded experience that is much more appreciated after the Basis slog

The fact that top privates respect Basis applicants (if not necessarily Basis) says a lot. We are starting 5th in the fall eyes wide open but considering a move to private for 8th or 9th, though probably not a peer school to GDS.

Yeah / in the eyes of many, that reads almost like an advertisement for Basis, at least for middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading through a lot of the Basis DC discussions, it strikes me that the real tension isn’t mainly about how “hard” the academics are.

It’s about families wanting access to the peer group — without having to sign up for the academic reality that comes with it.

Basis offers something few DC schools do:
• High-SES, academically serious families
• Kids who come from homes where school is a priority
• A culture of discipline and ambition

That’s the true magnet.

It’s not “because math is amazing” or “they offer Latin” or “my child loves structure.”

It’s because families know peer groups matter — socially, culturally, and long-term.

The problem?
Many don’t actually want the rigor that sustains that peer group. They want:
• The college-bound crowd
• The low-drama culture
• The motivated classmates

…but without:
• The workload
• The math pressure
• The tears when pre-algebra isn’t a cakewalk

And here’s the kicker:
There are plenty of public middle schools in DC with lower demands.
Most have open seats.
But those schools often come with very different demographics — lower-SES, more racial and economic diversity — and for a lot of families, that’s the deal-breaker, not the curriculum.

Let’s be honest:

It’s easier to demand Basis “slow down” than it is to walk away from the social capital it offers.

They want the neighborhood without the boot camp.
The “serious families” vibe without the cognitive climb.

And Basis — by design — doesn’t offer that.
It’s not a mistake. It’s the point.

Just putting it out there.

Also, some of us wanted the rigor but didn't want our students in the extra wealthy out of touch cocoon of some of the top privates or even some of the upper NW publics. Eveyr school break doesn't need to be a competition of who had the most exotic travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that the “bitter” posters aren’t wrong. BASIS DC is undeniably a drag overall. We couldn’t wait to get our straight A girl to GDS, on fi aid I might add. Say more and some of you will figure out who we are.

It's a $55 k/year school that screens who it admits! If it weren't significantly better, I'd be very confused.

If you came up through GT programs in another big US city, like my spouse and I did--he in Chicago, I in NYC--you can only get so excited about what BASIS DC offers. The writing instruction is indeed weak and the MS experience isn't as much boot camp as hit or miss. For every strong teacher your kid has, there's another who's mediocre, just plain lousy and possibly gone by mid-year.

The spirit, teaching and curriculum at my magnet, Hunter, was better across the board, even though the facilities were almost as bad. Then as now, Hunters starts language instruction in 6th grade (and not just at the beginning level) and doesn't force students to take algebra by 7th grade or complete almost all classes by the end of 11th. Hunter has an active PTA and stable and effective leadership.

BASIS HS students would have more time and energy for serious ECs if all 4 years were used well. Plenty of BASIS families don't stay for HS mainly because the 4 years-of-academics-in-3 isn't the best for college admissions, mental health or learning for most of the students. It's common to get to a point where you're fed up with admins and parent sycophants claiming that nothing much is wrong or needs to improve. At that point, you just want out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are five of the best reasons to send your kids to BASIS DC:

1) Exceptional Academic Rigor
BASIS DC is known for its challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep subject mastery, starting at an early age. Students often perform several grade levels above national standards.

2) Top College Placement
Graduates from BASIS schools, including BASIS DC, are highly sought after by top universities. The school has a strong track record of sending students to elite colleges like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and more.

3) Talented, Passionate Teachers
BASIS hires subject experts—many with advanced degrees—to teach, rather than relying only on traditional certification. Their passion and deep knowledge inspire students to love learning.

4) Strong STEM Focus with Balanced Humanities
While BASIS DC offers outstanding STEM programs, it also maintains a strong foundation in literature, history, and the arts, giving students a well-rounded education.

5) Global Reputation and Community
As part of the larger BASIS Charter Schools network, BASIS DC students benefit from a global reputation for excellence, access to international opportunities, and a community of motivated, high-achieving peers.

LOL. Thanks BASIS AI! Ok, here's the truth:

* BASIS does have strong academics, in comparison to DC schools, which are mostly a mess.
* BASIS has a lot of weak teachers and very high teacher turnover. Hiring "subject matter experts" means that their teachers often have zero teaching experience or credentials, and that is a big problem. There have been explosive teacher flameouts every year - mid-year firings, teachers losing their shit, etc. Yes, there are some strong teachers, but they tend to be in the high school. Often, the good teachers switch to admin positions to get out of teaching.
* BASIS college entry isn't that impressive. It's on par with other decent schools.
* "Well balanced humanities" is a joke. Language does not start until 8th. They barely teach kids how to write. Their STEM is very good - lots of science. But the education is not well rounded.

Parents can see the college matches this year for themselves at Instagrams @bdc.2025. I think it's silly how impressive it is -- more than 10 percent of the kids landed at Ivies, and many others at schools like McGill, the Naval academy, etc, that are just as selective. Plus Berkeley, Wesleyan... Go look for yourself.

Language instruction is late, yes. Don't send your kid that if that is your priority. However, they kids seem to do fine on their language APs when the time comes, so they are learning.

They realized writing instruction was lacking, so next year they are adding a writing class to 6th and 7th grade (there already is one in 5th). Taking out linguistics. Give them some credit for adapting!

I don't know if this adaptability is a plus or not. It seems like every graduating class has had a different sequence of classes.

[Anonymous]

It's untrue that BASIS DC students do "fine" overall on AP language exams as claimed above. This is an urban myth. What is true is that a good many parents recognize the sheer idiocy of BASIS insistently wasting the language skills kids come in with. Parents know that it wouldn't be all that hard for admins to help families retain kids' immersion skills. With a PTA to prioritize and support the effort, and fund-raise for it, things would be different.

Worth remembering that this isn't a franchise that was launched by educators.

[Anonymous]

OP wants the peer group, not the boot camp.

Sounds like they don't care much about logical policies, choice of subjects, enrichment or parental involvement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are five of the best reasons to send your kids to BASIS DC:

1) Exceptional Academic Rigor
BASIS DC is known for its challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep subject mastery, starting at an early age. Students often perform several grade levels above national standards.

2) Top College Placement
Graduates from BASIS schools, including BASIS DC, are highly sought after by top universities. The school has a strong track record of sending students to elite colleges like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and more.

3) Talented, Passionate Teachers
BASIS hires subject experts—many with advanced degrees—to teach, rather than relying only on traditional certification. Their passion and deep knowledge inspire students to love learning.

4) Strong STEM Focus with Balanced Humanities
While BASIS DC offers outstanding STEM programs, it also maintains a strong foundation in literature, history, and the arts, giving students a well-rounded education.

5) Global Reputation and Community
As part of the larger BASIS Charter Schools network, BASIS DC students benefit from a global reputation for excellence, access to international opportunities, and a community of motivated, high-achieving peers.

LOL. Thanks BASIS AI! Ok, here's the truth:

* BASIS does have strong academics, in comparison to DC schools, which are mostly a mess.
* BASIS has a lot of weak teachers and very high teacher turnover. Hiring "subject matter experts" means that their teachers often have zero teaching experience or credentials, and that is a big problem. There have been explosive teacher flameouts every year - mid-year firings, teachers losing their shit, etc. Yes, there are some strong teachers, but they tend to be in the high school. Often, the good teachers switch to admin positions to get out of teaching.
* BASIS college entry isn't that impressive. It's on par with other decent schools.
* "Well balanced humanities" is a joke. Language does not start until 8th. They barely teach kids how to write. Their STEM is very good - lots of science. But the education is not well rounded.

Parents can see the college matches this year for themselves at Instagrams @bdc.2025. I think it's silly how impressive it is -- more than 10 percent of the kids landed at Ivies, and many others at schools like McGill, the Naval academy, etc, that are just as selective. Plus Berkeley, Wesleyan... Go look for yourself.

Language instruction is late, yes. Don't send your kid that if that is your priority. However, they kids seem to do fine on their language APs when the time comes, so they are learning.

They realized writing instruction was lacking, so next year they are adding a writing class to 6th and 7th grade (there already is one in 5th). Taking out linguistics. Give them some credit for adapting!

I don't know if this adaptability is a plus or not. It seems like every graduating class has had a different sequence of classes.

The adaptability is a plus... recognizing that writing was weak and then adding more writing classes seems like an objectively good thing, and a sign that the school can self-critique.

There have been other improvements over the years -- sports participation, for example, has gotten bigger and better every year. Behavior issues seem to have gotten better every year. I think self-selection of students has gotten better as the DC parent community understands the school. They have added more "fun," like a 3-day nature trip for all 5th graders.

This also means that there are some parents with experience at BASIS in the past that is now outdated. And that some of their critiques were true at the time, but might not be true any longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP wants the peer group, not the boot camp.

Sounds like they don't care much about logical policies, choice of subjects, enrichment or parental involvement.

This is true all over the district. Many families wants a very specific type of peer group that only exists in certain schools. Take a look at which schools have the waitlists. Honestly, lottery should be only open to at-risk students and DC needs a non-charter G&T program with selective admissions starting in 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are five of the best reasons to send your kids to BASIS DC:

1) Exceptional Academic Rigor
BASIS DC is known for its challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep subject mastery, starting at an early age. Students often perform several grade levels above national standards.

2) Top College Placement
Graduates from BASIS schools, including BASIS DC, are highly sought after by top universities. The school has a strong track record of sending students to elite colleges like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and more.

3) Talented, Passionate Teachers
BASIS hires subject experts—many with advanced degrees—to teach, rather than relying only on traditional certification. Their passion and deep knowledge inspire students to love learning.

4) Strong STEM Focus with Balanced Humanities
While BASIS DC offers outstanding STEM programs, it also maintains a strong foundation in literature, history, and the arts, giving students a well-rounded education.

5) Global Reputation and Community
As part of the larger BASIS Charter Schools network, BASIS DC students benefit from a global reputation for excellence, access to international opportunities, and a community of motivated, high-achieving peers.

LOL. Thanks BASIS AI! Ok, here's the truth:

* BASIS does have strong academics, in comparison to DC schools, which are mostly a mess.
* BASIS has a lot of weak teachers and very high teacher turnover. Hiring "subject matter experts" means that their teachers often have zero teaching experience or credentials, and that is a big problem. There have been explosive teacher flameouts every year - mid-year firings, teachers losing their shit, etc. Yes, there are some strong teachers, but they tend to be in the high school. Often, the good teachers switch to admin positions to get out of teaching.
* BASIS college entry isn't that impressive. It's on par with other decent schools.
* "Well balanced humanities" is a joke. Language does not start until 8th. They barely teach kids how to write. Their STEM is very good - lots of science. But the education is not well rounded.

Parents can see the college matches this year for themselves at Instagrams @bdc.2025. I think it's silly how impressive it is -- more than 10 percent of the kids landed at Ivies, and many others at schools like McGill, the Naval academy, etc, that are just as selective. Plus Berkeley, Wesleyan... Go look for yourself.

Language instruction is late, yes. Don't send your kid that if that is your priority. However, they kids seem to do fine on their language APs when the time comes, so they are learning.

They realized writing instruction was lacking, so next year they are adding a writing class to 6th and 7th grade (there already is one in 5th). Taking out linguistics. Give them some credit for adapting!

I don't know if this adaptability is a plus or not. It seems like every graduating class has had a different sequence of classes.

The adaptability is a plus... recognizing that writing was weak and then adding more writing classes seems like an objectively good thing, and a sign that the school can self-critique.

There have been other improvements over the years -- sports participation, for example, has gotten bigger and better every year. Behavior issues seem to have gotten better every year. I think self-selection of students has gotten better as the DC parent community understands the school. They have added more "fun," like a 3-day nature trip for all 5th graders.

This also means that there are some parents with experience at BASIS in the past that is now outdated. And that some of their critiques were true at the time, but might not be true any longer.

True, true. The building got sooo much better! Teachers stopped quitting mid-year. They started letting kids take languages in 6th grade! The built a gym, a media center and playing fields. They stopped requiring 7th grade algrebra. Why, they even set up a wonderful PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are five of the best reasons to send your kids to BASIS DC:

1) Exceptional Academic Rigor
BASIS DC is known for its challenging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep subject mastery, starting at an early age. Students often perform several grade levels above national standards.

2) Top College Placement
Graduates from BASIS schools, including BASIS DC, are highly sought after by top universities. The school has a strong track record of sending students to elite colleges like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and more.

3) Talented, Passionate Teachers
BASIS hires subject experts—many with advanced degrees—to teach, rather than relying only on traditional certification. Their passion and deep knowledge inspire students to love learning.

4) Strong STEM Focus with Balanced Humanities
While BASIS DC offers outstanding STEM programs, it also maintains a strong foundation in literature, history, and the arts, giving students a well-rounded education.

5) Global Reputation and Community
As part of the larger BASIS Charter Schools network, BASIS DC students benefit from a global reputation for excellence, access to international opportunities, and a community of motivated, high-achieving peers.

LOL. Thanks BASIS AI! Ok, here's the truth:

* BASIS does have strong academics, in comparison to DC schools, which are mostly a mess.
* BASIS has a lot of weak teachers and very high teacher turnover. Hiring "subject matter experts" means that their teachers often have zero teaching experience or credentials, and that is a big problem. There have been explosive teacher flameouts every year - mid-year firings, teachers losing their shit, etc. Yes, there are some strong teachers, but they tend to be in the high school. Often, the good teachers switch to admin positions to get out of teaching.
* BASIS college entry isn't that impressive. It's on par with other decent schools.
* "Well balanced humanities" is a joke. Language does not start until 8th. They barely teach kids how to write. Their STEM is very good - lots of science. But the education is not well rounded.

Parents can see the college matches this year for themselves at Instagrams @bdc.2025. I think it's silly how impressive it is -- more than 10 percent of the kids landed at Ivies, and many others at schools like McGill, the Naval academy, etc, that are just as selective. Plus Berkeley, Wesleyan... Go look for yourself.

Language instruction is late, yes. Don't send your kid that if that is your priority. However, they kids seem to do fine on their language APs when the time comes, so they are learning.

They realized writing instruction was lacking, so next year they are adding a writing class to 6th and 7th grade (there already is one in 5th). Taking out linguistics. Give them some credit for adapting!

I don't know if this adaptability is a plus or not. It seems like every graduating class has had a different sequence of classes.

The adaptability is a plus... recognizing that writing was weak and then adding more writing classes seems like an objectively good thing, and a sign that the school can self-critique.

There have been other improvements over the years -- sports participation, for example, has gotten bigger and better every year. Behavior issues seem to have gotten better every year. I think self-selection of students has gotten better as the DC parent community understands the school. They have added more "fun," like a 3-day nature trip for all 5th graders.

This also means that there are some parents with experience at BASIS in the past that is now outdated. And that some of their critiques were true at the time, but might not be true any longer.

True, true. The building got sooo much better! Teachers stopped quitting mid-year. They started letting kids take languages in 6th grade! The built a gym, a media center and playing fields. They stopped requiring 7th grade algrebra. Why, they even set up a wonderful PTA.

People would be more angry if Basis had a decent physical plant. A palatial Basis would be seen as even more inequitable. The crappy building helps in this regard.

BTW - what’s wrong with 7th grade algebra? Some people need it.