Deal, BASIS or Latin for a engineering-minded boy who also loves humanities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've been extremely impressed by the math instruction at Deal. Something like 30% of the 8th grade class is taking Geometry (after taking Algebra 1 as 7th graders), and the math department chair is awesome. Just something to consider.

BASIS. Remember, we did not study for the DCCAS at BASIS, and I bet it is worthless because all our kids score advanced even though some are clearly more academic. At BASIS, your child I believe can continue to take Latin after the required two years. The math is unbelievable, especially if you prepare your kid for Algebra I in 5th - this puts them into the LEAP math program and opens up all sorts of doors. They do diagnostic testing for STARS and at the beginning of the year for math. Latin is rigorous, English instruction is not lacking (and they actually teach them the parts of speech before they learn to write essays). I would vote for BASIS with Deal and Wilson as backups. There is nothing like taking Chemistry, Physics and Bio 6th-8th grade to prepare kids for the AP courses in those subjects. We have been blown away and so have our kids.

Here's the thing, though. In my kid's very specific demographic group [I am OP], the percentage of kids scoring "Advanced" is much, much higher at Deal -- not BASIS as you assert. There is a critical mass of kids in this specific demographic group at Deal, at BASIS, and at Latin. And far and away, not even statistically close, this specific group of kids scored best at Deal.

Now, to be clear, I am not a "score junkie," and I don't put great stock in the test itself or the test as a perfect measure of how well Kid X will do in life. Am much more holistic, which is why I penned the original post in the first place.

But. The large gap between Deal and the other two schools -- again, testing the very same sorts of kids with likely veryveryvery similar backgrounds is interesting. Especially since everyone on DCUM talks about what a minimum baseline the DCCAS test really is in its current form. I get PPs point that BASIS wasn't "teaching to the test," [good!], but I was under the impression that the students should nevertheless be able to nail the DCCAS anyway since it is purported to be "so easy." Is this not correct?

[Anonymous]

You have to decide based on other factors. Basis is bare-bones for art and music but most staff is top notch and well-organized. Latin has the bells and whistles but not as rigorous a teaching model, speaking only to my knowledge of grades 5 and 6, however teachers more committed. Deal I don't know but a school close to home means your kid's friends are nearby, and if it were me, on that benchmark alone, I would choose Deal.

[Anonymous]

I would not agree with "bare bones" and Ms. Jackson, the Art teacher at Basis is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

What is the very specific group you are talking about?

And thanks to the PP I have Panic At the Dicso going through my head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the very specific group you are talking about?

And thanks to the PP I have Panic At the Dicso going through my head.

Sorry, I should have just used the words 'demographic subgroup' of test takers. Didn't mean for it to sound so ominous, wasn't my intent.

I do think it's important though to evaluate kids like yours in this type of "which school for ME?" analysis, rather than a school as a whole. Though the latter is important for other considerations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to decide based on other factors. Basis is bare-bones for art and music but most staff is top notch and well-organized. Latin has the bells and whistles but not as rigorous a teaching model, speaking only to my knowledge of grades 5 and 6, however teachers more committed. Deal I don't know but a school close to home means your kid's friends are nearby, and if it were me, on that benchmark alone, I would choose Deal.

Have to disagree on Latins "rigor". The subjects tackled at Latin are significant and deep. Fifth graders are reading complex novels and applying their geography studies to real world issues and expected to have well reasoned opinions. Science is hands on and experiential.
There are high expectations for academic work and behavior.

If by rigor, you mean speed, then yes, Latin doesn't speed through math and science courses. And that is good for mostt 10-14 year olds. If your student needs acceleration BASIS is your place. But Latin doesn't lack rigor.

[Anonymous]

^^ well put.

[Anonymous]

If by rigor, you mean speed, then yes, Latin doesn't speed through math and science courses. And that is good for mostt 10-14 year olds. If your student needs acceleration BASIS is your place. But Latin doesn't lack rigor.

OP here again. I swear I'll quit posting! THis is exactly what I'm mulling over as an outsider. DS is the kind of kid who could "speed through" math and science classes if that was what is expected of the kids. Looking at the pace of the BASIS curriculum, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that that is what's going on, that sort of rapid pace. It's not possible to make it through Calc B/C if a certain "speed" isn't maintained in introduction of the material over the years.

But DS is also the kind of kid who could spend an entire year thinking about The Odyssey and The Iliad for an entire semester -- and contemplating no other books. And thoroughly enjoying that level of contemplation guided by a passionate teacher.

So that is the crux. Of course, I know he isn't going to "get in" to both schools, or either one even. Just mulling over how to rank the common lottery choices ... and then there's Deal .....

[Anonymous]

We are really happy with Deal. Rigor is great. My kid is pretty smart and in Algebra I in 7th grade. He definitely isn't the smartest thing around but is well supported and being pushed. He loves his science classes. Last year he had a teacher who sadly left to go to medical school. This year he has an amazing teacher (Ms. Diaz if Deal admins read this). He definitely leans to being a reader and away from STEM type areas. This teacher has sparked his interest in science. She does amazing work with the kids and I am truly impressed. In ELA they finished an I depth section on Gilgamesh, which I will admit I had never heard of even though I went to a top 15 college. They are now doing Shakespeare.

Rigor is great. We have friends at Basis and Latin. Most are very happy with their schools. I hear complaints about lack of sports and mounds of homework (Basis) but to me or seems like the kids are all happy and doing about the same things in school.

[Anonymous]

The Latin teachers are passionate and energetic and Martha Cutts won't hire anyone without a sense of humor. The staff also understand and enjoy this middle-school age group. They set a nice tone that is dorky, fun and respectful and gets buy-in from the kids. The best discipline technique is to have the students like and respect their teachers and be curious about the material.

[Anonymous]

I have found Deal to be a good match for kids with a wide range of interests. Lots of extracurricular options and do not underestimate the importance (and convenience) of attending a neighborhood school, especially in middle school when the kids start to be more independent. Wilson offers B/C calculus and that is an option in 11th grade if your child takes Algebra in 7th grade. My DC with strong interests in both math/science and the humanities has done extremely well at Deal/Wilson and is planning on an engineering major. Basis and Latin weren't an option for my DC at the time, but I don't think I would have chosen Basis as I personally don't agree with the super acceleration on math. Plus my DC found that Deal/Wilson were both challenging but not over the top leaving time for sports and other activities outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the very specific group are you talking about?

Sorry, I should have just used the words 'demographic subgroup' of test takers. Didn't mean for it to sound so ominous, wasn't my intent.

I do think it's important though to evaluate kids like yours in this type of "which school for ME?" analysis, rather than a school as a whole. Though the latter is important for other considerations.

I will reiterate pp. What specific group are you talking about? Is it SES or race? For us that really would never be a factor the issue would be at which school our children would be likely to be intellectually stimulated, and be with a fair number of other smart kids, no matter what color they are. We are at BASIS. We are a STEM oriented family although bilingual and one dc loves Latin. We are Hispanic. We would NEVER look at DCCAS scores for Hispanics or even as a whole at least in the early years to make this kind of decision. To us it would make no sense because if your kid is already scoring advanced, they are not going to suddenly only score proficient. You can put your child in a lower math class than that which they place in to if you are worried about acceleration. 30 problems a night can be tough, especially in Algebra etc.

Honestly, unless you fess up about what "specific demographic group" you are talking I have to stop looking at this thread because I feel like you have a hidden agenda that makes no sense for your child.. If your kid is AA and poor, and you are worried about them falling in with a bad crowd, maybe that might justify this. But if you are white and high SES I just don't see the relevance. We are not either and would never make a decision based on that. I think the title of your thread is misleading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does DCI even exist?

Can't figure out if this was an honest question or just typical dcum snark, but I'll bite....of course it exists. Opens in the fall. Looks amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does DCI even exist?

It will open in Fall 2013. Here's an article about it:

http://www.washdiplomat.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9867:chinese-other-critical-languages-make-themselves-heard-in-dc-schools&catid=1512:january-2014&Itemid=428

Interestingly for us who are at a DCI feeder the only other school we'll be considering for our DS who is like OP's son is the school mentioned in the second part of the article, St Alselm's, not Basis, Latin or Deal.

[Anonymous]

Let me quote John Dewey “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.
This is my feeling about BASIS.
My child is doing quite well, but I feel the model and curriculum, which has not been modified since the first BASIS was established 14 years ago is shortchanging kids.
A very good Algebra II student who has no difficulty with solving Saxon problems, my child was not able to tackle several Algebra I test problems given at another school, where criticial thinking has to be used to crack the problem, rather than simply applying a formula and solving it.
When I think of a STEM school these days, I envision a school like the Bulldog Tech middle school in San Jose.