BASIS Independent McLean Finally Falling Apart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have friends with kids at BIM and just heard some very disturbing news about what's going on there. They did a good job with distance learning, by most accounts, but their enrollment for the fall has supposedly collapsed so badly that they are not bringing back some popular teachers, over the protests of parents and students. Does anyone know what's really happening there? The school hasn't released any real info about this anywhere.

We shouldn't be surprised after the parade of management mess-ups in their first four years. The fourth head of school there now will serve one more year, then apparently they are shipping him out too. Yet another new leader to promise the world and not deliver. The new owners (the original company sold the private school network to a mystery private equity firm) apparently didn't like losing money any more than the first group, so they proposed subletting the half of their giant building that they don't use now (because they never managed to recruit enough students). That shattered what little confidence was left among many parents. Successive leaders and the company CEO had promised to build a grand facility with hundreds and hundreds of students. God knows what kind of numbers they will have this fall. They never release them.

It's an endless series of broken promises from management. Some kids thrive on the tough curriculum and heavy test-centric atmosphere. Many teachers get good reviews. But it sounds like the ship is starting to sink. Can you imagine planning to put your child there for the next 6-7 years?

If anyone else still connected to BIM has more info, we would be interested. What a sad story.

Seems like there's a lot of misinformation here.

First off, the Head of School came in a year ago and told everyone that he would be there only for two years. That was the plan from day one, and not really sure how any parent wasn't clear on this a year ago. He postponed retirement to take on this challenge, but only wanted to do so for two years. Meanwhile, he has done a fantastic job of building the community of the school and dealing with issues in a transparent, reasonable manner. This is unlike the previous Heads. The only thing he hasn't turned around is the enrollment, but BASIS central admin is in denial on what it will take to fix this issue. The Head solves 50% of the issues. Yes, some remain.

The private equity firm was hardly a 'mystery'. They are well-known for investing in a range of educational properties and were fairly transparent when they met with parents. Parents haven't noticed any detrimental impact from the purchase, except they haven't moved fast enough on some needed personnel changes that should've been obvious.

As for teachers leaving, the school announced 8 teachers and administrators were leaving (about 8%, across 16 grades). Of the ones I knew, 1 was awful, 2 were ok, 1 was fantastic. Almost all were either relocating with their families, or were returning to school. Hardly earth-shattering, and better than previous years. Many schools have turnover, it’s fairly normal.

The school did a good job with distance learning. Compared to ACPS and FCPS, we are so grateful our DCs are in a private school at this time. What ACPS and FCPS delivered was criminally negligent, and I’d be ashamed to be associated with those school districts. Public school kids are learning nothing, which is a national tragedy.

Can we see sending our DCs there for the next 6-7 years? Sure. Some of it depends on how our kids react to the test-centeredness, and the homework (which we think is a bit much). But we value a rigorous education for our DCs, unlike what we’d find in the local publics.

Are some parents unhappy? Also yes. But I suspect these few would be unhappy no matter what. And much of that seems to be centered around their kids’ specific issues. Sort of like Trolls, but in r/l.

As for releasing information, go see an open house. The Head of School has invited anyone to come by and take a look or do an online open house. He’s been very transparent in enrollment and that we’re falling short of where we’d like to be. I think you’ll find the atmosphere very warm, open and welcoming.

BTW, I’m not associated with the school other than as a parent, but a story to show the value. An outside organization we’re associated with helped out a local family. Some of the kids wrote letters as part of this, and our DC was singled out by the family. They wanted to meet DC, because they said DC’s maturity, writing, interests, and politeness were far superior to the other kids. But our DC isn’t a superstar at BIM on any of those measures. DC is just in a school that instills a rigorous education. And it shows.

Rigor isn’t for everyone. But for those parents who value a solid education, BIM is a strong, largely well-run option.

Other teachers were let go during the last week of school. The school didn't announce it, but the teachers told the kids. Ask other parents if you don't believe it, or contact the head of school and ask him what next fall looks like. There is a large gap between their PR image and what is happening in real numbers.

Im a Basis parent and know that you are referring to one teacher in specific. Please don't spread misinformation. It's clear that there are enrollment issues but there are various reasons for that and non have to do with the quality of education that the school offers. My DC is very happy and thriving there. I hope that the misinformation I see here doesn't affect the school as much as intended and she can enjoy her time there until for the remainder or her school life.

What, in your opinion, are the reasons for the enrollment issues, and how would they not affect the quality of education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Vern Williams still teaching there?

Yes - he teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus.

That is a big loss for Longfellow which churns out tons of talented math students. Hopefully he returns to LFMS soon.

[Anonymous]

Whatever the enrollment numbers turn out to be next year, will BIM ever build out the sports and arts facilities that were promised to parents over the first four years? It's a legitimate question if they are losing money now and not growing the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever the enrollment numbers turn out to be next year, will BIM ever build out the sports and arts facilities that were promised to parents over the first four years? It's a legitimate question if they are losing money now and not growing the school.

Basis should not bother with athletic facilities. Have you seen any of their "athletic" teams?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Basis is in a major decline. Just horrible administration- it is completely and utterly going down the tubes in a big way. This is why there isa huge exodus of students- even though the school administration tries to make it hard for families to leave. GET OUT as soon as you can!

[Anonymous]

Was there any follow up about the two 2nd grade students who snuck off campus during the middle of the day right before quarantine this March? Staff didn't notice they were gone for a long time.

They were picked up in a vehicle by an unsub (random stranger not connected to the school who didn't call the police after seeing the two 7/8 year olds out walking) on Jones Branch Drive and driven in his private car to Mosaic area. Police were called by a witness who saw the 3 of them in Mosaic, suspected foul play, and unsub fled.

It seems like a pretty big "oops." Was there any local media investigation? I guess the quarantine shortly was enough of a distraction? Applying parents should probably know that this happened, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Was there any follow up about the two 2nd grade students who snuck off campus during the middle of the day right before quarantine this March? Staff didn't notice they were gone for a long time.

They were picked up in a vehicle by an unsub (random stranger not connected to the school who didn't call the police after seeing the two 7/8 year olds out walking) on Jones Branch Drive and driven in his private car to Mosaic area. Police were called by a witness who saw the 3 of them in Mosaic, suspected foul play, and unsub fled.

It seems like a pretty big "oops." Was there any local media investigation? I guess the quarantine shortly was enough of a distraction? Applying parents should probably know that this happened, though.

Never saw anything in the media about it. The school promised to better next time. They make a lot of promises.

[Anonymous]

This school really has problems above and beyond what is acceptable. Nothing is perfect but this place is unreal.
Very strange administration, and I believe unqualified for what they are doing. They are black and white thinkers with no room for grey. When they sense a family is going to leave, they make it very difficult- and NEVER let someone out of a contract even if it is clearly better for the child. It is all about the money. Something is so very wrong. Shut this place down for good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This school really has problems above and beyond what is acceptable. Nothing is perfect but this place is unreal.
Very strange administration, and I believe unqualified for what they are doing. They are black and white thinkers with no room for grey. When they sense a family is going to leave, they make it very difficult- and NEVER let someone out of a contract even if it is clearly better for the child. It is all about the money. Something is so very wrong. Shut this place down for good.

Can you offer specific examples of the problems you are referring to? What makes the school so bad? Do you have kids there? If so, why wish that the school closes? If you don't, then why wish that a school that has nothing to do with you closes? How petty.

My child goes to Basis and would be devastated if we had to leave the school. DC loves the school, her friends, and her teachers.
We haven't had any issues with the administration so far and have been very happy with the support we have received from the academic team.
Regarding families leaving, I know some people that have pulled their kids because the school's academic rigor is not suitable for them, and haven't had any issues with that. That said, you do sign a contract ( that seems pretty similar to the one at our previous school) and can't pretend to break it just because it suits you. I would assume anyone trying to leave without paying what they agreed under contract would have a difficult time doing it. That seems pretty fair to me.
Bottom line is that some people are unhappy with the school and some aren't, and if some families are leaving ( I wouldn't know how their enrollment numbers look and I don't think anyone in this forum does) let them, hopefully enough will stay and our kids can continue to enjoy a great education. If anyone is thinking about Basis and looking for information about the school, I would recommend talking to the school and perhaps have them put you in contact with current families that can give you some perspective.

[Anonymous]

If anyone does contact the BIM head of school or admissions staff, they should ask for specific enrollment and staffing numbers for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, plus an explanation for any trend. If that information is not forthcoming, ask why not.

BIM is a grand facade with endless promises and spin. The reality behind the curtain is somewhat different.

[Anonymous]

I’m glad to read that some families are happy with their child’s experience there and I hope that it works out for them. I think it must be disconcerting to read extremely negative reviews, but I think that people would not write such negative reviews unless they were seriously aggrieved. It’s not like a restaurant where your food was bad, it is your child’s education. People are sending out warnings because they had a bad experience and don’t want others to go through that. It is just a matter of time before enrollment or other issues affect the educational experience. If it was such a high quality education at an affordable price, there would be a line out the door.

It is important to not be naive about a school’s challenges. I know that people leave schools for many reasons, and I highly doubt that it is solely due to their children being unable to handle the rigor. A quick search here reveals a list of issues beyond what any school should have in less than five years of being open.

[Anonymous]

is the school offering inperson instruction for the fall

[Anonymous]

Did they ever get rid of the Admissions Director? She was horrible when we applied there, and it was awful seeing her around the school at times. She treated people horribly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they ever get rid of the Admissions Director? She was horrible when we applied there, and it was awful seeing her around the school at times. She treated people horribly.

With all do respect, how does an Admissions Director have anything to do with your experience at the school once you are admitted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If anyone does contact the BIM head of school or admissions staff, they should ask for specific enrollment and staffing numbers for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, plus an explanation for any trend. If that information is not forthcoming, ask why not.

BIM is a grand facade with endless promises and spin. The reality behind the curtain is somewhat different.

Do you have specifics for your comments? What promises were made to you that were not fulfilled? Just posting negative comments for the sake of doing damage is not enough. Provide facts about the "reality" you talk about. Not opinions, facts with backup, please.