BASIS McLean HOS resigned

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Such a sad school- my daughter has a neighborhood friend who goes there and she is absolutely miserable. Her mom and I have gotten close and she told me the she is trying to apply out- but that the school administration is giving her a really hard time- withholding information and making it nearly impossible- many hoops she has to jump through. The school is scared that there will be a mass exodus of students- so they make it very hard administratively to get out. Also- the current acting HOS is apparently a control freak who instead of acting like a HOS is involved in many petty decisions, including employee disputes. My friend says- she is a power hungry annoyance. The teachers act as though they like her, but they don't trust her and fear her.[/quote


This could be my experience a year ago. It was hard, but I got my son out. He is now happy, healthy and engaged in his learning. A complete difference. Also, it is so nice to be in a school with a solid administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Such a sad school- my daughter has a neighborhood friend who goes there and she is absolutely miserable. Her mom and I have gotten close and she told me the she is trying to apply out- but that the school administration is giving her a really hard time- withholding information and making it nearly impossible- many hoops she has to jump through. The school is scared that there will be a mass exodus of students- so they make it very hard administratively to get out. Also- the current acting HOS is apparently a control freak who instead of acting like a HOS is involved in many petty decisions, including employee disputes. My friend says- she is a power hungry annoyance. The teachers act as though they like her, but they don't trust her and fear her.[/quote


This could be my experience a year ago. It was hard, but I got my son out. He is now happy, healthy and engaged in his learning. A complete difference. Also, it is so nice to be in a school with a solid administration.

Same. Teachers crush kids so high grades can be hard to get and then it is difficult to get accepted at other schools. We were warned that the administration discourages strong recommendations for kids applying to other schools. Glad we were able to get out. A lot of kids even move to public school just to get away.

[Anonymous]

This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

This discussion was based on an actual current parent describing her actual current experiences with the actual current acting HOS and administration, detailing her efforts to get what was needed to move her child out.

Anyone who calls the school will get front office or admissions office spin. They won't even put enrollment numbers on their website.

So these anecdotes are the only "evidence" available to work with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

Current parent, and I believe the previous comment is true. The school really downplays students if they might be leaving. They should celebrate them, with a realization that reputation travels very fast in this town. After all, if this school is populated by kids who are just good and not great, what does that say about the school?

We were shown the ‘confidential’ recommendation—uninspiring at best and hIghly disappointing to previously-vocal booster parents.

This school has a lot of good qualities and great teachers, but really doesn’t understand how to communicate. I wish it would get its act together so we could sing it’s praises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

Current parent, and I believe the previous comment is true. The school really downplays students if they might be leaving. They should celebrate them, with a realization that reputation travels very fast in this town. After all, if this school is populated by kids who are just good and not great, what does that say about the school?

We were shown the ‘confidential’ recommendation—uninspiring at best and hIghly disappointing to previously-vocal booster parents.

This school has a lot of good qualities and great teachers, but really doesn’t understand how to communicate. I wish it would get its act together so we could sing it’s praises.

Who showed you the recommendation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

This discussion was based on an actual current parent describing her actual current experiences with the actual current acting HOS and administration, detailing her efforts to get what was needed to move her child out.

Anyone who calls the school will get front office or admissions office spin. They won't even put enrollment numbers on their website.

So these anecdotes are the only "evidence" available to work with.

YES, EXACTLY!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

If you work at the school, how would you experience what that parent was sharing? Shame on you for devaluing a parent's experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is dangerous information. Schools should be supportive of students who choose to move to other schools for one reason or another, not trying to make it impossible to move. Something is wrong with Basis.

How can you just assume that that comment is true? Yes, that "information" is dangerous because is not true. Im someone that works at the school and has not experienced that in any way. Be careful taking an anonymous comment as a fact ( including mine) and call the school, speak to current teachers and staff with a name, and position confirmation to corroborate the nonsense that you read on this site. That should apply to any school someone is considering.

If you work at the school, how would you experience what that parent was sharing? Shame on you for devaluing a parent's experience.

Plus can’t write. Let’s hope it’s not a teacher.

[Anonymous]

It is amazing the amount of attention that a school so small and new draws in this forum. Apparently, we have many altruistic former parents trying to help out others. What a beautiful thing to see. Or perhaps there are sour grapes from parents frustrated with missing As in their kids’ report cards. Who knows?

I am a parent from a current student at the school and I can confirm teaching is indeed very rigorous. The school does not accommodate or move to please. However, it treats kids with respect and care while pushing them to excel. The competitive environment may be excessive for some and nobody should be taken beyond her/his breaking point. However, parents themselves often amplify the pressure cooker environment rather than welcome struggle as a means to grow. Some parents will tell their kids that B is failure, but the point is the grit, effort and commitment put in. Facing discomfort and overcoming difficult situations prepare for life. You can not get that if you are not challenged. And Basis will challenge you and your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing the amount of attention that a school so small and new draws in this forum. Apparently, we have many altruistic former parents trying to help out others. What a beautiful thing to see. Or perhaps there are sour grapes from parents frustrated with missing As in their kids’ report cards. Who knows?

I am a parent from a current student at the school and I can confirm teaching is indeed very rigorous. The school does not accommodate or move to please. However, it treats kids with respect and care while pushing them to excel. The competitive environment may be excessive for some and nobody should be taken beyond her/his breaking point. However, parents themselves often amplify the pressure cooker environment rather than welcome struggle as a means to grow. Some parents will tell their kids that B is failure, but the point is the grit, effort and commitment put in. Facing discomfort and overcoming difficult situations prepare for life. You can not get that if you are not challenged. And Basis will challenge you and your kid.

This parent gets it. BASIS has some very serious and troubling problems - but the education your child will get is not one of them and the outcomes they will experience likely aren't either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing the amount of attention that a school so small and new draws in this forum. Apparently, we have many altruistic former parents trying to help out others. What a beautiful thing to see. Or perhaps there are sour grapes from parents frustrated with missing As in their kids’ report cards. Who knows?

I am a parent from a current student at the school and I can confirm teaching is indeed very rigorous. The school does not accommodate or move to please. However, it treats kids with respect and care while pushing them to excel. The competitive environment may be excessive for some and nobody should be taken beyond her/his breaking point. However, parents themselves often amplify the pressure cooker environment rather than welcome struggle as a means to grow. Some parents will tell their kids that B is failure, but the point is the grit, effort and commitment put in. Facing discomfort and overcoming difficult situations prepare for life. You can not get that if you are not challenged. And Basis will challenge you and your kid.

This parent gets it. BASIS has some very serious and troubling problems - but the education your child will get is not one of them and the outcomes they will experience likely aren't either.

Yes, if pounding your kids with tests is your idea of the best education for your kids, BIM is a fine place for that. The hundreds of parents who pulled their kids out in the last five years disagree.

But that's what makes a market in the for-profit (losses in BIM's case) education world.

[Anonymous]

Current family. We are leaving - and to cut off any speculation it is not because of grades or because our DCs can not handle the academics. There are very strong areas of academics (math and sciences) but also some also very weak. Combine the uneven education with the hot mess of the administration, the financial problems, and the lack of a nurturing environment and it’s just not a positive in our case. The school does work well for a very small niche, but I agree with the PP that the hundreds that have churned through (many more than have stayed) says a lot - I wish we would have had these perspectives before making the jump in the first place.