how does BASIS work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different poster. Ignore the nasty post above. IMHO, more good points have been made on the last half dozen pages of this thread than on any BASIS thread in years. If 2024 Ivy Plus (look it up) admissions results prove as mediocre as this year’s, BASIS DC will come under pressure to both make changes and change its tune about Ivy Plus prospects for its most capable students. No bad thing.

I agree, this has been one of the most detailed and useful (to prospective parents, current parents and BASIS admin) posts ive seen about the school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not sure how much sympathy I have when BASIS DC cries poor. Fact is, their admins make exceedingly poor use of significant UMC parent resources, constantly hitting parents up for dough to top up teachers' salaries vs. asking for their input on how our donations are generated and spent. Some of us come in from DCPS ES backgrounds where PTA raised hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, close to a million in Upper NW. Before BASIS, we held gala fundraisers, wrote thick grant applications and lobbied city council members for bigger school outlays in city budgets (particularly for plant upgrades). BASIS parents do little of that mainly because they aren't permitted to. We know how to raise money but are reluctant to chip in generously at BASIS w/out a PTA structure.

As for the school music programs. FYI, several of the BASIS AZ campuses have supported strong music programs for many years, particularly competitive string orchestras. The orchestras are an impressive BASIS AZ tradition, which I know this because my nephews have played in one for years. My kid plays in a competitive youth ensemble at Strathmore post BASIS. I couldn't disagree more that requiring strong youth musicians to play in their school orchestra/band is a complete waste of time. The school spirit that comes from participation is excellent for the programs and it's very good for kids on the high-level orchestra track to help mentor low-income musicians w/out the family resources for private lessons.

I really need to know why you are so obsessed with BASIS. You left years ago! Did you try to get an admin position and were turned down? Did you have a fling with the HoS? Are you jealous of your sister who lives in AZ because you secretly wanted to marry her husband? What has your therapist said about all this??

PP-- have you tried applying for a position at the school? If not, I think you should. You've obviously put a lot of time, and continue to put a lot of time, thinking about BASIS fairly regularly, so it's a passion of yours. Why not follow your passion and do what you love? You've got some good ideas there.

Amusing. I'm a lawyer in private practice w/the resources to afford private school for my children. But as a grad of one of the NYC magnet high schools (hint MS/HS in one) and a first gen college student/Ivy undergrad and law student from an immigrant family--my parents still struggle with English--I had high hopes for BASIS DC. After discovering that BASIS is almost nothing like my open-minded and joyful HS alma mater, I wouldn't work there for any money. Still, I hope that an extended dip in blue chip college acceptances will shake things up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS also has a program where kids can use an outside activity as one of the electives if they choose. It opens up a lot of options.

A lot of lonely and pricey options. Hint: MS and HS kids like to do serious ECs with peers from school and parents like public schools to finance serious ECs.

This. BASIS soon tire of being told how wonderful outside activities can be, in view of the fact that they get little help and no funds to pursue them and kids generally would prefer to do activities with classmates. Total BS really. Just sounds good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not sure how much sympathy I have when BASIS DC cries poor. Fact is, their admins make exceedingly poor use of significant UMC parent resources, constantly hitting parents up for dough to top up teachers' salaries vs. asking for their input on how our donations are generated and spent. Some of us come in from DCPS ES backgrounds where PTA raised hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, close to a million in Upper NW. Before BASIS, we held gala fundraisers, wrote thick grant applications and lobbied city council members for bigger school outlays in city budgets (particularly for plant upgrades). BASIS parents do little of that mainly because they aren't permitted to. We know how to raise money but are reluctant to chip in generously at BASIS w/out a PTA structure.

As for the school music programs. FYI, several of the BASIS AZ campuses have supported strong music programs for many years, particularly competitive string orchestras. The orchestras are an impressive BASIS AZ tradition, which I know this because my nephews have played in one for years. My kid plays in a competitive youth ensemble at Strathmore post BASIS. I couldn't disagree more that requiring strong youth musicians to play in their school orchestra/band is a complete waste of time. The school spirit that comes from participation is excellent for the programs and it's very good for kids on the high-level orchestra track to help mentor low-income musicians w/out the family resources for private lessons.

Where are you getting your info?? Basis has a few different, related pTA-type groups led by parents to raise money. They hold a large fundraising event every year.

And if you think any charter school is raising close to a million dollars like upper NW schools, I don’t even know what to tell you. But surely the blame lies with Basis for not being able to do so.

Points like these make it pretty clear you’re not interested in a good faith discussion. Same goes for those comparing basis to magnet or private schools. It’s actually kind of amusing to follow this thread because some of you seem totally invested in casting basis in the worst light possible, “facts” be damned. There have been quite a few current parents on here who have acknowledged the school isn’t perfect and there are legitimate areas for improvement, but sure, tell me more about how Basis should be raising the same amount of money as Janney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not buying that they can't backfill per DC law. To my knowledge, BASIS leaders haven't lobbied DC politicians to backfill per the AZ system for 15 years now. Try again; it might work, times are a changin' in the District.

I'm not sure why there is so much hate for Basis DC. It's obviously working for many families. If Basis DC chooses to backfill, they can. There is no need to lobby any politicians. All charters in DC can. But whether they do or not, doesn't take away from the kids they do serve.

[Anonymous]

The thing is, “PTA type groups” at BASIS must hand the money to admins to spend. The system is widely disliked. Where are you getting your info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not buying that they can't backfill per DC law. To my knowledge, BASIS leaders haven't lobbied DC politicians to backfill per the AZ system for 15 years now. Try again; it might work, times are a changin' in the District.

I'm not sure why there is so much hate for Basis DC. It's obviously working for many families. If Basis DC chooses to backfill, they can. There is no need to lobby any politicians. All charters in DC can. But whether they do or not, doesn't take away from the kids they do serve.

You’ve lost the plot. Backfilling done thoughtfully could improve college process outputs.

[Anonymous]

No. They can’t backfill Arizona style, forcing most newbies to repeat grades on entry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not sure how much sympathy I have when BASIS DC cries poor. Fact is, their admins make exceedingly poor use of significant UMC parent resources, constantly hitting parents up for dough to top up teachers' salaries vs. asking for their input on how our donations are generated and spent. Some of us come in from DCPS ES backgrounds where PTA raised hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, close to a million in Upper NW. Before BASIS, we held gala fundraisers, wrote thick grant applications and lobbied city council members for bigger school outlays in city budgets (particularly for plant upgrades). BASIS parents do little of that mainly because they aren't permitted to. We know how to raise money but are reluctant to chip in generously at BASIS w/out a PTA structure.

As for the school music programs. FYI, several of the BASIS AZ campuses have supported strong music programs for many years, particularly competitive string orchestras. The orchestras are an impressive BASIS AZ tradition, which I know this because my nephews have played in one for years. My kid plays in a competitive youth ensemble at Strathmore post BASIS. I couldn't disagree more that requiring strong youth musicians to play in their school orchestra/band is a complete waste of time. The school spirit that comes from participation is excellent for the programs and it's very good for kids on the high-level orchestra track to help mentor low-income musicians w/out the family resources for private lessons.

Where are you getting your info?? Basis has a few different, related pTA-type groups led by parents to raise money. They hold a large fundraising event every year.

And if you think any charter school is raising close to a million dollars like upper NW schools, I don’t even know what to tell you. But surely the blame lies with Basis for not being able to do so.

Points like these make it pretty clear you’re not interested in a good faith discussion. Same goes for those comparing basis to magnet or private schools. It’s actually kind of amusing to follow this thread because some of you seem totally invested in casting basis in the worst light possible, “facts” be damned. There have been quite a few current parents on here who have acknowledged the school isn’t perfect and there are legitimate areas for improvement, but sure, tell me more about how Basis should be raising the same amount of money as Janney.

Why can't BASIS raise a million+ dollars? PP isn't raising that money from the families attending the school. She's getting it from grants, sponsors, etc. If some parents want to spend their time getting the money, why can't they do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. They can’t backfill Arizona style, forcing most newbies to repeat grades on entry.

DC charters can't use admission tests. DC charters can backfill. After admission/enrollment, they can assess students for appropriate placement.

[Anonymous]

Appropriate placement, yes, push them down multiple grades, especially if they're URMs and at-risk, no way.

Yes, in Arizona, no in DC. Won't fly politically, non-starter. BASIS knows it so has taken the path of least resistance since its inception: no backfilling after 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appropriate placement, yes, push them down multiple grades, especially if they're URMs and at-risk, no way.

Yes, in Arizona, no in DC. Won't fly politically, non-starter. BASIS knows it so has taken the path of least resistance since its inception: no backfilling after 6th grade.

They made some offers for 7th this year. Hopefully those students do well to make the case that backfilling upper MS can be successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. They can’t backfill Arizona style, forcing most newbies to repeat grades on entry.

DC charters can't use admission tests. DC charters can backfill. After admission/enrollment, they can assess students for appropriate placement.

How many people in DC are going to be ok with a 10th grader placed in the 5th grade class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appropriate placement, yes, push them down multiple grades, especially if they're URMs and at-risk, no way.

Yes, in Arizona, no in DC. Won't fly politically, non-starter. BASIS knows it so has taken the path of least resistance since its inception: no backfilling after 6th grade.

That doesn't happen in Arizona either. Few kids are enrolling even one grade level lower. None are doing more than that. There's a ton of self selection in entering the lottery for a grade higher than 5th. For the most part, if the kids don't pass the tests to move into their age appropriate grade level, they turn down the Basis spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You want to know what BASIS could do to change admissions to elite colleges? I feel like the question has been answered in various ways on many a BASIS thread over the years, without doing one iota of good. After five years at BASIS, glad to have left, here's my list:

*Begin to backfill the way the AZ campuses have since the get go. Lobby the politicians for permission and get it. Recruit student talent by backfilling.

*Stop pushing 7th grade math on all the kids. If a kid is strong in humanities and average in math, let them quality to take algebra in 8th grade.

*Work much hard on teacher retention and training. Stop putting teachers with weak classroom management skills in classrooms.

*Start up an instrumental music program, a serious one.

I rest my case.

Some of your points amount to needing more resources. Where will Basis get the money? They already get a lower per student allocation than DCPS schools, so they already have to make do with a lot less.

For your first point, Basis DC would most likely love to do so, but can't due to DC laws.
For your second, I agree, but kids can slow down the math acceleration in 9th by taking precalc A, which will largely shore up the Algebra concepts they didn't fully get the first time.
For your third, there's a teacher shortage everywhere.

For your fourth point, absolutely not. School music programs are only good for the kids dabbling in music, and the non-serious programs are fine for that. The kids who excel in music participate in local youth orchestras. High level youth orchestras generally require kids to play in their school orchestra/band, which is a complete waste of time and waste of elective slot for a kid who already is spending a lot of time on private lessons, practicing, and their high level orchestra. Basis kids can claim that their school doesn't have a true orchestra program, and can thus get the school participation requirement waived.

Not sure how much sympathy I have when BASIS DC cries poor. Fact is, their admins make exceedingly poor use of significant UMC parent resources, constantly hitting parents up for dough to top up teachers' salaries vs. asking for their input on how our donations are generated and spent. Some of us come in from DCPS ES backgrounds where PTA raised hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, close to a million in Upper NW. Before BASIS, we held gala fundraisers, wrote thick grant applications and lobbied city council members for bigger school outlays in city budgets (particularly for plant upgrades). BASIS parents do little of that mainly because they aren't permitted to. We know how to raise money but are reluctant to chip in generously at BASIS w/out a PTA structure.

As for the school music programs. FYI, several of the BASIS AZ campuses have supported strong music programs for many years, particularly competitive string orchestras. The orchestras are an impressive BASIS AZ tradition, which I know this because my nephews have played in one for years. My kid plays in a competitive youth ensemble at Strathmore post BASIS. I couldn't disagree more that requiring strong youth musicians to play in their school orchestra/band is a complete waste of time. The school spirit that comes from participation is excellent for the programs and it's very good for kids on the high-level orchestra track to help mentor low-income musicians w/out the family resources for private lessons.

Where are you getting your info?? Basis has a few different, related pTA-type groups led by parents to raise money. They hold a large fundraising event every year.

And if you think any charter school is raising close to a million dollars like upper NW schools, I don’t even know what to tell you. But surely the blame lies with Basis for not being able to do so.

Points like these make it pretty clear you’re not interested in a good faith discussion. Same goes for those comparing basis to magnet or private schools. It’s actually kind of amusing to follow this thread because some of you seem totally invested in casting basis in the worst light possible, “facts” be damned. There have been quite a few current parents on here who have acknowledged the school isn’t perfect and there are legitimate areas for improvement, but sure, tell me more about how Basis should be raising the same amount of money as Janney.

Why can't BASIS raise a million+ dollars? PP isn't raising that money from the families attending the school. She's getting it from grants, sponsors, etc. If some parents want to spend their time getting the money, why can't they do that?

Parents can't raise grant money at BASIS, a corporate charter. They aren't given a collective voice in the running of the school. Parents are given parent satisfaction survey to complete once or twice a year. That's it. There is little emphasis on building community, though more than prior to the current HoS. Most of the parents seem fine with the hands-off set-up. Students are praised and rewarded almost exclusively for academic performance, vs. contributions to the school community and other accomplishments. The building is deserted by 5 or 6 PM.