BASIS high school versus middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

So wait - a big complaint elsewhere in this thread is that BASIS is too focused on tests (APs). So the solution is to focus on a new/different/additional set of tests - Cambridge A levels??! And with respect to college admissions - at this point, doesn't everyone know that a kid needs to have straight As plus top test scores plus extra/outside school activities- and even then admission to the "top" schools is a crapshoot? What is the magic that college counselors can (and are failing to) perform?

Don't be a wise ass. Almost all colleges have gone test optional lately, so there's more emphasis on standardized subject test scores in admissions than before. Some types of test are better than others, e.g. British A-Levels not graded by computers, where work has to be spelled out, languages must be understood and spoken in lengthy interviews. By cutting BASIS seniors off from course work, too much gets crammed in by the end of junior year, particularly problematic for language study (immersion language study after junior year not relevant to AP testing in time for Jan applications). If Cambridge exam taking in fall of senior year weren't a good idea, Sidwell, NCS, GDS etc. wouldn't be pushing it. BASIS admins/counselors tend to be sticks in the mud. No argument there. If the College Board would allow AP testing in the fall, which they've been discussing forever, things would be different.

This makes sense. The tin ear of the HOS is a real problem. He can’t seem to innovate his way to improving much beyond middle school ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

So wait - a big complaint elsewhere in this thread is that BASIS is too focused on tests (APs). So the solution is to focus on a new/different/additional set of tests - Cambridge A levels??! And with respect to college admissions - at this point, doesn't everyone know that a kid needs to have straight As plus top test scores plus extra/outside school activities- and even then admission to the "top" schools is a crapshoot? What is the magic that college counselors can (and are failing to) perform?

Don't be a wise ass. Almost all colleges have gone test optional lately, so there's more emphasis on standardized subject test scores in admissions than before. Some types of test are better than others, e.g. British A-Levels not graded by computers, where work has to be spelled out, languages must be understood and spoken in lengthy interviews. By cutting BASIS seniors off from course work, too much gets crammed in by the end of junior year, particularly problematic for language study (immersion language study after junior year not relevant to AP testing in time for Jan applications). If Cambridge exam taking in fall of senior year weren't a good idea, Sidwell, NCS, GDS etc. wouldn't be pushing it. BASIS admins/counselors tend to be sticks in the mud. No argument there. If the College Board would allow AP testing in the fall, which they've been discussing forever, things would be different.

I have kids at NCS and another Big3 and either school is mentioning (let alone pushing kids to take British A level exams. I don't know where you got your info but I have strong students at these schools and it's not a thing.

[Anonymous]

Previous poster "neither", not either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

So wait - a big complaint elsewhere in this thread is that BASIS is too focused on tests (APs). So the solution is to focus on a new/different/additional set of tests - Cambridge A levels??! And with respect to college admissions - at this point, doesn't everyone know that a kid needs to have straight As plus top test scores plus extra/outside school activities- and even then admission to the "top" schools is a crapshoot? What is the magic that college counselors can (and are failing to) perform?

Don't be a wise ass. Almost all colleges have gone test optional lately, so there's more emphasis on standardized subject test scores in admissions than before. Some types of test are better than others, e.g. British A-Levels not graded by computers, where work has to be spelled out, languages must be understood and spoken in lengthy interviews. By cutting BASIS seniors off from course work, too much gets crammed in by the end of junior year, particularly problematic for language study (immersion language study after junior year not relevant to AP testing in time for Jan applications). If Cambridge exam taking in fall of senior year weren't a good idea, Sidwell, NCS, GDS etc. wouldn't be pushing it. BASIS admins/counselors tend to be sticks in the mud. No argument there. If the College Board would allow AP testing in the fall, which they've been discussing forever, things would be different.

I have kids at NCS and another Big3 and either school is mentioning (let alone pushing kids to take British A level exams. I don't know where you got your info but I have strong students at these schools and it's not a thing.

Call the DC British Intl School if you're interested. It is a thing but not a big one. Most of the seniors who take Cambridge are bilingual, aiming far high than AP for languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

So wait - a big complaint elsewhere in this thread is that BASIS is too focused on tests (APs). So the solution is to focus on a new/different/additional set of tests - Cambridge A levels??! And with respect to college admissions - at this point, doesn't everyone know that a kid needs to have straight As plus top test scores plus extra/outside school activities- and even then admission to the "top" schools is a crapshoot? What is the magic that college counselors can (and are failing to) perform?

Don't be a wise ass. Almost all colleges have gone test optional lately, so there's more emphasis on standardized subject test scores in admissions than before. Some types of test are better than others, e.g. British A-Levels not graded by computers, where work has to be spelled out, languages must be understood and spoken in lengthy interviews. By cutting BASIS seniors off from course work, too much gets crammed in by the end of junior year, particularly problematic for language study (immersion language study after junior year not relevant to AP testing in time for Jan applications). If Cambridge exam taking in fall of senior year weren't a good idea, Sidwell, NCS, GDS etc. wouldn't be pushing it. BASIS admins/counselors tend to be sticks in the mud. No argument there. If the College Board would allow AP testing in the fall, which they've been discussing forever, things would be different.

I have kids at NCS and another Big3 and either school is mentioning (let alone pushing kids to take British A level exams. I don't know where you got your info but I have strong students at these schools and it's not a thing.

Call the DC British Intl School if you're interested. It is a thing but not a big one. Most of the seniors who take Cambridge are bilingual, aiming far high than AP for languages.

Advanced languages -- usually by kids who grew up in dual+ language homes -- is really the only context in which I've heard of DC HS students taking Cambridge exams. AICE exams are usually considered easier than IB exams or the highest level APs in terms of the content that you need for them and many kids have them done by 10th/11th grade at the few US schools that use AICE exams. They are a good plan if you're applying internationally and could be good for the right kind of student to show off that they are "smart" in what I think of as the would be good at law school type sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

So wait - a big complaint elsewhere in this thread is that BASIS is too focused on tests (APs). So the solution is to focus on a new/different/additional set of tests - Cambridge A levels??! And with respect to college admissions - at this point, doesn't everyone know that a kid needs to have straight As plus top test scores plus extra/outside school activities- and even then admission to the "top" schools is a crapshoot? What is the magic that college counselors can (and are failing to) perform?

Don't be a wise ass. Almost all colleges have gone test optional lately, so there's more emphasis on standardized subject test scores in admissions than before. Some types of test are better than others, e.g. British A-Levels not graded by computers, where work has to be spelled out, languages must be understood and spoken in lengthy interviews. By cutting BASIS seniors off from course work, too much gets crammed in by the end of junior year, particularly problematic for language study (immersion language study after junior year not relevant to AP testing in time for Jan applications). If Cambridge exam taking in fall of senior year weren't a good idea, Sidwell, NCS, GDS etc. wouldn't be pushing it. BASIS admins/counselors tend to be sticks in the mud. No argument there. If the College Board would allow AP testing in the fall, which they've been discussing forever, things would be different.

I have kids at NCS and another Big3 and either school is mentioning (let alone pushing kids to take British A level exams. I don't know where you got your info but I have strong students at these schools and it's not a thing.

Call the DC British Intl School if you're interested. It is a thing but not a big one. Most of the seniors who take Cambridge are bilingual, aiming far high than AP for languages.

Advanced languages -- usually by kids who grew up in dual+ language homes -- is really the only context in which I've heard of DC HS students taking Cambridge exams. AICE exams are usually considered easier than IB exams or the highest level APs in terms of the content that you need for them and many kids have them done by 10th/11th grade at the few US schools that use AICE exams. They are a good plan if you're applying internationally and could be good for the right kind of student to show off that they are "smart" in what I think of as the would be good at law school type sense.

We know a JR student who took Cambridge exams in marine biology and islamic studies, subjects not tested by AP, in Nov of senior year. The word is spreading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

BASIS doesn't need to adapt because enough DC parents are satisfied with what they offer. Private and suburban schools need to aim higher to attract and retain students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

You clearly know NOTHING about education, private schools and resources. The only thing more astounding than your ignorance is your unwavering confidence in the face of sheet ignorance.

If you think the only thing holding BASIS back from adapting like GDS, Sidwell and others can is "mentality" then you are beyond help.

[Anonymous]

What I enjoy is the fact that BASIS is included in lists and sentences that also include top private schools where families pay a cool 50K per year per kid. The school is doing something right! If these expensive private schools aren’t better than BASIS I have no clue why anyone would fork over that kind of money. As a BASIS family, it’s not that we are willing to “settle” on our kids’ education. Quite the contrary. We believe BASIS offers the best free education we can get. Parents should strive for the best a school can provide, but if the yard stick is what a private school is offering, it’s entirely unrealistic. I do think parents can come together to bring about reasonable changes and improvements and I hope BASIS families keep cooperating on these matters to make the school as good as a free public charter school can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

You clearly know NOTHING about education, private schools and resources. The only thing more astounding than your ignorance is your unwavering confidence in the face of sheet ignorance.

If you think the only thing holding BASIS back from adapting like GDS, Sidwell and others can is "mentality" then you are beyond help.

BASIS parent w/no idea what you're complaining about. The school has its strengths, and obviously doesn't have anywhere near the resources of GDS or Sidwell, but there's still a mentality issue. Not a "mentality" issue.

When we asked the counselor about applying to colleges from a gap year, were were advised that gap years are a terrible idea, so we don't advise taking them. Why no gap years? Because BASIS wants (really really wants), the bragging rights to every impressive senior year admissions offer students get.

How was the problem resources in that situation? Please explain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

You actually couldn't be more wrong. In my experience (with kids at two different "Big3" high schools) is that private schools are very rigid. If they bent to the whim of every kid (i.e. every parent) they would have no standards left. For example, APs/high level classes are heavily gate-kept. A student can't just sign up for one of these classes and they are only offered to select students. You have to make a certain grade in the previous class, plus have the rec. of the teaching team plus there needs to be an available spot (so if the school wants to keep the class to 12 kids and there are 12 kids who the department/teaching team deems more qualified then you? well then you are out of luck). Then there is no process for appealing this. You don't like it? You leave.

I'm not sure if this is relevant to the Basis discussion but if there is ONE THING that the DC privates ARE NOT, it's "adaptable".
They are rigid. Very, very rigid.

[Anonymous]

All depends on the particular private. Not our experience for my stepchild at GDS. BaSIS has been such a drag to deal with on college counseling that we’ve hired help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread echoes the typical refrain of admins when parents question how BASIS handles college counseling and applications. What you get is, don't complain, BASIS is free and has a fantastic track record in admissions. If you're unhappy it's because your kid isn't all that good.

I see room for improvement. Some DC privates competing with BASIS in admissions are adapting better to a changing admissions landscape.

For example there are privates and public schools in the burbs that have started advising seniors aiming for Ivies to take 1-2 Cambridge A-Levels in Nov of senior year. This approach gives rising seniors 5 months after the last APs they've taken whose scores come in time to go with Jan applications to prep for additional standardized subject tests. A-Levels are on a par with IB Diploma higher level exams. Cambridge scores help seniors stand out on college applications.

At privates, AP course work doesn't wrap up junior year. BASIS could offer seniors more flexibility but the franchise is set in its ways. If you doubt this as a BASIS parent, ask the college counselor about Cambridge exams.

LOL. Couple of things. First, does it surprise you that private schools have better and more resources to adapt? Second, the fact that you are comparing BASIS to DC privates is the point. It is a public charter school.

Private schools have the mentality to adapt, and to relentlessly build on students' academic strengths. We know that BASIS admits dozens of 5th graders who speak, read and write good Spanish, French or Chinese, coming from the DCI feeders. Yet BASIS does nothing to help immersion kids keep up language skills (even via after-school study financed by parents), and only permits study languages at the beginning level from 8th grade. In the same situation, private school admins would see an opportunity to build on skills that would support elite college admissions success up the chain.

You clearly know NOTHING about education, private schools and resources. The only thing more astounding than your ignorance is your unwavering confidence in the face of sheet ignorance.

If you think the only thing holding BASIS back from adapting like GDS, Sidwell and others can is "mentality" then you are beyond help.

BASIS parent w/no idea what you're complaining about. The school has its strengths, and obviously doesn't have anywhere near the resources of GDS or Sidwell, but there's still a mentality issue. Not a "mentality" issue.

When we asked the counselor about applying to colleges from a gap year, were were advised that gap years are a terrible idea, so we don't advise taking them. Why no gap years? Because BASIS wants (really really wants), the bragging rights to every impressive senior year admissions offer students get.

How was the problem resources in that situation? Please explain.

Not sure why or how this is that hard. PPP to whom I responded suggested (ne, stated) that the only difference between BASIS and privates is the mentality that allows them to adapt and change. When one is resource constrained one focuses on things one can control. Why is that concept difficult for your to understand?

I'd also suggest that having a run in a with a college counselor and indicting a whole school on that basis is silly. It also ignores that every high school's counselors are tasked primarily with protecting the reputation of the school. I don't know any college counselors who are doin that instead of other jobs, if you know what I mean.