BASIS high school versus middle school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel this particular issue is discussed ad nauseam but here we go. Classes get smaller and smaller at BASIS because there is attrition and no backfilling. People leave the school in particular and DC in general for various reasons and cannot be replaced with new students. BASIS is not for everyone or becomes a bad fit as the intensity increases or is a great option for middle school but students want or need a different high school experience for various reasons (different/more extra curriculars, different learning environment that’s less test focused, etc.). It’s not a traditional school and just like any other school has its pros and cons. It seems a family has to really value the things it does very well (test prep, college admissions) to justify foregoing a more traditional high school experience.

I guess I disagree. Yes, everything you’ve written here has been discussed. But, it doesn’t answer OP’s question which is what is the high school like. What are hs classes like? We know they are small, but are lessons taught the same way? Is there more discussion between students and teachers? Is there more emphasis on good writing skills? Or is it still a lot like middle school? Still a lot of power points, guided notes and multiple choice quizzes and tests? I don’t see that discussed very often here.

It's hard to generalize, but since the BASIS focus is AP prep, the high school kids are mainly taught what AP exams test. Teachers don't tend to assign creative work, in-depth research, hands-on work, group work, term papers. Class discussions aren't exactly emphasized, because AP isn't grading test takers on participation in class discussions. BASIS language classes don't prioritize speaking and listening skills, because AP language exams don't. And on and on it goes. High school teacher quality doesn't vary as widely as middle school quality, but most teachers are still young/not terribly experienced. But the kids know who the teacher standouts are and sign up for their classes accordingly if they enjoy/can handle the subject matter. Science and math teachers tend to be stronger and longer serving than humanities and language teachers. BASIS just isn't a top private or parochial school emphasizing good writing skills. Some of the high school families supplement with writing tutors, summer pre-college programs, language immersion.

[Anonymous]

Much more writing in high school.

[Anonymous]

Which isn't saying all that much, after little writing in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel this particular issue is discussed ad nauseam but here we go. Classes get smaller and smaller at BASIS because there is attrition and no backfilling. People leave the school in particular and DC in general for various reasons and cannot be replaced with new students. BASIS is not for everyone or becomes a bad fit as the intensity increases or is a great option for middle school but students want or need a different high school experience for various reasons (different/more extra curriculars, different learning environment that’s less test focused, etc.). It’s not a traditional school and just like any other school has its pros and cons. It seems a family has to really value the things it does very well (test prep, college admissions) to justify foregoing a more traditional high school experience.

I guess I disagree. Yes, everything you’ve written here has been discussed. But, it doesn’t answer OP’s question which is what is the high school like. What are hs classes like? We know they are small, but are lessons taught the same way? Is there more discussion between students and teachers? Is there more emphasis on good writing skills? Or is it still a lot like middle school? Still a lot of power points, guided notes and multiple choice quizzes and tests? I don’t see that discussed very often here.

It's hard to generalize, but since the BASIS focus is AP prep, the high school kids are mainly taught what AP exams test. Teachers don't tend to assign creative work, in-depth research, hands-on work, group work, term papers. Class discussions aren't exactly emphasized, because AP isn't grading test takers on participation in class discussions. BASIS language classes don't prioritize speaking and listening skills, because AP language exams don't. And on and on it goes. High school teacher quality doesn't vary as widely as middle school quality, but most teachers are still young/not terribly experienced. But the kids know who the teacher standouts are and sign up for their classes accordingly if they enjoy/can handle the subject matter. Science and math teachers tend to be stronger and longer serving than humanities and language teachers. BASIS just isn't a top private or parochial school emphasizing good writing skills. Some of the high school families supplement with writing tutors, summer pre-college programs, language immersion.

My kid left after 8th grade for private, but this sounds exactly right. Based on what the administration said about HS while my kid was in 8th grade and based on observations of friends who stayed at Basis for HS.

[Anonymous]

OP here. These responses have been very helpful. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

It would be interesting to learn what you decide to do, OP. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel this particular issue is discussed ad nauseam but here we go. Classes get smaller and smaller at BASIS because there is attrition and no backfilling. People leave the school in particular and DC in general for various reasons and cannot be replaced with new students. BASIS is not for everyone or becomes a bad fit as the intensity increases or is a great option for middle school but students want or need a different high school experience for various reasons (different/more extra curriculars, different learning environment that’s less test focused, etc.). It’s not a traditional school and just like any other school has its pros and cons. It seems a family has to really value the things it does very well (test prep, college admissions) to justify foregoing a more traditional high school experience.

I don't believe that most BASIS middle school parents who leave are in fact looking for a "more traditional high school experience." No, this euphemism just doesn't cover the gamut of reasons explaining the exodus.

From what I've observed, many BASIS 8th grade parents are looking for more inspired and reliably good teaching, better facilities (particularly resources for good tech), above all, a happier school with more competent and open-minded administrators.

If your student(s) aren't part of the BASIS Brahmin group, mostly comprised of kids can handle college math by 9th or 10th grades, the BASIS HS experience isn't necessarily a positive one overall. To some of us, test prep alone isn't a fine education. We'd be OK without a "traditional HS experience" if the education on offer was more interesting and, frankly, fun.

The BASIS HS experience works off a one-size-fits-all model to a lesser extent that the MS experience, but march-in-step-to-blue-chip-colleges is still the suffocating premise. Corny as it sounds, many families of the strongest middle school students leave yearning to breathe freer. By 9th grade, parents are tired of being slapped down by tin ear admins who've insinuate that they're the problem, vs. addressing the actual problem.

[Anonymous]

Just as PP is correct that not everyone leaves for the same reasons, not everyone stays for the same reasons. College acceptances were not a big factor in our decision to stay. I'm a firm believer that the choice of grad school is way more important than the college. College should be about fit more than anything. But of course it isn't a non-factor, as I would rather my children have a wider choice of options.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather have my children in a school where two-thirds of the families don't vote with their feet between the entry year and the terminal year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather have my children in a school where two-thirds of the families don't vote with their feet between the entry year and the terminal year.

Attrition is not voting with your feet.

People leave Basis for different reasons. And there is no social promotion or backfill.

I would rather have my kids at a school where they are challenged and taught above grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel this particular issue is discussed ad nauseam but here we go. Classes get smaller and smaller at BASIS because there is attrition and no backfilling. People leave the school in particular and DC in general for various reasons and cannot be replaced with new students. BASIS is not for everyone or becomes a bad fit as the intensity increases or is a great option for middle school but students want or need a different high school experience for various reasons (different/more extra curriculars, different learning environment that’s less test focused, etc.). It’s not a traditional school and just like any other school has its pros and cons. It seems a family has to really value the things it does very well (test prep, college admissions) to justify foregoing a more traditional high school experience.

I don't believe that most BASIS middle school parents who leave are in fact looking for a "more traditional high school experience." No, this euphemism just doesn't cover the gamut of reasons explaining the exodus.

From what I've observed, many BASIS 8th grade parents are looking for more inspired and reliably good teaching, better facilities (particularly resources for good tech), above all, a happier school with more competent and open-minded administrators.

If your student(s) aren't part of the BASIS Brahmin group, mostly comprised of kids can handle college math by 9th or 10th grades, the BASIS HS experience isn't necessarily a positive one overall. To some of us, test prep alone isn't a fine education. We'd be OK without a "traditional HS experience" if the education on offer was more interesting and, frankly, fun.

The BASIS HS experience works off a one-size-fits-all model to a lesser extent that the MS experience, but march-in-step-to-blue-chip-colleges is still the suffocating premise. Corny as it sounds, many families of the strongest middle school students leave yearning to breathe freer. By 9th grade, parents are tired of being slapped down by tin ear admins who've insinuate that they're the problem, vs. addressing the actual problem.

Pure pablum by the same poster. Stop pontificating. You don’t even have a kid at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather have my children in a school where two-thirds of the families don't vote with their feet between the entry year and the terminal year.

Attrition is not voting with your feet.

People leave Basis for different reasons. And there is no social promotion or backfill.

I would rather have my kids at a school where they are challenged and taught above grade level.

Yes. BASIS DC is the only public school in DC that doesn’t socially promote and backfill. So, of course, the upper grades are much smaller than the lower grades. Not sure how that is a bad thing for a 100% lottery school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather have my children in a school where two-thirds of the families don't vote with their feet between the entry year and the terminal year.

I think the current HS classes are roughly 1/2 - 2/3 of the starting size. I don't know how that compares to other combined middle/HS, since the others do have students entering at higher grades.

[Anonymous]

What is nice about the high school experience is the complete lack of drama. All the kids who stay want to be there and they have all known each other forever, so it’s very chill,

[Anonymous]

Chill to cram four years of HS classes into three? Right.