Basis families: talk to me about the building

[Anonymous]

Fair point that the bad building is symptomatic of an ed philosophy that may or may not line up with yours, even if your kid way ahead of the curve academically.

Some of us EotP will move if or go private if our BASIS kids don't get into Walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former teacher again. If DCPS college counseling is your primary basis for comparison, BASIS rocks. What I found least tolerable was that educators obviously weren’t behind the creation of the franchise. I came to see the BASIS as an AP tutoring program housed in the sort of facility you’d expect from Kumon or Mathnasium. The lack of respect for individual preferences, backgrounds and learning styles in pursuit of elite college-worthy academic achievement, particularly in regard to bilingualism (not valued by BASIS) was off-putting for this educator. I was promised far more academic freedom than I got. It’s good to be teaching in a suburban GT program where intellectuality, unique backgrounds and talents and hands-on learning are celebrated. My pay jumped 30% in leaving a DC charter.

Yes because BASIS runs on a shoe-string.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fair point that the bad building is symptomatic of an ed philosophy that may or may not line up with yours, even if your kid way ahead of the curve academically.

Some of us EotP will move if or go private if our BASIS kids don't get into Walls.

It's really tough. I'm the OP, I went to a big public high school system in a working class area, but was in gifted programs/won Math Olympiad awards/competed in Science Olympiad/was an AP scholar, and my husband is much smarter than me. So I really want our kids to have that opportunity, as well, and Basis does feel like it would offer the academics. During the tour, I was really impressed by the high schoolers and the level of their work and thinking. And we live close to Basis, so there's that. But I was really concerned by the middle school experience, by the lack of recess/extracurriculars, by the very very high teacher turnover, by the youth/inexperience of the teachers, and by the rigidity of the head of school (which maybe indicates a rigidity of the whole Basis system).

What other schools would be a good option?

[Anonymous]

OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

OP here. yes, thank you. This all makes sense. I am planning on signing up my son for a shadow day, and to give him the chance to tell us how he feels there. (we are one year out from this decision).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former teacher again. If DCPS college counseling is your primary basis for comparison, BASIS rocks. What I found least tolerable was that educators obviously weren’t behind the creation of the franchise. I came to see the BASIS as an AP tutoring program housed in the sort of facility you’d expect from Kumon or Mathnasium. The lack of respect for individual preferences, backgrounds and learning styles in pursuit of elite college-worthy academic achievement, particularly in regard to bilingualism (not valued by BASIS) was off-putting for this educator. I was promised far more academic freedom than I got. It’s good to be teaching in a suburban GT program where intellectuality, unique backgrounds and talents and hands-on learning are celebrated. My pay jumped 30% in leaving a DC charter.

Good for you. Enjoy the burbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fair point that the bad building is symptomatic of an ed philosophy that may or may not line up with yours, even if your kid way ahead of the curve academically.

Some of us EotP will move if or go private if our BASIS kids don't get into Walls.

It's really tough. I'm the OP, I went to a big public high school system in a working class area, but was in gifted programs/won Math Olympiad awards/competed in Science Olympiad/was an AP scholar, and my husband is much smarter than me. So I really want our kids to have that opportunity, as well, and Basis does feel like it would offer the academics. During the tour, I was really impressed by the high schoolers and the level of their work and thinking. And we live close to Basis, so there's that. But I was really concerned by the middle school experience, by the lack of recess/extracurriculars, by the very very high teacher turnover, by the youth/inexperience of the teachers, and by the rigidity of the head of school (which maybe indicates a rigidity of the whole Basis system).

Other DC public high schools that might be a good option?

Public schools East of Rock Creek? Walls if your kid is admitted after earning a 4.0 in 7th and 8th grades, or close. Latin 1 if....you have tremendous lottery luck in 9th grade, are fine with a Classics based curriculum and don't care much about modern languages (no MS language before 8th grade, same as BASIS, no options past AP level). Banneker is starting to become more diverse. You might lottery into the new HS at MacAruther Blvd, opening this fall, which looks promising, or move IB for JR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

This euphemistic line is used repeatedly on DCUM where BASIS goes. What parents are really saying is that some kids tolerate BASIS better than others. No school without windows in the cafeteria, no outdoor space, little natural light, no stage or gym, no media center, no languages taught before 8th grade etc., controlling young admins and high teacher turnover due to crappy teacher pay is an "amazing fit" for any kid here in a world-class city in the 21st century. It just isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

This euphemistic line is used repeatedly on DCUM where BASIS goes. What parents are really saying is that some kids tolerate BASIS better than others. No school without windows in the cafeteria, no outdoor space, little natural light, no stage or gym, no media center, no languages taught before 8th grade etc., controlling young admins and high teacher turnover due to crappy teacher pay is an "amazing fit" for any kid here in a world-class city in the 21st century. It just isn't.

I find it so odd when people hyper fixate on tearing down another school. Wha's your deal? Your child didn't get in? Your child got in and couldn't hack it? Kids friends all went there and your kid is lonely now? What on earth gives you such strong opinions on a school that doesn't even have an effect on your life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former teacher again. If DCPS college counseling is your primary basis for comparison, BASIS rocks. What I found least tolerable was that educators obviously weren’t behind the creation of the franchise. I came to see the BASIS as an AP tutoring program housed in the sort of facility you’d expect from Kumon or Mathnasium. The lack of respect for individual preferences, backgrounds and learning styles in pursuit of elite college-worthy academic achievement, particularly in regard to bilingualism (not valued by BASIS) was off-putting for this educator. I was promised far more academic freedom than I got. It’s good to be teaching in a suburban GT program where intellectuality, unique backgrounds and talents and hands-on learning are celebrated. My pay jumped 30% in leaving a DC charter.

Good for you. Enjoy the burbs.

They certainly won't miss you. Pretty clearly, you have too much get up and go and are too darn logical and broad-minded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

This euphemistic line is used repeatedly on DCUM where BASIS goes. What parents are really saying is that some kids tolerate BASIS better than others. No school without windows in the cafeteria, no outdoor space, little natural light, no stage or gym, no media center, no languages taught before 8th grade etc., controlling young admins and high teacher turnover due to crappy teacher pay is an "amazing fit" for any kid here in a world-class city in the 21st century. It just isn't.

I find it so odd when people hyper fixate on tearing down another school. Wha's your deal? Your child didn't get in? Your child got in and couldn't hack it? Kids friends all went there and your kid is lonely now? What on earth gives you such strong opinions on a school that doesn't even have an effect on your life?

I'm not the PP you're responding to, but the better question is what is....your deal? Fantasy? Our DC public middle school options should be much better, more than a decade after Michelle Rhee/Fenty shook things up. PP is right that barebones BASIS shouldn't have become the jewel in the crown of DC public middle and high schools East of Rock Creek. The chief problems are that DC has outgrown mayoral control of schools, Bowser's here to stay and doesn't give a f#$% about education. Yea, BASIS should be in a position to offer halfway decent school facilities and good pay for grown-up admins and teachers. I blame Muriel and the city council, not BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

This euphemistic line is used repeatedly on DCUM where BASIS goes. What parents are really saying is that some kids tolerate BASIS better than others. No school without windows in the cafeteria, no outdoor space, little natural light, no stage or gym, no media center, no languages taught before 8th grade etc., controlling young admins and high teacher turnover due to crappy teacher pay is an "amazing fit" for any kid here in a world-class city in the 21st century. It just isn't.

I find it so odd when people hyper fixate on tearing down another school. Wha's your deal? Your child didn't get in? Your child got in and couldn't hack it? Kids friends all went there and your kid is lonely now? What on earth gives you such strong opinions on a school that doesn't even have an effect on your life?

I'm not the PP you're responding to, but the better question is what is....your deal? Fantasy? Our DC public middle school options should be much better, more than a decade after Michelle Rhee/Fenty shook things up. PP is right that barebones BASIS shouldn't have become the jewel in the crown of DC public middle and high schools East of Rock Creek. The chief problems are that DC has outgrown mayoral control of schools, Bowser's here to stay and doesn't give a f#$% about education. Yea, BASIS should be in a position to offer halfway decent school facilities and good pay for grown-up admins and teachers. I blame Muriel and the city council, not BASIS.

I'm the OP and this resonates with me. I'm sure my kids could "hack" the academics but everything else about the school feels so depressing, and the teacher turnover is alarming. I just wish there was another good option for them. We love our house and our neighborhood in the middle of the city/EOTP and do not want to move. We are looking hard at all the DCPS middle schools that we might be able to lottery into, too, and would be totally open to one that could offer rigor, even if all the kids or even a majority of kids aren't opting into the rigorous path. I'm not worried about averages for the schools, I'm worried about the upper limit -- are their opportunities for kids who want a real challenge.

[Anonymous]

It was Mayor Gray's people who approved the BASIS charter and building renovation, not Bowser's. Also, every mayor and city council group from Fenty onward has kept charter per student funding well below DCPS outlays. The truth is that many city politicians and ed leaders are responsible for subpar middle and high school options East of Rock Creek. I can't stand Bowser either, but we can't lay the whole mess at her feet. BASIS is just the least bad option for the most academic students with a little lottery luck outside the JR pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you asked about the building so here's what I'd say. It is exactly what it looks like it is. The hallways are very crowded at 5 class change periods and there isn't a formal gym or theater. The classrooms are fine, but no one is filming teen rom-con movies in them. But you knew all that. We came from Two Rivers and people used to ask me what the playground was like. I'd look at them like, "What do you think it is like? You can see it. It's tiny. If you are choosing based on outdoor space don't choose Two Rivers." Same applies to BASIS. You don't choose BASIS for the building or facilities. You chose it in spite of them. The classrooms themselves are not in any way packed to the gills. Even when my kid was in 5th where they max out at 27-ish kids per class there rooms were sufficient.

The issue here is not one that can addressed in a vacuum. It's not, "Is this building better than others?" It's also not, "Is this better than TJ or NYC application schools or other schools not here?" BASIS is an amazing fit and school for some kids. A good fit for some and a terrible fit for others. Your baseline is how good a school you think it is for your kids, you consider other available options and then figure out how the cost benefit shifts when you compare facilities, sports, etc. against all other factors.

BASIS offers shadow days. By all means if you have not done so sign your kid up (if they match, or if you are looking at out years, they do them in the fall before the lottery as well). The only way to know how your kid will or will not respond is to see and experience it. Seeing period changes up close and personal, and seeing the actual classrooms is the best way to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

This euphemistic line is used repeatedly on DCUM where BASIS goes. What parents are really saying is that some kids tolerate BASIS better than others. No school without windows in the cafeteria, no outdoor space, little natural light, no stage or gym, no media center, no languages taught before 8th grade etc., controlling young admins and high teacher turnover due to crappy teacher pay is an "amazing fit" for any kid here in a world-class city in the 21st century. It just isn't.

I find it so odd when people hyper fixate on tearing down another school. Wha's your deal? Your child didn't get in? Your child got in and couldn't hack it? Kids friends all went there and your kid is lonely now? What on earth gives you such strong opinions on a school that doesn't even have an effect on your life?

I'm not the PP you're responding to, but the better question is what is....your deal? Fantasy? Our DC public middle school options should be much better, more than a decade after Michelle Rhee/Fenty shook things up. PP is right that barebones BASIS shouldn't have become the jewel in the crown of DC public middle and high schools East of Rock Creek. The chief problems are that DC has outgrown mayoral control of schools, Bowser's here to stay and doesn't give a f#$% about education. Yea, BASIS should be in a position to offer halfway decent school facilities and good pay for grown-up admins and teachers. I blame Muriel and the city council, not BASIS.

I'm the OP and this resonates with me. I'm sure my kids could "hack" the academics but everything else about the school feels so depressing, and the teacher turnover is alarming. I just wish there was another good option for them. We love our house and our neighborhood in the middle of the city/EOTP and do not want to move. We are looking hard at all the DCPS middle schools that we might be able to lottery into, too, and would be totally open to one that could offer rigor, even if all the kids or even a majority of kids aren't opting into the rigorous path. I'm not worried about averages for the schools, I'm worried about the upper limit -- are their opportunities for kids who want a real challenge.

I hear you, but I'd save your hand wringing until you get 5th grade lottery results this year, next year, whenever. We weren't sold on BASIS before we never got off the 5th grade waiting list for our current 7th grader. After almost two years of DCI (hour-long commute each way), we've realized that we could have held our noses for the depressing scene at BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think back to when you were a kid. Did you care about buildiings/classrooms/windows? I sure didn't. I cared about seeing friends, clothes, etc. I have an 8th grader at BASIS and we have been very impressed by the program, with the exception of writing instruction - that has generally been minimal, up to now. Grammar, on the other hand - my kid nails that stuff . And now that kid is in 8th grade she absolutely loves the off campus lunch option.

When I was in middle school, in a mostly working-class community, I cared most about playing in my school's orchestra and on the girls' lacrosse team and participating in our school's Outward Bound gym program. I also cared about learning French from 6th grade. I attended Ivies for college (on a Pell Grant) and grad school.

I taught a humanities subject in the BASIS high school for a year (just a few years ago) and was asked to extend my contract. I moved on instead. The building was too claustrophobic for me, the curriculum too limited, and admins too controlling. From my perspective, the BASIS policy of cramming four years of high school work into three damages the colleges admissions prospects of some of the students, mainly because they lack the time for serious extra-curriculars in 9th, 10th and 11th grades while they cram in AP classes. The tough DC Metro area elite college admissions pool and much softer Arizona pool are v. different, which the franchise doesn't seem to get.

NP here with a student that graduated from BASIS. This teacher obviously never got to know the students they taught. My student was on a school sponsored sport, a school sponsored academic team, Scouts, took non-BASIS arts classes and also played a rec sport SIMULTANEOUSLY during high school at BASIS. ECs were no problem for college admissions and the 12 AP classes didn't hurt either. Their friends were similarly active - DC has so much to offer.

The "cramming" was great because it made senior year fun, less stressful - working on your application essays as a group in a class is much better than doing them by yourself after you finish your homework. College visits were NOT a problem.