Basis Mclean
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Anonymous
| I wouldn't pay 25,000 for the privilege of my kid not taking parcc |
Anonymous
Why so much hate about the school and the principal? Are competitors getting worried? 
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Anonymous
| I was just curious as to why pay for something that is offered for free in DC with a principal that provided the free education in DC. I guess the best answer is no minorities and no PARCC tests. Sounds like Donald Trump's kind of school. |
Anonymous
| Isn't it for-profit? University of Phoenix? |
Anonymous
Not having to move into District? |
Anonymous
News flash. There are people here that do not live nor want to live in D.C. And there are also people that have jobs outside of DC. It's a big world out there. |
Anonymous
| I guess a lot of people simple can't differentiate between an independent school and a charter school. Newsflash: charter schools are NOT free private schools. You will not get a private school education in a charter school. |
Anonymous
| So, is anyone planning to go to one of their information session? |
Anonymous
| I am intrigued about their focus on helping kids learn time management and organizational skills. Can anyone shed some light on how they do this at the DC Basis? Also, how exactly is their curriculum different than say Sidwell or an AAP public curriculum? |
Anonymous
| They are using the same basis.ed curriculum. |
Anonymous
| I went to an information session and could not figure out the difference between the actual content being taught in the private and charter schools. They flaunted the new building as a motivation to spend the tuition dollars but in the end an education is what you are teaching which is the exact same. In fact, that is their claim to fame, the charter schools have a strong curriculum. We're sticking at Nysmith. |
Anonymous
My kids go to the charter BASIS (6th and 9th grade). There is a lot of information on the school's website about the curriculum, policies and course sequence if you want to compare the two experiences. I can't speak to Sidwell's or APP curriculum - but I will mention a few things that I think are different at BASIS DC than other public schools. Of course I have no clue if these policies and courses are the same at the independent BASIS schools. At BASIS DC starting in 6th, kids take 3 science classes each year (bio, chemistry and physics). It works out to 9 total science classes a week. In high school, students generally take 2 science classes each year. Two years of Latin are required (6th and 7th). World languages are offered starting in 8th, or you can continue with Latin. Middle school English classes spend a lot more time on grammar. Comprehensive exams are required in all classes except PE and Arts in 6th, 7th and 8th grade - and are weighed heavily. If you fail one comprehensive exam (lower than 60%) you cannot advance to the next grade (a retake opportunity is given at the end of the summer) with the exception of math (you can retake same math class and move up to the next grade). The idea is that you must demonstrate mastery of the material and, they also want kids to be able to manage high stakes tests before it is time for the SATs, ACTs and APs. The middle and high school curriculum is based on the AP exams - you must take a minimum of 6 APs to graduate, and the AP test grades are factored into your final grade for the year. In contrast, in DC and Montgomery County public schools you can take an AP class and opt out of the exam, and either way, your AP exam grade is not part of your GPA. A good number of students at BASIS DC took 2 AP exams at the end of 8th grade and a few took 3 (mine took 1). Most graduation requirements are satisfied by the end of 11th, and senior year is devoted to a "capstone" project and/or small group post-AP classes in an area of interest. |
Anonymous
| Again the problem, to find out about Basis McLean we ask about Basis DC. So, were asked to pay for a school that is free. |
Anonymous
It is only free if you live in DC and you lottery in. |
Anonymous
| I went to their session today and met Chris. Feels more like a used car sales room than a school. |