New Basis DC Head of School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school just opened in 2012, as the first BASIS charter school outside of Arizona, so obviously it had some transition issues and growing pains. Some of the HOS were interim. As HOS, I count Mary Riner Siddall, Paul Morrisey, Tim Eyerman, Jill Garrett, John Hillis, and now Alex Rose-Henig. What three am I missing?

USNWR ranks BASIS DC #3 for DC high schools, after SWW (founded 1971) and Kipp (founded 1994). All the BASIS schools have the same curriculum, and there are 9 BASIS schools in the top 100 charter high schools nationally (with BASIS DC high school listed as number 227 nationally). By way of comparison, Wilson (1935) is listed as #10 in DC and #5173 nationally for high schools. This year, only 32 people were accepted to Yale from DC and PG County (both public and private schools); BASIS DC had 3. So, BASIS DC doesn’t seem to be doing too badly given that they have only been around for 8 years and had a different HOS every year or two.

Above list is missing Sean Aiken

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school just opened in 2012, as the first BASIS charter school outside of Arizona, so obviously it had some transition issues and growing pains. Some of the HOS were interim. As HOS, I count Mary Riner Siddall, Paul Morrisey, Tim Eyerman, Jill Garrett, John Hillis, and now Alex Rose-Henig. What three am I missing?

USNWR ranks BASIS DC #3 for DC high schools, after SWW (founded 1971) and Kipp (founded 1994). All the BASIS schools have the same curriculum, and there are 9 BASIS schools in the top 100 charter high schools nationally (with BASIS DC high school listed as number 227 nationally). By way of comparison, Wilson (1935) is listed as #10 in DC and #5173 nationally for high schools. This year, only 32 people were accepted to Yale from DC and PG County (both public and private schools); BASIS DC had 3. So, BASIS DC doesn’t seem to be doing too badly given that they have only been around for 8 years and had a different HOS every year or two.

Yes, BASIS DC's nascent college admissions track record seems very impressive, despite the revolving door policy for heads, I'll grant you that.

I attended a small public HS ranked in the bottom third in my state, where most of my teachers were terrific. I went on to an Ivy on fil aid. I've given BASIS a hard look, after winning a 5th grade spot this spring, and don't like the spirit of the place. I see far too much emphasis on grades, playing it safe academically and weeding out students who need extra support. What I don't see is much emphasis on promoting intellectual curiosity, love of learning and esprit de corps. Science instruction looks like their strong suit, but facilities are below par all around (at least from what I saw when I visited). I also don't like narrow, crowded hallways during this pandemic. Pass.

Hmmm - so where are you headed for MS?

[Anonymous]

North Arlington. We're divorced, share custody, one parent in VA. In VA, I see good facilities, better humanities and modern languages instruction, a serious sports program with teams my kid wants to play on, GT programming for humanities, after-school prep for competitive academics (science, chess, spelling, geography etc.), school band and orchestra for our musician, happy seeming middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:North Arlington. We're divorced, share custody, one parent in VA. In VA, I see good facilities, better humanities and modern languages instruction, a serious sports program with teams my kid wants to play on, GT programming for humanities, after-school prep for competitive academics (science, chess, spelling, geography etc.), school band and orchestra for our musician, happy seeming middle school.

No question that the facilities, sports, languages and orchestra are better in North Arlington. I think it’s presumptuous for you to conclude, however, that the Arlington school does a better job of “promoting intellectual curiosity” than Basis. (That seemed like an unfounded dig.)

Anyway, lucky for you to have such a choice. That said, I’m certainly grateful to have Basis as an option. No complaints from us (thus far).

[Anonymous]

How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

Look, they have a specific curriculum. You choose to attend this school, you are choosing to follow it. What you are asking for is like attending a Spanish immersion school and asking to take French instead. It seems like you selected a school that doesn't suit your kid. That's fine. That what school choice is- allowing for different schools to sprout up with different focuses. Pick the one that works for you.

[Anonymous]

Right, but your argument that BASIS promotes "intellectual curiosity" on a par with suburban middle school GT programs falls short. BASIS relies on academic conformity packaged as rigor. March in step, shut up, we decide where your kid's intellectual curiosity, and academic achievement, starts and ends. Flexibility, open-mindedness and respect for unique academic backgrounds, achievement and interests is not BASIS' strong suit. The curriculum doesn't seem to be the issue as much as the narrow-mindedness and paternalism of franchise leaders and admins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

Look, they have a specific curriculum. You choose to attend this school, you are choosing to follow it. What you are asking for is like attending a Spanish immersion school and asking to take French instead. It seems like you selected a school that doesn't suit your kid. That's fine. That what school choice is- allowing for different schools to sprout up with different focuses. Pick the one that works for you.

Poor analogy. The problem is that when BASIS parents ask those interchangeable HOS for any sort of flexibility to support advanced learning in any subject other than math, they're told our way or the highway. School choice shouldn't become code for admins limiting academic achievement in an under-achieving urban school system.

A real life example. Immigrant BASIS parents are raising their children bilingual and biliterate in English and very difficult world languages spoken at home...Russian, Arabic or Chinese. These parents asked multiple HOS if the kids could opt out of mandatory beginning language classes. The parents homeschool in the languages, asking only that their students be allowed to take language classes as a study hall. Parents even offer to take turns supervising study hall sessions. The heads say no, if you don't like our language teaching system, leave. The families leave and the kids go on to study Chinese or Russian or Arabic at the college level at new schools, along with advanced math, science, world history etc. Where was the path to stratospheric Chinese or Russian or Arabic studies at...Yale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

I kind of admire Basis for sticking to their guns. You wanted special treatment - the answer was no, and you went elsewhere. Problem solved! From my perspective as the parent of a rising 6th grader, Basis offers plenty of challenge and lots of great and enthusiastic teachers. The cohort - which I think is one of the most important factors in a kid's eduction - is quite diverse with a lot of very smart and hard working kids.

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing wrong with wanting one’s kids to become masters in their native language. But the idea that a school must support such learning in the name of promoting intellectual curiosity is not an argument that I follow. I guess learning some Latin along the way would stunt your child’s intellectual development??

Anyway, I think we can all agree that Basis was not the right choice for your child. Congrats on having another wonderful option.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. So what about the income homogeneity of the Arlington school? This thread really sells that other school, but, I don’t know if Basis excels in the diversity of peer group, either racially or income wise. My greatest fear of DC suburbia is the suburban peer group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

I kind of admire Basis for sticking to their guns. You wanted special treatment - the answer was no, and you went elsewhere. Problem solved! From my perspective as the parent of a rising 6th grader, Basis offers plenty of challenge and lots of great and enthusiastic teachers. The cohort - which I think is one of the most important factors in a kid's eduction - is quite diverse with a lot of very smart and hard working kids.

NP. I hear you, PP who left BASIS. We ran for an independent high school. Kid found the learning atmosphere stifling in 7th and 8th grades. Our conclusion that BASIS was really only interested in turning out math and science stars. The perspective of a parent whose child hasn't been in the building even one full school year under an interim HOS is only so valuable.

We like the cohort at our current school better. Plenty of smart, hard-working kids, including those on fi aid, but no shortage of free thinkers with unusual interests and backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with wanting one’s kids to become masters in their native language. But the idea that a school must support such learning in the name of promoting intellectual curiosity is not an argument that I follow. I guess learning some Latin along the way would stunt your child’s intellectual development??

Anyway, I think we can all agree that Basis was not the right choice for your child. Congrats on having another wonderful option.

I agree with this. If I have a talented budding violinist, should I expect a school to be instructing them? Should I expect they get exempted from music class because my kids studies violin? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much intellectual curiosity springs from kids marching in step through MS and most of HS in any program? Where's the respect for the individual in learning styles in the BASIS MS? What's presumptuous is notion that the surest path to Yale is the homogenized path.

When I asked at BASIS admins if the program would support my kid's language learning--s/he speaks a very difficult major world language--perhaps through DL, I was told, absolutely not. The only language the the child could, and must, study before 7th grade is Latin. Come 7th grade, the choice would be to study the language the child speaks at either the beginning level, or begin studying a different language and stick with it for the next six years. When I pointed out that this rigid approach would make it next to impossible for the child to reach our goal of achieving native level fluency/literacy in the language the kid already speaks as a teen, I was told "no exceptions." When I asked if the child could test out of 5th and perhaps 6th grade ELA based on his JH CTY summer camp work, I was told, no. By contrast, in Arlington, I was told that the child could study any major world language at the appropriate level, perhaps via DL/special software through UVA, without having to study a different language. I was also told that the child could freely test into ELA classes as much as two years ahead of grade.

Even the highest-performing DC public schools have a great way of pushing quirky advanced humanities students around. Not a cheap dig and not unfounded. New HOS, no difference.

I kind of admire Basis for sticking to their guns. You wanted special treatment - the answer was no, and you went elsewhere. Problem solved! From my perspective as the parent of a rising 6th grader, Basis offers plenty of challenge and lots of great and enthusiastic teachers. The cohort - which I think is one of the most important factors in a kid's eduction - is quite diverse with a lot of very smart and hard working kids.

NP. I hear you, PP who left BASIS. We ran for an independent high school. Kid found the learning atmosphere stifling in 7th and 8th grades. Our conclusion that BASIS was really only interested in turning out math and science stars. The perspective of a parent whose child hasn't been in the building even one full school year under an interim HOS is only so valuable.

We like the cohort at our current school better. Plenty of smart, hard-working kids, including those on fi aid, but no shortage of free thinkers with unusual interests and backgrounds.

So you decided to pay for what you wanted. That's fine. But it's apples and oranges. Or rather, apples and $40,000 oranges.

[Anonymous]

Nowhere near 40K. We got great fi aid, pay 15K. Kid says the school's math instruction is better than at BASIS, science roughly the same, no comparison for humanities, sports, music, art.

School employs many older/super experienced and younger teachers (vs. few older at BASIS). Admins and teachers respect the child's academic interests, learning style, foreign language background. The school gets more grads to top colleges each year than BASIS with a graduating class that's about the same size. PS. We're not white and UMC.