BASIS families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What we didn't like about BASIS DC was the laser-like focus on test prep en route to AP exams, vs. applying knowledge. At our current school, the strongest and most enthusiastic STEM kids compete in science competitions, often as part of a team, locally, regionally and even internationally. Kids are encouraged to do academic research and publish. Students also intern madly, so they can be mentored by science professionals.

BASIS DC doesn't offer a first-rate education in any subject because there are precious few Eureka moments. It the program works for your family, fine. But claiming that BASIS DC is the gold standard for 5th-12th grade STEM studies in 2021 is silly.

Incidentally, BASIS Chandler in Arizona often fields teams to compete in science competitions at the national level. I know this because an old friend sends her children there.

This is a silly, misinformed comment by someone whose kid couldn't handle Basis. Eureka moments? Basis DC kids participate in science competitions (including the national science olympiad), do academic research and publish, and intern.

[Anonymous]

Why should a high schooler be doing academic research and publishing? Sounds ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Okay. The Comprehensive Exams kinda freak me out. Are the kids prepared? What about test anxiety? Do they test in 5th grade like that? What percentage of kids don’t pass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay. The Comprehensive Exams kinda freak me out. Are the kids prepared? What about test anxiety? Do they test in 5th grade like that? What percentage of kids don’t pass?

Not a current family, but probably will be next year. A few people posted in either this thread or the other current one that kids take quizzes so often that they don’t stress out about them; they just get used to it. Might be different for comps. My kid isn’t a high anxiety kid, so we are taking the gamble and enrolling next year.

FWIW, I’ve talked (in person, not just on DCUM) to several different families, that have kids of varying ages who are happy at BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why should a high schooler be doing academic research and publishing? Sounds ridiculous.

This happens at DCPS schools and privates all the time.

Do you know understand what school is nowadays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay. The Comprehensive Exams kinda freak me out. Are the kids prepared? What about test anxiety? Do they test in 5th grade like that? What percentage of kids don’t pass?

Parent of current basis 5th grader. They don’t have comp exams in 5th grade. They have pre-comp exams starting in 6th grade to get them ready. There are a lot of quizzes to test mastery of what they have just been taught. I expected my son to be very anxious about testing but he has surprised me - hesitated to enroll him but decided to give it a try because of his interests and the reputation. But I know things may be very different after 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What we didn't like about BASIS DC was the laser-like focus on test prep en route to AP exams, vs. applying knowledge. At our current school, the strongest and most enthusiastic STEM kids compete in science competitions, often as part of a team, locally, regionally and even internationally. Kids are encouraged to do academic research and publish. Students also intern madly, so they can be mentored by science professionals.

BASIS DC doesn't offer a first-rate education in any subject because there are precious few Eureka moments. It the program works for your family, fine. But claiming that BASIS DC is the gold standard for 5th-12th grade STEM studies in 2021 is silly.

Incidentally, BASIS Chandler in Arizona often fields teams to compete in science competitions at the national level. I know this because an old friend sends her children there.

This is a silly, misinformed comment by someone whose kid couldn't handle Basis. Eureka moments? Basis DC kids participate in science competitions (including the national science olympiad), do academic research and publish, and intern.

Not in middle school. We have DC Metro area suburban friends whose kids compete in serious science competitions. In the BASIS MS, it's kill and drill all the way.

Any criticism of BASIS, however valid, must come from somebody whose "kid couldn't handle BASIS."

[Anonymous]

I think we can agree that BASIS’ curriculum is not based on a expeditionary model, and that some kids may learn better through constant field trips, hands on group projects, etc.

Rather, BASIS emphasizes rigorous academics and individual accountability.

Which approach produces more “Eureka moments” in my view depends on the kid. My BASIS kid enjoys her math problem sets, for example (and disdained her prior school’s constant field trips and group projects).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we can agree that BASIS’ curriculum is not based on a expeditionary model, and that some kids may learn better through constant field trips, hands on group projects, etc.

Rather, BASIS emphasizes rigorous academics and individual accountability.

Which approach produces more “Eureka moments” in my view depends on the kid. My BASIS kid enjoys her math problem sets, for example (and disdained her prior school’s constant field trips and group projects).

Constant field trips? Give us a break.

When I taught at BASIS I couldn't even get permission to have MS kids spend 15 minutes walking over to the National Archives to spend half an hour reading founding documents of the Republic for themselves.

There's a happy medium, parents. Locking kids in the grim building all day every school day isn't the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school with zero outdoor space for their child. I'd never say this to a family in person, obviously, but it's just nuts IMHO.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school in DC in the first place.

Since you don't understand, I guess your stupid and not in DC. Go see your therapist and get a refund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we can agree that BASIS’ curriculum is not based on a expeditionary model, and that some kids may learn better through constant field trips, hands on group projects, etc.

Rather, BASIS emphasizes rigorous academics and individual accountability.

Which approach produces more “Eureka moments” in my view depends on the kid. My BASIS kid enjoys her math problem sets, for example (and disdained her prior school’s constant field trips and group projects).

Constant field trips? Give us a break.

When I taught at BASIS I couldn't even get permission to have MS kids spend 15 minutes walking over to the National Archives to spend half an hour reading founding documents of the Republic for themselves.

There's a happy medium, parents. Locking kids in the grim building all day every school day isn't the answer.

Apparently, it is the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we can agree that BASIS’ curriculum is not based on a expeditionary model, and that some kids may learn better through constant field trips, hands on group projects, etc.

Rather, BASIS emphasizes rigorous academics and individual accountability.

Which approach produces more “Eureka moments” in my view depends on the kid. My BASIS kid enjoys her math problem sets, for example (and disdained her prior school’s constant field trips and group projects).

Constant field trips? Give us a break.

When I taught at BASIS I couldn't even get permission to have MS kids spend 15 minutes walking over to the National Archives to spend half an hour reading founding documents of the Republic for themselves.

There's a happy medium, parents. Locking kids in the grim building all day every school day isn't the answer.

Were you a substitute teacher for a day or so in 7th grade American history?

The kids at Basis DC live in DC, and most have been to the Archives, in some cases multiple times. They can visit anytime they want after school or on the weekend.

Plus, no one thinks that a group of MS kids is going to stand in front of glass cases in a crowd of people in the rotunda and “spend half an hour reading” a bunch of 18th-century handwritten documents.

As a Basis parent and history major myself, I can vouch for the fact that my kid is learning far more history than I ever did at his/her age.

[Anonymous]

DC schools can easily arrange for National Archives staff to meet with student groups, including participants in college seminars, for presentations and Q & A (no charge).

We get it, BASIS DC admins consider learning beyond the building to be a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC schools can easily arrange for National Archives staff to meet with student groups, including participants in college seminars, for presentations and Q & A (no charge).

We get it, BASIS DC admins consider learning beyond the building to be a waste of time.

We get it, you haven't taught in a while and don't have children at Basis. Basis kids have been doing distance learning for over a year, and it has been going great.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, who needs to attend school in 2021? Virtual learning is soooo much better, at least the wonderful way BASIS does it.