Could BASIS DC be closed for lower enrollment and higher academic demands?

[Anonymous]

An April 15, 2013 class struggle article, "Nation’s best high school may be closed," alludes to the possibility: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/nations-best-high-school-may-be-closed/2013/04/15/4ad3de82-a53d-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_blog.html

I've read many threads on this forum about BASIS DC and have come to a few conclusions (after doing my own research and investigating and realizing the school wasn't a good fit for my son):

1) There are many families who signed on but underestimated the level of homework each night, number and frequency of quizzes and tests, and amount of independence and self discipline their child would need to succeed.
2) Many families chose the school because of its central location in the city and various easy routes to get to the school.
3) Several, if not many, felt their kid who was having difficulty at one school would do better because of the discipline at BASIS.

I think all of these families were disappointed, and anyone else coming to BASIS for these reasons or ignoring item #1, will experience some amount of failure at the school.

There are so many schools in the area, and each parent needs to take a moment to figure out what's the best environment for their child. Your child will spend 7+ hours in school each day so it makes sense to place him in a place that's suited for him. From what I've seen and heard from former and current parents, kids who score high academically at their previous schools, or who don't feel challenged and welcome a lot of new content and are able to do a lot of homework and enjoy quizzes and tests to test their retention, will do better at BASIS than other students. If more folks with kids that are a great fit for BASIS enroll, then the school will have a decent sized class in the upper years, and like-minded students will have many peers to socialize and learn with.

I know parents that have IEP students and those who weren't doing well at their former public school that did miserably at BASIS and have all left. I know a few parents whose kids did very well at their former school but weren't challenged and needed more and are doing well at BASIS now (A's and B's). I know of a bright 7th grader who was doing well at his former school but struggles to make As at BASIS and has made no new friends. He's complained, as many others have, of kids who aren't prepared and that talk loudly through classes and are bullies outside of class. He'll do 8th grade there and go somewhere else for high school. I know another bright 7th grader who is doing well but her parents complain of the amount of testing and quizzes. It's too much for her and them and they will do 8th and leave afterwards.

I don't think BASIS should change its curriculum to keep ALL students there. I think they should continue to do what they're doing but also bolster support for students that are on the borderline of doing very well in that type of environment. Also being a first year school, there's a lot to learn for the school, the parents and the students. A lot of what folks learned too late, I already figured out through the information sessions, and decided on the first day of school that it would not be good choice for our family. BASIS is not the only school that demands a lot of its students in this area. There are MANY. I went to an application-only high school and enjoyed being with students who wanted to learn. We had 77 kids in our graduating class, and 400 in the school total. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friendly and no one felt intimidated for wanting to learn. I wish there were many more schools like this with smaller class sizes and a strong focus on learning how to think and loving to learn.

[Anonymous]

The high school that Jay is discussing in his blog (not article) may be shutdown because the founder may have misappropriated public funds, not because of its high standards. He only draws a parallel between this school's high standards for its students and BASIS schools because of their similar high standards. So no, the blog post does not raise the possibility that BASIS may be shut down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An April 15, 2013 class struggle article, "Nation’s best high school may be closed," alludes to the possibility: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/nations-best-high-school-may-be-closed/2013/04/15/4ad3de82-a53d-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_blog.html

I've read many threads on this forum about BASIS DC and have come to a few conclusions (after doing my own research and investigating and realizing the school wasn't a good fit for my son):

1) There are many families who signed on but underestimated the level of homework each night, number and frequency of quizzes and tests, and amount of independence and self discipline their child would need to succeed.
2) Many families chose the school because of its central location in the city and various easy routes to get to the school.
3) Several, if not many, felt their kid who was having difficulty at one school would do better because of the discipline at BASIS.

I think all of these families were disappointed, and anyone else coming to BASIS for these reasons or ignoring item #1, will experience some amount of failure at the school.

There are so many schools in the area, and each parent needs to take a moment to figure out what's the best environment for their child. Your child will spend 7+ hours in school each day so it makes sense to place him in a place that's suited for him. From what I've seen and heard from former and current parents, kids who score high academically at their previous schools, or who don't feel challenged and welcome a lot of new content and are able to do a lot of homework and enjoy quizzes and tests to test their retention, will do better at BASIS than other students. If more folks with kids that are a great fit for BASIS enroll, then the school will have a decent sized class in the upper years, and like-minded students will have many peers to socialize and learn with.

I know parents that have IEP students and those who weren't doing well at their former public school that did miserably at BASIS and have all left. I know a few parents whose kids did very well at their former school but weren't challenged and needed more and are doing well at BASIS now (A's and B's). I know of a bright 7th grader who was doing well at his former school but struggles to make As at BASIS and has made no new friends. He's complained, as many others have, of kids who aren't prepared and that talk loudly through classes and are bullies outside of class. He'll do 8th grade there and go somewhere else for high school. I know another bright 7th grader who is doing well but her parents complain of the amount of testing and quizzes. It's too much for her and them and they will do 8th and leave afterwards.

I don't think BASIS should change its curriculum to keep ALL students there. I think they should continue to do what they're doing but also bolster support for students that are on the borderline of doing very well in that type of environment. Also being a first year school, there's a lot to learn for the school, the parents and the students. A lot of what folks learned too late, I already figured out through the information sessions, and decided on the first day of school that it would not be good choice for our family. BASIS is not the only school that demands a lot of its students in this area. There are MANY. I went to an application-only high school and enjoyed being with students who wanted to learn. We had 77 kids in our graduating class, and 400 in the school total. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friendly and no one felt intimidated for wanting to learn. I wish there were many more schools like this with smaller class sizes and a strong focus on learning how to think and loving to learn.

Almost everything you are saying is wrong. Some things are tangentially true, but you have twisted them to comport with your agenda. Shame on you.

The head of school has not been fired, next year he will continue to work for BASIS. The organization is rapidly growing and needs his talents in another location. He’s put in two hard years getting BASIS DC up and running, and in my estimation he’s done an admirable job. A letter will go home tomorrow with information about some changes for the 2013-14 school year, and as a parent of current and future BASIS DC students I am quite with how this year went, and I look forward to the future. One can quibble with personnel changes, but he has categorically not been fired and I wish him well.

Allegations about the Head of School “putting hands on students” are just that – allegations. Any disgruntled person can make one. In my opinion they are unfounded and wrong, and it is disgusting that someone anonymously puts it out there.

Anyone who attends an honors ceremony will plainly see that half of the kids receiving academic awards are of color. My child is surrounded brilliant engaged kids, including a panoply of ethnicities – more than exist in many/most schools in DC.

Many kids with IEP/504 issues (including mine) are well served by BASIS. My DC is faring much better this year than in the highly regarded DCPS school they previously attended.

The reference to “ongoing investigations” is a canard - akin to saying that a restaurant is being investigated and potentially closed because the health department made their rounds and inspected an establishment. Yes, BASIS has seen attrition, and that issue will be reviewed, but no determinations have been made yet despite the yearning of a few. This is an interesting issue that is thoroughly dissected by many in the BASIS community, and it is one not well suited to explore on an anonymous board.

BASIS currently has a waiting list for 5th and 6th grades, and will enroll about 600 students next year (50% growth over its first year). The school is strong and getting stronger.

To be sure, BASIS has problems and blemishes, and a significant network of involved stakeholders not only discuss these issues, but they also take thoughtful and assertive steps to improve the school. The vitriolic pabulum posted today is coming from an angry unhealthy place and is meant to harm.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP, well said.

Yes, Basis is challenging and demanding, but that is also precisely why a great many families have sought it out, because they are up for that challenge. Basis fills a need not met elsewhere by other public schools in the District.

[Anonymous]

Diversity in a school proves what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An April 15, 2013 class struggle article, "Nation’s best high school may be closed," alludes to the possibility: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/nations-best-high-school-may-be-closed/2013/04/15/4ad3de82-a53d-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_blog.html

I've read many threads on this forum about BASIS DC and have come to a few conclusions (after doing my own research and investigating and realizing the school wasn't a good fit for my son):

1) There are many families who signed on but underestimated the level of homework each night, number and frequency of quizzes and tests, and amount of independence and self discipline their child would need to succeed.
2) Many families chose the school because of its central location in the city and various easy routes to get to the school.
3) Several, if not many, felt their kid who was having difficulty at one school would do better because of the discipline at BASIS.

I think all of these families were disappointed, and anyone else coming to BASIS for these reasons or ignoring item #1, will experience some amount of failure at the school.

There are so many schools in the area, and each parent needs to take a moment to figure out what's the best environment for their child. Your child will spend 7+ hours in school each day so it makes sense to place him in a place that's suited for him. From what I've seen and heard from former and current parents, kids who score high academically at their previous schools, or who don't feel challenged and welcome a lot of new content and are able to do a lot of homework and enjoy quizzes and tests to test their retention, will do better at BASIS than other students. If more folks with kids that are a great fit for BASIS enroll, then the school will have a decent sized class in the upper years, and like-minded students will have many peers to socialize and learn with.

I know parents that have IEP students and those who weren't doing well at their former public school that did miserably at BASIS and have all left. I know a few parents whose kids did very well at their former school but weren't challenged and needed more and are doing well at BASIS now (A's and B's). I know of a bright 7th grader who was doing well at his former school but struggles to make As at BASIS and has made no new friends. He's complained, as many others have, of kids who aren't prepared and that talk loudly through classes and are bullies outside of class. He'll do 8th grade there and go somewhere else for high school. I know another bright 7th grader who is doing well but her parents complain of the amount of testing and quizzes. It's too much for her and them and they will do 8th and leave afterwards.

I don't think BASIS should change its curriculum to keep ALL students there. I think they should continue to do what they're doing but also bolster support for students that are on the borderline of doing very well in that type of environment. Also being a first year school, there's a lot to learn for the school, the parents and the students. A lot of what folks learned too late, I already figured out through the information sessions, and decided on the first day of school that it would not be good choice for our family. BASIS is not the only school that demands a lot of its students in this area. There are MANY. I went to an application-only high school and enjoyed being with students who wanted to learn. We had 77 kids in our graduating class, and 400 in the school total. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friendly and no one felt intimidated for wanting to learn. I wish there were many more schools like this with smaller class sizes and a strong focus on learning how to think and loving to learn.

I think your quote is thoughtful and well written. To be honest, as a BASIS parent, I hope that some of these very disruptive kids (and while some of them are still there, many have already left of their own volition) will not pass the comprehensive exams now or in the beginning of the year and will leave the school.

As you said, BASIS is not for all kids. Neither is KIPP. Both hold students to high standards academically and behaviorally and are willing to take serious action when kids are not adhering to those standards and/or not making any effort to learn, just to distract other students in class.

You are right that BASIS is a new school and is working out all of the problems and this is one problem that I think has yet to be adequately addressed. So it is possible that your 7th grader who is upset about his/her classmates behaving disruptively will come back next year and they will be gone, and will decide to stay for high school. And it is possible that the child you mention who has no friends will make some next year. If they stay another year, if struggling kids go to summer school, anything is possible (I hope).

If not, all of these children whom you describe whose parents are making rational decisions to leave BASIS will undoubtedly see their kids used as more ammunition about how BASIS has such a high attrition rate, and be used to cry racism if any of them are minority students, and be used as examples of BASIS mistreating special ed kids if they happen to have IEPs or 504s. That is at least a large part of what is happening right now. BASIS is a majority non-white, non high SES school, and yet people are crying racism. I think that is extremely unfortunate and unfair. My child is a minority student with a IEP/504 who loves the school and is getting As and Bs and has made some friends.

You are definitely not a BASIS basher, and I am not much of a BASIS booster, but I do believe that BASIS is meeting a need here for high performing kids (with or without IEPS or 504s) who are willing to do hard work and cannot afford to be in private school or move to Md or Va. And I think people who want to see BASIS destroyed are not focusing on that. Why does anyone who does not have a child at BASIS want to see BASIS fail? I do not get it.

We have no TJ. We have no G&T programs in elementary and middle school. NYC and other major cities do. DC kids should be able to get that same kind of intense high quality education if they so choose, and BASIS is one of the few if not the only school that provides that to all of its students starting in the fifth grade. Thank you for your comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An April 15, 2013 class struggle article, "Nation’s best high school may be closed," alludes to the possibility: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/nations-best-high-school-may-be-closed/2013/04/15/4ad3de82-a53d-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_blog.html

I've read many threads on this forum about BASIS DC and have come to a few conclusions (after doing my own research and investigating and realizing the school wasn't a good fit for my son):

1) There are many families who signed on but underestimated the level of homework each night, number and frequency of quizzes and tests, and amount of independence and self discipline their child would need to succeed.
2) Many families chose the school because of its central location in the city and various easy routes to get to the school.
3) Several, if not many, felt their kid who was having difficulty at one school would do better because of the discipline at BASIS.

I think all of these families were disappointed, and anyone else coming to BASIS for these reasons or ignoring item #1, will experience some amount of failure at the school.

There are so many schools in the area, and each parent needs to take a moment to figure out what's the best environment for their child. Your child will spend 7+ hours in school each day so it makes sense to place him in a place that's suited for him. From what I've seen and heard from former and current parents, kids who score high academically at their previous schools, or who don't feel challenged and welcome a lot of new content and are able to do a lot of homework and enjoy quizzes and tests to test their retention, will do better at BASIS than other students. If more folks with kids that are a great fit for BASIS enroll, then the school will have a decent sized class in the upper years, and like-minded students will have many peers to socialize and learn with.

I know parents that have IEP students and those who weren't doing well at their former public school that did miserably at BASIS and have all left. I know a few parents whose kids did very well at their former school but weren't challenged and needed more and are doing well at BASIS now (A's and B's). I know of a bright 7th grader who was doing well at his former school but struggles to make As at BASIS and has made no new friends. He's complained, as many others have, of kids who aren't prepared and that talk loudly through classes and are bullies outside of class. He'll do 8th grade there and go somewhere else for high school. I know another bright 7th grader who is doing well but her parents complain of the amount of testing and quizzes. It's too much for her and them and they will do 8th and leave afterwards.

I don't think BASIS should change its curriculum to keep ALL students there. I think they should continue to do what they're doing but also bolster support for students that are on the borderline of doing very well in that type of environment. Also being a first year school, there's a lot to learn for the school, the parents and the students. A lot of what folks learned too late, I already figured out through the information sessions, and decided on the first day of school that it would not be good choice for our family. BASIS is not the only school that demands a lot of its students in this area. There are MANY. I went to an application-only high school and enjoyed being with students who wanted to learn. We had 77 kids in our graduating class, and 400 in the school total. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friendly and no one felt intimidated for wanting to learn. I wish there were many more schools like this with smaller class sizes and a strong focus on learning how to think and loving to learn.

I think your quote is thoughtful and well written. To be honest, as a BASIS parent, I hope that some of these very disruptive kids (and while some of them are still there, many have already left of their own volition) will not pass the comprehensive exams now or in the beginning of the year and will leave the school.

As you said, BASIS is not for all kids. Neither is KIPP. Both hold students to high standards academically and behaviorally and are willing to take serious action when kids are not adhering to those standards and/or not making any effort to learn, just to distract other students in class.

You are right that BASIS is a new school and is working out all of the problems and this is one problem that I think has yet to be adequately addressed. So it is possible that your 7th grader who is upset about his/her classmates behaving disruptively will come back next year and they will be gone, and will decide to stay for high school. And it is possible that the child you mention who has no friends will make some next year. If they stay another year, if struggling kids go to summer school, anything is possible (I hope).

If not, all of these children whom you describe whose parents are making rational decisions to leave BASIS will undoubtedly see their kids used as more ammunition about how BASIS has such a high attrition rate, and be used to cry racism if any of them are minority students, and be used as examples of BASIS mistreating special ed kids if they happen to have IEPs or 504s. That is at least a large part of what is happening right now. BASIS is a majority non-white, non high SES school, and yet people are crying racism. I think that is extremely unfortunate and unfair. My child is a minority student with a IEP/504 who loves the school and is getting As and Bs and has made some friends.

You are definitely not a BASIS basher, and I am not much of a BASIS booster, but I do believe that BASIS is meeting a need here for high performing kids (with or without IEPS or 504s) who are willing to do hard work and cannot afford to be in private school or move to Md or Va. And I think people who want to see BASIS destroyed are not focusing on that. Why does anyone who does not have a child at BASIS want to see BASIS fail? I do not get it.

We have no TJ. We have no G&T programs in elementary and middle school. NYC and other major cities do. DC kids should be able to get that same kind of intense high quality education if they so choose, and BASIS is one of the few if not the only school that provides that to all of its students starting in the fifth grade. Thank you for your comments.

Unfortunately BASIS was started as a charter school subject to current law which means that it accepts all children based upon lottery -- not test scores, motivation, behavior problems (or lack of behavioral problems), neighborhood or SES. Therefore it is up to BASIS to meet the needs of its current students. Not just the students who are high achieving or without behavioral problems, but all students who are enrolled. I think that is where there is frustration with Basis. If others have to meet the needs of their students then why not Basis?

[Anonymous]

^So the problem is that BASIS is expected to be "all things to all people" which is what DCPS is (and have done a miserable job). Therein lies the problem and why DC does not and cannot provide a G&T track for the G&T kids. Everyone is expected to be the same and have the same outcome (low), doesn't matter what their potential. Everyone has to be treated the same b/c THAT'S fair. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

14:59 obviously DCPS is not meeting the needs of their students, which is why they are all leaving for charters.

If you are so concerned about schools meeting the needs of all students, then start THERE.

Furthermore, I would submit that the Charter Board is operating under a different set of operating parameters that what you are suggesting, given the fact that they are routinely approving schools which focus only on meeting the needs of a very narrow segment of the population, like Carlos Rosario or St. Colettas.

Basically, to make you happy and fully satisfy that demand or be shut down, one would have to shut down EVERY school in the entire district, because NONE of them meet the needs of every student.

[Anonymous]

I have no child in Basis. I have no animosity towards Basis, I hope it succeeds and provides a strong alternative option for families that want it.

This article cannot be construed as implying that Basis might be closed.

Seriously OP, what is your point here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14:59 obviously DCPS is not meeting the needs of their students, which is why they are all leaving for charters.

If you are so concerned about schools meeting the needs of all students, then start THERE.

Furthermore, I would submit that the Charter Board is operating under a different set of operating parameters that what you are suggesting, given the fact that they are routinely approving schools which focus only on meeting the needs of a very narrow segment of the population, like Carlos Rosario or St. Colettas.

Basically, to make you happy and fully satisfy that demand or be shut down, one would have to shut down EVERY school in the entire district, because NONE of them meet the needs of every student.

Thank you, thank you.

[Anonymous]

I really don't understand the basis for the accusations that the school is not meeting the needs of all of the children. It very clearly markets itself as a school that is NOT DESIGNED for all children. Every information session that I went to before enrolling my child at BASIS made it very clear that it is a school for kids who want to work hard, and parents who are willing to support that endeavor. They are not touting themselves as a school for all children - they are marketing to a much more specific population and have the freedom to do so because it is a CHOICE to go to BASIS. That is the entire purpose of having charters and school choice to begin with. If kids and their parents aren't up for the challenge, then rightfully enter the lottery for one of the other dozens of charters at your fingertips in DC and stop complaining about BASIS.

[Anonymous]

Listen -- I know Basis may not like the rules but the rules are in place so either abide by them or bece subject to problems. There are specialized charter schools (mentioned above) because they were approved to serve those populations. BASIS didnt apply to be a charter which only serves a certain population, they applied to be like Latin or Two Rivers or any of the other schools which have a more general enrollment goal with a different curriculum. Unlike the pp BASIS parent which thinks it is for GT type children, that isn't what their application was approved to serve. Yes, DC probably should have a GT program or two or three. That is a great idea. Too bad BASIS didnt try for that because they may have actually been able to get it done. But since they have to live up to their current charter they can't simply act like a GT program (not saying they are but clearly some BASIIs parents think they should) and try to "encourage" those who aren't GT to "find" a different program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think your quote is thoughtful and well written. To be honest, as a BASIS parent, I hope that some of these very disruptive kids (and while some of them are still there, many have already left of their own volition) will not pass the comprehensive exams now or in the beginning of the year and will leave the school.

As you said, BASIS is not for all kids. Neither is KIPP. Both hold students to high standards academically and behaviorally and are willing to take serious action when kids are not adhering to those standards and/or not making any effort to learn, just to distract other students in class.

You are right that BASIS is a new school and is working out all of the problems and this is one problem that I think has yet to be adequately addressed. So it is possible that your 7th grader who is upset about his/her classmates behaving disruptively will come back next year and they will be gone, and will decide to stay for high school. And it is possible that the child you mention who has no friends will make some next year. If they stay another year, if struggling kids go to summer school, anything is possible (I hope).

If not, all of these children whom you describe whose parents are making rational decisions to leave BASIS will undoubtedly see their kids used as more ammunition about how BASIS has such a high attrition rate, and be used to cry racism if any of them are minority students, and be used as examples of BASIS mistreating special ed kids if they happen to have IEPs or 504s. That is at least a large part of what is happening right now. BASIS is a majority non-white, non high SES school, and yet people are crying racism. I think that is extremely unfortunate and unfair. My child is a minority student with a IEP/504 who loves the school and is getting As and Bs and has made some friends.

You are definitely not a BASIS basher, and I am not much of a BASIS booster, but I do believe that BASIS is meeting a need here for high performing kids (with or without IEPS or 504s) who are willing to do hard work and cannot afford to be in private school or move to Md or Va. And I think people who want to see BASIS destroyed are not focusing on that. Why does anyone who does not have a child at BASIS want to see BASIS fail? I do not get it.

We have no TJ. We have no G&T programs in elementary and middle school. NYC and other major cities do. DC kids should be able to get that same kind of intense high quality education if they so choose, and BASIS is one of the few if not the only school that provides that to all of its students starting in the fifth grade. Thank you for your comments.

Your DC wouldn't get into TJ so it makes no difference to you if DCPS has a TJ. I also highly doubt you child would get into one of the GT Centers/Magnets in MoCo either. You are lucky that BASIS has to take all comers or you wouldn't be there. Stop hating on the rest of the children and "hoping" that they fail. Stop making generalizations about if "any" of the "minority" students leave they will cry "racism." You sound like one of the "ivory tower" people that believed it when their school told them how special they are and if people leave it is because they can't hack it in order to not have to deal with real issues that may have been at the school. Sometimes people leave because they WANT to or it is not the right fit for them. You don't have to wish failure on them. Maybe the reason your DC loves the school is because he has an IEP and is getting special accommodations that some of these other children, that you are hoping fail, don't get.

[Anonymous]

Meant to add - Unless you went to KIPP, don't talk about it. Everyone I know that went there pulled their DC because the standards were "too low."