My kid is bored...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sent your kid to a MS with weak facilities, enrichment and extra curriculars and teachers and staff who aren't paid well enough to stick around for many years.

If he were at a MS in Fairfax or maybe MoCo or Arlington, he'd have a good library and computer lab to haunt in search of inspiration. He's probably have access to a robotics lab, band and orchestra sessions during class time, a serious chess club, debate club, a range of languages to choose from, school musicals to get involved with etc. His teachers and school counselor would probably be more experienced than at BASIS.

BASIS was too short on fun, staff cohesion and inspiration for us. I'm an MIT grad who works in STEM.

Obviously, you don't know much about Basis DC, Mr/Ms. MIT grad who works in STEM. Maybe in your day kids hung out in the library and computer lab, but I don't think that this is a "thing" nowadays. Moreover, kids in DC can walk to libraries and--breaking news--many even have their own computers. Maybe not where you live? In fact, Basis kids on Capitol Hill can stroll over to the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, and use that if they wish.

Here is a link if people are interested about activities at Basis:

https://www.basised.com/washington-dc/files/2021/01/dc-tour-kit.pdf

One update from the above: USN&WR recently ranked Basis DC the number #1 public middle school in DC.

His statement that BASIS doesn't have a library or computer lab is factually correct. His statement that BASIS has high staff turnover, coupled with low pay, as compared to high-performing suburban middle schools in this Metro area is also factually correct. He's 2-2. Your activities list sounds great, but BASIS DC can only run so many high quality activities with the facilities and resources available to it (shoe-string budget for extra-curriculars).
...
#1 MS public MS in DC obviously isn't a high bar to clear. That's why the award goes to a school with a crappy building, mediocre ELA scores and so-so college acceptances, other than for a handful of grads bound for MIT and one or two Ivies.

So, you concede that everything else was factually incorrect? Great.

In fact, Basis DC had significantly higher retention last year than DCPS as a whole this last year. So, that point is factually incorrect as well.

Comparing DCPS to other school districts is apples and oranges.

Sorry...what were you saying...oh, that's right....you don't have any kids in DCPS but you are posting on the DC schools forum.

Thanks for sharing. Now get lost.

[Anonymous]

OP's kid is likely depressed.

Signed, mom of two BASIS kids repeatedly on the distinguished honor roll (top 5 percent of grade), neither of whom complain of boredom. And their grades come easily too...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sent your kid to a MS with weak facilities, enrichment and extra curriculars and teachers and staff who aren't paid well enough to stick around for many years.

If he were at a MS in Fairfax or maybe MoCo or Arlington, he'd have a good library and computer lab to haunt in search of inspiration. He's probably have access to a robotics lab, band and orchestra sessions during class time, a serious chess club, debate club, a range of languages to choose from, school musicals to get involved with etc. His teachers and school counselor would probably be more experienced than at BASIS.

BASIS was too short on fun, staff cohesion and inspiration for us. I'm an MIT grad who works in STEM.

Obviously, you don't know much about Basis DC, Mr/Ms. MIT grad who works in STEM. Maybe in your day kids hung out in the library and computer lab, but I don't think that this is a "thing" nowadays. Moreover, kids in DC can walk to libraries and--breaking news--many even have their own computers. Maybe not where you live? In fact, Basis kids on Capitol Hill can stroll over to the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, and use that if they wish.

Here is a link if people are interested about activities at Basis:

https://www.basised.com/washington-dc/files/2021/01/dc-tour-kit.pdf

One update from the above: USN&WR recently ranked Basis DC the number #1 public middle school in DC.

His statement that BASIS doesn't have a library or computer lab is factually correct. His statement that BASIS has high staff turnover, coupled with low pay, as compared to high-performing suburban middle schools in this Metro area is also factually correct. He's 2-2. Your activities list sounds great, but BASIS DC can only run so many high quality activities with the facilities and resources available to it (shoe-string budget for extra-curriculars).

#1 MS public MS in DC obviously isn't a high bar to clear. That's why the award goes to a school with a crappy building, mediocre ELA scores and so-so college acceptances, other than for a handful of grads bound for MIT and one or two Ivies.

This is a fascinating comment, in terms of language. Normally we default assume the people here are women. However, you assume this person is a man. The only thing we know about them is that they have a STEM degree from MIT.

[Anonymous]

I was that kid in DC public school and I spent a large part of the day reading and writing stories. Does he like to read? Tell him to take a book to school every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your kid maybe depressed?

no, just too smart for his own good

I love when people roll their eyes at things like this. Yes, there are kids who are bored senseless in school because they are smart and advanced. Truly, there are, whether or not your kid is one of them.

NP, who has multiple kids and only one of them fits this description.

I taught for ten years and literally NEVER encountered this. Super smart kids are the least likely to be bored because they generally are really easy to task with extensions and/or they are very creative at coming up with their own things.

99% likely parents who say this sort of stuff are parents of totally average kids who just aren't that into school.

this. Plus, I'd bet my next dividend that OP's son plays a lot of video games when not at school.

Every. last. boy. I know who is 'bored' in school plays hours of video games every day. A related phenomenon is that whenever they are banned from playing on their phones -- like, say, during class -- they are "bored.'

These boys are smart, or at least I assume they are because their parents are highly educated, but they're not Stephen Hawking who has zero to learn from school. They just can't handle the pace of real life and in person engagement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you sent your kid to a MS with weak facilities, enrichment and extra curriculars and teachers and staff who aren't paid well enough to stick around for many years.

If he were at a MS in Fairfax or maybe MoCo or Arlington, he'd have a good library and computer lab to haunt in search of inspiration. He's probably have access to a robotics lab, band and orchestra sessions during class time, a serious chess club, debate club, a range of languages to choose from, school musicals to get involved with etc. His teachers and school counselor would probably be more experienced than at BASIS.

BASIS was too short on fun, staff cohesion and inspiration for us. I'm an MIT grad who works in STEM.

Obviously, you don't know much about Basis DC, Mr/Ms. MIT grad who works in STEM. Maybe in your day kids hung out in the library and computer lab, but I don't think that this is a "thing" nowadays. Moreover, kids in DC can walk to libraries and--breaking news--many even have their own computers. Maybe not where you live? In fact, Basis kids on Capitol Hill can stroll over to the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, and use that if they wish.

Here is a link if people are interested about activities at Basis:

https://www.basised.com/washington-dc/files/2021/01/dc-tour-kit.pdf

One update from the above: USN&WR recently ranked Basis DC the number #1 public middle school in DC.

His statement that BASIS doesn't have a library or computer lab is factually correct. His statement that BASIS has high staff turnover, coupled with low pay, as compared to high-performing suburban middle schools in this Metro area is also factually correct. He's 2-2. Your activities list sounds great, but BASIS DC can only run so many high quality activities with the facilities and resources available to it (shoe-string budget for extra-curriculars).
...
#1 MS public MS in DC obviously isn't a high bar to clear. That's why the award goes to a school with a crappy building, mediocre ELA scores and so-so college acceptances, other than for a handful of grads bound for MIT and one or two Ivies.

So, you concede that everything else was factually incorrect? Great.

In fact, Basis DC had significantly higher retention last year than DCPS as a whole this last year. So, that point is factually incorrect as well.

Comparing DCPS to other school districts is apples and oranges.

Sorry...what were you saying...oh, that's right....you don't have any kids in DCPS but you are posting on the DC schools forum.

Thanks for sharing. Now get lost.

I have kids in DCPS but have no idea what this statement means. Presumably, our DCPS and DCPC students, "apples," will eventually be applying to many of the same colleges and jobs as "oranges" in other school districts out, so they'd better be able to compete. DCPS shouldn't be let off the hook for its many egregious, needless and repeated failures by facile apples-to-oranges comparisons.

We didn't enroll at BASIS this year because it didn't seem like a very happy place to attend middle school for most of the students. We weren't scared off by the academics--our oldest worked more than a year ahead of the DCPS ES math curriculum by 4th grade--we were put off the dreariness of the place and militant-seeming approach to teaching. Not surprised that OP's 7th grader is bored. Where's the fun and joy of learning at BASIS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it's truly because your child is so advanced, then see if he could test into skipping a grade. If not, then ask the teachers if he can bring a book to read once he's done with his class work.

Even advanced kids generally aren't advanced in all areas. You might want to check with his pediatrician to see what else might be going on.

They definitely will grade skip kids in math. If OP's kid is bored in math, OP should look into jumping up a grade for math. Otherwise, it's pretty standard to let kids read a book or amuse themselves when they're finished with their class work.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand folks who say BASIS is boring. I wish I could have had a curriculum like theirs growing up.

Your kid might be depressed. I was a pretty advanced kid- top test scores with IB program. The only time I was bored in school it was my fault because I was depressed. When you are depressed things are flat and dull. When I wasn’t depressed I would find ways to make my work challenging - like reading whatever novel we were reading in a foreign language rather than in English or something.

[Anonymous]

My bright daughter in 7th grade at a good dcps doodles. She’s an incredible artist. (Draws very realistic snd detailed portraits in pencil and pen.) But she got in trouble for doodling. Points deducted.she’s getting As and A-s. Sometimes school is boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are the rowdy kids canceled out after 5th grade? Are the rowdy kids keeping up with the work load? it seems ike it must get better each year no?

It does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it's truly because your child is so advanced, then see if he could test into skipping a grade. If not, then ask the teachers if he can bring a book to read once he's done with his class work.

Even advanced kids generally aren't advanced in all areas. You might want to check with his pediatrician to see what else might be going on.

At BASIS, no way. Admins aren't allowed to consider it, not the model, not in marching orders from AZ.

Is this actual knowledge? Seems to me Basis would be on board if a kid were truly so advanced they could skip to the next year - why not? But - proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say. Your kid better be able to pass those (7th grade) comps (every class) - if he can do that - by all means, why not skip a grade? I haven't yet heard what the OP's kids grades are. Is he getting 100% in all his classes? Or his he too "bored" to bother to get good grades?

[Anonymous]

Try Outschool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it's truly because your child is so advanced, then see if he could test into skipping a grade. If not, then ask the teachers if he can bring a book to read once he's done with his class work.

Even advanced kids generally aren't advanced in all areas. You might want to check with his pediatrician to see what else might be going on.

At BASIS, no way. Admins aren't allowed to consider it, not the model, not in marching orders from AZ.

Is this actual knowledge? Seems to me Basis would be on board if a kid were truly so advanced they could skip to the next year - why not? But - proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say. Your kid better be able to pass those (7th grade) comps (every class) - if he can do that - by all means, why not skip a grade? I haven't yet heard what the OP's kids grades are. Is he getting 100% in all his classes? Or his he too "bored" to bother to get good grades?

Yes, actual knowledge. The answer to a question about skipping a grade will be absolutely not, the stock answer from BASIS admins in response to almost any question requesting flexibility within in the curriculum. Admins are known for being inflexible, per the franchise's model for middle school. Example: BASIS won't support, or even tolerate, advanced middle school language studies under any circumstances Advanced language students are forced to study a second language at the beginning level, no exceptions. It's the BASIS way or the highway at every turn, period. To my knowledge, no student can skip a grade at BASIS DC under any circumstances.

[Anonymous]

There are several 6th graders taking 7th grade Algebra right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it's truly because your child is so advanced, then see if he could test into skipping a grade. If not, then ask the teachers if he can bring a book to read once he's done with his class work.

Even advanced kids generally aren't advanced in all areas. You might want to check with his pediatrician to see what else might be going on.

At BASIS, no way. Admins aren't allowed to consider it, not the model, not in marching orders from AZ.

Is this actual knowledge? Seems to me Basis would be on board if a kid were truly so advanced they could skip to the next year - why not? But - proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say. Your kid better be able to pass those (7th grade) comps (every class) - if he can do that - by all means, why not skip a grade? I haven't yet heard what the OP's kids grades are. Is he getting 100% in all his classes? Or his he too "bored" to bother to get good grades?

Yes, actual knowledge. The answer to a question about skipping a grade will be absolutely not, the stock answer from BASIS admins in response to almost any question requesting flexibility within in the curriculum. Admins are known for being inflexible, per the franchise's model for middle school. Example: BASIS won't support, or even tolerate, advanced middle school language studies under any circumstances Advanced language students are forced to study a second language at the beginning level, no exceptions. It's the BASIS way or the highway
at every turn, period. To my knowledge, no student can skip a grade at BASIS DC under any circumstances.

But your example is entirely unrelated to a kid who is above grade in ALL subjects. I find it highly unlikely that basis would block such a kid from skipping a grade. (Assuming socio- emotional skills are there).