Last night my kid said "I really like Basis - I'm glad I go to school there"!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

Thank you for a reasonable post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Arizona. BASIS has had very mixed reviews in the state since the get go, particularly from the state legislature. The sort of tit for tat criticism and defensiveness you see on DCUM isn’t just a DC phenomenon.

Sure, someone from Arizona is monitoring the DC public and public charter school forum on DCUM. And agrees 100% with the PP. Very likely.

8 0f the 10 ranked high schools in Arizona are BASIS, and some of these are ranked among the best in the country. No one, including the state legislature, is giving mixed reviews.

PP, stop lying and posting false information here.

Chill out guy. I live on CH. I came to to DC from AZ years ago. I have old friends who send their kids to BASIS programs back home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

Thank you for a reasonable post.

Nice to hear a poster admitting that they settled for BASIS' middle school. If I didn't have my ex in VA with an address that works for a strong public schools, I'd probably have stuck with BASIS. Middle school #2 hasn't been paradise, but has good facilities and electives and my kid has been much happier there. Kid developed a strong work ethnic at BASIS, which hasn't hurt. Good luck to the BASIS crew.

[Anonymous]

A reputable watchdog group called Arizonans for Charter School Accountability has been keeping a close eye on the BASIS franchise's expansion for years. Their BASIS focused reports are illuminating. The WaPo has run links to a number of their reports in the last 6 or 7 years.

http://www.azcsa.org/past-research.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

This post wins.
8th grade Basis parent here.
It's not great, but it's the best option that my family has & there are some good things about it.
The boosters are full of crap... I refuse to donate to the ATF and don't drink the Basis Kool-Aid.

[Anonymous]

Good for you, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

This post wins.
8th grade Basis parent here.
It's not great, but it's the best option that my family has & there are some good things about it.
The boosters are full of crap... I refuse to donate to the ATF and don't drink the Basis Kool-Aid.

So. Much. This. (6th grade basis parent)

[Anonymous]

BASIS parent agrees with the school being the best option for middles school in DC. It's isn't perfect but it is the best for our child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A reputable watchdog group called Arizonans for Charter School Accountability has been keeping a close eye on the BASIS franchise's expansion for years. Their BASIS focused reports are illuminating. The WaPo has run links to a number of their reports in the last 6 or 7 years.

http://www.azcsa.org/past-research.html

Olga and Michael Block and their McSTEM instructional model leave a lot to be desired. That said, DCPS is that much worse and with fat more generous funding per capita than BASIS receives from the District. It’s a no-brainer that parents outside the JKLM-Deal-Wilson pyramid will flock to BASIS indefinitely.

[Anonymous]

My DS loved it there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

This post wins.
8th grade Basis parent here.
It's not great, but it's the best option that my family has & there are some good things about it.
The boosters are full of crap... I refuse to donate to the ATF and don't drink the Basis Kool-Aid.

This post is tiring. Maybe if more parents were willing to help out rather than decide they're smarter than everyone else, donate to reward good teachers and keep them at the school, the experience would be even better.

[Anonymous]

My kid couldn't be happier at Basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

Few BASIS MS parents can see that far ahead.

You can’t really evaluate Basis without understanding the context most patents are coming from. Our assigned middle school (Stuart Hobson) didn’t seem like a good fit because DC is tortured by too much chaos and has seen how chaotic the S-H kids seem to be out and about in the neighborhood. She wasn’t willing to even try. We can’t afford private. I considered MoCo for years, but DH loves our neighborhood and would be crushed to live in the suburbs. So…? We played the lottery and were thrilled to have Basis as a choice.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect fit for DC or our family and not the school I’d choose if I had several strong choices. We have our grumbles. But we didn’t have several strong choices, and at least it’s (mostly) teaching DC a lot, and we like most of the kids. DC is considering other high school options but may decide to stay at Basis because supposedly high school is more enjoyable than middle school. As much as DC is torn now, I think high school might end up being a great experience. Most things in life are not either all great or all bad.

This post wins.
8th grade Basis parent here.
It's not great, but it's the best option that my family has & there are some good things about it.
The boosters are full of crap... I refuse to donate to the ATF and don't drink the Basis Kool-Aid.

Another Basis parent who agrees: good, but not perfect. But we DO donate to the Teachers' Fund because overall the teachers seem to be doing a good job, and the bonuses will help retain and attract good teachers. We donate a relatively large amount but it's still only a couple of percent of what private school tuition would be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A reputable watchdog group called Arizonans for Charter School Accountability has been keeping a close eye on the BASIS franchise's expansion for years. Their BASIS focused reports are illuminating. The WaPo has run links to a number of their reports in the last 6 or 7 years.

http://www.azcsa.org/past-research.html

Olga and Michael Block and their McSTEM instructional model leave a lot to be desired. That said, DCPS is that much worse and with fat more generous funding per capita than BASIS receives from the District. It’s a no-brainer that parents outside the JKLM-Deal-Wilson pyramid will flock to BASIS indefinitely.

I'm a parent in bounds for Deal and we picked Basis. Of course, we have Deal to fall back on had it not worked out, but so far it is. We have another child who has gone through Deal. There are a lot of things that surprised me about it - one is that the way they teach math works far better for my kid than the DCPS curriculum. I also appreciate the level of expectations. But its a weird school, for sure.

I think there's a lot of critisicm that parents are stupid to chose Basis in 5th grade based on stuff that happens in later middle or high schol that I think is ridiculous. All of us pick or send a kid to a school and hope it works out, knowing full well that it might or might not be the right place. But you give it a shot and adjust as needed by the end of middle or high school. Same is true at Deal. A large portion of my other child's friends did not move on to Wilson.

No school is going to be a perfect fit; everyone is doing the best they can and putting one foot in front of the other.

[Anonymous]

Meanwhile, the Blocks are doing their best to rake in millions in BASIS corporate profits. Parents EotP are too desperate for acceptable public middle schools to mind. The arrangement represents a failure of local governance in this city. Parents can’t be blamed.