Basis Mclean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did the admissions staff quit? Did they all walk out one day? Is that the reason Chris had to come, is he doing it all himself like a one man show?

I wasn't witness to the quitting, so all I could offer would be secondhand or heresay. And yes, currently Chris is on his own.

[Anonymous]

What's the central staff like? Are they interested in education? Or young inexperienced kids?

[Anonymous]

Would you send your kids to Basis?

[Anonymous]

Is Sean Aiken the only one interested in actual teaching there?

[Anonymous]

What are the Blocks like? I heard they hired their daughter because she couldn't find a job -- is that true?

[Anonymous]

How does this culture compare to other independent schools?

[Anonymous]

Why are you intentionally hurting your employer? Are you quitting soon? Or were you fired?

[Anonymous]

Why test students if anyone gets in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did the admissions staff quit? Did they all walk out one day? Is that the reason Chris had to come, is he doing it all himself like a one man show?

I wasn't witness to the quitting, so all I could offer would be secondhand or heresay. And yes, currently Chris is on his own.

I called two days ago and a woman answered the phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you intentionally hurting your employer? Are you quitting soon? Or were you fired?

Because people deserve all sides of they are going to make educated decisions. And I'm a firm believer that education isn't about selling a product. There are positives and negatives to any school. BASIS offers an accelerated program. For many that is a big selling point. However, it also has high attrition rates, turnover in the staff, and a culture that is shaped in part by the for-profit strategy. Does this mean it's a bad choice? For some, maybe. For others, maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why test students if anyone gets in?

To figure out grade level placement. Some students are admitted on the condition they repeat a grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you send your kids to Basis?

NO. unless it was the school I worked at and I knew that the staff and teachers were stable/going to stay and high quality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Sean Aiken the only one interested in actual teaching there?

I wouldn't say that. But I also wouldn't say that the majority of admin are interested in teacher/have much education experience. Many are just in it to move up the ranks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does this culture compare to other independent schools?

If you took out th he kids, it doesn't feel like a school at all. It's very cold and sterile. Parent involvement is discouraged, no school assemblies, no space in the school buildings large enough for the entire school to congregate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the central staff like? Are they interested in education? Or young inexperienced kids?

Most are young, inexperienced, and have no interest/experience in education. There are exceptions, of course, and talented staff as well.