BASIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP One reason we left BASIS after 7th grade was that my son (who was in their top 10% group) started to want more intangibles. He wanted Gym AND Computer Science AND Art, of which he could only choose 1 in 7th grade, because of needing to fit all the super academic subjects in the rest of the curriculum. He wanted a selection of school sports team he could join, and time to see his friends in the lounge, not just grind away. He was very successful at BASIS, but wanted a different experience. So we went to a TT private. I believe that BASIS invests on what they can measure (ie AP tests, number of clubs) but puts less emphasis on the intangibles that lead to a richer, more joyful school experience (e.g. weekly Advisory, free hot chocolate day, random things that build morale for the kids).

Was it hard to apply for privates in 8th grade?

It's never hard to apply for privates. It's also seldom hard to get in. It's just hard to afford them unless you're seriously cash-strapped and people of color with high-performing students or the parents of math, music or chess prodigies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basis isn’t for the independent minded learner or family with a quirky background or interests. There is little respect for the individual. Find academic brilliance elsewhere. Basis is advanced mediocrity in a dreary setting. The academics are for DC but it competitive in the Metra area.

Our kid (who is quirky and independent) didn’t do well at her top-rated elementary school but is very happy at Basis. She finds the teachers interesting and funny, and her engagement in school has improved dramatically. I’m not sure exactly what your last sentence is supposed to mean (check grammar before posting), but we are happy with the Basis curriculum. Our child is learning all kinds of things that I never studied in school, not just in science, but also in other classes.

[Anonymous]

Let me guess, parent of a 5th grader...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I can say is my kid loves it. We could easily go private, but we couldn’t find a better match. So far that remains true. 8th grade.

Some of us can afford private but prefer a more diverse school with string academics. Private school students in DC are either super wealthy or scholarship kids. Not many in the middle and a lot of focus on material things and vacations. My DC at BASIS graduated with friends whose parents were immigrants, scientists, lawyers, investment bsnkers, teachers, taxi drivers and lived in NW, , NE and SE. Show me a private that has THAT.

The school is not as diverse as you think. The few foreign/immigrant students are mostly from well educated, well off families with high income. The school knows that a percentage of low income minority student body is a must to exist in DC, but these students are not benefiting much from attending BASIS which has been described by many former parents and teachers as the best environment for upper middle class families whose kids end up getting excellent GPAs and score great on AP/ SAT exams, something they probably would be unable to achieve in privates.

[Anonymous]

It's true that BASIS isn't all that diverse. Few low SES students attend. But something that UMC students "would probably be unable to achieve in privates." Huh? Every year, 10, 12, even 15 Sidwell Friends' students become PSAT/NMSQT Semifinalists. Just one private producing three of four times more Semifinalists than all of DCPS and DCPC combined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that BASIS isn't all that diverse. Few low SES students attend. But something that UMC students "would probably be unable to achieve in privates." Huh? Every year, 10, 12, even 15 Sidwell Friends' students become PSAT/NMSQT Semifinalists. Just one private producing three of four times more Semifinalists than all of DCPS and DCPC combined.

Can UMC students afford Sidwell Friends? BASIS students may be higher SES than the average DCPS student, but they're generally in a much lower SES than kids at the elite privates.

[Anonymous]

Some of these anonymous, unsourced posts from trolls are just crazy. Who are these “many former parents and teachers”? Cites? Names? Let’s hear them.

Here are the facts:

BASIS is a 100% lottery school and costs $0 for DC residents.

Sidwell Friends is a private school that admits whomever they want and charges $50,000/year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anonymous, unsourced posts from trolls are just crazy. Who are these “many former parents and teachers”? Cites? Names? Let’s hear them.

Here are the facts:

BASIS is a 100% lottery school and costs $0 for DC residents.

Sidwell Friends is a private school that admits whomever they want and charges $50,000/year.

Donating to the teachers’ fund at BASIS takes you a long way. Obviously parents will never admit to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anonymous, unsourced posts from trolls are just crazy. Who are these “many former parents and teachers”? Cites? Names? Let’s hear them.

Here are the facts:

BASIS is a 100% lottery school and costs $0 for DC residents.

Sidwell Friends is a private school that admits whomever they want and charges $50,000/year.

Donating to the teachers’ fund at BASIS takes you a long way. Obviously parents will never admit to it.

???

Please remove the tinfoil hat and fill in that chip on your shoulder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anonymous, unsourced posts from trolls are just crazy. Who are these “many former parents and teachers”? Cites? Names? Let’s hear them.

Here are the facts:

BASIS is a 100% lottery school and costs $0 for DC residents.

Sidwell Friends is a private school that admits whomever they want and charges $50,000/year.

Donating to the teachers’ fund at BASIS takes you a long way. Obviously parents will never admit to it.

Did you donate to the teachers' fund and receive special perks or higher grades? Did you not donate to the teachers' fund, only to see your child get mistreated or penalized in some way? Please clarify.

Also, it's pretty ludicrous to compare a lottery admission free public charter with a highly selective, expensive private school.

[Anonymous]

Is BASIS like the KIPP for rich kids?