Basis Mclean or Flint Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr Williams is very distinguished and not to take anything from his accomplishments, but many students do not like him at all in comparison to other teachers at the school. He is far from engaging according to what I’ve heard from my daughter and many of her classmates, as well as other parents. Again, not to take away from his accomplishments and I wish him the best wherever he goes, but he is not the best teacher at the school has by far. Perhaps the most ‘known’ for working with a previous administration, but not at all the best.

What a very sad pattern for the deniers. Those hundreds of kids that left, they just weren’t smart enough. The administrators, let’s not talk about them, this next HoS is here to stay (don’t worry that he’s #7 in 5 years). The teachers that go, even one that probably directly attracted a good number of students, not the best.

Deniers? That's hilarious... someone has s different perspective than you so they must be deniers. Kids have left (fact), The administration has had turnover (fact). Teachers have left (fact). Many others will leave and new ones will come. Fact and fact because people move, decide to change jobs, have disagreements, get sick, find better opportunities elsewhere. It happens.
Based on my experience as I see my kids and their friends, the kids that stayed are happy, learning, having great experiences, and hardly aware of the changes. If you came to this school just because of this one math teacher or were planning to come just because of him, the school is not the place for you, go to Nysmith. If you base your decisions on comments posted in an anonymous forum, go somewhere else ( good luck finding a school without negative comments here).

A huge proportion of kids who started five years ago have left.

The administration and ownership have turned over multiple times in those five years.

Many good teachers and administrators have left or been laid off due to budget shortfalls.

If your answer to all of the above is to jam your hands over your ears and chant ignorance is bliss over and over, that's not exactly grappling with the facts.

BIM is fine for some kids, but anyone contemplating a commitment there needs to look at the full picture.

But hey, the next HOS is bound to turn things around, right? That's the school motto now.

+1 “Deniers” is a great term for the “bury your head in the sand” types. No one said the school isn’t a great fit for some kids but one would have to admit, statistically, this group is the exception. Anyone considering BIM as an option should look long and hard to assess the fit.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to parent/teacher meetings where some parents make demands for more extra-curricular activities and more sports; while others have even pushed for less homework and a reassessment of the comps (test that evaluates middle schoolers knowledge of subjects). Obviously these parents aren’t happy and tend to be much louder than parents like myself that couldnt be happier with a school that focuses on academics rather than sports. The comps are challenging but I’ve become a believer after seeing my kid in the last two years study with such rigor and commitment that prior to Basis I didnt know she had. Again, its not for everyone (child or parent). If you want sports or anything primarily outside of STEM then this really isn’t the school for you. I would agree that there are administration turnarounds but being a new school this is expected, sort of like growing pains; but I have personally never really seen it impact the academics or the school’s focus on students. Again, its a school that is academically demanding and that simply isnt for everyone. Go wherever you and your child will be happy, but bashing ANY school just cause you have a platform says more about you than it does about the entity you are constantly demeaning. If you arent happy, then go elsewhere and play sports. If you left then why continue to come back to this Basis forum? Find a school that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests, but dont expect ANY school with a specific focus to change just to accommodate your child. If you want your child to play multiple sports and have less homework, then you will be happier elsewhere. If you want your child to focus and excel in academics then this school, based on my personal experience and in speaking with other parents, is a strong contender.

[Anonymous]

Fully agree with the post above. I am also a happy parent from a child in Basis. Top academic rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to parent/teacher meetings where some parents make demands for more extra-curricular activities and more sports; while others have even pushed for less homework and a reassessment of the comps (test that evaluates middle schoolers knowledge of subjects). Obviously these parents aren’t happy and tend to be much louder than parents like myself that couldnt be happier with a school that focuses on academics rather than sports. The comps are challenging but I’ve become a believer after seeing my kid in the last two years study with such rigor and commitment that prior to Basis I didnt know she had. Again, its not for everyone (child or parent). If you want sports or anything primarily outside of STEM then this really isn’t the school for you. I would agree that there are administration turnarounds but being a new school this is expected, sort of like growing pains; but I have personally never really seen it impact the academics or the school’s focus on students. Again, its a school that is academically demanding and that simply isnt for everyone. Go wherever you and your child will be happy, but bashing ANY school just cause you have a platform says more about you than it does about the entity you are constantly demeaning. If you arent happy, then go elsewhere and play sports. If you left then why continue to come back to this Basis forum? Find a school that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests, but dont expect ANY school with a specific focus to change just to accommodate your child. If you want your child to play multiple sports and have less homework, then you will be happier elsewhere. If you want your child to focus and excel in academics then this school, based on my personal experience and in speaking with other parents, is a strong contender.

This is pretty much spot on. They have made attempts in the last several years to provide those additional extracurriculars in a robust manner, but there almost always is a participation issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to parent/teacher meetings where some parents make demands for more extra-curricular activities and more sports; while others have even pushed for less homework and a reassessment of the comps (test that evaluates middle schoolers knowledge of subjects). Obviously these parents aren’t happy and tend to be much louder than parents like myself that couldnt be happier with a school that focuses on academics rather than sports. The comps are challenging but I’ve become a believer after seeing my kid in the last two years study with such rigor and commitment that prior to Basis I didnt know she had. Again, its not for everyone (child or parent). If you want sports or anything primarily outside of STEM then this really isn’t the school for you. I would agree that there are administration turnarounds but being a new school this is expected, sort of like growing pains; but I have personally never really seen it impact the academics or the school’s focus on students. Again, its a school that is academically demanding and that simply isnt for everyone. Go wherever you and your child will be happy, but bashing ANY school just cause you have a platform says more about you than it does about the entity you are constantly demeaning. If you arent happy, then go elsewhere and play sports. If you left then why continue to come back to this Basis forum? Find a school that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests, but dont expect ANY school with a specific focus to change just to accommodate your child. If you want your child to play multiple sports and have less homework, then you will be happier elsewhere. If you want your child to focus and excel in academics then this school, based on my personal experience and in speaking with other parents, is a strong contender.

This is pretty much spot on. They have made attempts in the last several years to provide those additional extracurriculars in a robust manner, but there almost always is a participation issue.

Anyone who goes to BIM looking for school sponsored sports, non-academic extracurriculars, or limited homework has not done any diligence to know that this is the absolute wrong school for those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to parent/teacher meetings where some parents make demands for more extra-curricular activities and more sports; while others have even pushed for less homework and a reassessment of the comps (test that evaluates middle schoolers knowledge of subjects). Obviously these parents aren’t happy and tend to be much louder than parents like myself that couldnt be happier with a school that focuses on academics rather than sports. The comps are challenging but I’ve become a believer after seeing my kid in the last two years study with such rigor and commitment that prior to Basis I didnt know she had. Again, its not for everyone (child or parent). If you want sports or anything primarily outside of STEM then this really isn’t the school for you. I would agree that there are administration turnarounds but being a new school this is expected, sort of like growing pains; but I have personally never really seen it impact the academics or the school’s focus on students. Again, its a school that is academically demanding and that simply isnt for everyone. Go wherever you and your child will be happy, but bashing ANY school just cause you have a platform says more about you than it does about the entity you are constantly demeaning. If you arent happy, then go elsewhere and play sports. If you left then why continue to come back to this Basis forum? Find a school that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests, but dont expect ANY school with a specific focus to change just to accommodate your child. If you want your child to play multiple sports and have less homework, then you will be happier elsewhere. If you want your child to focus and excel in academics then this school, based on my personal experience and in speaking with other parents, is a strong contender.

This is pretty much spot on. They have made attempts in the last several years to provide those additional extracurriculars in a robust manner, but there almost always is a participation issue.

Anyone who goes to BIM looking for school sponsored sports, non-academic extracurriculars, or limited homework has not done any diligence to know that this is the absolute wrong school for those things.

So you end up with a high-pressure STEM test factory that works for some kids and takes a devastating emotional toll on others.

[Anonymous]

Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

Watering down should not occur, but do realize that even “kids cut out for it” can greatly benefit from a much more well rounded education. Hence the niche is for “kids cut out for it” and parents who care about nothing else.

[Anonymous]

I believe you are exaggerating but, even if true, let the market be. The bulk of bashing against basis in this forum is uncalled for and reveals more about the people posting than about the school… which is great by the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

Watering down should not occur, but do realize that even “kids cut out for it” can greatly benefit from a much more well rounded education. Hence the niche is for “kids cut out for it” and parents who care about nothing else.

Exactly right. Whenever I meet these kids who have been pounded for years to be perfect in everything, I can only hope they seize the freedom they get in college to separate and become the people THEY want to be instead of the molded product that BIM and the high-pressure parents produce.

They are still stuck with a miserable teenage chapter in their lives. All for their own good, right?

It's so sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to parent/teacher meetings where some parents make demands for more extra-curricular activities and more sports; while others have even pushed for less homework and a reassessment of the comps (test that evaluates middle schoolers knowledge of subjects). Obviously these parents aren’t happy and tend to be much louder than parents like myself that couldnt be happier with a school that focuses on academics rather than sports. The comps are challenging but I’ve become a believer after seeing my kid in the last two years study with such rigor and commitment that prior to Basis I didnt know she had. Again, its not for everyone (child or parent). If you want sports or anything primarily outside of STEM then this really isn’t the school for you. I would agree that there are administration turnarounds but being a new school this is expected, sort of like growing pains; but I have personally never really seen it impact the academics or the school’s focus on students. Again, its a school that is academically demanding and that simply isnt for everyone. Go wherever you and your child will be happy, but bashing ANY school just cause you have a platform says more about you than it does about the entity you are constantly demeaning. If you arent happy, then go elsewhere and play sports. If you left then why continue to come back to this Basis forum? Find a school that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests, but dont expect ANY school with a specific focus to change just to accommodate your child. If you want your child to play multiple sports and have less homework, then you will be happier elsewhere. If you want your child to focus and excel in academics then this school, based on my personal experience and in speaking with other parents, is a strong contender.

This is pretty much spot on. They have made attempts in the last several years to provide those additional extracurriculars in a robust manner, but there almost always is a participation issue.

Anyone who goes to BIM looking for school sponsored sports, non-academic extracurriculars, or limited homework has not done any diligence to know that this is the absolute wrong school for those things.

So you end up with a high-pressure STEM test factory that works for some kids and takes a devastating emotional toll on others.

Well sure, just like you have high-pressure ivy league colleges “that works for some kids and takes a devastating emotional toll on others”. So yeah, this isn’t a bad thing for those that wish to focus on academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe you are exaggerating but, even if true, let the market be. The bulk of bashing against basis in this forum is uncalled for and reveals more about the people posting than about the school… which is great by the way.

NP, I think the “exaggeration” may be that parents don’t care about anything else, rather they don’t care about getting much more than very advanced math and sciences IN school. While some may be “bashing” I think others seem to be genuinely sharing experiences, perhaps they were negative, but that too can be helpful to tune in others to avoid the same mistake if they are not aligned with what the school provides.. No one should go into a school without knowing what they are getting into or knowing and expecting it to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

Watering down should not occur, but do realize that even “kids cut out for it” can greatly benefit from a much more well rounded education. Hence the niche is for “kids cut out for it” and parents who care about nothing else.

Exactly right. Whenever I meet these kids who have been pounded for years to be perfect in everything, I can only hope they seize the freedom they get in college to separate and become the people THEY want to be instead of the molded product that BIM and the high-pressure parents produce.

They are still stuck with a miserable teenage chapter in their lives. All for their own good, right?

It's so sad.

I mean, yes there's a lot of homework, but this characterization of a "miserable teenage chapter" just doesn't square with the reality of the kids who are there. Most of them are really happy to be around kids who are just as nerdy as they are. You run into way more parents who are unhappy with BIM than you do kids, and that's owing to the self-inflicted management issues - but the kids generally have a pretty good experience because they self-select into a school that's giving them what they're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

Watering down should not occur, but do realize that even “kids cut out for it” can greatly benefit from a much more well rounded education. Hence the niche is for “kids cut out for it” and parents who care about nothing else.

Exactly right. Whenever I meet these kids who have been pounded for years to be perfect in everything, I can only hope they seize the freedom they get in college to separate and become the people THEY want to be instead of the molded product that BIM and the high-pressure parents produce.

They are still stuck with a miserable teenage chapter in their lives. All for their own good, right?

It's so sad.

I mean, yes there's a lot of homework, but this characterization of a "miserable teenage chapter" just doesn't square with the reality of the kids who are there. Most of them are really happy to be around kids who are just as nerdy as they are. You run into way more parents who are unhappy with BIM than you do kids, and that's owing to the self-inflicted management issues - but the kids generally have a pretty good experience because they self-select into a school that's giving them what they're looking for.

Yes, self-selecting is fair by high school. That’s why so many leave after 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to due their due diligence before enrolling. Basis is academically very rigorous and the kids cut out for it will benefit. Watering down rigor is not the solution. Leave that niche for the interested families. I am very happy with Basis!

Watering down should not occur, but do realize that even “kids cut out for it” can greatly benefit from a much more well rounded education. Hence the niche is for “kids cut out for it” and parents who care about nothing else.

Exactly right. Whenever I meet these kids who have been pounded for years to be perfect in everything, I can only hope they seize the freedom they get in college to separate and become the people THEY want to be instead of the molded product that BIM and the high-pressure parents produce.

They are still stuck with a miserable teenage chapter in their lives. All for their own good, right?

It's so sad.

I mean, yes there's a lot of homework, but this characterization of a "miserable teenage chapter" just doesn't square with the reality of the kids who are there. Most of them are really happy to be around kids who are just as nerdy as they are. You run into way more parents who are unhappy with BIM than you do kids, and that's owing to the self-inflicted management issues - but the kids generally have a pretty good experience because they self-select into a school that's giving them what they're looking for.

Yes, self-selecting is fair by high school. That’s why so many leave after 8th grade.

I mean, there are also a far greater number of viable options for advanced academics at the high school level - and fewer options for extracurriculars outside of the school environment, meaning that students feel like they need to go to a high school where they can get their ECs.

It's sort of a chicken and egg problem for BIM - if they could retain more high schoolers, they'd have stronger ECs, but without them, they can't retain them.