My child is drowning at Basis. Thoughts on mid year move?

[Anonymous]

Hello. My child is drowning at Basis. The structure and demand is more 7th grade level than 5th grade. Grades arent good and it is killing my DC's self esteem. O dont think the school is a good fit. Before Basis DC was engaged, motivated and enjoyed school. I would like to try a new school in January. Where, I dont know. But I fear long term damage if the year is finished out. Any advice on Basis, adjusting to a new school if we move or any recommendations for schools that may have openings are greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Getting into a school OOB or a charter in Jan is going to be tough. all every school and ask.

If you are going to move, move for a Hardy or Deal feeder.

[Anonymous]

What about home schooling option for rest of this year and lotteryinf or moving for 6th?

Also what is your IB school?

[Anonymous]

Can you afford private?

[Anonymous]

If your 4th grade school (independent? DCPS? DCPC school?) worked for you in 4th grade, I'd go talk to the school about returning for 5th. They may be willing to offer the child special help to return. Unless the kid faces major social challenges as a general rule, he or she will make the adjustment on good form. I was a military brat who switched schools mid-year twice as a kid, hardly the end of the world.

A BASIS 5th grader returned to my kid's class at our in-boundary school, which she'd attended for years, well into the school year. Parents said reported that she was miserable at BASIS but was all smiles back at the school. They say that the curriculum at the in-boundary school isn't really challenging enough for her, but they supplement with a tutor and on-line math. BASIS is hardly the be and end all for 5th grade, or later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your 4th grade school (independent? DCPS? DCPC school?) worked for you in 4th grade, I'd go talk to the school about returning for 5th. They may be willing to offer the child special help to return. Unless the kid faces major social challenges as a general rule, he or she will make the adjustment on good form. I was a military brat who switched schools mid-year twice as a kid, hardly the end of the world.

A BASIS 5th grader returned to my kid's class at our in-boundary school, which she'd attended for years, well into the school year. Parents said reported that she was miserable at BASIS but was all smiles back at the school. They say that the curriculum at the in-boundary school isn't really challenging enough for her, but they supplement with a tutor and on-line math. BASIS is hardly the be and end all for 5th grade, or later.

Can't you just answer the question without the swipe at BASIS? Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your 4th grade school (independent? DCPS? DCPC school?) worked for you in 4th grade, I'd go talk to the school about returning for 5th. They may be willing to offer the child special help to return. Unless the kid faces major social challenges as a general rule, he or she will make the adjustment on good form. I was a military brat who switched schools mid-year twice as a kid, hardly the end of the world.

A BASIS 5th grader returned to my kid's class at our in-boundary school, which she'd attended for years, well into the school year. Parents said reported that she was miserable at BASIS but was all smiles back at the school. They say that the curriculum at the in-boundary school isn't really challenging enough for her, but they supplement with a tutor and on-line math. BASIS is hardly the be and end all for 5th grade, or later.

Can't you just answer the question without the swipe at BASIS? Sheesh.

I think this poster was trying to make OP feel better about having to move her child in the middle of the year. You know.
Compassion.

I agree with the rest of the advice -- mid year move will be okay if child is really frustrated and unhappy, if it's really not the right fit. First line of inquiry could be the school where OP's child did fourth grade. Then for sixth, lottery, or move, as another poster suggested. Hardy or Deal (but I don't think deal is taking oob these days).

Other options for sixth might be two rivers, cmi, or inspired teaching; no personal experience with any of these, but I often read they have availability in the upper grades. But if op was even tempted by basis, I'm thinking those schools may not be what she wants.

[Anonymous]

You said you fear long term damage if you stay, but won't your child feel worse in the long run quitting? Most elementary schools are not challenging at all. is your child in the right math class? Can you take winter break to do the upcoming math homework? If you sit down with your child and do an hour a day (or however long it takes to complete the problem set homework) your child could be 16 lessons ahead, which will help the homework load considerably in January.

[Anonymous]

I'm a mom of a present Basis DC kid that has been there several years now as well as a former Basis DC kid that was unhappy and left. Know that even for the kids who Basis IS a good fit for, the adjustment period/transition can be really tough and last several months. if the unhappiness is encompassing, you know your child best and do what you need to do. In that case, definitely see if she wants to go back to her IB elementary and if not, see if Hardy will take your kid mid-year. I also know someone whose child left and went to Washington Episcopal a couple weeks into the year and is very happy there-if you can afford it, that would also be a good option.

[Anonymous]

Schools that have wait lists are supposed to stick with them even now that the lottery for next year has opened and last year's results have come off myschooldc (I know because we are moving back to DC next month and I've been trying to get an OOB or charter spot for an upper elementary kid too!)

In addition, the charters I contacted all said they did not take more kids after count day. Even schools where a lot of kids had left in that grade and they had open spots.

A school might break the rules for you and take you out of order on the waitlist (and believe me, any school you want has a waitlist, even the ones MSDC was saying had openings in your grade). But toughing it out at BASIS, going to your IB school, or pulling your kid out of public school this year are the only things you have a right to do. When I looked into a few private schools (St. Peter's, Capitol Hill Day School), it seemed they didn't do mid-year admission but there's probably a private school that would. They might still need you to do the admissions test, shadow day, interview, etc. so it may not be a quick process.

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent of a kid who is struggling in an upper grade. Have you engaged with Ms. Jordan or Mr. Luke? Academic support, while not really advertised, is available. There is peer tutoring in addition to the student hours that can really help a kid who needs help adjusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a mom of a present Basis DC kid that has been there several years now as well as a former Basis DC kid that was unhappy and left. Know that even for the kids who Basis IS a good fit for, the adjustment period/transition can be really tough and last several months. if the unhappiness is encompassing, you know your child best and do what you need to do. In that case, definitely see if she wants to go back to her IB elementary and if not, see if Hardy will take your kid mid-year. I also know someone whose child left and went to Washington Episcopal a couple weeks into the year and is very happy there-if you can afford it, that would also be a good option.

Hardy starts at 6th grade. OP's kid is in 5th.

[Anonymous]

Maybe OP's bright, intellectually curious kid just isn't ready for a high pressure curriculum as an 11 year-old. I wouldn't have been (though I landed at an Ivy 7 years later). Every kid isn't cut out for a school without a gym, outdoor space or library, with loud, narrow hallways jammed with teenagers and a cheerless lunchroom (without windows, where the walls are black and gray). There are good things about BASIS, but it's just not a great building or atmosphere for 5th graders. If the kid has been unhappy there since the summer, sounds like time to bail.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. OP here. IB is probably the least favorite option. We came from an independent school and had to leave because of financial challenges. I contacted one of the waitlisted schools from the lottery and am waiting to hear back. I think the poster summed it up perfectly with ny 10 year old not being cut out for no gym, outdoor soace, library, narrow dark halls. Thanks everyone for the advice, compassion and encouragement.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - do you think your child is struggling because of BASIS or because your outgoing school didn't prepare him for BASIS? Or a combo of both?