BASIS--opinions please

[Anonymous]

Looking for opinions on BASIS from current or former BASIS parents. Are your kids happy there?

[Anonymous]

2 kids. Both happy. One in 7th, one in HS.

They will set up a shadow day for your child. Call them tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Totally depends on the kid, and if you are planning on staying for high school. I had a kid that has been there for 4 yetrs now, and is thriving, another that left after a year and never looked back.

[Anonymous]

2 kids. Both very happy. Lots of good friends. Definitely need to be willing to work hard and love learning. Worth a shadow day to see if good fit for your DC. My DS is STEM all the way, but DD with more balanced interests. We watched Hidden Figures with both kids tonight and my DD mentioned a rocket launch today. When we asked how she knew about it, she said she follows NASA on Snapchat. She then said "Doesn't everybody follow NASA on Snapchat?"

[Anonymous]

Basis went really far into the waitlist last year. Does anyone know if it's likely to be the same this year? Hoping...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basis went really far into the waitlist last year. Does anyone know if it's likely to be the same this year? Hoping...

Probably. Totally depends on how many kids stay for 9th -- which they don't know yet.

Their total enrollment cap / building capacity is fixed at 600. So they will be conservative in the number of 5th and 6th graders they take until 9th shakes out.

[Anonymous]

Two kids. One stayed for three years; the other stayed for one year. The unhappiness builds over time, and the majority of kids will leave before graduating from the HS. If you have other options, OP, you should explore them.

[Anonymous]

My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

As posted upthread, many kids leave after 8th for a more balanced HS experience. The total enrollment is capped, but not the per-grade enrollment. As 8th graders fail to turn in re-enrollment forms, the school goes further down the 5th and 6th grade waitlists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

Go to a tour. It is intense - much of the middle school content is 9th and 10th grade material at most schools. And the building is not great. A kid that doesn't handle tests well will struggle. But if your kid is ready for and interested in advanced math and science it can be great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

People make choices for various reasons and those reasons are not necessarily a reflection of the school. The families who choose not to attend are not making a choice based on experience at BASIS. So they don't know anything you don't. They did choose to lottery in, though. Like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

Go to a tour. It is intense - much of the middle school content is 9th and 10th grade material at most schools. And the building is not great. A kid that doesn't handle tests well will struggle. But if your kid is ready for and interested in advanced math and science it can be great.

Say no more....my kid already has test anxiety and generalized anxiety with work that is within her ability level. We will decline if we are called off the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

As posted upthread, many kids leave after 8th for a more balanced HS experience. The total enrollment is capped, but not the per-grade enrollment. As 8th graders fail to turn in re-enrollment forms, the school goes further down the 5th and 6th grade waitlists.

Makes total sense, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My question is why are they going so far through the waitlist? Why are people saying no? What do they know that I don't?

People make choices for various reasons and those reasons are not necessarily a reflection of the school. The families who choose not to attend are not making a choice based on experience at BASIS. So they don't know anything you don't. They did choose to lottery in, though. Like you.

Basis does not have a solid estimate on the # of seats they really have available so they offer fewer slots until they know how many 8th graders are re-enrolling. (many apply to application based High Schools like SWW). Once they know how many rising 9th graders are really re-enrolling, they open up more spots for 5th and 6th grade and aggressively move the waitlist.

This is in contrast to Latin the Latin model where they have a set # of students for each grade and if 8th graders do not re-enroll, they take students from the 9th grade waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for opinions on BASIS from current or former BASIS parents. Are your kids happy there?

My DC loves it! I won't lie though, the work is intense especially compared to 4th or 5th grade at DCPS schools. We did and do have some struggles regarding time organization but DC keeps getting better and better which is amazing for me to see. DC is not particularly focused, so it has been an adjustment. However, when I look back at how much DC has grown over this past year, I am blown away.

It is not a school for every family. You have to consider how independent your child is and if not, how willing/capable you are in helping your child overcome some of the obstacles and even if the hurdles can be overcome. You should consider doing a shadow day.