“Basis DC: Want the Peer Group, But Not the Boot Camp?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

The chromebooks and the math and science CAPE scores at DCI crossed it off our list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Agree with above. We're not taking our 5th grade spot after talking to admins, who didn't impress us.

We're staying at our charter immersion elementary for 5th grade, come what may, even though our kid is among the best in his cohort at math.

Nothing at BASIS seems worth it to us. We ran through the list. The awful building. The unserious extra curriculars. The ban on language instruction until 8th grade (with only beginning language courses offered in 8th for no good reason). The high teacher turnover. The superficial sounding forced math acceleration.

It's about whether you have better options. We didn't, and that's on DCPS, not BASIS.

It's also about priorities... Seems like this family really prioritizes language, in which case definitely don't go to BASIS. We prioritize math and science instruction, and the BASIS curriculum is the best of all the publics for that.

Very few kids who are zoned for Deal choose BASIS. The math and science is certainly a plus for some families, but they'd still mostly take Deal if it were an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Agree with above. We're not taking our 5th grade spot after talking to admins, who didn't impress us.

We're staying at our charter immersion elementary for 5th grade, come what may, even though our kid is among the best in his cohort at math.

Nothing at BASIS seems worth it to us. We ran through the list. The awful building. The unserious extra curriculars. The ban on language instruction until 8th grade (with only beginning language courses offered in 8th for no good reason). The high teacher turnover. The superficial sounding forced math acceleration.

It's about whether you have better options. We didn't, and that's on DCPS, not BASIS.

It's also about priorities... Seems like this family really prioritizes language, in which case definitely don't go to BASIS. We prioritize math and science instruction, and the BASIS curriculum is the best of all the publics for that.

Very few kids who are zoned for Deal choose BASIS. The math and science is certainly a plus for some families, but they'd still mostly take Deal if it were an option.

Deal is probably the best school in the DMV pound-for-pound, privates included

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Agree with above. We're not taking our 5th grade spot after talking to admins, who didn't impress us.

We're staying at our charter immersion elementary for 5th grade, come what may, even though our kid is among the best in his cohort at math.

Nothing at BASIS seems worth it to us. We ran through the list. The awful building. The unserious extra curriculars. The ban on language instruction until 8th grade (with only beginning language courses offered in 8th for no good reason). The high teacher turnover. The superficial sounding forced math acceleration.

It's about whether you have better options. We didn't, and that's on DCPS, not BASIS.

It's also about priorities... Seems like this family really prioritizes language, in which case definitely don't go to BASIS. We prioritize math and science instruction, and the BASIS curriculum is the best of all the publics for that.

Very few kids who are zoned for Deal choose BASIS. The math and science is certainly a plus for some families, but they'd still mostly take Deal if it were an option.

Deal is probably the best school in the DMV pound-for-pound, privates included

What a claim!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Former BASIS parent. Competitive academic applications for college admissions are indeed the BASIS fixation from the get go. But from what I can tell, they're not pivoting to adapt to current trends in admissions with much thought or determination, explaining why we left for HS.

Perhaps they aren't adapting to current trends in admissions, but the current results are very good. I recognize that the class size is winnowed down by the time they graduate, but this year's (and past years') admissions have been very good for a small class size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Former BASIS parent. Competitive academic applications for college admissions are indeed the BASIS fixation from the get go. But from what I can tell, they're not pivoting to adapt to current trends in admissions with much thought or determination, explaining why we left for HS.

Perhaps they aren't adapting to current trends in admissions, but the current results are very good. I recognize that the class size is winnowed down by the time they graduate, but this year's (and past years') admissions have been very good for a small class size.

Yes - it works for a critical mass of kids, which should be a fine result. No one is forced to go. Most middle schools in DC are failing their students in the main. I don’t get the controversy at all, unless folks think a school like Basis shouldn’t exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Former BASIS parent. Competitive academic applications for college admissions are indeed the BASIS fixation from the get go. But from what I can tell, they're not pivoting to adapt to current trends in admissions with much thought or determination, explaining why we left for HS.

Perhaps they aren't adapting to current trends in admissions, but the current results are very good. I recognize that the class size is winnowed down by the time they graduate, but this year's (and past years') admissions have been very good for a small class size.

Yes - it works for a critical mass of kids, which should be a fine result. No one is forced to go. Most middle schools in DC are failing their students in the main. I don’t get the controversy at all, unless folks think a school like Basis shouldn’t exist.

There’s not an IRL controversy, it’s just a DCUM issue. The issue on DCUM is that Basis boosters aren’t content to say “it works for some kids and not others, and that’s ok.” They have to make claims like Basis is the best school, all schools should be like Basis, all kids who don’t go to Basis are doomed to failure, Basis should take over DCPS, etc. People push back on those overblown claims, and then parents feel they need to defend the school that’s actually serving their particular kids pretty well, and round and round we go. But IRL while Basis isn’t the most popular school in DC plenty of kids are enrolling and no one is trying to shut the school down. The controversy is 100% rhetorical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

The chromebooks and the math and science CAPE scores at DCI crossed it off our list.

They have cut back on technology in middle school a lot. Current principal, it was one of the big initiatives when she started.

DCI has the multiple levels of math which can’t be said for any other school EOTP and one of the most advance math tracking with AP Calculus in 10th. Sure, there are kids who are not high performing but that does not matter if there is such extensive tracking options. All kids needs can be met. Same can be said for languages.

Science CAPE scores are lower. This could be improved. They are now offering AP science courses starting in 9th which is a good start.

BTW, I’m in a STEM field and too many parents are focused too early on STEM. Plenty of time for that in college. The people in my field who rise to the top actually are the ones strong in soft skills, writing, and communication. IB curriculum helps to develop these skills.

IMO, DCI offers a much better overall experience in terms of curriculum offerings, EC’s, facilities, and diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Former BASIS parent. Competitive academic applications for college admissions are indeed the BASIS fixation from the get go. But from what I can tell, they're not pivoting to adapt to current trends in admissions with much thought or determination, explaining why we left for HS.

Perhaps they aren't adapting to current trends in admissions, but the current results are very good. I recognize that the class size is winnowed down by the time they graduate, but this year's (and past years') admissions have been very good for a small class size.

Yes - it works for a critical mass of kids, which should be a fine result. No one is forced to go. Most middle schools in DC are failing their students in the main. I don’t get the controversy at all, unless folks think a school like Basis shouldn’t exist.

There’s not an IRL controversy, it’s just a DCUM issue. The issue on DCUM is that Basis boosters aren’t content to say “it works for some kids and not others, and that’s ok.” They have to make claims like Basis is the best school, all schools should be like Basis, all kids who don’t go to Basis are doomed to failure, Basis should take over DCPS, etc. People push back on those overblown claims, and then parents feel they need to defend the school that’s actually serving their particular kids pretty well, and round and round we go. But IRL while Basis isn’t the most popular school in DC plenty of kids are enrolling and no one is trying to shut the school down. The controversy is 100% rhetorical.

How can one justify taxpayer dollars going to a school not suited to most DC students?!?! Every school should be at least 70% at-risk, including Basis. If it’s so good, it should be able to educate difficult children. [Of course this is an idiot take.]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

The chromebooks and the math and science CAPE scores at DCI crossed it off our list.

They have cut back on technology in middle school a lot. Current principal, it was one of the big initiatives when she started.

DCI has the multiple levels of math which can’t be said for any other school EOTP and one of the most advance math tracking with AP Calculus in 10th. Sure, there are kids who are not high performing but that does not matter if there is such extensive tracking options. All kids needs can be met. Same can be said for languages.

Science CAPE scores are lower. This could be improved. They are now offering AP science courses starting in 9th which is a good start.

BTW, I’m in a STEM field and too many parents are focused too early on STEM. Plenty of time for that in college. The people in my field who rise to the top actually are the ones strong in soft skills, writing, and communication. IB curriculum helps to develop these skills.

IMO, DCI offers a much better overall experience in terms of curriculum offerings, EC’s, facilities, and diversity.

You paint quite a rosy picture. I haven’t heard the current DCI families I know singing such high praise. I assume the posters on here who are so quick to label BASIS boosters will be calling you a DCI booster…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

The chromebooks and the math and science CAPE scores at DCI crossed it off our list.

They have cut back on technology in middle school a lot. Current principal, it was one of the big initiatives when she started.

DCI has the multiple levels of math which can’t be said for any other school EOTP and one of the most advance math tracking with AP Calculus in 10th. Sure, there are kids who are not high performing but that does not matter if there is such extensive tracking options. All kids needs can be met. Same can be said for languages.

Science CAPE scores are lower. This could be improved. They are now offering AP science courses starting in 9th which is a good start.

BTW, I’m in a STEM field and too many parents are focused too early on STEM. Plenty of time for that in college. The people in my field who rise to the top actually are the ones strong in soft skills, writing, and communication. IB curriculum helps to develop these skills.

IMO, DCI offers a much better overall experience in terms of curriculum offerings, EC’s, facilities, and diversity.

You paint quite a rosy picture. I haven’t heard the current DCI families I know singing such high praise. I assume the posters on here who are so quick to label BASIS boosters will be calling you a DCI booster…

Not a booster. Just stating the facts above. I’ve been following the school. No kids at the school.

I know current DCI families and most are happy. It’s not perfect, no school is, but has been on an upward trajectory. If you talk to families with kids who started there 6 years ago compared to 2 years ago, you might get different feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, why don't we agree that different kids and families need different things. Let's also agree that different kids and families need some of the same things in a public school, or at least could really use them.

Strong language instruction starting sooner than 8th grade sounds to me like a bona fide need in 21st century America. What else? How about appropriate math acceleration for all students, a decent facility/physical plant, strong ECs and enrichment, serious academics for four years of high school and a well-trained, stable and experienced faculty (preferably one that parents don't need to help pay) and good leadership.

Good luck finding any of that at BASIS DC for your tax dollars.

You'll need to pass that along to neighboring districts like FCPS. With the exception of the handful of kids in immersion, most aren't starting a language until 8th or even 9th grade.

Charter schools aren't intended to be everything for everyone. By their nature, they serve a niche population. If you want strong language instruction and better facilities, you can enroll in a charter that offers those. The people who value strong STEM instruction and have very bright, motivate kids can choose Basis. Everyone wins!

DCI offers language immersion, better facilities, strong STEM instruction, and bright motivated kids. You really do win if you're at DCI.

The chromebooks and the math and science CAPE scores at DCI crossed it off our list.

They have cut back on technology in middle school a lot. Current principal, it was one of the big initiatives when she started.

DCI has the multiple levels of math which can’t be said for any other school EOTP and one of the most advance math tracking with AP Calculus in 10th. Sure, there are kids who are not high performing but that does not matter if there is such extensive tracking options. All kids needs can be met. Same can be said for languages.

Science CAPE scores are lower. This could be improved. They are now offering AP science courses starting in 9th which is a good start.

BTW, I’m in a STEM field and too many parents are focused too early on STEM. Plenty of time for that in college. The people in my field who rise to the top actually are the ones strong in soft skills, writing, and communication. IB curriculum helps to develop these skills.

IMO, DCI offers a much better overall experience in terms of curriculum offerings, EC’s, facilities, and diversity.

You paint quite a rosy picture. I haven’t heard the current DCI families I know singing such high praise. I assume the posters on here who are so quick to label BASIS boosters will be calling you a DCI booster…

Not a booster. Just stating the facts above. I’ve been following the school. No kids at the school.

I know current DCI families and most are happy. It’s not perfect, no school is, but has been on an upward trajectory. If you talk to families with kids who started there 6 years ago compared to 2 years ago, you might get different feedback.

Ok. then how do you know they "cut down on technology a lot?" Parents of 6th graders I've talked to said that Chromebooks are still a big part of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Former BASIS parent. Competitive academic applications for college admissions are indeed the BASIS fixation from the get go. But from what I can tell, they're not pivoting to adapt to current trends in admissions with much thought or determination, explaining why we left for HS.

Perhaps they aren't adapting to current trends in admissions, but the current results are very good. I recognize that the class size is winnowed down by the time they graduate, but this year's (and past years') admissions have been very good for a small class size.

Yes - it works for a critical mass of kids, which should be a fine result. No one is forced to go. Most middle schools in DC are failing their students in the main. I don’t get the controversy at all, unless folks think a school like Basis shouldn’t exist.

There’s not an IRL controversy, it’s just a DCUM issue. The issue on DCUM is that Basis boosters aren’t content to say “it works for some kids and not others, and that’s ok.” They have to make claims like Basis is the best school, all schools should be like Basis, all kids who don’t go to Basis are doomed to failure, Basis should take over DCPS, etc. People push back on those overblown claims, and then parents feel they need to defend the school that’s actually serving their particular kids pretty well, and round and round we go. But IRL while Basis isn’t the most popular school in DC plenty of kids are enrolling and no one is trying to shut the school down. The controversy is 100% rhetorical.

How can one justify taxpayer dollars going to a school not suited to most DC students?!?! Every school should be at least 70% at-risk, including Basis. If it’s so good, it should be able to educate difficult children. [Of course this is an idiot take.]

Duke Ellington, the arts school, is also publicly funded, but it’s not suitable for children who aren’t interested in the arts. Should it be shut down?