Basis DC feedback sought

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the comments and open house dates! All very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Differentiation: math is the only subject that is tracked. The entire curriculum is aimed at the advanced level -- students who struggle get additional supports outside of class, but the burden is on them to seek out help. Lack of social promotion is real -- some kids every year repeat a grade at BASIS, and some decide to leave. The pressure around the end of year comprehensive exams is real for all, even if only ~10-15 of students are at real risk of failing 1 or more class.

Middle to high school: lots of students come to BASIS from DCPS solely because their neighborhood doesn't have a strong public middle school. There are proven, city-wide DCPS options for high school (application schools) that promise a larger student body, more extracurriculars, and better facilities. A number of students each year head to private high school and others are IB for Wilson and always planned to go there. A few more kids have stayed each year (class of 2017 was 15-16 students; class of 2018 will be ~15-16 students; class of 2019 will be ~50; class of 2020 will be about ~60).

My older DC stayed at Basis for high school. My current 8th grader hopes to go to an application high school, assuming that he gets in.

WOW! You seem to know quite a bit for a parent. You must be one of the insiders we hear about since so much is undercovers in the school. Another parent.

Not an "insider" just a long-timer. The high school class sizes is readily apparent if you glance at the yearbook or directory.

Another old timer here - while it is a little shocking to see the amount of kids who peel off, it ends up being a very small high school, which some kids prefer. I have recently randomly heard from two other families how they moved their kids out of Wilson and another suburban high school, respectively, because it was too big and they felt their kids got lost in the shuffle. No shuffle at BASIS. We also watched a bunch leave at 9th grade because they wanted there to be more activities and new people to meet.

[Anonymous]

The attrition is really noticeable because BASIS has never enrolled anyone later than 6th grade.

And for 2017-18 they didn't even take new 6th graders.

[Anonymous]

Well there Homecoming Dance at BASIS for the upper school was a smashing success according to my kid and was well attended. He had an awesome time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well there Homecoming Dance at BASIS for the upper school was a smashing success according to my kid and was well attended. He had an awesome time.

That’s great! The social component of high school is so important, and I’m glad to hear it was fun for them.

[Anonymous]

The middle school musical really came together nicely. And I heard the high school is putting on Twelfth Night in December. As the parent of a kid in middle school, I'm glad to see some of the arts opportunities developing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well there Homecoming Dance at BASIS for the upper school was a smashing success according to my kid and was well attended. He had an awesome time.

Are we supposed to be impressed by it?