Basis Mclean or Flint Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, the fact that BIM ‘loses’ kids to Thomas Jefferson (TJ) high school says great things about BIM, cause those are the students that BIM taught in middle school and were prepped insanely well to be able to be accepted to TJs which doesnt have tuition costs. So why wouldnt a child who was well prepped in middle school not wish to go to a great high school for free? So it seems to me that BIM is an amazing school that preps their middle schoolers for top high schools; and for those who stay thru its high school, well they are also well prepped for great colleges later on. So BIM isnt ‘losing’ students due to it being a bad school, but rather cause it gets their kids well prepped for whichever next steps they wish to take academically. My child is currently in middle school and when the time comes if she is accepted to TJs then heck yeah I would rather her go there cause its also a great school and its free! But I wont be coming into this forum to trash BIM, but rather to be thankful for getting my kid ready for the next challenge.

[Anonymous]

There’s no reason to be defensive if the school is a good fit for your child and family, that’s truly amazing. The biggest value of this forum is to be able to read multiple perspective while filtering out the bitter bashers and over-the-top cheerleaders and make a choice that works for DC. I got here in looking at post-BIM options for HS and saw this thread.

You may want to check statistics though if you think a lot of the kids end up at TJ; even fewer will be admitted with the new process going forward. Relatively few of those who leave go there. Most seem to leave for a stronger balance, a more stable environment, bigger class size, etc.

As an aside, I don’t think it’s BIM’s vision to prep students “insanely well” for TJ or other top private school (which all cost a lot more than BIM) admissions. I have heard from other middle school families that many of those applying out for high school have not been admitted to other (not only top) schools for a variety of reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s no reason to be defensive if the school is a good fit for your child and family, that’s truly amazing. The biggest value of this forum is to be able to read multiple perspective while filtering out the bitter bashers and over-the-top cheerleaders and make a choice that works for DC. I got here in looking at post-BIM options for HS and saw this thread.

You may want to check statistics though if you think a lot of the kids end up at TJ; even fewer will be admitted with the new process going forward. Relatively few of those who leave go there. Most seem to leave for a stronger balance, a more stable environment, bigger class size, etc.

As an aside, I don’t think it’s BIM’s vision to prep students “insanely well” for TJ or other top private school (which all cost a lot more than BIM) admissions. I have heard from other middle school families that many of those applying out for high school have not been admitted to other (not only top) schools for a variety of reasons.

BIM's only vision and mission is to turn a profit one day, a feat at which it has so far failed miserably. It is owned and run by a company that is owned and run by a private equity group of investors.

For profit private education managers have one goal: profit. The higher you go up their management ladder, the more clearly you will hear that gong ringing over and over and over.

BIM got lucky that TJ changed their entrance process and drove more STEM geeks to other schools. Maybe one day they will actually make that profit. But then, they would need to build out the rest of their building at another $20 million or so.

Oops. Not a very good business plan.

[Anonymous]

.... and the “financial bashing” resuscitates after giving a break ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:.... and the “financial bashing” resuscitates after giving a break ....

Ha. I don’t think “financial bashing” is a thing. Either a school is well endowed, financially stable or struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:.... and the “financial bashing” resuscitates after giving a break ....

Ha. I don’t think “financial bashing” is a thing. Either a school is well endowed, financially stable or struggling.

Why worry about money when it only affects trivial issues like faculty, facilities, programs, sports, and management staff quality?

You can run an entire school on a special curriculum (piles of tests) and good wishes for everyone, right?

That's why they are hiring more Teaching Fellows to replace faculty. They are cheaper, period.

[Anonymous]

You might have read multiple Basis parents happy with the school in this Forum, on top of those that continue to be at the school. I believe you are here attacking Basis due to sour grapes.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of FHS bashers on DCUM. Like most privates around here it is expensive. But it’s a nice school in so many ways and the classes can be as difficult as you want. Nice campus. Of course the people there have money. FHS does not have the prestige of Potomac school but that can be a plus. And certainly difficult to get to PS from some of the neighborhoods that feed FHS. We loved it.

[Anonymous]

This review appeared on GlassDoor. Very accurate based on what we have read here and on other threads:

1.0
★★★★★
Former Employee, more than 5 years
Downhill since purchased by Spring Education Group
May 28, 2021 - Director of Student Affairs in McLean, VA

Pros

Some great colleagues and passionate educators

Cons

Terrible leadership, schools are not actually "independent," they are governed by a central office that doesn't care at all about the campus or the communities they serve, only care about making $$$. No one has the best interest of students or teachers in mind. Since being purchased by private equity Spring Education Group, things have gone further and further downhill. Positions have been cut and faculty are being asked to take on more and more on their already full plates. There are no performance reviews and all salaries are completely arbitrary, there is no scale or system to determine pay.

Advice to Management

Hire experts and allow them to do their jobs. Don't call yourselves "independent" schools and then treat them like charters or day cares. Provide your faculty with professional development, coaching, and consistent performance reviews.

[Anonymous]

Two 4th grade BASIS McLean tudents were able to sneak off campus in 2020 during the school day and get a ride from a stranger off Jones Branch Drive to Panda Express in Mosaic district 15 minutes away.

A smart P. Express employee thought something was fishy and called police, rescuing the students. Driver ran off and was not apprehended.

Occurred just before the lockdowns, so school seems to have not been held to account for this "mistake" and media never picked up the story as they had other pressing matters.

Safety for your child should be a priority, then you can evaluate academic & environmental nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two 4th grade BASIS McLean tudents were able to sneak off campus in 2020 during the school day and get a ride from a stranger off Jones Branch Drive to Panda Express in Mosaic district 15 minutes away.

A smart P. Express employee thought something was fishy and called police, rescuing the students. Driver ran off and was not apprehended.

Occurred just before the lockdowns, so school seems to have not been held to account for this "mistake" and media never picked up the story as they had other pressing matters.

Safety for your child should be a priority, then you can evaluate academic & environmental nuance.

Adding to this: the school did not call the police or the missing children's parents during the HOURS they were searching for them.

[Anonymous]

Flint Hill family here and could not be happier. It is not a country club atmosphere. Small classes, excellent academics and clubs, inclusive atmosphere, social scene is not too intense/clicky either, athletics are good, etc... It is a solid school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two 4th grade BASIS McLean tudents were able to sneak off campus in 2020 during the school day and get a ride from a stranger off Jones Branch Drive to Panda Express in Mosaic district 15 minutes away.

A smart P. Express employee thought something was fishy and called police, rescuing the students. Driver ran off and was not apprehended.

Occurred just before the lockdowns, so school seems to have not been held to account for this "mistake" and media never picked up the story as they had other pressing matters.

Safety for your child should be a priority, then you can evaluate academic & environmental nuance.

They were 2nd graders, believe it or not, and one was the child of a preschool teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This review appeared on GlassDoor. Very accurate based on what we have read here and on other threads:

1.0
★★★★★
Former Employee, more than 5 years
Downhill since purchased by Spring Education Group
May 28, 2021 - Director of Student Affairs in McLean, VA

Pros

Some great colleagues and passionate educators

Cons

Terrible leadership, schools are not actually "independent," they are governed by a central office that doesn't care at all about the campus or the communities they serve, only care about making $$$. No one has the best interest of students or teachers in mind. Since being purchased by private equity Spring Education Group, things have gone further and further downhill. Positions have been cut and faculty are being asked to take on more and more on their already full plates. There are no performance reviews and all salaries are completely arbitrary, there is no scale or system to determine pay.

Advice to Management

Hire experts and allow them to do their jobs. Don't call yourselves "independent" schools and then treat them like charters or day cares. Provide your faculty with professional development, coaching, and consistent performance reviews.

Well said. The administration is horrendous. What other school has a Acting Head who started working at the front desk? She has hardly any experience and talks about "vendors" more than she does "students." I am a mother of two children who attended Basis for two years- got al A's- but left due to the lack of "whole child" experience and horrible administration. This is not sour grapes it is the TRUTH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This review appeared on GlassDoor. Very accurate based on what we have read here and on other threads:

1.0
★★★★★
Former Employee, more than 5 years
Downhill since purchased by Spring Education Group
May 28, 2021 - Director of Student Affairs in McLean, VA

Pros

Some great colleagues and passionate educators

Cons

Terrible leadership, schools are not actually "independent," they are governed by a central office that doesn't care at all about the campus or the communities they serve, only care about making $$$. No one has the best interest of students or teachers in mind. Since being purchased by private equity Spring Education Group, things have gone further and further downhill. Positions have been cut and faculty are being asked to take on more and more on their already full plates. There are no performance reviews and all salaries are completely arbitrary, there is no scale or system to determine pay.

Advice to Management

Hire experts and allow them to do their jobs. Don't call yourselves "independent" schools and then treat them like charters or day cares. Provide your faculty with professional development, coaching, and consistent performance reviews.

Well said. The administration is horrendous. What other school has a Acting Head who started working at the front desk? She has hardly any experience and talks about "vendors" more than she does "students." I am a mother of two children who attended Basis for two years- got al A's- but left due to the lack of "whole child" experience and horrible administration. This is not sour grapes it is the TRUTH.

Well, I guess BIM gets 9th life with new HoS + COVID defects + TJ admissions changes. Good luck to those who keep sticking it out.