Is Basis really as hard as people think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what you got there is a bunch of hot shot students who are motivated by challenge. Not surprising to me at all that most are A students.

My 0.02 on the original question. We have crossed BASIS-DC off the list based largely on conversations with a college friend who now teaches at the BASIS Tucson campus. Many factors in the mix, but two in particular relate directly to the OP's question.

...

As upper middle class educated parents we are confident that our DC will rise to the challenge of academics in due time within the "ordinary" educational system supplemented by our supportive home environment. We have a fairly negative view of an extreme focus on standardized tests (although they have a role to play), and the anxiety and lack of creativity (cram / bubble fill / repeat) that a test-based accelerated curriculum will create.

Which schools, then, are still on your list, PP?

Ha ha isn't that the million dollar question!? We have several years to fret, and all the usual suspects on the short list, but at this point its a toss-up between moving to Finland, home-schooling, or winning the lottery and going private! If your point is that despite some concerns BASIS is among the least worst free options in the DC area, I don't think I'd disagree, if only because of the type of students it tends to attract. (Although, as I stated, at this point we feel BASIS relies too much on standardized tests and acceleration for acceleration's sake, which is a deal breaker for us.)

Maybe you currently think it's a deal breaker, but personally, I think your perception that it's strictly about standardized tests and acceleration just for acceleration's sake is a narrow, shallow view and completely misses the big picture. If you have time, then give it time - a fuller picture will emerge.

[Anonymous]

Some posters make it sound like BASIS all just robotic "drill and kill", and that it's all geared toward testing.

That's not the case.

DS has done a lot of nice creative projects at BASIS, from art, to essay writing, to a "travel brochure to the ancient world", to hands-on science labs and several other nice projects. Some projects have involved some good introspection, reflection and critical thinking, such as analyzing a recently-read favorite book and understanding parallels, and talking about how it has directly changed DS's perspectives and influenced his outlook and his life, and writing a solid essay on it.

And, in fact, BASIS is not just STEM-focused. The curriculum tracks actually add in some additional language-oriented content and other areas not found in standard curricula, i.e. both English language AND literature courses in some grades, where students may have more than one English class a day.

DS thoroughly enjoys BASIS. It's NOT just kids memorizing facts and grinding out math problems like little automatons. Not at all. There's a lot of breadth and well-roundedness to go along with the depth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear Ivy Interviewer: It seems to most of us that what you've told is more a commentary about yourself and your own quirks than it is about the kids you interview.

Dear Critic:
If you want to be involved in deciding whom a particular Ivy League school should admit, you need to earn an undergrad degree from said institution and volunteer to interview. Elite schools can't admit every BASIS grad, no matter how much the boosters might wish it. An alum is given a report form asking questions like "did you enjoy talking to this applicant?" "did the applicant display intellectual curiosity and promise? If yes, please provide examples." You do what you can to answer honestly and leave it at that. Even when you plug for an applicant, rejection is usually the outcome. I interview for Harvard, and "we" take no more than 7% of those who apply. And yes, I have a STEM background, in chemical engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some posters make it sound like BASIS all just robotic "drill and kill", and that it's all geared toward testing.

That's not the case.

DS has done a lot of nice creative projects at BASIS, from art, to essay writing, to a "travel brochure to the ancient world", to hands-on science labs and several other nice projects. Some projects have involved some good introspection, reflection and critical thinking, such as analyzing a recently-read favorite book and understanding parallels, and talking about how it has directly changed DS's perspectives and influenced his outlook and his life, and writing a solid essay on it.

And, in fact, BASIS is not just STEM-focused. The curriculum tracks actually add in some additional language-oriented content and other areas not found in standard curricula, i.e. both English language AND literature courses in some grades, where students may have more than one English class a day.

DS thoroughly enjoys BASIS. It's NOT just kids memorizing facts and grinding out math problems like little automatons. Not at all. There's a lot of breadth and well-roundedness to go along with the depth.

So this is the promise of BASIS. And I want to believe you. And I certainly can believe there are kids in all grades, maybe including yours, that are getting as much as they can out of BASIS, but how many? If your kid is in 5th grade he/she is dealing already with decimals, fractions, ratios, geometry, scientific notation in math on a daily basis, quiz one week, test the next. If that isn't giving your DS problems you have what is known as a gifted math student. So math might be fun for him/her. But for how much longer is even a math gifted 11-12-13 year old going to really enjoy that daily dose of accelerated Saxon Math? (By the way I am the PP with a friend teaching in Tucson. Anecdote 3 is that a 5th grade math teacher there believes that a good 50% of the 5th graders are hopelessly over their heads with the math, surviving only due to the tenacity of their parents. Looking at Saxon 8/7, I know my kid would be one of the 50%.)

So your DS is handling math right now. But then add to that grammar rules, flashcard terms for geography, Latin and science. Is it not your experience that tests in science require basic memorization of science flashcard definitions and formula? Does your DS really **understand** gravity and friction and energy and Newton's laws of motion? All elements of the BASIS curriculum (with exception of the rote learning in science) are or can be good elements of a rigorous curriculum. I do agree it is amazing what kids can do if the bar is raised with appropriate guidance. But as a parent I see it as an unwise recipe for overload and burnout, despite the opportunities you list above, with little payoff since elite schools really want a lot more from kids than AP test scores. I think the curriculum sounds better to parents who want their 5th grader to get into MIT than to the actual kids in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

My 5th grader really does enjoy the curriculum. He has always been more interested in math and science so I expected he would like those classes. He and I are both a bit surprised that he absolutely loves classics (probably his favorite subject -- he now wants to be an archeologist) and enjoys English. Did he love memorizing the states and capitals using flash cards? No, of course not, but I think learning them is, or should be, pretty standard for 5th grade. And, no, he doesn't really fully understand all the concepts introduced to him in science class, but he's not expected to. He is 10. He understands the basics of what has been introduced and is excited about the prospect of learning more about those conccepts next year and the year after that.

[Anonymous]

The PP insisting it's all just rote memorization seems to have an ill-informed and skewed perspective.

From what I've seen, there is plenty of foundational knowledge and practicum happening, via labs and other work, to give BASIS students a deep understanding of the subject beyond just reciting memorized facts on demand. Additionally, there is a lot of creative work happening as well.

Saxon Math is hardly a "math-gifted" curriculum, and DC (and I'm sure the same applies to many other students at BASIS) already had a ton of exposure to the basic math facts, operations and order of operations, as well as fractions and ratios in his schooling before 5th - those do not constitute "overload" in my opinion - how long does one need to keep dwelling on it and circling around and around and around endlessly? Fine to periodically review previously-learned content for reinforcement, but once one has the basic math facts and operations down, why waste 2 or 3 more years going over the same stuff over and over again, why not start moving them toward geometry, prealgebra and algebra already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP insisting it's all just rote memorization seems to have an ill-informed and skewed perspective.

From what I've seen, there is plenty of foundational knowledge and practicum happening, via labs and other work, to give BASIS students a deep understanding of the subject beyond just reciting memorized facts on demand. Additionally, there is a lot of creative work happening as well.

Saxon Math is hardly a "math-gifted" curriculum, and DC (and I'm sure the same applies to many other students at BASIS) already had a ton of exposure to the basic math facts, operations and order of operations, as well as fractions and ratios in his schooling before 5th - those do not constitute "overload" in my opinion - how long does one need to keep dwelling on it and circling around and around and around endlessly? Fine to periodically review previously-learned content for reinforcement, but once one has the basic math facts and operations down, why waste 2 or 3 more years going over the same stuff over and over again, why not start moving them toward geometry, prealgebra and algebra already?

+1

I would be so upset with myself if we hadn't taken a chance on BASIS because my DC is challenged and thriving and happy about school, unlike last year where DC was much more focussed on the school environment, both the bullies and the administration/teachers (they would openly discuss union disputes in front of the students) and was unhappy and bored and got all "4"s. Loves the 5th grade teachers, likes the calmer environment and is so thrilled to master new things. I don't think DC is gifted, just focussed on the right things, in a school that is focussing on the right things.

[Anonymous]

Apologize for too many "sssss" in my last post!

[Anonymous]

Reading everyone's posts has been very interesting. I live in the District so I can't compare BASIS to any school outside the District. I cannot afford to send my children to a private school so comparing BASIS to a private school is unrealistic for my family. My children were attending one of the better DCPS Elementary and Middle school (depending on what information you were looking at, the middle school was ranked #2 or #3 in the District). My children were not being challenged at school; the youngest would also not do any work that the other students were not doing. At BASIS my 5th and 7th graders are getting A's and B's. My children are very strong in Math so they do not have hours of homework each night. The students that I hear that have lots of homework are the students that are not that strong in Math. I suppose my family could move out of the District to find better school choices for my children but why should we have to move! I am also not looking for my children to go to IVY League schools (but if they were, I think BASIS would provide a better learning environment for them than the DC public schools). I want my children to be engaged and challenged at school and I want them to feel safe. BASIS is not for everyone and I wish that DC had better public schools but that is not our reality. The sad reality is that most public schools are teaching to the test and that test is the DC CAS. BASIS is not a perfect school (I don't know if there is a perfect school). BASIS has provided an opportunity for a higher level of education for my children than they were getting at the public school. Yes, it will be hard and we as a family will have to make compromises because of it but the education my children have gotten so far this year is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading everyone's posts has been very interesting. I live in the District so I can't compare BASIS to any school outside the District. I cannot afford to send my children to a private school so comparing BASIS to a private school is unrealistic for my family. My children were attending one of the better DCPS Elementary and Middle school (depending on what information you were looking at, the middle school was ranked #2 or #3 in the District). My children were not being challenged at school; the youngest would also not do any work that the other students were not doing. At BASIS my 5th and 7th graders are getting A's and B's. My children are very strong in Math so they do not have hours of homework each night. The students that I hear that have lots of homework are the students that are not that strong in Math. I suppose my family could move out of the District to find better school choices for my children but why should we have to move! I am also not looking for my children to go to IVY League schools (but if they were, I think BASIS would provide a better learning environment for them than the DC public schools). I want my children to be engaged and challenged at school and I want them to feel safe. BASIS is not for everyone and I wish that DC had better public schools but that is not our reality. The sad reality is that most public schools are teaching to the test and that test is the DC CAS. BASIS is not a perfect school (I don't know if there is a perfect school). BASIS has provided an opportunity for a higher level of education for my children than they were getting at the public school. Yes, it will be hard and we as a family will have to make compromises because of it but the education my children have gotten so far this year is amazing.

PP I hope you will revise your expectations if one or more of your kids decide they want to shoot for an Ivy League school. The worse off you are financially, the more financial aid you can expect to receive. Many private schools offer much better deals than public schools will, and if they are an under-represented minority they may have a good chance of getting in with good grades, extracurriculars and some evidence of leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading everyone's posts has been very interesting. I live in the District so I can't compare BASIS to any school outside the District. I cannot afford to send my children to a private school so comparing BASIS to a private school is unrealistic for my family. My children were attending one of the better DCPS Elementary and Middle school (depending on what information you were looking at, the middle school was ranked #2 or #3 in the District). My children were not being challenged at school; the youngest would also not do any work that the other students were not doing. At BASIS my 5th and 7th graders are getting A's and B's. My children are very strong in Math so they do not have hours of homework each night. The students that I hear that have lots of homework are the students that are not that strong in Math. I suppose my family could move out of the District to find better school choices for my children but why should we have to move! I am also not looking for my children to go to IVY League schools (but if they were, I think BASIS would provide a better learning environment for them than the DC public schools). I want my children to be engaged and challenged at school and I want them to feel safe. BASIS is not for everyone and I wish that DC had better public schools but that is not our reality. The sad reality is that most public schools are teaching to the test and that test is the DC CAS. BASIS is not a perfect school (I don't know if there is a perfect school). BASIS has provided an opportunity for a higher level of education for my children than they were getting at the public school. Yes, it will be hard and we as a family will have to make compromises because of it but the education my children have gotten so far this year is amazing.

PP I hope you will revise your expectations if one or more of your kids decide they want to shoot for an Ivy League school. The worse off you are financially, the more financial aid you can expect to receive. Many private schools offer much better deals than public schools will, and if they are an under-represented minority they may have a good chance of getting in with good grades, extracurriculars and some evidence of leadership.

BASIS is probably the best shot any kid in the public system in DC will ever have at an Ivy. https://www.basisschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=91 They already have that track record established with their methods.

[Anonymous]

That's a bit broad. I know for sure Latin has. A senior this year accepted to Brown, and would venture that Wilson, Banneker and SWW have ivy league acceptances as well

[Anonymous]

It would be good to see a fuller list of how many accepted to which schools and what years...

[Anonymous]

BASIS is probably the best shot any kid in the public system in DC will ever have at an Ivy. https://www.basisschools.org/index.php?option=com_...t&view=article&id=79&Itemid=91 They already have that track record established with their methods.

BASIS DC has no track record at all for sending students to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a bit broad. I know for sure Latin has. A senior this year accepted to Brown, and would venture that Wilson, Banneker and SWW have ivy league acceptances as well

Yes, but precious few. I used to interview Wilson, Banneker and SWW kids for my Ivy as an alum volunteer, did it for over a decade then burned out. Never saw a kid admitted and must have interviewed two dozen from the several DCPS programs. Around half the kids from TJ and Blair MoCo magnets I interveiw get in and these are the same sort of 17 and 18 year olds, some low-SES, some high-SES, different races, all bright, very hardworking. The DCPS parents love to kid themselves that their kids' applications are stellar, rarely the case. Not offering much challenge or push for advanced learners at the ES and MS levels in DCPS until very recently, and not having HS school cultures in which Ivy League admissions are emphasized, still takes a toll.