Anybody Here Ever Have a Kid Above Grade Level Go Through DCPS Middle Schools besides Deal or Hardy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

[Anonymous]

Look if you want really challenging content aka the TJ prep track you aren't going to find it in DC period

You need to move to one of the AAP/TJ feeder factories in Fairfax County

You also need to know you are an insane parent who is pushing their kid for no reason

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

[Anonymous]

Probably really difficult to figure out, but we are focusing on those that actually graduate from top universities that went thru DCPS. That's the most important metric for us. We just ask neighbors, friends, our college network, etc. and try to get an idea of the kid's experience. Most are brutally honest which is surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look if you want really challenging content aka the TJ prep track you aren't going to find it in DC period

You need to move to one of the AAP/TJ feeder factories in Fairfax County

You also need to know you are an insane parent who is pushing their kid for no reason

So anyone who wants their kid to be the best they can be is “insane” and are “pushing their kid for no reason”... which is why your kids will never attend an elite college.

[Anonymous]

I’m the 5th grade Basis parent some folks are attacking. PP who clarified that the school is actively supporting struggling students was right to underscore that fact.

I’m definitely not wishing for anyone to fail. I do bemoan the lack of across-the-board tracking in DCPS, though. Given this fact, I assessed that Basis would provide the best education for my advanced learner (our IB is S-H) And thus far we’re quite happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

Honestly, this seems more like a feature than a flaw...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

Honestly, this seems more like a feature than a flaw...

Seriously. If kids can’t perform or hack it even with support, then the school is not the right fit for them. Lots of other options in the city for them. It’s not like Basis pretends to be otherwise. I respect them for that.

DCPS could learn a thing or two about academic expectations. But they are too on lowering academic standards at all cost for equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

Honestly, this seems more like a feature than a flaw...

Seriously. If kids can’t perform or hack it even with support, then the school is not the right fit for them. Lots of other options in the city for them. It’s not like Basis pretends to be otherwise. I respect them for that.

DCPS could learn a thing or two about academic expectations. But they are too on lowering academic standards at all cost for equity.

meant too focused

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

Honestly, this seems more like a feature than a flaw...

I don't agree. BASIS has a long track record of "picking their horses" in middle school without fairness necessarily being in the mix. They're known for making kids who might have "made it" in a supportive environment miserable enough not to return the following school year. Admins can be nasty about giving certain 7th and 8th graders they'd like to stay preferential treatment - the recently department HOS was frequently guilty of this, as has been pointed out on a recent BASIS threads.

BASIS is a real pressure cooker of a program, meaning that some bright, talented and hard-working kids can't handle the endless grade and test pressure placed on them. Not unusually, families leave for other programs that are equally challenging academically (suburban public schools, privates), but happier places and watch their kids thrive. The crappy BASIS building doesn't promote great mental health for adolescents - there's not a lot of natural light or color inside, no school library for quiet reflection and reading, no green or outdoor space, no real performance space, no music room etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Basis over S-H for our kid. Basis only tracks for math, but the cohort as a whole has more high achievers than S-H. Plus under-performers at Basis will eventually be pushed out.

We’re just in 5th grade, but so far my child is on distinguished honor roll (top 5% of class) with virtually no effort.

No regrets about our decision, though I certainly hope S-H attracts more top performers. But I put my kid over ideology (or the future of my property value).

If S-H tracked across subjects I might have made a different decision.

One of those logical parents. Kudos.

This is a remarkably ignorant comment, even for this board

+1. I mean the PP (I think it's her) is thrilled about BASIS weeding out under-performers rather than teaching the children that actually enroll. How dare the laggard parents expect the school will want all their students to succeed.

Another BASIS 5th grade parent. They work pretty hard to encourage and support kids who are struggling. I think the idea that they intentionally weed out students is an exaggeration.

You argue this because you're a 5th grade BASIS parent! Wait till 7th grade and 8th grade. They absolutely weed out kids they're fed up with, the type that's unlikely to clear the academic bar regardless of how much support is provided. They want the "right stuff" for HS. No bones about it.

Honestly, this seems more like a feature than a flaw...

I don't agree. BASIS has a long track record of "picking their horses" in middle school without fairness necessarily being in the mix. They're known for making kids who might have "made it" in a supportive environment miserable enough not to return the following school year. Admins can be nasty about giving certain 7th and 8th graders they'd like to stay preferential treatment - the recently department HOS was frequently guilty of this, as has been pointed out on a recent BASIS threads.

BASIS is a real pressure cooker of a program, meaning that some bright, talented and hard-working kids can't handle the endless grade and test pressure placed on them. Not unusually, families leave for other programs that are equally challenging academically (suburban public schools, privates), but happier places and watch their kids thrive. The crappy BASIS building doesn't promote great mental health for adolescents - there's not a lot of natural light or color inside, no school library for quiet reflection and reading, no green or outdoor space, no real performance space, no music room etc.

Well tough. That’s life sometimes. If you can’t handle the pressure cooker, then move the kid out of the school. Reality is some kids don’t thrive in an intense competitive environment. It is what it is. Some kids love it. Just like some kids are miserable at TJ who can’t handle it.

I don’t have any kids at Basis. But it is getting old parents who complain because their kids can’t handle it and talks ad nauseum about the facilities. We get it. Your kid was not happy. But others are. So you move on.

[Anonymous]

Please don’t forget that students fail or are pushed out if Banneker and SWW every year. Agree with the PP that not all kids can handle or thrive a high pressure environment. So be it.