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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My comparison to NYC magnets and NYC schools in general was not to suggest that Basis was as good as a Hunter or a Stuyvesant (which when I was growing up was in its old crumbling building).

It was just a counterpoint to those who repeatedly assert that Basis is destined to be wretched for all due to its dismal facilities.  Don’t get me wrong, I would much rather have proper DC magnet programs in light-filled buildings.

My primary point is that buildings and sports are not critical to an education or even a happy adolescence.

I’m sure a number of privates in the DC area offer a better experience.  But I don’t think that’s a fair comparison either.

Your point about Basis not conducting exit interviews with parents of bright, successful kids is a bit concerning.  I’ll keep an eye on that one.  But so long as bright, self-motivated kids aren’t leaving in droves I won’t get too worked up.[/quote]

I have yet to read a single post on this BASIS thread or any other claiming that the program is destined to be wretched for all the kids all the time due to its dismal facilities.  But common sense says that it can'be a great school without a school library, stage, auditorium, computer lab, real gym or any outdoor space, or decent art rooms and performance spaces.  My seriously cramped Manhattan public schools at least had basketball courts on their roofs.

Most bright, self-motivated BASIS students have nowhere to go but the burbs, given that their families can't afford privates, or Upper NW real estate to access Wilson. The parents don't want to move, and BASIS is OK, so the families stay in DC and at BASIS.  You could almost argue that bright, self-motivated BASIS 8th graders do leave in droves - roughly one-third head to Walls.  Are we sure why?  No, not without exit interviews/collecting and collating data. [/quote]

With honors for all and de-tracking, for some families, it’s no longer worth the move to WOTP.  Even families in feeders to Wilson are re-considering.

I agree it’s important to do exit interviews and also act upon that data.  But I will say that 35% admission rate to SWW from 1 school is impressive.

It might not be the perfect school.  No public or charter school in DC is really.  But the bottom line is the school serves a purpose for some families who can’t afford to go private or don’t want to move, especially those in the close in neighborhoods to downtown. [/quote]

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