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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As my child moved to 9th grade, I haven't noticed a huge change from middle school. The main difference is the switch to two English classes in 9th and additional writing. We weren't that interested in changing: I think our child appreciates the consistency and being with the same small group of students. I can understand moving if you're looking for different extracurriculars or a change.[/quote]

OP here. From what we've seen in the middle school, it's a huge focus on memorization and study skills. These are great skills to have, but I've been unimpressed with the lack of critical thinking and writing skills. Is there really more of this in high school? I'm also concerned about how some beloved teachers have recently left the high school. [/quote]

[b]No, in our experience, the BASIS HS experience[/b] doesn't emphasize the development of critical thinking or writing skills. There's a strong AP test prep orientation all the way up, hence the lack of emphasis on critical thinking, writing, creative work, arts, globalism, sports etc.  There's also little in the way of structured leadership, ethics and character development and, frankly, diversity of the student body. Almost all of the other UMC immigrant families we came in with who aren't super assimilated/Americanized left for privates or the burbs before 9th.

The best teachers aren't paid well enough to stay, so they tend to go after 2-5 years.  But if you can't afford privates, your kid has done well academically in the middle school, you aren't willing to move from DC and want a STEM focus (without serious Technology) BASIS is fine, at least where elite college admissions is concerned.  If you stay and have the dough, you send your HS kid to strong summer programs to fill gaps.[/quote]

Your kid dropped out of BASIS DC a while ago, before high school.  So, you don't really have the "BASIS HS experience."  I would rather listen to people who actually have kids at the HS.[/quote]

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