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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][/quote]

Oh another point to mention is that BASIS is really changing now that the focus is on franchising. The owners are making bank on this but to do so they have to have a product they can spore. So everything needs to be centralized and conformed. And the model they have chosen is simply accelerated academics with a focus on AP testing. This is NOT the original BASIS credo, which was to blend rigor with creativity & personal development. I don't think the new model is sustainable, certainly not for the general population, but it will be enough to make them millionaires many times over.

I am interested in hearing how BASIS DC is selling the school, what level of rigor it is imposing from day 1, and what they have said about long term curriculum plans. [/quote]

Ech.  Disturbing reading for the parent of a Basis 5th grader.  Thanks a lot for this.  They don't seem to have said anything much about long-term/HS curriculum plans, other than the 8-10 AP classes/tests, ad nauseum.   I took 8 AP tests in HS without kill and drill as prep, and very little rote learning, and went on to an Ivy and a happy career as an engineer.   not sure if we'll stay the course....

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Honestly, from the research I have done, I am[b] not[/b] seeing that Basis lacks the fostering of creativity or personal development at all. Of course, there is accelerated academics and a lot of so-called "rote" learning which is not a bad thing at all. One must master the basics via some "rote" learning in order to fly so to speak. All too often these days, schools neglect the basics of grammar, writing, vocabulary, math facts and operations, history and science which results in students not being able to go on to higher order thinking and creativity. Basis also fosters personal responsibility, organizational skills, and character traits. The school also offers many classes and after school activities in the arts and music. So I just do not see that the school is only focused on accelerated learning and AP classes which are good things in themselves IMO. Basis also has detailed curriculum plans for every year of school up to 12th grade as well. I am also not seeing any watering down as well.[/quote]

True about the benefit of actually knowing stuff! My concern (from first hand experience) is (a) that there is too much focus throughout... I mean OK teach accelerated math and maybe science, too, but for an average 11 year old how much more are you going to ask? Learning 30 latin words a week, 50 states and capitals, umpteen definitions in classics and geography...

The difference between the brochure and the reality on arts and music is a big kicker. Our student has art, but with multiple choice tests included! Same with music. They are crammed into an already over-full day so actually just add to the stress, not relieve it. Is it possible to manage all of this. Yes, with luck, ability, and determination. Is it an optimal environment for students and parents? Not from my experience. I remain involved with BASIS however because I like much of what I see. I think the system needs parental input to restore the appropriate balance between rigor and well-roundedness. I often joke of starting my own charter and calling it "BASIS for humans"![/quote]

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