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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am intrigued about their focus on helping kids learn time management and organizational skills. Can anyone shed some light on how they do this at the DC Basis? Also, how exactly is their curriculum different than say Sidwell or an AAP public curriculum? [/quote]

My kids go to the charter BASIS (6th and 9th grade). There is a lot of information on the school's website about the curriculum, policies and course sequence if you want to compare the two experiences.

I can't speak to Sidwell's or APP curriculum - but I will mention a few things that I think are different at BASIS DC than other public schools.  Of course I have no clue if these policies and courses are the same at the independent BASIS schools.

At BASIS DC starting in 6th, kids take 3 science classes each year (bio, chemistry and physics). It works out to 9 total science classes a week. In high school, students generally take 2 science classes each year. Two years of Latin are required (6th and 7th). World languages are offered starting in 8th, or you can continue with Latin.  Middle school English classes spend a lot more time on grammar. Comprehensive exams are required in all classes except PE and Arts in 6th, 7th and 8th grade - and are weighed heavily. If you fail one comprehensive exam (lower than 60%) you cannot advance to the next grade (a retake opportunity is given at the end of the summer) with the exception of math (you can retake same math class and move up to the next grade). The idea is that you must demonstrate mastery of the material and, they also want kids to be able to manage high stakes tests before it is time for the SATs, ACTs and APs.

The middle and high school curriculum is based on the AP exams - you must take a minimum of 6 APs to graduate, and the AP test grades are factored into your final grade for the year. In contrast, in DC and Montgomery County public schools you can take an AP class and opt out of the exam, and either way, your AP exam grade is not part of your GPA. A good number of students at BASIS DC took 2 AP exams at the end of 8th grade and a few took 3 (mine took 1).

Most graduation requirements are satisfied by the end of 11th, and senior year is devoted to a "capstone" project and/or small group post-AP classes in an area of interest.

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