Reply to DCI: Too much focus on tablets/devices?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think submitted but it would be hard to ask a kid to spend time redoing homework.  Wish there were an option (maybe there is-can current parents answer this question?

We limit screen time but kids enjoy playing games and watching some T.V. If kids went to DCI I would worry about adding more screen time, which doesn't seem right.

12:11 poster, we are now considering Latin or Basis.  A bit off topic, but how does your DC like Basis[/quote]

kid LOVES Basis, and ironically on topic because for the LEAP (their version of G&T) science program that starts in 8th grade in DC they are doing a pilot program involving .... Chromebooks.  This is Chemistry, and I don't know how it works but kid is happy.

Basis is hard.  Anyone who tells you different is fudging a bit.  And while it is tough to see 5th graders have to work so hard, that is the best (and basically only save 6th) point of entry.  Kids who are jocks, and kids who are not good at math and science or hate it even if they are good I don't think are as happy there as the STEM kids.

However, if you have a STEM kid, even in 5th it is paradise.  Husband is math/science guy so while initially I was not comfortable with the math acceleration, kid is and word is getting out.  When kid started only 8 kids in first LEAP math program, 4 in 6th and 4 from upper grades, this year almost half a  section in 5th grade is in Algebra I, so they set the tone for that section.  Best advice is to prepare your kid to do Algebra I in 5th - using Khan academy or yourself or your husband, so that kid is in math LEAP program.  Does usually result in the top kids taking AP Calculus AB in 8th grade, but our kid is fine with it and doing very well in the class.

And LEAP science which starts in 8th is an entire section, so they will be together for AP Chem in 9th despite the different math levels, but that will be their 4th year of Chemistry - starting in 6th, all kids take Chem, Bio, and Physics through 8th grade.

Liberal arts - kid happy with language class, most of the history classes have been good, we have felt the need to supplement in English to be honest, start up was rocky but school getting better every year.  Advantage of being a chain is there is a Basis wide portion of the pre-comprehensive and comprehensive exams, so we can measure ourselves against the other Basis schools, which is better than measuring ourselves against schools here in DC.  Also leads to teachers getting fired fairly quickly - although they are not so good at mitigating the damage of a year of bad teaching while it is going on, it is getting better.

Kid is also taking Economics with one of the rock star teachers - lobbyist here in DC for 27 years, working for free, has Saturday study sessions with free bagels.... Quite a few fantastic teachers, some incredible students, but the rigor is real, starts early, and your kid has to be responsible enough in 5th to start to handle most of it himself - very hard to helicopter parent at this school, they instill and teach responsibility early which I admire, kid just has to be up for it.

We are delighted with Basis, even the Chromebooks for the LEAP science kids in 8th grade.  Never would have thought I would be able to say that about a public school in Washington DC, ever, but kid has strong group of fairly geeky friends who support each other and are diverse ethnically and economically and being 2nd as a MS on the DC CAS in our 2nd year (first year Washington Latin beat us, last year roles reversed, Deal still number 1 but too large) and the opportunity for advancing in math and science if kid can keep the pace is not available anywhere else I know of.  Plenty of kids in lower math classes are also happy there too.[/quote]

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