Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by “independent learner”? Someone who thinks there’s more than one right answer to math, science, Latin or grammar questions?

Someone who is curious, organized and hungry to learn. If you think there is more than one right answer to questions in Latin math or grammar- this certainly isn’t the school or level or rigor for you.

Different poster here. I like the school a lot (kid in 7th), and I see what both sides of this spat are saying. Yes, math and grammar have exact answers. Of course.

But per the "independent learner" aspect... there is a lot of fact memorization without a good understanding of the background. In history, my kid knows what prohibition is but doesn't understand why it happened. World War I was covered in two lessons -- enough time to get basic facts (and test them in a multiple-choice format... Basis' favorite) There are very few open-ended type assignments in classes which could have them.

Both posters are correct. Stop being all DCUM-y.

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by “independent learner”? Someone who thinks there’s more than one right answer to math, science, Latin or grammar questions?

Someone who is curious, organized and hungry to learn. If you think there is more than one right answer to questions in Latin math or grammar- this certainly isn’t the school or level or rigor for you.

What do you mean by “independent learner”? Someone who thinks there’s more than one right answer to math, science, Latin or grammar questions?

Anonymous wrote:Basis isn’t for the independent minded learner or family with a quirky background or interests. There is little respect for the individual. Find academic brilliance elsewhere. Basis is advanced mediocrity in a dreary setting. The academics are for DC but it competitive in the Metra area.

Sorry your kid couldn’t cut it.

Basis isn’t for the independent minded learner or family with a quirky background or interests. There is little respect for the individual. Find academic brilliance elsewhere. Basis is advanced mediocrity in a dreary setting. The academics are for DC but it competitive in the Metra area.

Basis parent here.

It is always good to start with some sort of objective measure. For instance, take a look at the latest 8th grade PARCC results (after almost all kids have had 3 years at Basis). In that regard, Basis is tops in DCPS. Basis DC also has the highest average SAT and ACT scores in DCPS, and the kids take more AP tests per student than any school in DC. Sure, this is just a snapshot, out of date given the pandemic, etc. But those are amazing results for a school that is less than 9 years old and one that gets better every year. There is no question that the system works.

I agree with the commenter who noted that Basis is “a great school for kids who are smart, organized, efficient, motivated, and love learning.” However, kids can also develop some of these abilities and skills at Basis. My kid wasn’t very organized or efficient when s/he started but now is. One of the best things about Basis is that your kid will learn executive functioning skills. Once your kid picks these up, s/he can move through the work quickly.

Sure, Basis DC is not for everyone. But, for the right kid, the choice is obvious.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone whose child attended for at least two years weigh in with their kid's experience at BASIS? I've heard from parents who accepted and then declined (so, I'm not giving their view any weight since they never actually attended), and parents who have been there for one year. Would really like to hear from people with some actual experience (and didn't leave after one year). Thanks!

Yes - very happy with experience! Very impressed with curriculum - they learn "real stuff" very early (i.e. in the sciences). I have checked out almost all schools (public/private) in DC and this seems to be the most advanced with respect to challenging academics.

Two very different kids....
Kid 1 (4 yr at BASIS) - sails through everything - he was bored at his previous school - decided that we needed to find the "hardest" school (without moving out of DC)...Voila - Kid 1 is challenged!

Kid 2 (2 yr at BASIS) - difficult time in elementary school - average/below average - I agonized about decision - took the leap...Kid 2 has benefitted greatly from the structure - learned to be organized and doing well above average!

We are thrilled to be sending our kid there rather than to Deal, which is our IB school. Especially after this past year.

Anonymous wrote:It's a great school for kids who are smart, organized, efficient, motivated, and love learning. The efficiency part is overlooked too often. If your kid is a slow reader, slow writer, or takes forever writing out math problems, then your kid will get buried under the workload. If your kid is a fast worker who makes good use of their time during the schoolday to complete their work, then the homework is about 1 hour/day.

I think this is a very accurate observation. I had one kid who did well there for 4 years. Another kid we moved after 3 years. The third kid was there 2 years. We know many kids who are still there and happy.

My sense is that it has improved over time. They are (hopefully) learning from some of their mistakes, and their administration has been more stable the last few years. For several years the Head of School changed every 1-2 years. Our experience was that STEM teachers were very strong; English teachers were a mixed bag. There is a HEAVY emphasis on grammar in 5th/6th grade.

Lots of extracurriculars, kids go outside for PE on the Mall some but are inside most of the day, communication between school and parents is amazing, kids I know there are very happy.

It's a great school for kids who are smart, organized, efficient, motivated, and love learning. The efficiency part is overlooked too often. If your kid is a slow reader, slow writer, or takes forever writing out math problems, then your kid will get buried under the workload. If your kid is a fast worker who makes good use of their time during the schoolday to complete their work, then the homework is about 1 hour/day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great experience, love it, but I definitely don’t think it’s a good fit for everyone. (Being able to work independently, stay organized, enjoy academic challenges, not worry about tests or workload are all key.) The school is supportive but expectations are high, so it would be stressful for someone who struggles to keep track of multiple subjects, I think. Lots of good teachers.

Thank you. This is a helpful post.

1. How much are tablets/computers used in non-COVID years?
2. They list a lot of extracurricular activities on their website, but how many of these are truly offered each year?
3. Do kids in lower grades go outside at all during the day? Or are they in the building for the entire school day?
4. What is communication like between the school and parents? Are teachers/admin staff/head of school receptive to parent's concerns?
5. Are kids at BASIS happy?

Anonymous wrote:Great experience, love it, but I definitely don’t think it’s a good fit for everyone. (Being able to work independently, stay organized, enjoy academic challenges, not worry about tests or workload are all key.) The school is supportive but expectations are high, so it would be stressful for someone who struggles to keep track of multiple subjects, I think. Lots of good teachers.

Thank you. This is a helpful post.

Great experience, love it, but I definitely don’t think it’s a good fit for everyone. (Being able to work independently, stay organized, enjoy academic challenges, not worry about tests or workload are all key.) The school is supportive but expectations are high, so it would be stressful for someone who struggles to keep track of multiple subjects, I think. Lots of good teachers.

Can anyone whose child attended for at least two years weigh in with their kid's experience at BASIS? I've heard from parents who accepted and then declined (so, I'm not giving their view any weight since they never actually attended), and parents who have been there for one year. Would really like to hear from people with some actual experience (and didn't leave after one year). Thanks!