. Simple. BASIS students can’t take BC Calc without having taken AB at BASIS. That sequencing isn’t not remotely normal for the most advanced HS math students in this country.Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you mean by teaching both AB and BC calculus simultaneously.
A quick clarification:
all BASIS students need to take AP Calc AB to graduate, but taking AP Calc BC is not required of all students, both because students might be on the math track to take AP Calc AB in 11th grade and because for those who take AP Calc AB in 10th grade, they can opt to take AP Statistics instead of AP Calc BC in 11th grade.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can any current basis families share more thoughts on the middle school science curriculum? I have a kiddo for whom advanced science is the main draw.
My kid attended BASIS MS but didn’t stay for HS, and they would do it again in a heart beat. If your kid is lucky, they will get awesome STEM teachers at BASIS and learn tons about the various sciences, how to study, and how to be organized. Kids work through packets, get weekly HW and tests, learn in a very systematic way. At least, that was my kid’s experience. There are few mediocre science teachers at BASIS, but they are still better than the average science teacher out there. BASIS was able to retain some outstanding teachers, and they alone make it worthwhile. The insane focus on APs and meager ECs in HS is another story.
Where did you end up for high school? And if you don't mind sharing, did kid want to stay at BASIS for high school but willing to switch or did kid want to leave or didn't care and was willing to follow parent advice or some other situation?
Anonymous wrote:Um, where else are you going to find the rigor EotP unless you pay through the nose for it? You can't.
Anonymous wrote:My guess is many current BASIS families are less able/less willing to leave BASIS for a different high school in the near future. There’s a combo of circumstances that makes me think this:
(1) families are reluctant to sell their homes with likely very low interest rates to move to the burbs and pay a much higher interest rate based on current rates
(2) families also may be more reluctant to move to the burbs since there seems to be lots of complaining about changes for the worse when it comes to school academic rigor/admissions into magnets (just look at those VA and MD school forums)
(3) students may more easily get shut out of the application high schools in DC (just look at a bunch of the recent discussions on this forum)
(4) private high schools - like the colleges many BASIS families seek for their students to attend after them - are ever more expensive, making that option increasingly cost prohibitive, particularly for families with multiple kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My guess is many current BASIS families are less able/less willing to leave BASIS for a different high school in the near future. There’s a combo of circumstances that makes me think this:
(1) families are reluctant to sell their homes with likely very low interest rates to move to the burbs and pay a much higher interest rate based on current rates
(2) families also may be more reluctant to move to the burbs since there seems to be lots of complaining about changes for the worse when it comes to school academic rigor/admissions into magnets (just look at those VA and MD school forums)
(3) students may more easily get shut out of the application high schools in DC (just look at a bunch of the recent discussions on this forum)
(4) private high schools - like the colleges many BASIS families seek for their students to attend after them - are ever more expensive, making that option increasingly cost prohibitive, particularly for families with multiple kids
Or, they are having a good experience, have looked at alternatives, and have decided to stay. We have two there, from 5th grade. One is graduating this year. They work hard and are doing well. Their are occasional complaints about staff, but nothing serious. The building isn't a concern, other than complaints about walking steps all day.
One benefit - while sports teams aren't as good as larger schools, a small student body means that if your kid wants to play varsity sports they have a better shot at making a team.
Anonymous wrote:My guess is many current BASIS families are less able/less willing to leave BASIS for a different high school in the near future. There’s a combo of circumstances that makes me think this:
(1) families are reluctant to sell their homes with likely very low interest rates to move to the burbs and pay a much higher interest rate based on current rates
(2) families also may be more reluctant to move to the burbs since there seems to be lots of complaining about changes for the worse when it comes to school academic rigor/admissions into magnets (just look at those VA and MD school forums)
(3) students may more easily get shut out of the application high schools in DC (just look at a bunch of the recent discussions on this forum)
(4) private high schools - like the colleges many BASIS families seek for their students to attend after them - are ever more expensive, making that option increasingly cost prohibitive, particularly for families with multiple kids
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can any current basis families share more thoughts on the middle school science curriculum? I have a kiddo for whom advanced science is the main draw.
Our current 5th grader at BASIS (6th grader next year) loves both math and science…and they’ve done so much more science (hands on and theory) than any middle schooler I know of! I tend to find that the kids that don’t like the environment are not as excited by either math or science. This is not an issue for our child who is definitely STEAM focused as they also love reading, music, playing sports, etc. And there have been lots of afterschool options for kids interested in various topics. I definitely think that the environment wouldn’t be good for every kid, but our child has really thrived in it!
Goodness, it's all rainbows and kittens at BASIS not just in 5th grade but all the way up!
From what I've observed as a BASIS parent, if you have the dough to leave or are willing to move to the burbs, you leave at some stage. If you don't have the dough for privates, and aren't willing to relocate to the burbs, you stay and make do (possibly claiming that your entire family loves BASIS, loudly). Not more.
So why is your family still at BASIS?