Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 20:30     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:I think what DCPS do-gooders & DC Public school advocates often fail to see is how transient the DC area is, most people in DC are here for the short term and don’t often care enough to vote in local elections because they plan to move where their votes are noticed. (Taxation without representation, anyone?)

A lot more people want their children to have the all around school experience that they had without the unnecessary stress of school lotteries which are often rigged. These people want rigorous academics, good test scores from the school setting, strong active PTAs, libraries/gardens/gyms/open fields, varsity sports & clubs, school spirit which can be summed up in the form of parades, bands, school dances, concerts, charity benefits via silent auctions etc. Thus, many move to suburban schools.

Whilst there are still others who wouldn’t set foot in a public school for religious reasons so their children attend parochial schools and yet others believe in the private school model all the way.

I don’t discount BASIS but I often wonder if the children and families who are there don’t feel regret because they haven’t branched out to see what they’re missing.


This parent of a child who has now been accepted to a college way beyond what their personal possibilities were can say, due to friends who have moved to the suburbs and or gone private, both top 3 and other, that BASIS is top notch. No regrets other than that the college counselors are currently sub par and there is a lot of staff turnover. However, the cohort remaining are really smart, interesting, hardworking fun kids who aren't materialistic, substance abusing or social media obsessed. And the class is well represented among income levels and racial composition. It is kind of ideal for the real world
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 19:56     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
I think what DCPS do-gooders & DC Public school advocates often fail to see is how transient the DC area is, most people in DC are here for the short term and don’t often care enough to vote in local elections because they plan to move where their votes are noticed. (Taxation without representation, anyone?)

A lot more people want their children to have the all around school experience that they had without the unnecessary stress of school lotteries which are often rigged. These people want rigorous academics, good test scores from the school setting, strong active PTAs, libraries/gardens/gyms/open fields, varsity sports & clubs, school spirit which can be summed up in the form of parades, bands, school dances, concerts, charity benefits via silent auctions etc. Thus, many move to suburban schools.

Whilst there are still others who wouldn’t set foot in a public school for religious reasons so their children attend parochial schools and yet others believe in the private school model all the way.

I don’t discount BASIS but I often wonder if the children and families who are there don’t feel regret because they haven’t branched out to see what they’re missing.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 17:27     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader. I remember it being called a "Bubble" year as so many kids from the Hill didn't get into their IB PS3 class. I wonder what happens if this is the year that a large percentage of people don't get into BASIS?


I wouldn't worry, PP. The BASIS wait list last year was around 150 names and they went over 100 in offering spots.

It won't be a large percentage of 4th graders not getting in this year for 5th grade in the spring, it will be a small percentage. By mid to late Sept, it will probably be a tiny percentage as it has been for years.

Worst case, couldn't you stay where you are for 5th grade and wait for the new Washington Latin campus to open in 2021 for 6th grade? Things tend to work out for middle school EotP if you remain flexible.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 16:06     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, your child could be happier at BASIS. It doesn't hurt for any school to have good facilities. I'm tired of hearing Hill parents calling Basis wonderful. Wonderful schools not only have strong academics, they have space for young people to spread their wings, create, use good computers, reflect, perform, play sports etc.


Her child is happy at Basis. How can you not say so when you don’t even know the child and family at all???

You are imposing your personal values and judgement on another’s family. Pretty rude and obnoxious.

Her child might not care about a library or gym and could be ecstatic with just challenging academics.


What's to rule out challenging academics AND a library and gym? Obnoxious racial politics. Nothing more. The ed reform political calculus needs to change in this city. We have the voters, but not the change. Go figure.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 15:19     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader. I remember it being called a "Bubble" year as so many kids from the Hill didn't get into their IB PS3 class. I wonder what happens if this is the year that a large percentage of people don't get into BASIS?


The same thing that happened when not-so-great Capitol Cluster/Stuart Hobson was the only public school option for middle school if you couldn't lottery into Deal. You moved or went private.

You guys should have seen this coming and been organizing like crazy for a pan Ward 6 middle school back in 2013. Instead you took your opiods politically by taking spots and Latin and BASIS and keeping quiet. We saw the writing on the wall and moved from the Hill to Tenleytown after the 2014 feeder review result screwed the Hill for 10 or 15 years.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 15:15     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
We're at Deal and don't know anybody from our neighborhood who opted for BASIS for the academics. We do know half a dozen local kids who are at Latin for a smaller school than Deal. Here in Upper Nw, most nerdy kids who don't care about sports head to Walls eventually.

Can't imagine sending my kid to a middle school without so much as a computer lab or library. Better to move or go private. Call me rude and obnoxious for insisting that good schools have strong facilities and extra curriculars!





Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 13:22     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, your child could be happier at BASIS. It doesn't hurt for any school to have good facilities. I'm tired of hearing Hill parents calling Basis wonderful. Wonderful schools not only have strong academics, they have space for young people to spread their wings, create, use good computers, reflect, perform, play sports etc.


Her child is happy at Basis. How can you not say so when you don’t even know the child and family at all???

You are imposing your personal values and judgement on another’s family. Pretty rude and obnoxious.

Her child might not care about a library or gym and could be ecstatic with just challenging academics.


BASIS parents whose kids attended a charter elementary (the majority of school's students) have always been far less bothered by the BDC facilities than are parents whose kids have been in a DCPS elementary. You don't miss what you never had. the

If you want a great school facility, go to your IB. Or move. Or homeschool. Or pay tuition. You have choices and there are pros and cons to each.


Except we came from a fabulous DCPS school that my Basis child’s younger siblings continue to love.

I definitely don’t think Basis is a fabulous school for all kids. But my nerdy, academically-motivated, non-athletic child is quite happy there and presently has zero desire to be anywhere else.

You might have made the right decision for your family; meanwhile, we made the right decision for our oldest child. No need for you to denigrate it.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 12:36     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
I have a 4th grader. I remember it being called a "Bubble" year as so many kids from the Hill didn't get into their IB PS3 class. I wonder what happens if this is the year that a large percentage of people don't get into BASIS?
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 11:25     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, your child could be happier at BASIS. It doesn't hurt for any school to have good facilities. I'm tired of hearing Hill parents calling Basis wonderful. Wonderful schools not only have strong academics, they have space for young people to spread their wings, create, use good computers, reflect, perform, play sports etc.


Her child is happy at Basis. How can you not say so when you don’t even know the child and family at all???

You are imposing your personal values and judgement on another’s family. Pretty rude and obnoxious.

Her child might not care about a library or gym and could be ecstatic with just challenging academics.


BASIS parents whose kids attended a charter elementary (the majority of school's students) have always been far less bothered by the BDC facilities than are parents whose kids have been in a DCPS elementary. You don't miss what you never had. the

If you want a great school facility, go to your IB. Or move. Or homeschool. Or pay tuition. You have choices and there are pros and cons to each.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 11:15     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:Nope, got a spot at the local parochial school, which will run us 15K a year. Not cheap but worth it to stay in our house/neighborhood of 20 years without bothering with Basis.



If it is the one on 3rd Street, I dare say the facilities are only a smidge better than BASIS and much more dreary/drab.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 11:12     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:Yes, your child could be happier at BASIS. It doesn't hurt for any school to have good facilities. I'm tired of hearing Hill parents calling Basis wonderful. Wonderful schools not only have strong academics, they have space for young people to spread their wings, create, use good computers, reflect, perform, play sports etc.


Her child is happy at Basis. How can you not say so when you don’t even know the child and family at all???

You are imposing your personal values and judgement on another’s family. Pretty rude and obnoxious.

Her child might not care about a library or gym and could be ecstatic with just challenging academics.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 11:10     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:Nope, got a spot at the local parochial school, which will run us 15K a year. Not cheap but worth it to stay in our house/neighborhood of 20 years without bothering with Basis.



So private and not DCPS. Telling
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 09:15     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Yes, your child could be happier at BASIS. It doesn't hurt for any school to have good facilities. I'm tired of hearing Hill parents calling Basis wonderful. Wonderful schools not only have strong academics, they have space for young people to spread their wings, create, use good computers, reflect, perform, play sports etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 07:59     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Anonymous wrote:Nope, got a spot at the local parochial school, which will run us 15K a year. Not cheap but worth it to stay in our house/neighborhood of 20 years without bothering with Basis.



I’m glad you’re happy with your decision. I hope your child thrives at the new parochial school.

Meanwhile, my child couldn’t be happier at Basis. (Our IB is S-H.)
Anonymous
Post 01/26/2020 02:25     Subject: Re:Difference between NW parent involvement and Capitol Hill parent involvement.
Nope, got a spot at the local parochial school, which will run us 15K a year. Not cheap but worth it to stay in our house/neighborhood of 20 years without bothering with Basis.