Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:17     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader is happy, but we still would think of moving for high school. I'm not sure why BASIS would buy a building with no fields, no auditorium, no gym, etc.



It's a city school. The kids I know there have lots of activities outside of school -- they're not relying on the school to provide that stuff, they're doing travel soccer or orchestra or whatever with the great resources DC has.


Many parents get sick of schlepping kids for activities normally offered by schools, and paying for them. You can kid yourself that the arrangement is ideal but it's not, just like the dearth of tracking in middle school.


Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:11     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader is happy, but we still would think of moving for high school. I'm not sure why BASIS would buy a building with no fields, no auditorium, no gym, etc.



It's a city school. The kids I know there have lots of activities outside of school -- they're not relying on the school to provide that stuff, they're doing travel soccer or orchestra or whatever with the great resources DC has.


OK, but Basis won't even develop much in the way of really nerdy competitive extra-curriculars like chess and debate.

Ever talk to the Certamen parents who pay all the kids' expenses to compete? None of the competing schools demand this.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:08     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I wish they had more tracking, too.


Move to Fairfax. You'll be so much happier.


Gross, no.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:08     Subject: Re:Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How many 5th graders? 135? How many 9th graders? 60?

Most of the students may indeed be happy, but PP is not wrong.


That's how it works. Most of the middle students leave before high school. That's what you signed up for. Basis doesn't track in middle school other than for math. They're very clear about this.


I don't think the school is trying to make kids miserable and grind them into submission, that's ridiculous. It's challenging. Kids have to be organized. It's not a good fit for every kid. Those that want a challenge love it.


Come on, they're absolutely trying to shed certain students. Not most students, but a good many.

My kid got straight As at Basis, qualified for Johns Hopkins CTY with SATs in the 600s after 6th grade, tested into the most advanced middle school math. But he didn't love the program, not by a long shot. He loves attending a school with playing fields, performing arts, serious sports, a strong music program etc.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:07     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader is happy, but we still would think of moving for high school. I'm not sure why BASIS would buy a building with no fields, no auditorium, no gym, etc.



It's a city school. The kids I know there have lots of activities outside of school -- they're not relying on the school to provide that stuff, they're doing travel soccer or orchestra or whatever with the great resources DC has.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:03     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:I wish they had more tracking, too.


Move to Fairfax. You'll be so much happier.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:03     Subject: Re:Basis elements
There's nobody to ask. The Arizona team that bought the building for its fabulous central location took off long ago.

Let me guess, you're one of those disgruntled parents who gets called out on these boards because...your kid can't handle the curriculum.

Pointing out that your Basis student doesn't appreciate the lack of a gym, green space, library, stage etc. will get you nowhere here.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:02     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:I just need to vent.
I really wish they would make elements based on how accelerated or advanced the kids were.
Put the kids who consistently struggle across the board and need more support together, and put the kids who can move at brisker pace together and allow them to dig deeper into the content.


Have you seen the amount of information the teachers are expecting to cover? Even if there were a group of accelerated kids, I'm not sure how they would find time to dig deeper into the content.

Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 09:01     Subject: Re:Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How many 5th graders? 135? How many 9th graders? 60?

Most of the students may indeed be happy, but PP is not wrong.


That's how it works. Most of the middle students leave before high school. That's what you signed up for. Basis doesn't track in middle school other than for math. They're very clear about this.


I don't think the school is trying to make kids miserable and grind them into submission, that's ridiculous. It's challenging. Kids have to be organized. It's not a good fit for every kid. Those that want a challenge love it.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:58     Subject: Basis elements
My 5th grader is happy, but we still would think of moving for high school. I'm not sure why BASIS would buy a building with no fields, no auditorium, no gym, etc.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:55     Subject: Re:Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think the main problem are the disruptive kids - and of course there will be several in each year. If a bunch of them end up in your kid's element it can really bring down the learning environment. My kid had a "bad" element in 5th grade (apparently everyone, including teachers knew it) and this year in 7th has a great (the "best") element. Night and day in terms of the experience/my kid's happiness level going to school. And they are clipping along at a fast pace (I wouldn't want it to be any more intense/in depth).


I think the main problem is the dearth of decent public middle school options in this city. Disruptive 5th and 6th graders, particularly boys, clearly wouldn't be as much of a problem if they had more recess, more space to move around, more activities and classes where they could shine.


They're not going to add recess or space. It is what it is.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:54     Subject: Re:Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:How many 5th graders? 135? How many 9th graders? 60?

Most of the students may indeed be happy, but PP is not wrong.


That's how it works. Most of the middle students leave before high school. That's what you signed up for. Basis doesn't track in middle school other than for math. They're very clear about this.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:52     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:I wish they had more tracking, too.


And the point is?
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:52     Subject: Basis elements
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just need to vent.
I really wish they would make elements based on how accelerated or advanced the kids were.
Put the kids who consistently struggle across the board and need more support together, and put the kids who can move at brisker pace together and allow them to dig deeper into the content.


Vent in private.

Why? Basis is fund by public resources. The school merits no special protection from scrutiny because franchise leaders and local admins, teachers and booster parents want that.


Because DCPS doesn't do tracking.

If you don't like it move to private or the burbs. Or go yell at the clouds.


No, you move to private or the burbs.

If DCPS doesn't do MS tracking, how do you explain honors classes in math and English at Hardy, Stuart Hobson? You sound about 15 years out of date.
Anonymous
Post 10/05/2021 08:51     Subject: Basis elements
I wish they had more tracking, too.