Our kids are really happy at BASIS as well.

The school is academically demanding and the curriculum is rigorous. Certainly agree that the school is not for everyone. The kids that do best are smart and motivated.

And now, in just a decade, Basis is the #1 public middle school in DC:

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/district-of-columbia

We left BASIS because my child was miserable. Straight A student but didn’t have any friends or a social life. Middle school is a time to find yourself. DC is not getting the same level of rigor at their current school and we have to supplement but what a different happier kid! BASIS is not for everyone and I’m thrilled with our decision. Our kids have their whole lives to “work” like adults!

I roll my eyes when 5th grade BASIS families jump on DCUM to wax enthusiastic about how much their children love this over-rated program. A school with BASIS DC’s particular building, management model and curriculum can only be so good.As kids get older, you tire of schlepping them to quality extra-curriculars and other sourcing inputs necessary to ensure that they get a well-rounded education as teens. You also get fed up with paying to supplement on the enrichment front to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars a year for decent music, performing arts, art, foreign language, sports or whatever.. If we could do it over again we’d probably have moved to Arlington. BASIS essentially offers half an education, not more.

I’ve known many BASIS families since the school opened. Most left before 12th grade. Nobody involved seemed to regret their decision to leave, including families of excellent students. No big deal to move on.

We had a similar experience in 6th leading to parochial school in NW (OLV, 12K if you're not Catholic like us).

Dramatic improvement. Better extra-curriculars, facilities, teaching, curriculum, more fun, better-behaved classmates, school leadership not half as narrow-minded as we expected.

The commute to NW a bit of a drag but we carpool with another family, which is fine.

We were pretty happy last year, but our 6th grader is having a tough year at Basis. The teachers generally seem nice and well-intentioned; however, our kid often misses out on learning key concepts. It's not clear whether that's because of poor instruction, day dreaming, disruptive behavior of classmates, or a combination of all three. When our child has tried to go to student hours after school, they are usually overcrowded, so he has limited time with the teachers.

We are seriously considering other options, but it's not clear where we would find the right balance of academic rigor, good instruction, and fun. We don't want to move to the suburbs, and private would be a stretch financially (at least with a $50K+ price tag).

Anonymous wrote:You BASIS middle school parents sound desperate to convince us that the school is all-around wonderful.

Come on, no library,computer lab or language classes before 8th grade. MS kids are given almost no choice in their schedules. Extra-curriculars aren't very good. Teacher turnover is high and too many teachers are experienced and/or none too inspired. We know the drill.

You're making do, because you can't afford privates and don't want to move to Fairfax.

Both the idea of private school and Fairfax sound awful. Not interested

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all - just posting b/c my kid (7th grader) hasn't always felt this way (and maybe won't in the future - but I'm happy to enjoy the now!). As a parent, I am pretty impressed with the school as well. Really, really solid academics; teachers that work hard and seem to care a lot; a hands on/impressive and hard working head of school. The school has also done a really good job throughout the pandemic, IMO. It is a challenging school and demands a lot from students, but if you have the type of kid who can handle it at this stage of their lives, it is a good choice.

Believe it or not, there are BASIS DC middle school students who can easily handle the workload but don't like the program. We didn't return after 5th/DL. All things considered, our kid's new school is a big improvement. It's less chaotic/more organized, more kid-friendly, happier, more parent-friendly and has much better facilities, academics and enrichment (other than for science).

Can I ask what is the name of your child's new school in case we decide to leave BASIS?

*** crickets ***

No answer probably for a reason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You BASIS middle school parents sound desperate to convince us that the school is all-around wonderful.

Come on, no library,computer lab or language classes before 8th grade. MS kids are given almost no choice in their schedules. Extra-curriculars aren't very good. Teacher turnover is high and too many teachers are experienced and/or none too inspired. We know the drill.

You're making do, because you can't afford privates and don't want to move to Fairfax.

You sound even more desperate to convince this BASIS parent that my child is lying I'll stick with my child rather than the unknown troll. I advise you see your therapist more often.

Nonsense, BASIS is just OK. It's hardly the Sidwell of DC Metro area public schools that newly minted parents like OP make it out to be.

Can't you BASIS 5th grade parents just meet up on Zoom or in the lobby at school to collectively sing the program's praises? Why do it on DCUM, calling anyone who finds this silly a troll?

Lobby isn't big enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all - just posting b/c my kid (7th grader) hasn't always felt this way (and maybe won't in the future - but I'm happy to enjoy the now!). As a parent, I am pretty impressed with the school as well. Really, really solid academics; teachers that work hard and seem to care a lot; a hands on/impressive and hard working head of school. The school has also done a really good job throughout the pandemic, IMO. It is a challenging school and demands a lot from students, but if you have the type of kid who can handle it at this stage of their lives, it is a good choice.

Believe it or not, there are BASIS DC middle school students who can easily handle the workload but don't like the program. We didn't return after 5th/DL. All things considered, our kid's new school is a big improvement. It's less chaotic/more organized, more kid-friendly, happier, more parent-friendly and has much better facilities, academics and enrichment (other than for science).

Can I ask what is the name of your child's new school in case we decide to leave BASIS?

*** crickets ***

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You BASIS middle school parents sound desperate to convince us that the school is all-around wonderful.

Come on, no library,computer lab or language classes before 8th grade. MS kids are given almost no choice in their schedules. Extra-curriculars aren't very good. Teacher turnover is high and too many teachers are experienced and/or none too inspired. We know the drill.

You're making do, because you can't afford privates and don't want to move to Fairfax.

You sound even more desperate to convince this BASIS parent that my child is lying I'll stick with my child rather than the unknown troll. I advise you see your therapist more often.

Nonsense, BASIS is just OK. It's hardly the Sidwell of DC Metro area public schools that newly minted parents like OP make it out to be.

Can't you BASIS 5th grade parents just meet up on Zoom or in the lobby at school to collectively sing the program's praises? Why do it on DCUM, calling anyone who finds this silly a troll?

Why don’t you take your own advice and go away?

Silly troll. This thread isn’t for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thats really great, if the bullying would calm down, my 7th grader would be equally as happy

Have you spoken to the 7th grade Dean about the bullying? We had some similar issues early in the school year, and the Dean took care of it by meeting with students, I think moving some kids into different elements, etc.

+1 Please have your child go to the Dean. My DC has done so this year and they are building a case against some troublemakers in the 7th grade. Lots of verbal bullying. It has gotten much better for DC but they know it is still happening to others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You BASIS middle school parents sound desperate to convince us that the school is all-around wonderful.

Come on, no library,computer lab or language classes before 8th grade. MS kids are given almost no choice in their schedules. Extra-curriculars aren't very good. Teacher turnover is high and too many teachers are experienced and/or none too inspired. We know the drill.

You're making do, because you can't afford privates and don't want to move to Fairfax.

You sound even more desperate to convince this BASIS parent that my child is lying I'll stick with my child rather than the unknown troll. I advise you see your therapist more often.

Nonsense, BASIS is just OK. It's hardly the Sidwell of DC Metro area public schools that newly minted parents like OP make it out to be.

Can't you BASIS 5th grade parents just meet up on Zoom or in the lobby at school to collectively sing the program's praises? Why do it on DCUM, calling anyone who finds this silly a troll?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all - just posting b/c my kid (7th grader) hasn't always felt this way (and maybe won't in the future - but I'm happy to enjoy the now!). As a parent, I am pretty impressed with the school as well. Really, really solid academics; teachers that work hard and seem to care a lot; a hands on/impressive and hard working head of school. The school has also done a really good job throughout the pandemic, IMO. It is a challenging school and demands a lot from students, but if you have the type of kid who can handle it at this stage of their lives, it is a good choice.

Believe it or not, there are BASIS DC middle school students who can easily handle the workload but don't like the program. We didn't return after 5th/DL. All things considered, our kid's new school is a big improvement. It's less chaotic/more organized, more kid-friendly, happier, more parent-friendly and has much better facilities, academics and enrichment (other than for science).

Can I ask what is the name of your child's new school in case we decide to leave BASIS?

Anonymous wrote:You BASIS middle school parents sound desperate to convince us that the school is all-around wonderful.

Come on, no library,computer lab or language classes before 8th grade. MS kids are given almost no choice in their schedules. Extra-curriculars aren't very good. Teacher turnover is high and too many teachers are experienced and/or none too inspired. We know the drill.

You're making do, because you can't afford privates and don't want to move to Fairfax.

You sound even more desperate to convince this BASIS parent that my child is lying I'll stick with my child rather than the unknown troll. I advise you see your therapist more often.