Anonymous
Post 05/23/2025 05:12     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:Drama at BASIS is no different than sports or music or whatever else. The cash-strapped school in the cramped building simply doesn't offer much in the way of serious enrichment. But it you're willing and able to pay, and to shuttle your kid around town to access strong ECs, you can find them. If that's the best you can do by your teens, you do it. The main reason we didn't stay for HS was because my kids were fed up with the lonely outside ECs shuffle. They wanted to do serious activities with classmates after school. We're not religious but since we couldn't afford a strong non-sectarian private, we headed to a Catholic HS. Worth it.


True that the options are limited in the school, but you don’t shuttle the students. That is an elementary school perspective. Many kids get themselves to outside activities. After 5th grade, the parents aren’t involved in transportation much.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2025 05:06     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Drama at BASIS is no different than sports or music or whatever else. The cash-strapped school in the cramped building simply doesn't offer much in the way of serious enrichment. But it you're willing and able to pay, and to shuttle your kid around town to access strong ECs, you can find them. If that's the best you can do by your teens, you do it. The main reason we didn't stay for HS was because my kids were fed up with the lonely outside ECs shuffle. They wanted to do serious activities with classmates after school. We're not religious but since we couldn't afford a strong non-sectarian private, we headed to a Catholic HS. Worth it.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2025 21:48     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.


But this is exactly why it’s true that kids who are super into drama shouldn’t go to BASIS.


Every family should absolutely consider whether basis it is the right fit for their kid. It is not a one size fits all.

I would definitely come to this conclusion if your 10 year old is into drama such that you want to make school choices based on it, and you are unable/unwilling to pay for outside programming. Or if they want to go to school with a community of theatre geeks. I went to a high school that had an actual drama program, such that you would recognize many names of my classmates. There is just no comparison at all to the little club/class that Basis had, which honestly isn't to knock Basis; it is just a fully different thing. Kids flipped back and forth between Broadway and the high school program, and rehearsals were every night from 6-10pm and on weekends, and it made a ton of careers. That isn't Basis. But it sure was fun, and I know a lot of people who thrived due to the program, so I could understand why some people would choose a school of that type. It wasn't right for my kids though.

On the other hand, I think that people considering Basis need to look at the neighborhood resources. By 6th grade, the Basis kids access them all; they learn fast. There is theatre lab and shakespeare theatre and probably other options too if your kid is serious about it. No discussion of basis space or resources makes any sense if you aren't also looking at the neighborhood as the kids use it extensively.


If people actually want to go to a high school with a serious drama program, they should apply to Duke Ellington. BASIS does send students there, so it’s possible to go to MS at BASIS and still go to an arts high school.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2025 21:45     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Could someone please list the drama options beyond BASIS? My rising 6th grader just started becoming interested in theater and I’d love to enroll him in something. Thanks to PP who mentioned theater lab and Shakespeare theater!
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2025 14:17     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.


But this is exactly why it’s true that kids who are super into drama shouldn’t go to BASIS.


Every family should absolutely consider whether basis it is the right fit for their kid. It is not a one size fits all.

I would definitely come to this conclusion if your 10 year old is into drama such that you want to make school choices based on it, and you are unable/unwilling to pay for outside programming. Or if they want to go to school with a community of theatre geeks. I went to a high school that had an actual drama program, such that you would recognize many names of my classmates. There is just no comparison at all to the little club/class that Basis had, which honestly isn't to knock Basis; it is just a fully different thing. Kids flipped back and forth between Broadway and the high school program, and rehearsals were every night from 6-10pm and on weekends, and it made a ton of careers. That isn't Basis. But it sure was fun, and I know a lot of people who thrived due to the program, so I could understand why some people would choose a school of that type. It wasn't right for my kids though.

On the other hand, I think that people considering Basis need to look at the neighborhood resources. By 6th grade, the Basis kids access them all; they learn fast. There is theatre lab and shakespeare theatre and probably other options too if your kid is serious about it. No discussion of basis space or resources makes any sense if you aren't also looking at the neighborhood as the kids use it extensively.


Yawn.

My kids at BASIS have probably done more drama than 99% of the kids of posters here.

Yeah, there are plenty of options for drama beyond BASIS.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2025 12:01     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.


But this is exactly why it’s true that kids who are super into drama shouldn’t go to BASIS.


Every family should absolutely consider whether basis it is the right fit for their kid. It is not a one size fits all.

I would definitely come to this conclusion if your 10 year old is into drama such that you want to make school choices based on it, and you are unable/unwilling to pay for outside programming. Or if they want to go to school with a community of theatre geeks. I went to a high school that had an actual drama program, such that you would recognize many names of my classmates. There is just no comparison at all to the little club/class that Basis had, which honestly isn't to knock Basis; it is just a fully different thing. Kids flipped back and forth between Broadway and the high school program, and rehearsals were every night from 6-10pm and on weekends, and it made a ton of careers. That isn't Basis. But it sure was fun, and I know a lot of people who thrived due to the program, so I could understand why some people would choose a school of that type. It wasn't right for my kids though.

On the other hand, I think that people considering Basis need to look at the neighborhood resources. By 6th grade, the Basis kids access them all; they learn fast. There is theatre lab and shakespeare theatre and probably other options too if your kid is serious about it. No discussion of basis space or resources makes any sense if you aren't also looking at the neighborhood as the kids use it extensively.
Anonymous
Post 05/22/2025 08:31     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.


But this is exactly why it’s true that kids who are super into drama shouldn’t go to BASIS.


BASIS parent. This attitude is why we can’t have nice things at BASIS. If your child likes anything in addition to math and science, they don’t belong at BASIS.

Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 21:59     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.


But this is exactly why it’s true that kids who are super into drama shouldn’t go to BASIS.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 20:43     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


I’m generally labeled a “booster,” but this is a fun little program. There is no need to get too concerned about a staff change. I promise you by the time your kids get to 7th grade, you won’t remember the drama program.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 20:38     Subject: Re:BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:Y'all must be dumb or have troubles with reading comprehension.

Let me just sum it up for you for the 20th time:

Other than a staff change, there will be NO changes to the BASIS drama program.


Ok except a different teacher.

But above doesn’t negate the fact that there is no robust drama program at the school, and the kids who want that have to seek it elsewhere.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 18:41     Subject: Re:BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:Y'all must be dumb or have troubles with reading comprehension.

Let me just sum it up for you for the 20th time:

Other than a staff change, there will be NO changes to the BASIS drama program.


Other than losing another beloved teacher …
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 18:31     Subject: Re:BASIS Drama Program
Y'all must be dumb or have troubles with reading comprehension.

Let me just sum it up for you for the 20th time:

Other than a staff change, there will be NO changes to the BASIS drama program.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:19     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
Anonymous wrote:The Flogging of Basis continues…


Of all the debatable things about Basis, this one seems pretty straightfoward. It's a school for getting good standardized grades in math. It's not a drama school.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:07     Subject: BASIS Drama Program
The Flogging of Basis continues…
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 10:46     Subject: Re:BASIS Drama Program
If you are into drama and want a robust program, Basis isn’t for you. That is the bottom line.

Just like any other EC or sport, the school is lacking offering comprehensive EC or competitive sports teams. It’s a well known fact. You are going to have to supplement outside of school which is a pain.