BASIS has sent a team to national science Olympiad competition the last few years.

What we didn't like about BASIS DC was the laser-like focus on test prep en route to AP exams, vs. applying knowledge. At our current school, the strongest and most enthusiastic STEM kids compete in science competitions, often as part of a team, locally, regionally and even internationally. Kids are encouraged to do academic research and publish. Students also intern madly, so they can be mentored by science professionals.

BASIS DC doesn't offer a first-rate education in any subject because there are precious few Eureka moments. It the program works for your family, fine. But claiming that BASIS DC is the gold standard for 5th-12th grade STEM studies in 2021 is silly.

Incidentally, BASIS Chandler in Arizona often fields teams to compete in science competitions at the national level. I know this because an old friend sends her children there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

For many of the BASIS students, they have grown up in DC and could give guided tours of the National Gallery or the Zoo or the Air and Space Museum or the Lincoln Memorial. Why do they need to waste class time on something they already know? It's the students from the far suburbs who get enriched by coming in and availing themselves of all the monuments/museums in downtown DC. Many of the students ride their bikes to and from BASIS. The older students can leave the building for lunch.

Think outside the box! Not all school experiences look like the nostalgic suburban ones shown on TV. Not that BASIS is for every student, but it's not drill and kill and lunch.

Ha! The kids are in back to back classes from 8:30am to 4pm(drill and kill), and lunch in between. Even the specials are too serious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

For many of the BASIS students, they have grown up in DC and could give guided tours of the National Gallery or the Zoo or the Air and Space Museum or the Lincoln Memorial. Why do they need to waste class time on something they already know? It's the students from the far suburbs who get enriched by coming in and availing themselves of all the monuments/museums in downtown DC. Many of the students ride their bikes to and from BASIS. The older students can leave the building for lunch.

Think outside the box! Not all school experiences look like the nostalgic suburban ones shown on TV. Not that BASIS is for every student, but it's not drill and kill and lunch.

At what age can kids leave the building for lunch?

9th grade, I believe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

For many of the BASIS students, they have grown up in DC and could give guided tours of the National Gallery or the Zoo or the Air and Space Museum or the Lincoln Memorial. Why do they need to waste class time on something they already know? It's the students from the far suburbs who get enriched by coming in and availing themselves of all the monuments/museums in downtown DC. Many of the students ride their bikes to and from BASIS. The older students can leave the building for lunch.

Think outside the box! Not all school experiences look like the nostalgic suburban ones shown on TV. Not that BASIS is for every student, but it's not drill and kill and lunch.

At what age can kids leave the building for lunch?

The posters who comment on being in a building all day...do your kids attend a school that is near where you live? I'm often surprised at the kids who take a bus or carpool 30+ minutes from where they live each day and I wonder if you also take school commute into account.

My DC attended BASIS in 6th and 7th. He was super into sciences, and it was a great fit from that perspective as he could study Chem, Physics and Bio, plus there was the ability to rework all assignments, leading to a high GPA. The teachers were truly amazing. However, the Pre-Comp and Comp system was tough. Needing to study for full-year finals in all subjects was brutal, and even my son, who is not a high-stress kid, was stressed out by this approach. I think it would be very hard for kids who are anxious. Plus he could not pursue his national sport well, as BASIS required meetings in person with teachers to review all missed work; these meeting were on very specific days (Tuesdays after school at the time) and it was impossible to get through the content of an entire missed Friday. So we wound up long story short leaving for a private that was a better fit overall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school with zero outdoor space for their child. I'd never say this to a family in person, obviously, but it's just nuts IMHO.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school in DC in the first place.

Hi, you're in the DC schools forum. Your input isn't valuable here.

My kids hate field trips.

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

For many of the BASIS students, they have grown up in DC and could give guided tours of the National Gallery or the Zoo or the Air and Space Museum or the Lincoln Memorial. Why do they need to waste class time on something they already know? It's the students from the far suburbs who get enriched by coming in and availing themselves of all the monuments/museums in downtown DC. Many of the students ride their bikes to and from BASIS. The older students can leave the building for lunch.

Think outside the box! Not all school experiences look like the nostalgic suburban ones shown on TV. Not that BASIS is for every student, but it's not drill and kill and lunch.

My kid loves it. She doesn’t complain about the facilities at all, and she loves running on the mall. She would rather that access than facilities at the school itself.

Anonymous wrote:+100. Being cooped up is a real issue for many BASIS MS students, particularly boys.

I think that's the key. My DD loves BASIS and doesn't mind the lack of outdoor time. If she had more of it, she'd just sit around talking with friends outside rather than inside. Generally speaking, girls seem much more suited than boys are to sitting at a desk all day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school with zero outdoor space for their child. I'd never say this to a family in person, obviously, but it's just nuts IMHO.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school in DC in the first place.

I also attended public schools in NYC. I'm sure my elementary school play ground resulted in several successful lawsuits, as all I recall was rusty playground equipment on-top of concrete.

In contrast, my junior high had no outdoor space. Ditto my elite, test-in high school. But I still got a solid education and access to the best colleges and universities.

My Basis kids have not complained about the space. That said, I have kids who I can't even motivate to go for walks during distance learning, so their experience may not be typical.

Anyway, my family prioritizes academics over other things. Basis is not for everyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would choose private. My kid was cooped up inside all day, every day at BASIS. I expected them to take advantage of their proximity to the all the monuments/museums and green space that downtown has to offer, but it’s drill and kill all day, and lunch.

I don't understand how any smart family would choose a school with zero outdoor space for their child. I'd never say this to a family in person, obviously, but it's just nuts IMHO.

My husband went to school in NYC, no outdoor space. Played football across town at a random field. Turned out fine, had a more interesting high school experience than my suburban one.