Anonymous wrote:Examples of homework is reading (history), nightly sets of math problems, memorization of vocabulary / conjugations in foreign language, English grammar, short papers or writing for English (more in 8th than in 6th or 7th in our experience). Worksheets in sciences. Students encouraged to review days notes each day even when there isn't a specific homework assignment - but my son isn't great at doing that.

Reviewing and studying notes and content covered is key to doing well at BASIS and doing well on the comprehensive exams. I many students think they do not have to do that but really they do since one cannot try to cram all the info covered in a few weeks when preparing for the comprehensive exams. The teachers at BASIS do try and re-enforce this and teach study and testing skills as well.

Examples of homework is reading (history), nightly sets of math problems, memorization of vocabulary / conjugations in foreign language, English grammar, short papers or writing for English (more in 8th than in 6th or 7th in our experience). Worksheets in sciences. Students encouraged to review days notes each day even when there isn't a specific homework assignment - but my son isn't great at doing that.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 6th grade at BASIS and has done really well. She is not a STEM kid though she is well organized and bright. She loves art, English, latin and classics. Most remarkably, her self confidence in math and science have soared. It is a school with an impressive homework load though the level of personal responsibility is remarkable for middle schoolers. While no project work, her friends have self-formed study groups -- nothing I would have done in 6th grade! My STEM son will hopefully start there in the fall.

If there are not projects, what is the heavy homework load? Mostly reading?

My daughter is in 6th grade at BASIS and has done really well. She is not a STEM kid though she is well organized and bright. She loves art, English, latin and classics. Most remarkably, her self confidence in math and science have soared. It is a school with an impressive homework load though the level of personal responsibility is remarkable for middle schoolers. While no project work, her friends have self-formed study groups -- nothing I would have done in 6th grade! My STEM son will hopefully start there in the fall.

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Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

I do find it odd that BASIS parents were claiming Title I status when they aren't even close to it. This must have caught them off guard also.

The fact is that BASIS qualified for Title 1 status last and it is public knowledge. As for the new numbers they were probably just released. I have not even heard of the new percentages for total enrollment for DCPS and charter students this year, have you? I thinking you grasping at straws to criticize. Geesh

I have no idea what you are talking about regarding total enrollment. The claim was made that BASIS is a Title I school (which it isn't) to highlight its achievement. Pointing out fact isn't grasping at straws.

I would expect Deal's number of FARMS to drop this year too as their IB numbers increase considering its location. I wonder what made BASIS numbers drop? Different enrollment? We know they were unable to fill their 6th grade. I don't know. Do you?

IB? Not really a relevant term as there are no boundaries, they draw city-wide, from all wards - unless you are just referring to convenience of proximity. Penn Quarter is not exactly an area that I think of when I think of family residences and lots of kids, but I do know they get a lot of kids from areas like Capitol Hill. As for enrollment, what's new this year is that they joined the common lottery, which should made it even more open. But again, as is the case with any charter, the student body is self-selected. If anything, word has gotten out that BASIS is serious about its rigor and that it's not a school where kids can just coast and get good grades without serious effort and really putting several hours into homework every night. For some families, that's exactly what they are looking for - but for others, that may seem to daunting - along with the potential risk involved in not having social promotion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

I do find it odd that BASIS parents were claiming Title I status when they aren't even close to it. This must have caught them off guard also.

The fact is that BASIS qualified for Title 1 status last and it is public knowledge. As for the new numbers they were probably just released. I have not even heard of the new percentages for total enrollment for DCPS and charter students this year, have you? I thinking you grasping at straws to criticize. Geesh

I have no idea what you are talking about regarding total enrollment. The claim was made that BASIS is a Title I school (which it isn't) to highlight its achievement. Pointing out fact isn't grasping at straws.

I would expect Deal's number of FARMS to drop this year too as their IB numbers increase considering its location. I wonder what made BASIS numbers drop? Different enrollment? We know they were unable to fill their 6th grade. I don't know. Do you?

Why not look at it positively and make the assumption that DC is lulling itself out of its recession, more people have jobs or at least better paying ones and therefore there are less kids qualifying/needing FARMS? Wouldn't that be awesome?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

I do find it odd that BASIS parents were claiming Title I status when they aren't even close to it. This must have caught them off guard also.

The fact is that BASIS qualified for Title 1 status last and it is public knowledge. As for the new numbers they were probably just released. I have not even heard of the new percentages for total enrollment for DCPS and charter students this year, have you? I thinking you grasping at straws to criticize. Geesh

I have no idea what you are talking about regarding total enrollment. The claim was made that BASIS is a Title I school (which it isn't) to highlight its achievement. Pointing out fact isn't grasping at straws.

I would expect Deal's number of FARMS to drop this year too as their IB numbers increase considering its location. I wonder what made BASIS numbers drop? Different enrollment? We know they were unable to fill their 6th grade. I don't know. Do you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

I do find it odd that BASIS parents were claiming Title I status when they aren't even close to it. This must have caught them off guard also.

The fact is that BASIS qualified for Title 1 status last and it is public knowledge. As for the new numbers they were probably just released. I have not even heard of the new percentages for total enrollment for DCPS and charter students this year, have you? I thinking you grasping at straws to criticize. Geesh

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

I do find it odd that BASIS parents were claiming Title I status when they aren't even close to it. This must have caught them off guard also.

Anonymous wrote:If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

What is your point?? It could also mean less FARMS kids chose to come to BASIS this year.

If you look at the link above on the DCPCSB it says 27.1%!and was modified 12/14 so those are the current number.

Unwittingly it seems as though the boosters have pointed out a large drop in FARMS kids in the last two years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The population is a bit rough and tumble if you are coming from private - majority minority, and over 40% of our students qualify for free and reduced meals (FARMS). At Deal the number is more like 20%, and the school is majority white and majority wealthy, and the scores BASIS has achieved..."

Where can one get socio-economic data about school population and test scores? (BASIS or any other charter)? Thanks.

Actually BASIS is 27% FARMS (and Deal is 21%). But it wouldn't be a BASIS thread without a few tall tales coming out-- from both sides.

Perhaps that is the data this year which I have not seen yet but last year BASIS qualified for Title 1 status which means at least 40% FARMS.

Actually the first two years we were Title I and last year the powers that be realized that entitled us to extra help from OSSE re math and science and kids who are not doing well. If that is not true anymore - I would be surprised - but the teacher hours and peer tutoring (one of my kids is a peer tutor in math) helps a ton for kids who are struggling and want to learn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The population is a bit rough and tumble if you are coming from private - majority minority, and over 40% of our students qualify for free and reduced meals (FARMS). At Deal the number is more like 20%, and the school is majority white and majority wealthy, and the scores BASIS has achieved..."

Where can one get socio-economic data about school population and test scores? (BASIS or any other charter)? Thanks.

Actually BASIS is 27% FARMS (and Deal is 21%). But it wouldn't be a BASIS thread without a few tall tales coming out-- from both sides.

Perhaps that is the data this year which I have not seen yet but last year BASIS qualified for Title 1 status which means at least 40% FARMS.

Anonymous wrote:"The population is a bit rough and tumble if you are coming from private - majority minority, and over 40% of our students qualify for free and reduced meals (FARMS). At Deal the number is more like 20%, and the school is majority white and majority wealthy, and the scores BASIS has achieved..."

Where can one get socio-economic data about school population and test scores? (BASIS or any other charter)? Thanks.

Actually BASIS is 27% FARMS (and Deal is 21%). But it wouldn't be a BASIS thread without a few tall tales coming out-- from both sides.

Anonymous wrote:"The population is a bit rough and tumble if you are coming from private - majority minority, and over 40% of our students qualify for free and reduced meals (FARMS). At Deal the number is more like 20%, and the school is majority white and majority wealthy, and the scores BASIS has achieved..."

Where can one get socio-economic data about school population and test scores? (BASIS or any other charter)? Thanks.

Here's their school profile page from the DC Charter Board: http://www.dcpcsb.org/school/basis-dc-pcs - there's a lot of good data on their site, as well as here: https://data.dcpcsb.org/