Anonymous wrote:Why are students in MoCo able to be at school at 7:00 every morning, take multiple AP classes, participate sports and/or music programs, and study? What makes District kids unable to do the same?

school buses perhaps? and if they start that early, aren't they out by 2 pm? And is there any MCPS without sports fields or outdoor space?

Anonymous wrote:Why are students in MoCo able to be at school at 7:00 every morning, take multiple AP classes, participate sports and/or music programs, and study? What makes District kids unable to do the same?

MoCo schools usually start around 8 AM. Mainly money isn't it? MoCo pays for a variety of enrichment programs. MoCo also supports strong G&T ES programs and MS selective admissions magnet programs feeding kids into speciality selective admissions HS magnets, so they don't pay for all the tutoring/remediation that Basis will offer. It's not unusual for well-rounded Blair students to take 8-10 AP classes, and to get all 4s and 5s on the tests.

MoCo spends more per capita, $17,000, than DC Charter, but then Basis raises funds to make up the difference, right? I don't get why Basis can't emerge as a "normal" MS and HS school either, one offering several languages during the school day, and all sorts of extra curriculars, including Varsity sports.

Why are students in MoCo able to be at school at 7:00 every morning, take multiple AP classes, participate sports and/or music programs, and study? What makes District kids unable to do the same?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh yea, maybe if the students are commuting in from VA or MD, instead of just being a few DC stops away on the Metro...

Speaking for ourselves, we won't have any problem getting to Basis bright and early with our little one...

As for the comparison to Korea, it's not an Asian-style model, it's more European-style., modeled after the founder's school experience overseas. I also grew up in Europe and went to public schools in Europe - yes, it was far more rigorous than American schools, but that doesn't automatically equate to Asian style of drill-and-kill. Not at all. I want for my child the same kind of rigorous education that I got growing up.

The language model is not at all European. Language classes are as important as any other class in my (European) home country, not an elective that you take before or after class. Also, I am curious if this is the model they are adopting for the first year only. I guess, as a language teacher myself, I am a bit disappointed and maybe concerned that they are not starting full on language instruction at least in grades above 7th, or maybe I have misunderstood the info provided...

As I understand it, languages are important to BASIS. Kids begin with Latin in 5th grade and then when they are in 7th they can continue Latin or take a different language. What the PPs have been writing about is an extra language class in addition to Latin for those kids who want to continue to study the language they either speak at home or one they have been immersed in during elementary school. The school is straying from the Arizona curriculuum a bit and providing this opportunity for an extra language class because parents in DC said that it was important to them.

Anonymous wrote:Uh yea, maybe if the students are commuting in from VA or MD, instead of just being a few DC stops away on the Metro...

Speaking for ourselves, we won't have any problem getting to Basis bright and early with our little one...

As for the comparison to Korea, it's not an Asian-style model, it's more European-style., modeled after the founder's school experience overseas. I also grew up in Europe and went to public schools in Europe - yes, it was far more rigorous than American schools, but that doesn't automatically equate to Asian style of drill-and-kill. Not at all. I want for my child the same kind of rigorous education that I got growing up.

The language model is not at all European. Language classes are as important as any other class in my (European) home country, not an elective that you take before or after class. Also, I am curious if this is the model they are adopting for the first year only. I guess, as a language teacher myself, I am a bit disappointed and maybe concerned that they are not starting full on language instruction at least in grades above 7th, or maybe I have misunderstood the info provided...

Uh yea, maybe if the students are commuting in from VA or MD, instead of just being a few DC stops away on the Metro...

Speaking for ourselves, we won't have any problem getting to Basis bright and early with our little one...

As for the comparison to Korea, it's not an Asian-style model, it's more European-style., modeled after the founder's school experience overseas. I also grew up in Europe and went to public schools in Europe - yes, it was far more rigorous than American schools, but that doesn't automatically equate to Asian style of drill-and-kill. Not at all. I want for my child the same kind of rigorous education that I got growing up.

Coddled whatever, but they aren't South Koreans accustomed to the lifestyle of round the clock study. And as previous PPs have stated, they want their kids to have a life outside of school (religious study, sports, music lessons, etc.). You do want your kids to learn how to swim, right? To be confirmed or to have a bar/bat mitzvah? Maybe learn to play a sport like tennis or golf that will last a lifetime?

If you kid has to get up at 6 am to attend an extra class in the a.m., or stay after school for more school, it's probably not going to appeal to either of you over time. Kids, especially 10-12 year olds, need 10-11 hours of sleep. This means lights out at least by 9 and really 8 or 8:30 pm ideally. When is dinner/family time/practicing an instrument/homework going to take place?

Just being realistic. Middle school is not elementary school, people.

Anonymous wrote:It sounds interesting, but your kids will be exhausted just from dealing with the transition to a new school environment, the school day, the work that will be required, and the pre-teen social scene. Adding an additional 1 hour in the a.m. will mean starting your commute at say 6:45 am, which means getting up at... 6 am? Something like that. I guarantee that your kids will be falling asleep in the car, cranky as crap and not into it.

Our kids are so coddled....

It sounds interesting, but your kids will be exhausted just from dealing with the transition to a new school environment, the school day, the work that will be required, and the pre-teen social scene. Adding an additional 1 hour in the a.m. will mean starting your commute at say 6:45 am, which means getting up at... 6 am? Something like that. I guarantee that your kids will be falling asleep in the car, cranky as crap and not into it.

1st the Hertiage and Hermes program is only 450 to 600 for the YEAR, that is only 45 to 60 a month. They are Also adding German as another language.

Anonymous wrote: they will require Latin but then if you want French, Spanish Chinese you have to show up an hour before school starts and pay extra for it. Betting it will be similar with the extracurricular clubs.

Will simplified or traditional characters be taught?

I'm intrigued by the language instruction. I have a child who has been in an immersion program. Lets say 2-3 kids come from the immersion program to Basis. There are other kids who may have gotten 1-2 hours/week in their elementary school, plus some native speakers. How will Basis integrate all of these language abilities into one class? Has this been done at the Arizona Basis schools? I hate the idea of an early morning class and wonder if my kid will rebel against it, but like I said, I find it interesting.

Anonymous wrote:I just think it is a possibly good indication of how the school may operate. I am wary of a pay to play atmosphere where there is a basic curriculum and then families with money pay to upgrade and those who can't afford watch from the sidelines. I know, I know, that's life. But it still makes me squeamish inside a public school. U hope Basis boosters set up some kind of financial aid to help all students have access to the frills.

The flip side, PP, is that families who are interested in the core rigorous program only, without any of the frills, watch as the funds that would normally be spent enhancing the core program as spent on extras.

The position that any educational before- and after-school programs are essentially extended-day programs is a reasonable one, even if those programs provide academic enrichment. Thus, the families that avail themselves of those programs should bear the cost, as they would with any before- and after-care program.

As you suggest, PP, it would perhaps be more equitable for those families that are participating to pay extra to support families that cannot afford to participate. However,if too much of a subsidy is provided, there is a chance that families searching for inexpensive before-and after-care will enroll despite the fact that their children are no interested in the enrichment.

It will be hard to teach Spanish when there are kids in the class who are not interested in learning Spanish and are unwilling to do the work it takes to keep up with the rest of the class.

Anonymous wrote:I just think it is a possibly good indication of how the school may operate. I am wary of a pay to play atmosphere where there is a basic curriculum and then families with money pay to upgrade and those who can't afford watch from the sidelines. I know, I know, that's life. But it still makes me squeamish inside a public school. U hope Basis boosters set up some kind of financial aid to help all students have access to the frills.

You're not likely to get "the frills" at any DC school without coughing up somewhere.

I just think it is a possibly good indication of how the school may operate. I am wary of a pay to play atmosphere where there is a basic curriculum and then families with money pay to upgrade and those who can't afford watch from the sidelines. I know, I know, that's life. But it still makes me squeamish inside a public school. U hope Basis boosters set up some kind of financial aid to help all students have access to the frills.