NP who has a couple weeks to decide if we take our BASIS spot for a kid who excels in math and Spanish or stay at Oyster-Adams with a view to going private at some point, trying to lottery into DCI (which sounds impossible for Spanish), or moving to the burbs. We haven't been happy with STEM or humanities challenge in DCPS thus far.

I just read through this thread, and a couple other recent BASIS threads. Reading between the lines, BASIS sounds militant about what students learn and don't learn. The business of demanding that kids who came up through immersion language study take beginning languages sounds a big detour from best ed practices. Why can't middle school kids with the background to study a particular AP subject offered at BASIS do so long before 11th grade, be it calculus (which, apparently, is allowed), or a humanities subject, or a language? Who would be hurt by some flexibility, particularly where like-minded parents are prepared to organize and pay for after-school instruction? I also don't get why there's no PTA at BASIS, if I got that right.

On a call with a BASIS admin to ask these questions this past week, I was told that the obstacles to middle school students who are ready for AP work from pursuing it outside math are threefold. In a nutshell, "scheduling and resource obstacles and a policy not to overwhelm students pursuing rigor in other areas." This approach doesn't sound like a 21st century solution. Before anybody jumps on me for being entitled in wanting "preferential treatment," consider the fact that the highest-performing middle schools in this country aren't prone to require their most advanced students to take beginning classes in subjects they've long since mastered.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise, surprise on language study. BASIS leaders believe that students can’t walk and chew gum at the same time (study of a modern language from 5th to 7th grades would interfere with science and math challenge). BS policy that parents embrace for lack of a viable MS alternative.

Wow, this is insane and just plain ignorant. Plenty of research shows benefits of language education in both native and non-native languages. In fact, the single most determinant factor in early childhood cognitive development is shear exposure to words. The more words the better — of any language. Memorizing letters, colors etc does not really do much. I was considering BASIS (MS is a ways off for us) before reading this. Would never send my kid to a school that thinks language education needs to be “held off” until 8th grade?! Lmao. Are they unaware that ROI on language education steeply declines around this age?

By "insane and just plain ignorant" do you mean taking some BS posted anonymously, taking it at face value and then running with it? Agreed. Your reply is indeed insane and just plain ignorant.

So are you saying that BASIS does offer langage in 6th and 7th?

No, but you knew that. Did you think no one would respond to your rhetorical genius? What I replied to was taking at face value the BS rationale offered up and running with it. The poster to whom I responded took umbrage with the idea that BASIS doesn't offer a language "(study of a modern language from 5th to 7th grades would interfere with science and math challenge". Except no one at BASIS has ever said or written that (prove me wrong). That's the same martyr complex linguist that is always on DCUM. Poster to whom I responded jumped in to say that the policy rationale (which doesn't exist) was "insane and just pain ignorant". To which I replied.

But you almost got me!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise, surprise on language study. BASIS leaders believe that students can’t walk and chew gum at the same time (study of a modern language from 5th to 7th grades would interfere with science and math challenge). BS policy that parents embrace for lack of a viable MS alternative.

Wow, this is insane and just plain ignorant. Plenty of research shows benefits of language education in both native and non-native languages. In fact, the single most determinant factor in early childhood cognitive development is shear exposure to words. The more words the better — of any language. Memorizing letters, colors etc does not really do much. I was considering BASIS (MS is a ways off for us) before reading this. Would never send my kid to a school that thinks language education needs to be “held off” until 8th grade?! Lmao. Are they unaware that ROI on language education steeply declines around this age?

By "insane and just plain ignorant" do you mean taking some BS posted anonymously, taking it at face value and then running with it? Agreed. Your reply is indeed insane and just plain ignorant.

So are you saying that BASIS does offer langage in 6th and 7th?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise, surprise on language study. BASIS leaders believe that students can’t walk and chew gum at the same time (study of a modern language from 5th to 7th grades would interfere with science and math challenge). BS policy that parents embrace for lack of a viable MS alternative.

Wow, this is insane and just plain ignorant. Plenty of research shows benefits of language education in both native and non-native languages. In fact, the single most determinant factor in early childhood cognitive development is shear exposure to words. The more words the better — of any language. Memorizing letters, colors etc does not really do much. I was considering BASIS (MS is a ways off for us) before reading this. Would never send my kid to a school that thinks language education needs to be “held off” until 8th grade?! Lmao. Are they unaware that ROI on language education steeply declines around this age?

PP’s comment is dumb. Don’t believe everything you read.

Basis requires writing in 5th grade, linguistics in 6-7th grade (which covers different languages), and a single foreign language in 8th through 12th. You have a choice of Spanish, French, Latin, or Mandarin.

Generally, foreign language instruction in the US is poor but it seems as OK at Basis as it does at other schools. Basis isn’t any worse in teaching foreign languages than, say, Deal, Hardy, or J-R. Plenty of Basis kids take a foreign language AP and get a 4 or 5.

If you want your kid to be bilingual, you are best off sending your kid to a DCI or WIS and doing lots of supplementation. DCI usually scores in the bottom half of the world in IBs but WIS does better (and you have to pay tuition). PARCC scores at Basis are well above DCI. If you want to go to DCI for more instruction in a foreign language you will sacrifice rigor in other areas such as English, math, and science.

And you can always send your kid to a Swiss boarding school. Institut auf dem Rosenberg only runs US $162,500/year. Language instruction is awesome!

Lol, all good points. Thanks for this info. I think the principle of it just kindof annoys me.

Anonymous wrote:Apparently it does. BASIS parents routinely come to these boards to claim that they choose the program, and stuck with it, over privates they could afford.

What does this mean? For most people the decision about what they can pay for is a trade-off against other needs and wants. If I aid for private, I would delay retirement. I would not be able to pay for 4 years of college. I would have to stop serving protein at every meal. Why are you so invested in what other people spend their money on? Why are you so invested in proving something about someone else's kid's education? I have no idea what you are missing in your life, but perhaps continuing to take it our on BASIS families is not the most productive approach?

Anonymous wrote:Apparently it does. BASIS parents routinely come to these boards to claim that they choose the program, and stuck with it, over privates they could afford.

I don't see that. What I see over and over is people who come here to tell BASIS parents it isn't as good as Sidwell. Or a host of other schools. The person on this very page compared it to their private (better in English, less string in STEM). You are seeing what you want to see.

What you and others do is come to DCUM and tell people over and over that their kids are ugly and dumb. When those people push back, you and your kind reply, "You think your kid is the prettiest, Einstein level genius."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not make any switch. DS was in BASIS from 5th grade to graduation and ended up receiving a substantial scholarship to a prestigious university and all of the AP credits are helping to additionally reduce the cost and stress burden.

In my experience, the most prestigious universities do not offer merit scholarships nor do they allow for early graduation using AP credits.

Incorrect with regard to AP credits. For example, HYPS all allow this (you generally need 5s on the AP exams).

I am HYPS and had friends who graduated in 3 years with AP credits.

You are generally right about merit scholarships but the person didn't say that DS received a merit scholarship.

And...? The key point made by the poster was that APs shortened the college years and saved them $$$. If you grew up with mommy and daddy paying your bills (as you and PPP clearly did) then this is irrelevant. For people looking to avoid having their kids saddled with debt for life, this is material.

What amuses me if d-bags like you who are so proud of your HYPS degrees but lack the self awareness to look around and realize that you are working with and for and living next door to people who [gasps] got degrees from "lessor" institutions. The only people impressed by a college admission from 30+ years ago are your fellow graduates. And many of them also think you are a d-bag.

Get therapy, dude. You have a big chip on your shoulder.

PP was just pointing out some basic facts. You, in contrast, went on a rage-filled rant, revealing your deep insecurities and lack of self-worth.

Rage? Dude, you are an Ivy league d-bag who is still talks about what college you graduated from 30 years ago. You think too much of yourself believing it is rage. Do you wanna tell us how good you were at baseball in high school too?

You sound drunk.

Get out of your mom's basement, get a job at Starbucks, and stop pounding the sauce.

Apparently it does. BASIS parents routinely come to these boards to claim that they choose the program, and stuck with it, over privates they could afford.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what happened to this thread, but as someone who is considering leaving BASIS for private, I will say that language instruction and college placement are NOT my main considerations. I am looking for deeper learning and a happier school environment for my DC.

Issues with language instruction and college placement at BASIS are emblematic of a general lack of respect for individual preferences, talents and learning styles in the program. If you can afford private, go. A school is only so happy when your kid is on an AP prep conveyer belt and teacher turnover is quite high. We can't afford a non-sectarian private but found a parochial school in NW where my kid seems much happier. The writing instruction at our new school is twice as good as at BASIS, but STEM instruction isn't nearly as strong. We're glad to be on a campus with good facilities. Good luck, OP.

This is true of every DCPS and charter school in DC. It doesn't take an overwrought paragraph to distill down that point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not make any switch. DS was in BASIS from 5th grade to graduation and ended up receiving a substantial scholarship to a prestigious university and all of the AP credits are helping to additionally reduce the cost and stress burden.

In my experience, the most prestigious universities do not offer merit scholarships nor do they allow for early graduation using AP credits.

Incorrect with regard to AP credits. For example, HYPS all allow this (you generally need 5s on the AP exams).

I am HYPS and had friends who graduated in 3 years with AP credits.

You are generally right about merit scholarships but the person didn't say that DS received a merit scholarship.

And...? The key point made by the poster was that APs shortened the college years and saved them $$$. If you grew up with mommy and daddy paying your bills (as you and PPP clearly did) then this is irrelevant. For people looking to avoid having their kids saddled with debt for life, this is material.

What amuses me if d-bags like you who are so proud of your HYPS degrees but lack the self awareness to look around and realize that you are working with and for and living next door to people who [gasps] got degrees from "lessor" institutions. The only people impressed by a college admission from 30+ years ago are your fellow graduates. And many of them also think you are a d-bag.

This makes no sense.

If you had a Yale degree you'd understand.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what happened to this thread, but as someone who is considering leaving BASIS for private, I will say that language instruction and college placement are NOT my main considerations. I am looking for deeper learning and a happier school environment for my DC.

Issues with language instruction and college placement at BASIS are emblematic of a general lack of respect for individual preferences, talents and learning styles in the program. If you can afford private, go. A school is only so happy when your kid is on an AP prep conveyer belt and teacher turnover is quite high. We can't afford a non-sectarian private but found a parochial school in NW where my kid seems much happier. The writing instruction at our new school is twice as good as at BASIS, but STEM instruction isn't nearly as strong. We're glad to be on a campus with good facilities. Good luck, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not make any switch. DS was in BASIS from 5th grade to graduation and ended up receiving a substantial scholarship to a prestigious university and all of the AP credits are helping to additionally reduce the cost and stress burden.

In my experience, the most prestigious universities do not offer merit scholarships nor do they allow for early graduation using AP credits.

Incorrect with regard to AP credits. For example, HYPS all allow this (you generally need 5s on the AP exams).

I am HYPS and had friends who graduated in 3 years with AP credits.

You are generally right about merit scholarships but the person didn't say that DS received a merit scholarship.

And...? The key point made by the poster was that APs shortened the college years and saved them $$$. If you grew up with mommy and daddy paying your bills (as you and PPP clearly did) then this is irrelevant. For people looking to avoid having their kids saddled with debt for life, this is material.

What amuses me if d-bags like you who are so proud of your HYPS degrees but lack the self awareness to look around and realize that you are working with and for and living next door to people who [gasps] got degrees from "lessor" institutions. The only people impressed by a college admission from 30+ years ago are your fellow graduates. And many of them also think you are a d-bag.

This makes no sense.

I don’t know what happened to this thread, but as someone who is considering leaving BASIS for private, I will say that language instruction and college placement are NOT my main considerations. I am looking for deeper learning and a happier school environment for my DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not make any switch. DS was in BASIS from 5th grade to graduation and ended up receiving a substantial scholarship to a prestigious university and all of the AP credits are helping to additionally reduce the cost and stress burden.

In my experience, the most prestigious universities do not offer merit scholarships nor do they allow for early graduation using AP credits.

Incorrect with regard to AP credits. For example, HYPS all allow this (you generally need 5s on the AP exams).

I am HYPS and had friends who graduated in 3 years with AP credits.

You are generally right about merit scholarships but the person didn't say that DS received a merit scholarship.

And...? The key point made by the poster was that APs shortened the college years and saved them $$$. If you grew up with mommy and daddy paying your bills (as you and PPP clearly did) then this is irrelevant. For people looking to avoid having their kids saddled with debt for life, this is material.

What amuses me if d-bags like you who are so proud of your HYPS degrees but lack the self awareness to look around and realize that you are working with and for and living next door to people who [gasps] got degrees from "lessor" institutions. The only people impressed by a college admission from 30+ years ago are your fellow graduates. And many of them also think you are a d-bag.

Get therapy, dude. You have a big chip on your shoulder.

PP was just pointing out some basic facts. You, in contrast, went on a rage-filled rant, revealing your deep insecurities and lack of self-worth.

Rage? Dude, you are an Ivy league d-bag who is still talks about what college you graduated from 30 years ago. You think too much of yourself believing it is rage. Do you wanna tell us how good you were at baseball in high school too?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not make any switch. DS was in BASIS from 5th grade to graduation and ended up receiving a substantial scholarship to a prestigious university and all of the AP credits are helping to additionally reduce the cost and stress burden.

In my experience, the most prestigious universities do not offer merit scholarships nor do they allow for early graduation using AP credits.

Incorrect with regard to AP credits. For example, HYPS all allow this (you generally need 5s on the AP exams).

I am HYPS and had friends who graduated in 3 years with AP credits.

You are generally right about merit scholarships but the person didn't say that DS received a merit scholarship.

And...? The key point made by the poster was that APs shortened the college years and saved them $$$. If you grew up with mommy and daddy paying your bills (as you and PPP clearly did) then this is irrelevant. For people looking to avoid having their kids saddled with debt for life, this is material.

What amuses me if d-bags like you who are so proud of your HYPS degrees but lack the self awareness to look around and realize that you are working with and for and living next door to people who [gasps] got degrees from "lessor" institutions. The only people impressed by a college admission from 30+ years ago are your fellow graduates. And many of them also think you are a d-bag.

Get therapy, dude. You have a big chip on your shoulder.

PP was just pointing out some basic facts. You, in contrast, went on a rage-filled rant, revealing your deep insecurities and lack of self-worth.

+1 million. What an utter 🤡.

+1. That guy is an deranged dumb*ss.