Anonymous wrote:holy cow. you guys are obsessed!!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of someone complaining that kids doing Pre-Calc in a public middle school is not good enough and worrying that their kid will be behind.

holy cow. you guys are obsessed!!

PP, I'm not sure what you mean by BASIS math not explaining variables, and I'm not sure what math your DC is currently taking, but variables are a basic concept that's hit on again and again in Saxon math. I just pulled out a copy of DC's Algebra I textbook and found that it covers it, on page 63, Lesson 14. I'm pretty sure it's covered in prior Saxon math textbooks as well, i.e. going back at least to Math 7/6 (I don't have a copy of it, but numerous online discussions of Saxon Math 7/6 reference variables.)

One of the things that Saxon math does is that it frequently circles back to previously-learned concepts to reinforce them and then it iterates to build upon them. Maybe Saxon isn't perfect, but based on the results, it is definitely one of the better math curricula out there compared to most others (http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math/why-saxon-math/research) and is proven to work well for a broad population of student capabilities. There is plenty of "why" and plenty of explanation, in both the materials, and, DC tells me there is also plenty of "why" in the classroom as well.

I'd also point out that BASIS schools are among the top-scoring math schools in the nation, with 90-100% of BASIS students passing AP calculus AB and BC exams, with quite a few getting 5s, and per the PISA assessments, they outrank virtually all other assessed school on math, both nationally and internationally across 40 nations, having unseated top powerhouse Shanghai by 51 points in math and 42 points in science - http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=23668 - and that's the same model and curriculum that DC has.

You won't find that level of performance with either Latin or Deal.

Anonymous wrote:11:48, I am baffled and bewildered at how you could ever possibly think your DC would be "behind" in STEM at BASIS. NO other school in DC (and that includes Deal and Latin) offers the math acceleration, LEAP science, the number of AP science courses, et cetera that BASIS does. NONE, not even close. BASIS spends at least 9 hours a week on science, from 5th grade on.

BASIS gives students a very solid and strong foundational knowledge AS WELL AS critical thinking skills. I can tell you that my DC is becoming quite adept at deconstructing arguments and rhetoric, through logic, analysis, and recognizing fallacies - all critical thinking skills that BASIS has been teaching. What you seem to not understand is that critical thinking without also having foundational knowledge and content is virtually useless. How could anyone ever think critically about something they don't really have any meaningful knowledge of? It's putting the cart before the horse.

I have not come to a judgment about the science although I haven't seen much hands-on learning (experiments or dissections) compared to other highly regarded science programs in the city (including private in this analysis). I am primarily speaking to the math. Offering math acceleration is not the same as properly "teaching" math. From my observations, Deal does a much better job at this. BASIS just moves to the next lesson every day without the "why", probably because they have to cover so much material due to the acceleration. Also, from my research Saxon math is weak in foundational math so the students will not learn it themselves from the textbook as compared to other textbooks. My DC is not being privately tutored but loves the "outside" math class which is reteaching the content taken last year at BASIS where my DC scored nothing less than a "98" without any retakes or test corrections. From their website, Latin also does a better job of teaching what a variable is. MIT doesn't care about math acceleration they care about whether you understand what you are doing. It is the difference between a 650-700 and 750-800 on the SAT. Hopefull the poor children will go to a College where they can learn the foundation in their programs.

I also beg to differ with you on the critical thinking. You have described one aspect of critical thinking. Ther are other aspects such as the ability to figure out how to approach problems where you don't have the "foundational knowledge."

I'm still waiting on the writing - virtually non existent last year - only a little this year/English teacher is better. My DC wrote almost everyday in elementary school and came to BASIS able to write reports and naturally organize a paragraph properly. That skill has actually gone backwards because of the lack of daily or even weekly writing. But you keep on boosting as it is working for you. I think they teach to the test. I "understand" very well what my DC is receiving and not receiving. As I mentioned I like the rigor, especially as I am not a stay at home mom, and don't have the time to plan and enforce it myself. Rigor, convenience, and my ability to supplement BASIS's deficiences will probably keep us there until high school.

Anonymous wrote:Um, WOW! I stepped away from this for the Christmas/New Year and I am flabbergasted by the responses. For a newbie to the area, you are really making me feel insecure about all the Middle School options here in DC. Awesome. Thanks.

Honestly, it looks like it is all really a crap shoot. I might make decisions on schools with my children, but it seems like unless we are going to Jefferson, it is a gamble whether or not we are going to the school of "choice". And if we are lucky enough to get into one of these "choice" schools, we'd be dealing with a whole host of issues that I am clearly not prepared for. - OP

no you could rent in the Deal area and then your kid would be guaranteed to be in a good (albeit large) MS - and this is only if you play the lottery and lose, because every child who is IB for Deal is able to attend by right whether they show up the first day or the third month.

We were at Latin and it has a lot going for it, but science, math, and tracking are not their philosophy. And it is hard to get in, and as someone else here mentioned some AA parents have had real problems with stereotyping.....

Latin is hard to get into, BASIS DC is still not. They I believe ultimately accepted every 5th grader this year, and they definitely accepted every 6th grader. The education is excellent, the facilities are subpar, but if you want your kid to get a good MS education (as long as you do not mind a bunch of poor AA kids, which IMO is why many high SES parents are still reluctant to send their kids) what they offer is better than any other school, public or private, in this area. The school is small, and they are still having some growing pains, but the caliber of the education is not one of them. If your kids like and are good at math and science they are the only real game in town.

We have two there and while lots of things could be better, just like at any school, we are very happy with what we have and the backing of AZ means there is quality control and it is not really a start up per say. Have of the exams are uniform across all BASIS schools so they can really see how DC is doing and what we need to work on. The people running BASIS are very smart, and they are ascending a steep learning curve with their first inner city school pretty darn well after a bad first year. And for the most part, the poor AA kids are just as smart and hard working as the high SES kids, because if they are not, they do not last past 6th grade.... and many decide to drop out before that.

Basis has developed a reputation for academic rigor and I think the kids who apply now know what they are getting into and most are prepared to do the work and to try to catch up if they need to.

Just be prepared - it is a lot of work, especially for a 5th grader. But they go through high school, and will reap the benefits in terms of college admissions.....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The books in the classrooms are donated by teachers and parents/students not the schools and are far from a "library", and MLK, the closest library, is closing for rextended renovations soon, which will leave Basis without anything but a few used lit books on classroom windowsills on premises-no research, no wifi access. Classrooms in ALL Basis campuses have more than the average number of students, and since there are troublemakers in almost every class, 25 plus is DEfINiTElY too many. Basis campuses where space isn't limited also opt not to have libraries, computer labs, fields etc, thus not spending the money on students and their needs. There is no roving computer lab at basis, one classroom has a few computers, but a regular classroom with a few computers does not a lab make. There is not even a 3D printer or use of technology for assignments etc allowed nor offered at the school, so it's a wonder how the T in STEM justified. Oh and the study hall before and after school is paid by the parents, and is only a "quiet " study hall 45 minutes a day. Many teachers this year only have one student hour a week, and that time is thrive they give of to students, not something the school pays for for the students.

All teachers at the school have access to wifi for use during classes and regularly use it. I am not keen at all on kids having access to wifi at school and see no need for it. My kid has seen no problem with 25 or more students and for the past 2 and half years there I have been satisfied with the amount of material covered in each class. All middle schools have some trouble makers for the record. We have found that class disruptions have been much less this year. Even with the amount of disruptions in the previous years, there was still a lot of content covered and taught. I also wager that the disruptions seen at BASIS in past were nothing compared to the average DCPS middle school. Also, there is a roving computer cart that my kid has used in several classes on a regular basis. 3D printer, you are kidding me, aren't you???? As for libraries, again I am not concerned since there are several collections in the classrooms plus there are support staff for students in need who may have trouble in that department. Plus, DC has a library in every section of town. Also, before care is free and yes, aftercare does have a fee which is typical for most schools.

I think we will have to agree to disagree since you seem like an unhappy camper to me.

Actually I am extremely happy with what my child is learning, but very disappointed at the lack of money spent and school resources outside of the teachers themselves, especially because it will mean that my child will have t leave by high school to meet those other needs, and if those resources were there, DC would
Stay no question. For a middle school, however, it is not as necessary. The mention of WIFI was in lieu of a library, kids do not need wifi, but they do need some way to research and cannot do so without either a library or Internet access. And a roving computer cart in lieu of a tech lab at a STEM school is pretty pitiful, used books parents donate does not make a librAry and before care is NOT a study hall environment. Moreover, the fact that you say these are the resources Basis officers exemplifies the facts that the school does NOt spend money on their students, not proof that it does.

Sorry what exactly is it that BASIS DC would have to offer to keep your child for high school? Sincere question, just seeking clarity......... there is wifi access and there is a pilot tablet program going on for the 8th grade LEAP chemistry kids. What is a tech lab? TIA
a Basis parent who wants to keep as many kids as possible

OP, if you lottery for both kids and put down:

1. Latin
2. DCI
3. BASIS
4. Hardy
5. Inspired Teaching ( I think they'll go up to 7th next year)
6. Stuart Hobson
7. Two Rivers

You should get both kids in somewhere good. I think Jefferson has potential too.

Anonymous wrote:Um, WOW! I stepped away from this for the Christmas/New Year and I am flabbergasted by the responses. For a newbie to the area, you are really making me feel insecure about all the Middle School options here in DC. Awesome. Thanks.

Honestly, it looks like it is all really a crap shoot. I might make decisions on schools with my children, but it seems like unless we are going to Jefferson, it is a gamble whether or not we are going to the school of "choice". And if we are lucky enough to get into one of these "choice" schools, we'd be dealing with a whole host of issues that I am clearly not prepared for. - OP

That is why you should go to info sessions of the schools you might be interested in. Some also have shadowing for a day for the student as well so they can see what a school day is like. As for choices some of these schools are still fairly easy to get in and of you do not pick them then you will definitely not get in. I am still very grateful that there are choices and that more choices are coming on line every year.

You got it OP. Utter crap shoot. Good luck!

Um, WOW! I stepped away from this for the Christmas/New Year and I am flabbergasted by the responses. For a newbie to the area, you are really making me feel insecure about all the Middle School options here in DC. Awesome. Thanks.

Honestly, it looks like it is all really a crap shoot. I might make decisions on schools with my children, but it seems like unless we are going to Jefferson, it is a gamble whether or not we are going to the school of "choice". And if we are lucky enough to get into one of these "choice" schools, we'd be dealing with a whole host of issues that I am clearly not prepared for. - OP