BASIS DC in Washington | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education data from DC Public Schools.
College Readiness	10/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 SAT percent college ready data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and using 2024 demographic data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Student Growth	4/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and using 2025 Percentage of students meeting growth target data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Posted: February 2, 2026

basis dc has to be one of the most horrible schools ever. i attended for 3 years (5th - 7th) and they were definitely the worst few years of my life. i failed almost every class and never had teachers come to help. in 7th grade i had 47 unexcused absences and nobody ever emailed my mother. dont get me started on the toll it took on my mental health. i skipped at least 3 classes a week to go cry in the bathroom because of how horrible this school was making me feel. i spent the summer after 7th grade in a program to help me thru depression because of this school. but the students with good grades the school loves. i remember at the award ceremony we had 4 times a year they would have the students who got awards stand up while everyone else was sitting and just have us clap for them. is that not literally saying were below them. overall the school is horrible and i dont recommend it for your child. please please please take this into consideration before applications.

Posted: February 2, 2026

Posted: September 22, 2025

I spent four years at BASIS DC, and to be completely honest, it was one of the worst experiences of my life. The building itself feels like a prison no windows in the classrooms, narrow and overcrowded hallways where students are constantly bumping into each other, and dim, depressing lighting that makes the whole place feel suffocating. The environment alone drains you, but the academics push it to another level. By 8th grade, students are juggling nine separate classes, each of which piles on homework, projects, and constant testing. It often felt like every single week came with a full round of exams, leaving students burned out and overwhelmed.

On top of the sheer workload, the schedule itself is brutal. The official school day runs from 8:20 to 3:40, but most students arrive by 7:30 just to meet with teachers in hopes of understanding the endless stream of material being thrown at them. That means kids are stuck in this high-pressure environment for nearly nine hours a day, with barely any breathing room. The stress takes such a toll that its not unusual to see students crying on a regular basis, and many end up needing therapy just to cope with the pressure. Parents might be attracted by the rigor and the schools reputation for academic success, but what they dont see is the mental and emotional cost behind those test scores.

Looking back, I can honestly say I hated my time there. It wasnt just a tough school it was a miserable place to be a teenager, where every day felt like survival rather than learning. If youre thinking about sending your child to BASIS DC, be prepared for long nights of tears, frustration, and exhaustion. It may look impressive on paper, but the reality is nothing short of god-awful. Screw Basis, if you want to send your child to a good school, think twice about this one and just remember your child deserves to be happy.

Posted: September 22, 2025

Trying to write a review for Basis
Basis DC presents itself as a model of elite education, a place where excellence and rigor are supposed to define every part of the student experience. On paper, it looks like the perfect school high test scores, a reputation for academic achievement, and a constant stream of praise about how well it prepares kids for the future. But those glossy claims collapse the moment you look at what happens to students mental health inside those walls. The truth is, Basis DC grinds kids down until theyre shells of themselves.
So many of my friends were drowning under the weight of impossible expectations. I heard people talk about how they just want it to end, or completely breaking down and crying for hours on end because they were so overwhelmed. Every day felt like a battle to survive the workload, the pressure, and the suffocating sense that no matter how hard you tried, it was never enough. Adults at the school seemed proud of the stress, as if it was a sign of toughness, but all it really did was destroy the kids they were supposed to protect.
I couldnt keep going like that. By the middle of 7th grade, I was finished completely drained, completely broken down, and completely fed up. Walking away wasnt some dramatic gesture, it was survival. Basis DC brags about producing the best and the brightest, but the cost is staggering: it leaves kids traumatized, isolated, and in some cases, literally questioning if life is worth living. Thats the part no one puts in the brochure, and its the part Ill never forget. So heres my message: Do better, Basis. Students deserve joy in their school years, not the kind of suffering that drives them to therapy or forces them to find ways just to cope with the pain. School should have been a time to enjoy, not endure.

Posted: September 22, 2025

Posted: March 28, 2025

As a current Basis student, I think it's a good school. BUT the downsides are pretty harsh. One if you miss just a few days, the work piles up like Jeff Bezos Money. It's outrageous how much work there is, since the classes are mostly busy; there is not much time to do homework especially in the upper grades. So it's basically just a 9-5 job, but you have to deal with teachers and students, some being good with experience, and others who have never taught a day in their life. Some of the students are genuine people, but others can be condescending. It's also not like a smart person paradise, they have a lot of pressure do to advanced curriculums (math) and AP classes. Though it does provide very high quality education if you can sustain the hardworking expectations of the school. The athletic teams are not the greatest because there isn't enough sport diversity. That factor is mostly contributed by it being a downtown school with limited space. That also brings me to my next point, the hallways are CRAMPED. As a 6'1 Male, I can put my arms out in a t-pose fashion and touch the lockers and walls. It's also very annoying to see kids that I could babysit running around, bumping into me and just overall being little demons. If you can deal with annoying people, and be a hard worker that can adapt, you will thrive at this school and have a successful career. They provide quality SAT & college preparation. But overall if you're just intellectually gifted you can do well at BASIS DC.

Posted: March 28, 2025

Posted: March 25, 2025

horrible. Just horrible. TLDR; basis sucked my soul out. too many stairs, not enough windows, too much work, if you can keep it under control its fine.

I have 5+ pieces of homework every night. I barely get any sleep and the tests are way too hard and too much pressure is put on the students. There are like no windows and I have lost my tan complexion. another downside about the physical aspect, is that there are soooo many stairs and I get winded constantly trying to get to class. not to mention, the hallways get super packed with little kids from the younger grades and I can never get to class on time because of that. The teachers expect way to much of us and are high-key mean to us. Also we haven't had a good physics teacher in 2 years so I barely understand it because of that. we're also super behind in physics and are expected to teach ourselves material we don't know. I have to teach myself most of the time, especially in math and chemistry. not to mention we're juggling multiple complex subjects starting from the age of 10 to the end of your time at basis. the school is small, and did not help my social skills. my circle of friends is small because no one new ever comes to the school. it made me very sad. The students here are disrespectful, and have exhibited behaviors that are completely unacceptable. Their racist, anti-semetic, homophobic, transphobic, and xenophobic remarks and jokes are not properly handled due to the administrations lack of actual discipline and respect. punishments are light and barely considered punishments and take no effect. The curriculum is extremely accelerated and hard to keep up with, if you can keep up with the school work it's fine, but many of my peers fall behind or become extremely burnt out due to the demanding nature of the school. we're all tired and laziness has been set into effect because most of the students have either given up, or are trying their best and it just isn't enough. I know many peers who act like this and honestly its really sad. and even if the students are sad there are no helpful resources with mental health or for the people who need it. It's also hard because big basis (AKA the basis corporation) cuts things out or adds things in to the curriculum that are not necessary. Also In 8th grade, you have to balance 9 classes, most of which if not all are not easy. including AP classes. the administration constantly changes their policy and they don't let us know things in advance.hate it 0/10

Posted: March 25, 2025

Posted: December 10, 2024

This school is very fast paced and most of the time you have to teach your self. the teachers are all horrible except a select few, and we have no time for anything out side of studying and homework. The school is very tight and crammed and cold. the expectations of us are ridiculous, and only focuses on math and science. because of this i have no media literacy and am extremely behind on my academic writing. I'm constantly tired of all the new teachers who can barely teach. i'm pretty behind in most of my classes due to mental health which the school has no recourses for. this school lowkey made me want to kill myself and everything is a competition to see who can get the best grades. sure this school is great if you can keep all the academics under control but if you get behind it gets horrible pretty quickly. please don't send your kid here if you care about their mental health. also i am very pale from the lack of windows. However, apart from the harder subjects, the rest are pretty enjoyable. i enjoyed learning biology and chemistry. also i heard you get extra support for finding colleges, and you don't have the added stress of studying for AP exams when your also looking for colleges.

Too long, didn't read: Very fast paced, stressful, and challenging. benefits are reaped in the long run. Teachers aren't always the best. wide range of subjects.

Posted: December 10, 2024

Posted: March 4, 2024

Unfortunately I would not recommend this school. While the curriculum is rigorous, the support system is not set up to actually support the students and the administration is terrible with communication. Having a child who spent their school career in this building , I feel overall it is not worth it.

Posted: March 4, 2024

Posted: February 2, 2024

Quick summary if you don't have time to read: Overall 1/5, "learning" feels like a 9-5, "teachers" teach with worksheets, family engagement entails a useless weekly update, and the support we get is one therapist/counselor that you will never see and hear from.

If you're looking for a hint of high school life, BASIS DC is not it. There are no facilities as the space used for a gym is a "multipurpose room" that is used for class, cafeteria, and a gym. Windows are non-existent, the whole building is always cold, the hallways are wide enough for two people, and bathrooms are always in a mess.

Learning. The learning experience is absolutely horrendous. All the good teachers who actually taught have left because they were trying to do something different than the curriculum having no freedom or receive better treatment and experiences such as pay and whatnot at other schools.
BASIS' outlook on learning is stuffing you with useless information that you forget next week. The learning is mainly ridiculous, excessive, and meaningless worksheets that in the end are worth nothing and sometimes not even graded. The only reason why the curriculum is this skewed is because BASIS wants to show ridiculous numbers such as "99% passed an AP", "99% graduation rate", and "Top Charter School In DC".

Please, please, please go to another school like School Without Walls, Banneker, DCI, or just any other school. If you already in BASIS get out as fast as you can and make the right choice to switch out saving time, money, and opportunity.

Posted: February 2, 2024

Posted: October 20, 2023

We have two kids at Basis (5th and 7th) and both are thriving and are overall very happy. The work at times is strenuous, especially in 6th and 7th grade, but kids are taught from day one how to stay organized, study and take notes, and be responsible for their homework and other assignments. The leadership team and support staff are very responsive when we reach out, especially Mr. Rose., and there are enough options for sports and other extracurricular activities to keep my kids engaged after school.

Posted: October 20, 2023

Posted: April 27, 2023

Middle school is strenuous and all good teachers who have at the bare minimum taught before are leaving soon. Highschool has fallen to pieces, nearly all long term teachers have left. Extremely complex material with unqualified teachers leaving students unmotivated. Senoritis comes around in Freshman year. Head of school manipulates teachers, treats them horribly. Straight up lies to students about things ranging from school lunch to teacher qualification. Some teachers are absolutely out of line and kinda insane, others have given up, others don't understand what they're teaching. No freedom of curriculum. Extremely boring. No labs or hands on activities ever. No punishments for anything, students can roam the halls, scream, break things, fight, etc with little to no punishment. School shooting threats earn you a three day suspension and that's it. Horrible school, no experience, burntout students and teachers, terrible head of school, terrible teachers, very few teachers with ANY teaching experience under there belt. Getting a teacher with a teaching degree or who has taught before is rare and that teacher is automatically regarded as on of the best. DONT COME HERE, LEAVE IF YOU CAN. 0/10 basis sucks your soul out

Posted: April 27, 2023

Posted: March 21, 2023

BASIS has a tough curriculum that asks students to master difficult subjects, but the school supports them all the way. From after-school tutoring and meetings with teachers and optional Saturday study sessions before big tests, the school really helps students meet the high standards that it sets for them. They're also proactive about potential problems, with a counselor who will seek out students when a problem is developing and responsive administrators who will email parents to flag things they should know.

Posted: March 21, 2023

Posted: October 13, 2021

This is our first year at Basis and we are very happy so far with what we've seen. Our child loves their teacher and we have been impressed by the support staff and they've been very responsive when we've emailed them questions, etc.

Posted: October 13, 2021

Posted: August 7, 2021

My son attended this school for 5th grade last year. He was 100 percent virtual the entire year. At the beginning of the year, I was worried I had made a mistake enrolling him, given that the academics were much more rigorous than the school he previously attended, and my concern about balancing this new rigor with on-line learning challenges. As it turns out, my fears were unfounded. My son's teachers overall were very good, and math, English, physical geography, music, art and classics teachers were exceptional. He rose to the occasion and learned a tremendous amount. For students willing and able to do the work, this is an exceptional school. Note that it is essentially an "honors" school, as math is accelerated and the curriculum is designed to prepare kids for heavy AP course load in High School. This, of course is not for everyone. Also, the after school sports options are limited, and the school's physical space is nothing to write home about. That said, if your focus is on an exceptional academic, college-prep experience and your kiddo is able to rise to the occasion, this place is for you. Also be aware that this school has its own way of doing things, and expect little or no flexibility in this regard. I believe that this stems from a belief that their formula leads to success, plus they don't want anybody making accusations of unequal treatment. I may not always like this, but I respect it.

Posted: August 7, 2021

Posted: August 19, 2020

Awful experience, no transparency between students, parents vs. the teachers. No consistent structure. Attempts to fail kids and wants their failure.

Posted: November 22, 2019

Not great - the rules are not followed, even by the administrators, who are taking advantage of the fact that the head of school has recently left, and are causing major confusion and discontent.

Posted: November 22, 2019

The deans are less than satisfactory; they ignore the student handbook, and create a hostile environment. Many students have been told to remove their hoodies, even though there is no rule against them. Student feedback is ignores, and the students' experiences are diminished by this.

Posted: June 7, 2019

Too much, not reviewed, no support by staff

Posted: June 7, 2019

Unable to control classrooms - talk about supporting kids but they cant handle the classes

Posted: June 7, 2019

Chaos in the hallways and classes does not support compassion and respect

Posted: June 7, 2019

Completely ineffective, no response to parents regarding events - too little too late

Posted: June 7, 2019

No ability to effectively support any student whether struggling or not because they are too busy dealing with behavioral distractions

Posted: June 7, 2019

Had to threaten legal action to get them to address this

Posted: June 7, 2019

Terrible - mixed messages asking parents to get involved and then not and say how they support the kids - but they fail there miserably - talk a good game but no follow through - the facility is not habitable - no windows!!! Let alone conducive to learning - class sizes very large

Posted: May 26, 2019

My daughter has ADHD and is creative and strong in language and arts. We had a very bad experience at BASIS

Posted: March 28, 2018

This school is horrible, period. there is nothing more to say. period

Posted: January 24, 2018

Forgetting to write down homework was a problem for my kid; BasisDC has a consistent effective system to make sure the assignment is recorded, helps both the student and the parent keep on track

Posted: January 24, 2018

Teachers are dedicated to an unbelievably degree, available after school for one-on-one or group help. The teachers are mostly young smart energetic and inspiring. Though they don't always stay for more than a few years, that's because many are on hiatus from different careers and teaching from actual experience in their fields.

Posted: January 24, 2018

Students here range from truly gifted to struggling, and all types of learning is supported, no one is laughed at for smarts or struggles.

Posted: January 24, 2018

The leadership is not seasoned, but they compensate by devoting incredible focus to the work. The Basis Schools parent company also gives a strong and experienced framework standing behind the individual school's leadership.

Posted: January 24, 2018

For students with executive function challenges like my kid had, the structure was a huge plus. Suddenly he was building the habit of completing his homework and reliably turning it in.

Posted: January 24, 2018

There is always a few that try to disrupt, but it was not bullying, just attention-seeking.

Posted: January 24, 2018

My child was enormously proud of how much straight-up knowledge was gained. Great strides in academic confidence.

Posted: January 16, 2018

Three kids at BASIS DC...fantastic experience all around!

Posted: January 16, 2018

Posted: March 3, 2017

This was an issue for my own student during middle school years and occurred during a class The school seemed very ill-equipped to even address the issue, and definitely not equipped to combat it. For my own student it's no longer an issue, but I don't know what the school is doing now as a whole.

Posted: March 3, 2017

My student does not have a learning issue, but I have had conversations with parents whose children have such differences and who have struggled to get the school to cooperate.

Posted: March 3, 2017

I have no idea whether the leadership is effective. It has changed numerous times. I think the present leadership is the least effective.

Posted: March 3, 2017

The classrooms are so disruptive and the students bear little or no consequences. The teachers are not held to the standards, failing to meet deadlines that are imposed harshly on the students. This doesn't teach respect, compassion or integrity.

Posted: March 3, 2017

This varies widely. Some teachers are excellent. Unfortunately, these tend not to last. They are either wooed away to other schools, or they opt for higher education, medical school, or fellowships.

Posted: March 3, 2017

Hours of meaningless homework that is often not collected on the appointed day. If not handed in when randomly collected, no credit is given and the grade suffers significantly

Posted: March 3, 2017

Very poor learning environment; multiple changes in administration, with the latest adding nothing of note to the school; poor discipline overall in the classroom and school as a whole; extremely rude staff. My daughter did well enough in the middle school but we should have transferred out at the high school level, a choice most of her friends wisely made. If you choose to remain, be sure you research the requirements they will expect you to meet and what help they dont provide. Basis is not about education. Its about numbers. And the numbers dont always add up. Ours has not been a positive experience.

Posted: February 22, 2017

I would recommend asking a lot of questions before entering this school. It works for some students, it definitely doesn't work for others. The "rigorous" curriculum comes with some caveats, one being that it does not always have teachers qualified to teach the courses, this is true of the AP classes that are required of the 8th and above classes. Those students take an AP exam and that AP exam translates into their school grade. In our experience, the teacher is not always qualified to teach these high level courses. An AP class is not just another class. We have had the experience of being told to "buy the book," without any help in which of many, many AP prep books, and one month before the exam told to "do the exercises." Juggling several AP classes as a 9th and 10th grade student is more than a rigorous curriculum, it requires trained teachers. Basis does not always provide them and the students suffer.

Posted: February 22, 2017

It has no effective policy or doesn't effectively implement one.

Posted: February 22, 2017

This school seeks to weed out weaker students and to maintain only those top performing students.

Posted: February 22, 2017

The head of school has changed several times. The previous heads of school were strong leaders. The current head of school seems to simply follow directions from outside the school, which is why I think he will last longer than his predecessors. He is, in my opinion, entirely ineffectual.

Posted: February 22, 2017

Teachers are held to a different standard. They are not required to follow the rules, but students are held to a rigid standard and penalized very harshly if they don't meet that same teacher's expectations. How does this teach integrity, respect or compassion? It simply teaches that the person in charge gets to set the rules.

Posted: February 22, 2017

Students are often given assignments from very difficult material before the material is discussed or taught in the classroom, which amounts to the students teaching themselves the material. They are told that they can get help by going to student hours, but when the whole class needs help, it seems counter-productive to have the entire class going to student hours rather than just teaching the material in the classroom.

Posted: February 22, 2017

The teachers give entirely too much homework, which means the students don't concentrate on what they are doing, but simply rush through to get it done. The teachers also fail to collect it and grade it in a timely manner so that the students benefit from their effort.

Posted: June 25, 2016

Basis Dc is an above and beyond great school because there is no limits on what you can learn. I know kids that took Algebra 1 in 5th grade. My son took precalculus in 8th grade. Compare to where we came from it is night and day.
If you want to be competitive and more than ready for college, then Basis DC is the place for you. This is no place for slackers!!!!

Posted: June 25, 2016

Posted: October 7, 2015

This school makes 5th graders grow up entirely too fast. My child had no time to play outside after school because he was doing homework for hours. I had to sit and keep him on task the whole time because he was so tired since he was at school all day long pushing hard as well. I think this school is ridiculous personally. This is not every parents experience but it sure was ours...

Posted: October 6, 2015

I don't like that underclass students are given worksheets to work out of instead of real books

Posted: October 6, 2015

This school does not treat it's students fairly. The expect the students to be accountable for themselves but the staff rarely does the same. All they do is transfer and recycle teacher and staff but never fix the problem

Posted: October 3, 2015

This school has a good blueprint but it's only been in Dc for 3 years. It's just getting used to the city and its rules. This school has had a different head of school every year and are always admitting fault but rarely actually fix any of their problems

Posted: September 12, 2015

I am an 8th grade student that has been at BASIS since it opened and it is a great school if you are prepared for it. The topics are hard, and it's very stressful (the environment & work), but it prepares you for college very well. The teachers I personally really like and the students are really nice school. The two things I would say are bad about BASIS are: 1) There is a lot of homework (1.5- 4 hours) (depending on the night and person) and: 2) there is pretty much no natural light in the building, if you're lucky, there's more than one window in the classroom you're going to. So all in all, I recommend BASIS.

Posted: September 12, 2015

Posted: March 24, 2015

Our son has attended this school since it opened 3 years ago. He loves it and plans to stay through high school. The academics are very challenging and includes lots of assessments and tests to see where students are/arent grasping the concepts. The vast majority of teachers are caring and strong especially in science and math. Administration could be stronger - been lots of turnover - but seems to be improving.

Posted: March 22, 2015

Overall, the academic PLAN is outstanding. However, execution of this academic plan is failing and has failed many DC students. Please check with the DC Office of Student Engagement. An entrance exam would have helped to place the students, as the DCPS curriculum differs significantly from that of BASIS DC. Although my student carries an overall 90% average, everything to support student success is lacking, and the stress level on the students is obvious. The high turnover rate of teachers and administrative staff is both ineffective and embarrassing. I have no doubt that many of the glowing reviews are from the droves of Virginia/Maryland parents that we encounter on a daily basis, who are happy to have there kids in a school near jobs in downtown DC. E-mails and phone calls are not returned. School meetings rarely end amicably, which leads to many calls and meetings with the DC Charter School Board. In all honesty, the most important thing at this school is the TEACHER FUND!!! It saddens me that BASIS DC is yet another example of DC failing our inner city children. SIGH...we are anxiously awaiting the results of the DCPS lottery on 3/31/2015. You have been warned.

Posted: December 31, 2014

Our son has been attending BASIS DC since it opened, and we continue to be impressed with the rigorous and challenging curriculum and content, I have been amazed at my son's intellectual growth, his mastery of math is becoming impressive, his interest in science has exploded, and he is becoming quite a good writer and voracious reader, all while still pursuing his own interests in history, sci-fi, and other things. He's also enjoyed quite a few of the after-school clubs and activities. While the coursework and workload is challenging, we have found the teachers and staff to be great to work with, when he missed days due to illness or other issues, we were easily able to make up the work, missed quizzes, and other things, thanks to student hours and other supports. BASIS goes far and beyond any school I ever attended in my youth.

Posted: December 1, 2014

I think the school has some very hard working teachers and the curriculum is absolutely one of the best in the city. My child needs to work hard but his knowledge of arts and science is equivalent to knowledge of the children at any top private schools in DC area. Definitely recommend for kids who want to explore and learn. OUR FAMILY LOVE THE SCHOOL!

Posted: October 18, 2014

We are so grateful for BASIS. Although DCPS is, from our experiences, improving, our kids had a rough time academically and socially for years. We found BASIS and our kids have thrived. There are plenty of supports--for all types of learners (one of our kids has special needs). Most importantly, our kids are excited about learning in ways we had not seen since preschool, and they have made the crucial shift to owning their learning, time management (they now average 1.5 hrs. of homework/night), etc. . . which has allowed them to engage in the rigor BASIS offers.

Posted: October 18, 2014

I hope this school gets shut down. The teachers did not know how to teach and there have been so many principals and changes of teachers. Many students have left because nobody wants to be there! This school is all about a good public image, but does nothing to address poor teaching and students bullying others.

Posted: September 12, 2014

I am a former parent of Basis-DC. I originally flooded Great Schools website with glowing recommendations about this school. My daughter was excited each day she came home from Basis. However, fast forward to a year later, the situation at Basis is QUITE opposite. Basis method is not about educating for today, its about numbers. Last school year, Basis DC "retained" over 80 children, most to whom are black. Black children that throughout the school year got awards, "Most Improved", "Outstanding Leadership" etc... Basis DC, tells the lies, "Not everyone can be a Basis Student" or "It takes a special person to pass at BASIS." ITS A LIE!!!!! ITS A LIE!!!! Basis does NOT want certain types of people to attend the school. If YOUR family is low income (STAY AWAY), if your child has any 504 or IEP (STAY AWAY), If you are a vocal parent involved in your child's education (STAY AWAY), if you do not plan to contribute into the Teacher Fund (STAY AWAY). STAY AWAY FROM BASIS DC.

Posted: May 15, 2014

I am rescinding a glowing review I wrote in 2013. This school has become a failed experiment. The school is on its 3rd principal in two years, has enormous teacher turnover, and my child no longer feels safe. Much of the homework (which is significant) appears to be busy work. The lack of an admission test has produced a student body that's not that academically focused to put it politely.

Posted: May 7, 2014

Although I was hesitant because of the negative comments...this is my son's first year at Basis and he loves it. So much that he's excited about going back. He actually enjoys learning and I can attest to the fact that he's not being taught to simply past a test. I asked him what his favorite subjects were and he replied...science, classics and English. This school reminds me of the time when I went to school where the focus was more about learning rather than testing. I can appreciate the curriculum and the educators and I have a high degree of respect for their interest in responsibility and learning.

Posted: March 2, 2014

My child loves the school. Has been in several private schools that were not multicultural. He does does not fit into the typical sports, hip hip, current slang herd of his cultural peers so he has been picked and teased at every school he has attended. He is heavy into quantum physics and chemistry. Has found several like minded kids at this school. Is happy. The cirruculum was initially overwhelming but once we became organized and got ahead of the curve, it's been great. The only negative issue is that there are many class disruptions and disrespect towards the teachers. He fears some teachers may leave due to the frustration some teachers display when the kids refuss to comply with the teacher. They need to start expelling the kids that will not conduct themselves properly. The biology and latin classes are so indepth and he loves learning again. This school is not for the faint of heart when it comes to studying or academic effort. It is for those that have a scienntific/ engineering / medical field planned for their future. It is a great school for preparing children to compete at a high level. They also address bullying and harrassment issues immediately.

Posted: February 23, 2014

I went here last year. Had a horrible experience with students, staff, and teachers. I would not wish this school on my worst enemy.

Posted: February 16, 2014

BASIS DC is homework rich. The school expects clairvoyant parents and students in the 21st century find a "work-around solutions" to learn the content. It is definitely not always the best solution for the greater good but it takes care of the immediate problem. I hear about these rock star teachers in the school but unfortunately we've not had the luck to experience them. I am not talking about hard work or rich content. I am talking about quality teaching and learning in the classroom,

Posted: February 10, 2014

Basis DC is a world class school. Very refreshing and the curriculum is well above our experience with private schools

Posted: January 9, 2014

This is my child's second year at Basis. My child loves goign to school everyday, and enjoys his teachers. The only issue he has is that the hallways are crowded.

Posted: December 1, 2013

Our child attended Basis DC when it opened. She had 8 graded courses in 6th grade, including biology, chemistry, and physics all at the same time and each class sped through a chapter a day and had a test per week. The Algebra teacher assigned 30 problems per night and all the other subjects had crushing amounts of homework and exams as well. There was no time for studying anything in depth or critical thinking because the teachers were in such a rush. Basis is all about quantity and not quality. It is all about memorizing and regurgitating for multiple choice tests. There was little reading, no writing, no projects, and no teamwork--all life skills that should be stressed for later success in the real world. Only one teacher she had returned for the second year. The school day was a joyless grind with only a 25 minute break for lunch and no assemblies, health instruction, or field trips during the school day. Report cards contained percentiles and no comments. Nothing else about the kids (social, emotional growth) was noticed or considered. Our child did extremely well but we left Basis because the school is not educating the whole child or stressing what is important.

Posted: November 14, 2013

This is our second year at Basis. I read the negative reviews and can only conclude that parents have gotten used to schools that simply pass children on to the next grade without ever ensuring that the child has mastered the work. Basis does not sign on to mentality that every child gets an award for simply showing up. You have to work in this school, but there are plenty of incentives and awards for achievement. My 12 yr old daughter absolutely loves school and will not miss a day for anything. The school has had its glitches, as any new school would. And to the parent who complained many of last year's teachers left, I would say that it was a combination of excellent young teachers being offered challenging positions because of their qualifications, and a weeding-out process that shows Basis is constantly evaluating and improving itself. In addition to great academics, the school offers many after-school activities, fencing, robotics, chess, drama etc. This is one of the best free educations in the country.

Posted: November 14, 2013

Our son entered the 5th grade at BASIS this year. He was not challenged enough in his prior parochial school. BASIS is the only public or charter school I would send my son to in DC. In the few months he has been at BASIS our son has learned responsibility for completing work and how to organize time. He gets homework, much of which he completes while at school. Actually I wish he had more homework. He has the advantage of a different teacher for each subject. He says he can't wait to have chemistry in the 6th grade. He diligently does daily math problems, memorizes geography facts, reads and writes. I am impressed by the weekly feedback of quizzes. He does complaint about the lack of free time during the day, but I can see he is headed in the right direction. The feedback from teachers through the communication journal lets us follow potential issues. It is only with great caution that I enrolled our son at BASIS. I do watch his progress and ask him what he thinks regularly. He normally leaves the house in the morning whistling a happy tune. The other parents I have met at BASIS are also very concerned about their children s academics, so, our comfort level has increased.

Posted: September 16, 2013

We are a second year family and I see us continuing to graduation. I like that my son has grown from last year. He has an idea of accountability (doing and completing assignments to produce good grades and self-motivation) that has development from year one. There are growing pains with being new school but don't think the pains out way the results that we experienced and are experiencing

Posted: August 5, 2013

wonderful!!!!!!! Very good faculty and students. .The students come first. Faculty is first rate and very accomplished at their perspective fieids!

Posted: August 4, 2013

Looks like they wanted to weed out certain children by not communicating properly with their parents. Horrible communication when a child needed help. NO phone calls when needed and no real concern for the individual child, only cared about the test scores. Poor choice if you want a smart child who is also creative, well-rounded and caring. The children can learn. The teachers cannot teach.

Posted: August 1, 2013

The decision to transfer my son to this first-year charter was a difficult one for our family. He was doing well academically in a well established parochial school here in DC. However, after attending several informational meetings, reviewing the curriculum and listening to Basis AZ founders, Olga and Michael Block, we took the plunge. We were rewarded with young, passionate, smart teachers, a curriculum that challenges my son daily and a centrally located newly renovated school that serves all eight wards of the city. This open-enrollment non-selective, Title 1 charter took the DC CAS for the first time and results were recently posted. BASIS DC PCS was the best among charter schools in D.C. in reading scores, and third overall among charter middle schools in composite scores. In math, BASIS was among the top-10 charter middle schools in D.C. Discipline continues to be a challenge here but the administration continues to tweek the model to adjust to the needs of DC students. If the school continues on their current path, I have no doubt that in 5 years they will become one of the best schools in the country.

Posted: July 31, 2013

I love Basis DC! My son excels in his classes. He was bored in math in his prior school but at Basis, he can take Algebra II because he tested "in" to the class. He also has challenging, fun and advanced classes in chemistry, biology and physics in 6th grade. He has a variety of activities to choose from after school, such as soccer, basketball, ice skating, tae kwon do, science bowl, drama, music, debate, yearbook, and language clubs. He loved the school dances and parties. He and his friends hang out together. The diversity spans all demographic groups, but the kids and parents share the common goal of seeking a great education and success in life. Thanks, Basis!

Posted: July 31, 2013

Basis DC is excellent! My son just completed sixth grade and loved it. He had the chance to take Algebra II and had a great time with the challenge. He got to take biology, chemistry and physics, with labs in each class. After school, he had his choice from social clubs, academic clubs, and many sports. The school holds several dances and parties throughout the year, including offsite pot lucks and field day events. Students come from all sorts of backgrounds and all across the city to the school, united by a love of learning. He had a great year and is looking forward to another great one.

Posted: July 30, 2013

Our son attended a fine private school in DC before we tried BASIS. At the old school he was able to do very well with relatively little effort but we never got the sense he was being challenged. At BASIS he has been challenged almost every day in almost every class (sorry drama class). At the risk of making myself a target, I think it's fair to point out that all the negative reviews here come from parents who didn't want their children to work so hard or couldn't meet the school's high standards. I praise BASIS administrators fo failing students. In the real world our children will move to as adults results are usually what matter. If a child cannot pass a course then that should be noted and accepted. Repeating a year may carry social stigma and make a parent feel ashamed of their child. So be it. Adjust, strive and succeed. If that is not possible, it just isn't possible. Having an Ivy League level school is fabulous. Not everyone will be able to meet the standards, just as not every child can go to MIT, University of Chicago or Oxford.

Posted: June 28, 2013

We had a great year at BASIS DC. My son was actually crying that the school year was over, because he had such a great time at BASIS, between finding a lot of new friends who he had a lot in common with as well as all of the great teachers and fun activities both in the classroom as well as in extracurriiculars. In terms of what people should know - it's a pretty demanding school. There's a fair amount of homework, there are a lot of projects to work on independently throughout the school year, and they try to work at a fast pace wherever possible. Some of the great things about BASIS is that they are continually assessing the kids' mastery of concepts, for example asking a question and having everyone write their answer on a small whiteboard to hold up, and the teacher can within seconds know who's getting it and who needs more help. Teacher support has been great, we've always been able to use teacher hours to follow up if our child missed something or to get clarification on an assignment or other things. We are very thankful that BASIS DC came along to provide an excellent and rigorous school option and we are looking forward to next year.

Posted: June 18, 2013

Basis is o e of the worst schools that has ever come to the DC. It has been a complete insult to the children and the parents. The head of Schools admitted that they got it wrong and didn't do there homework in how they should serve the children in this area. So the only recourse is too fail the children. The school needs to be investigated.

Posted: April 21, 2013

This school is exactly what DC needs; not to mention the rest of America! The advanced curriculum (especially in math and science) that allows for differentiation, Principal Morrissey who is both authentic and skilled, and teachers who are experts in their field make BASIS the best school in DC. Finally, a school that celebrates intellectual curiosity, hard work, and personal responsibility for all DC children!

Posted: March 27, 2013

I have a 5th grade daughter at BASIS DC and I'm glad she is there. She always did fine in elementary school but her time at BASIS has developed a work ethic, sense of ownership and intellect I had not seen before. It is a challenging environment and the kids are expected to work hard but it's amazing what they are capable of! Most of the teachers seem to be very engaging and available for help if needed. In addition to a top notch education, I feel she is gaining all-important life skills that will serve her well (working and getting along with all kinds of people, taking personal responsibility for her success, etc.) We don't have many discussions about homework anymore. She knows what's expected and does her best to get it done. Even thought there are no set PT conferences (which would be tricky with 8 classes), I always feel like I know where she stands and what they're doing based on the Communications Journal. The school is trying build out the culture more and has done a nice job with activities, clubs and events.

Posted: March 19, 2013

BASIS DC is a tool and parents and students have an option to use it or not. As for me and my son, we are doing our best to use BASIS DC as a tool, helper, guide for educaiton and also life lessons. Of course there will be "up hill" struggles as with all kids but I am willing to to put in the effort as a parent and guide my son to put in the effort as a student.

Posted: March 14, 2013

There is a false perception at Basis and Leadership knows this but will not admit to it publicly which is sad so a large number a children will suffer at such a vulnerable time

Posted: February 17, 2013

I just had to reply to the 2/15/13 review with which I completely disagree. "Basis will know your child is failing and not communicate this to the parents"? Not so! Every grade is recorded in the CJ which should come home nightly and grades are to be signed by parents, there are 5 grading periods and a report card is sent home which prents must sign each time. In the most recent grading period (3rd) with the completion of the precomps students who would not be expected to be promotoed were identified and the parents/gurdians contacted by the school to determine interest in extra labs/core subject work. They have created extra classes and time to work on core subjects to help those students who are having dificulty adjusting to the rigor Basis brings. My child will be attending the daily afterschool math group for homework help. I have found Basis DC to be a very responsive/adaptive school when finding various ways to reach EVERY student to ensure EVERY student has the room to succeed (measuring success by grasping material, maybe repeating a grade but with graduation in 11th grade a possibility so what, no rush to be "done" with school, education is the goal).

Posted: February 6, 2013

I have two 8th grade daughters at BASIS and they are excelling. They have learned organizational skills, how to study, write and read complex text - not to mention high level math and science. The opportunity to learn three sciences at once is brilliant and the girls love it. Ms. Weber is an awesome English teacher - both of my daughters are reading at a high level of understanding themes and have greatly improved their writing. Another key skill is how to ask for help. Teachers are available after school and both girls have asked for assistance without parent intervention! This level of independence and intrinsic motivation is no accident - it is promoted by BASIS and will serve students well in the future. Latin has not only increased their vocabulary but also world view. I have observed both of my daughters expand and grow academically and in confidence based on their knowledge and rigorous work at BASIS. Yes, there have been growing pains, but the gains out weigh the pains. This has been the best life decision we could have made for future success. BTW, they are also involved in Leadership and tutoring younger students - they love it.

Posted: February 5, 2013

I have two children in BASIS DC (5th & 7th grade) and I LOVE it! The curriculum is challenging but the teachers and staff make sure each child has everything he/she needs to be successful and learn. The extra curricular activities are wonderful! My son participates in a Lego robotics club as well as the Tae Kwon Do club and serves as part of the student leadership team. My daughter participates in the school newspaper and also serves on the student leadership team. Both children are learning so much and meeting students from every part of the city who are also committed to success. Before BASIS DC opened, my family was considering moving because of the lack of quality middle and high schools in DC. We have gladly found our education home with BASIS DC and are thrilled to be able to be a part of this amazing school!

Posted: February 5, 2013

This has been a great option for my child. She is challenged academically, but also has plenty of school sponsored extra curriculars and exposure to the arts. The school model is proven several times over, while new to DC, the BASIS team knows what they are doing. Students need to apply themselves, and parents need to keep on top of things, but everyone is given the tools they need to succeed. The program is quite different than that of a traditional school (in a good way-this is why their model works so well), and is very well organized, there is wonderful communication between staff and parents, and children are expected to aim high and try their best. Our daughter has excelled and we are very happy at BASIS.

Posted: February 4, 2013

My boys (grade 5 and 7) love this school! They are really being challenged. It is amazing how much my boys are learning each day. Each day my children bring home a journal that shows what homework they have and when they are going to have test. This school teaches children to be responsible for their education! If you have a child that is not being challenged at their current school or they want to work hard, this is the school for your child. This school is not for everyone. My boys have had some bumps but the school has been very responsive and they have called or emailed us back promptly about any issues we have.

Posted: February 4, 2013

My son was excited to leave this school and so was the rest of the family. My son was being pushed way too hard! My son stayed after school every day. He even went to school on Saturday s. But to no avail. he received almost all F s in every class. If you expect the teachers to communicate with you...forget it! My son self-esteem was broken. He didn t even get a D for showing up and participating. When I removed my son from the school no-one did not ask why nor did anyone come out to speak with me. I was one of almost 20 parents that removed their children from the school. If I kept my son in this school he would have repeated the same grade twice.

Posted: February 4, 2013

I would rather pass on the stars. I am slowly warming up to Basis. Six months before it opened, I saw it as the best of what was possible, but I was far from enthusiastic. Though, since it started, I had wonderful meeting with the head of the school. Based on his suggestion, I have started making contact with all of my son's teachers. They certainly must have an exhausting work load since they make such an effort. My major complaint about all schools is that, unless you can afford extra-curricular activities, there is only attention to what my son may become and no recognition of how he is already a wonderful person. (All bias acknowledged.) However, at my last meeting with my son's Math teacher I was very moved. He invited my son to join us. I just had to listen and comprehend their conversation. The teacher addressed my son with the skills that he already enjoyed and applied them to general scholarship and mathematical skills. Then the two agreed that my son would join him once a week for a group tutoring session, after school is out. If my son had a say in this message, I am confident he would say, "Basis DC is okay!"

Posted: February 4, 2013

Teachers at this school are great, the curriculum is very challenging, kids have to work very hard, so it would not be right for one of my kids, but great for the other. The thing I appreciate most about Basis is that as a public charter school with kids from all over the district there is diversity - the lack of which is an increasing problem in DC - I want my child to have friends from as many different backgrounds as possible. The location right by the mall is wonderful as well.

Posted: December 28, 2012

Basis DC has been a godsend for our child who tests in the gifted range on IQ tests. Finally, we have a school that offers a well thought out, comprehensive curricula that emphasizes a firm foundation. He is challenged by all of his classes. Best of all, everyday is a good day at Basis for our child. A previous reviewer is incorrect regarding the communication of homework and tests. All homework is clearly written in the communication journal as well as testing dates. Students are given 4 days notice of tests, and many of our child's tests and quizzes happen on the same designated day of the week every week. For example, math tests are regularly scheduled on Wednesdays and science quizzes are scheduled on Fridays. Teachers have regularly scheduled parent hours every week where a parent can schedule a meeting. I have found the communication and teacher availability to be great at Basis.

Posted: December 21, 2012

I have no doubt that BASIS DC will raise the bar for middle school and high school education in Washington DC. It is a challenging and rigorous curriculum, and very content based at the lower grades. I still have reservations about this format for my 6th grader, who might do better in an experiential learning setting, but he LOVES this school and most of his teachers. I understand that classes in later grades allow for more development of critical thinking skills and independent learning opportunities, and I am looking forward to seeing how that works. Contrary to some posts here, I find admin to be very responsive. In fact, it's one of the things that gives me so much faith in this new school: Admin is not afraid to say they've made a mistake or take note when something isn't working for the kids. They are constantly improving--NOW, not taking notes and making changes for next year. Yes, some teachers need more training on the BASIS systems, but they are getting the training. I have never had this experience at our other schools. Besides, how can you not love a school whose core value is "It's cool to be smart"? They genuinely want every child to be successful.

Posted: December 16, 2012

Basis DC could become one of the most well regarded public schools in the metro area. This is a good school for parents that believe that college readiness should begin in middle-school. But it may take some time and parental support for kids to get used to the idea. A lot of parents that I've talked to whose kids may have gotten easy straight A s, say their kids can t do that a Basis. The kids have to work at it every-single-day just to keep up with the homework, but, if the kid keeps up they ll do fine.

Posted: December 6, 2012

My son is struggling at this school and I have heard many parents have been transferring out of Basis. They do have a good curriculum, but the level of independence that is expected of students at 11 and 12 is ridiculous.There is no teacher parent conference, so if your child is struggling, you have to manage all contact with teachers via email and phone, practically everyday. So that is 8 extra emails, a day to eight different teachers. There is also constant testing and they never tell the parents when the testing occurs. I had a two hour meeting with the school and have repeatedly asked for a schedule of tests, so that I could keep my son on track and received nothing. My son is miserable and has told me he has seen lots of children crying in the bathrooms and in the stairwell. The adults there need to be more supportive and help students manage their workload. If there are weekly tests then parents need to see this on a monthly time-table or schedule, so we can help our child's prepare. Its not rocket science, its management of a child's academic workload.

Posted: November 25, 2012

A tremendous amount of work was involved in getting this school underway in DC, but having ten highly-rated Basis Schools in Arizona seems to have provided a good template. Staff members are apparently committed and putting in extra time and effort beyond their regular office hours before or after school. A consistent paper organization system: finally a school that helps my child establish good habits for note-taking and writing down assignments. Accelerated math, challenging curriculum and a wide range of options (robotics, Chinese, many more) and after-school study hall clinched the decision for us. There are less-than-ideal conditions such as and more than a few unprepared and unruly students and noisy crowded hallways between periods, The principal does not seem as responsive as one could wish. A couple of replacement teachers have not been trained in the organizational system. I'm still thrilled with this school and those problems are fixable. The parents group (BasisDCBoosters) is active and seems to be devoted to the school's success.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	1 mi
2	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	4.3 mi
3	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	4.4 mi
4	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4.7 mi
5	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	5.1 mi
6	Rivergate	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	5.7 mi
7	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	5.8 mi
8	Henry	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	6 mi
9	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	6.3 mi
10	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	6.5 mi
11	Fords Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	6.9 mi
12	Midtown Alexandria Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	7.3 mi
13	Burgundy Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	7.6 mi
14	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	7.9 mi
15	Cameron Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	8.2 mi
16	Belle View	Condominium/Townhouse	Alexandria	VA	8.4 mi
17	Wilton Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	8.8 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	0 mi
2	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	1.2 mi
3	Georgetown	Washington	DC	1.9 mi
4	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	3.5 mi
5	Arlington	Arlington	VA	5.3 mi
6	Old Town Alexandria	Alexandria	VA	6.4 mi
7	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	6.6 mi
8	National Harbor	Fort Washington	MD	7.6 mi

Base	Distance
Fort McNair	1.8 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	1.9 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	2 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	2.2 mi.
Pentagon	2.4 mi.
Fort Myer	3.2 mi.
Henderson Hall	3.3 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	3.8 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	6.7 mi.
Walter Reed Medical Center	8.3 mi.
Andrews AFB	9.5 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	10.2 mi.
Fort Belvoir	14.4 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	20.6 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	22.7 mi.
NRO Chantilly	23 mi.
US Naval Academy	29.5 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	30.4 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	32.2 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	33.8 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	38.1 mi.
Fort Detrick	43.3 mi.

BASIS DC

Washington, DC 20004

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

BASIS DC

Washington, DC 20004

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.