As someone who has graduated from basis I can attest to what a lot of people on here are saying. I did see a lot of my class leave, I started in high school and graduated with 25 I believe, but those whose left didn't leave because they weren't smart enough or capable enough, they left because they didn't like the rigor that was present. I really do think that almost anyone could go through basis and succeed but that isn't what everyone wants to do. I know people who thought about basis for high school but ultimately chose the public school because they wanted that experience. On On the other hand yes, a lot of people do have to higher outside tutors for especially the math classes but I think that this is a good thing and doesn't show that the system is failing. I think it shows that these people who would have gone to a public school and taken the math that they were most comfortable taking, now have the opportunity to learn information that they wouldn't otherwise have learned. And yes, sometimes that means an outside tutor or going to teachers office hours, because they are always there, or even getting help from the students in the class who do understand the material, but is that a bad thing? I think it teaches people first of all how to ask for help and second of all tragedy them that if they set their mind to something, they can do it. As for not producing adults who know how to think, I also think that is false. So many times in my classes I had great debates to really help foster my education and I think that the teachers really tryto keep everyone engaged. Now this is just me, and I know people who disagree with me and sure the basis model really isn't for everyone but I don't think of it as throwing them back to the public schools but more more so letting them so to an environment that they feel more comfortable in and can thrive there. What is wrong with a school catering to people who want to learn, get college credit, and really get a grasp for how much they can know if they put their mind to it? I am for the basis education not because how much scholarship I got for college how how many aps I took but because I do feel that it helped me on my path to becoming an intellectual. I really think about the information that I am given more than I did when I went to a public mmiddle school, and for that I hank basis and the wonderful teahers that I had there.
I am actually a graduating senior at BASIS this year and yes, it's completely true that my class started off a lot bigger than it is now. That isn't due to any kind of selection process though. When I entered BASIS I took placement exams, but that was all. The reason that the class size falls from year to year is because it is a lot of work and that just isn't right for everyone. Personally, and this isn't everyone, I was able to have a part time job, enjoy many extracurricular activities, hang out with friends, and have plenty of downtime for binge watching my favorite tv shows. Luckily, I am a good studier because my homework load was never more than an hour and a half, and that was a bad night. Now, I know lots of people who did a lot more studying and then did have better grades and test scores than me, but the difference in grades was minimal when they did a lot more work than I did. I loved BASIS, the teachers were awesome because I must say, English is not my subject but BASIS made me love to read. What I found really amazing was this year, senior year. It was really low-key because I had already finished all my credits. The last half of the year, I had to go in once a week and had no school work. With AP exams, you are required to take one of each subject; one math, one English, one science, and one history, but you don't have to pass them, you just have to take at least one. There were high expectations, but they weren't all that hard to meet if you like to learn and can put up with some annoying late nights. I think that it was worth it and I wouldn't choose another school if I had the chance again. I met some amazing friends who were just as passionate about learning as I am but I also have some great friends who wanted to challenge themselves and despite getting some D's, still loved BASIS and what it had to offer. Hmmm anything else I didn't address? Feel free to comment and ask me anything because I am more than willing to answer any questions (:
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