BASIS Tucson

This school has been a big improvement over the expensive private school where our child went to previously. It does sort of indulge in 'extreme academics' but our kid is learning so much and is much happier here so far. Maybe there's a method to all this.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has just started at Basis in 6th grade. So far, I am sad to say I am unimpressed with the teachers at this school. They seem very detached and committed to being 'tough' with no regard to the individual student. My child is an excellent student with amazing test scores. Academically, he is doing very well and getting very good grades. However, after visiting the school for open house - I found the teachers very self absorbed about 'their credentials' and found very few of them had actual teaching experience at this grade level. So far - there are minimal extra-curricular activities and as of October, no orchestra for those students who don't want to be in band. Not sure if the school is worth the hype.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two students at basis. One began in 7th grade and just completed 9th grade; the other began in 6th grade and just completed 7th grade. This is an amazing school. The administration has created a curriculum that far exceeds state standards and that competes with, if not exceeds, top national schools/standards. The introduction of pure algebra based physics, chemistry, and introductory biology in middle school allows students to acquire an ability that is often left undeveloped in public and private schools (our children attended both). The literature and humanities department provides an amazing program that covers college level material. The teachers are extremely dedicated, providing teacher hours to students for extra help and detailed feedback on english papers. The students develop both responsibility and high work ethics as a result of this curriculum. Extracurricular activities such as music, an excellent theatre program, an art studio,& some sports are provided.
—Submitted by Susan Price, a parent

The No Child Left Behind Act should be renamed, No Child Shall Exceed. BASIS expectations are high and they want each and every student to succeed. Tutoring, extra credit assignments, and student-teacher office hours are provided to allow the students to receive extra help in they need. My 6th grade son is about to finish up his first year at BASIS. He has had an extraordinary year. He has been pushed academicallly, something that rarely happened in TUSD. The teachers as well as the administrators are very approachable. Problems are dealt with immediately. I do not have enough good words to describe my son's experience at BASIS.
—Submitted by a parent

BASIS is definitely a welcome addition to Tucson. Our daughter started in the 5th grade at BASIS this year. The greater homework load and math practice is a welcome change from public schools and is necessary. Math takes practice to learn. BASIS is doing an excellent job in this area. The other subjects are also challenging for both students and parents - a welcome challenge. Regardless of how good the school is, parents must be involved in their students education. The emphasis on other subjects such as geography and history is great. Having daily P.E. is also a plus for exercising the body as well as the mind. Using karate or any martial art is one of the best ways to give a child physical exercise, discipline and a sense of personal achievement and worth. Good choice. I highly recommend BASIS for Tucson parents sincerely concerned about their child's education.
—Submitted by Duane Boldt, a parent

Halfway into his first year at Basis, our fifth grader couldn't be happier. He was sad to leave the beautiful grounds and friends and teachers of his private school, but he loves the carefully interwoven curriculum at Basis, especially the class discussions and projects. He considers some of his teachers this year his 'best ever' and is already sad to think about their classes ending in May. As for the diverse student body, which represents a cross section of Tucson, he says that 'All the kids are nice. There aren't any bullies.' It's wonderful for parents to get that feedback! It's also wonderful for us as parents to experience the responsiveness of the teachers and the accessibility of the administration. Communication works well through e-mail and after-school conferences. Basis sets its standards high, but never stops caring. For those interested in a stimulating approach to learning, Basis is a gift to Tucson.
—Submitted by a parent

My son started at BASIS this fall with the new 5th grade class. So far, it has met and exceeded every expectation for a rigorous, interesting, thoughtful educational experience. In 5th grade there is PE and music every day, plus Humanities, Geography, Language Arts, Math, and Science. There are rules and they are followed. No more unruly children taking all the teacher's time! Multiple sports are offered after school (soccer, track, basketball, volleyball), plus Science Bowl club, Chess club, and Drama club. The 5th grade chess club has won the last two K-6 meets in Tucson. Kids come from all over Tucson and are motivated to learn. It isn't for everyone: kids do need to be bright and motivated. But for those who haven't been challenged previously in elementary school--this is the school for them. I highly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

BASIS School's purpose is to maximize the potential of every child, and to graduate the most educated students possible. This school makes no bones about it: they are here to educate and inspire, they are looking for motivated, hard working response from the students and grades reward the child accordingly. BASIS is not afraid to reward hard work with good grades; it is also not afraid to fail those who are not performing. By the time BASIS grads get to college, they will be the best prepared of anyone. The curriculum is excellent and intense, the teachers are highly qualified, the social structure among the students is based upon admiration for excellence and there is no bullying that we have seen. We are thankful for BASIS as a haven of intensive education and pure retention of the performance-reward system.
—Submitted by Julie, a parent

While the curriculum looks good on paper, the method of teaching is is not condusive to deep learning. Many subjects are covered, at an accelerated pace, but there is no time to investigate or 'dig deeper'. Just memorize it for the quiz.
—Submitted by a parent

I love basis. Great education. Great activities for kids. Great teachers. Cant say enough about it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is probably a good alternative for Tucson parents stuck in poor TUSD schools. The academic level is high but very old-fashioned. Students memorize a lot of facts and the math is a very rote-learning style program. Discipline is good and there is a sense of involvement and commitment, esp for a set of students from all income levels. Diversity of the student body is high for a school that is so high-achieving academically. There is a lot of emphasis on tests and achievement. Some of the teachers are terrible, and they are under rather tight guidlines from the director--who is very strong minded. I don't know whether to consider her a genius or a tyrant--she is something between--but certainly she deserves some credit for giving mid-level Tucson kids the chance to excel academically. Creativity and opportunities for gifted kids are limited, but it's great for mid-level kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for 4 years after a miserable experience in the local public school. His intellectual curiosity was nurtured, his mind stimulated, and his knowlege base at the end 9th grade was superior to that of most college freshmen. The curriculum reflects international standards of excellence. Even more importantly, the school encourages decency, respect, and tolerance. The standards for behavior are strict but fair.
—Submitted by a parent

Dissapointed in the opportunity for all kids to get in to this school. They pick and choose by test scores, not by where you are on the waiting list.
—Submitted by a former student

Great school for my two kids. They're taking classes and learning things in middle school that I got in college. Although the school is small, there are many opportunities to join school sports teams, band, and other activitites. The instructors are seem to like the kids and enjoy the subjects they teach - based on the standardized test scores (AIMS, Stanford 9), I think the kids at this school enjoy the subjects they are taught. Parents are very involved - it's that type of school.
—Submitted by a parent

BASIS is one of the best schools in Tucson. The teachers are top knotch and the leadership within the school is tremendous. They really care about whether the children are successful.
—Submitted by a parent

School has a well-rounded curriculum. My child works hard and strives for her best while enjoying her learning environment. I am very proud of her accomplishments and the school. The work-load is very manageable and she seems to be happy with the education she is receiving there. Thank you!
—Submitted by Cindy Reilly, a parent

My daughter just completed her first year at BASIS, the 6th grade. It was tough for her academically. I chalked this up to a combination of the schools reportedly high standards and rigor, to it being her first year in a middle school setting, and to the lack of a well rounded curriculum at the school she previuosly attended for 3-5th grades. The teachers and administration, and other school staff were great. The teachers responded to my email inquiries about assignments, her progress,her class behavior, etc. The Director met with me mid year when I was feeling very concerned about a couple of subject grades in particular, and about the behavior of a teacher that my daughter had reported to me. She followed up with the teacher and the situation was righted. My daughter had a great experience socially, there were no reports or indication of peer problems.
—Submitted by a parent

My son completed 6th grade at BASIS and he loved it! The curriculum was challenging enough to keep him on his toes but not so much that he would get discouraged.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school I ever attended. While strenuous (Economics in the 8th grade!), it makes it easy to get ahead in the game of life. The teachers have time to answer questions personally, and they make sure that no one who makes the effort falls behind. I highly recommend it for students with the desire to learn.
—Submitted by a former student

Our 16 year old son has been at The Basis School from it beginning year in 1998. His elementary years were at a challenging private school. We explored private middle schools and found them to be beyond our reach financially. We attended a meeting introducing Basis. It was just the answer we needed. Safe, challenging and free. And although no school is perfect, we have found Basis to be equal or superior to the private middle and high schools. Advanced Placement classes are standard and my son and his friends are well able to meet the challenges. In fact, he just received a mailing from Washington University inviting him to explore the possibility of attending there. The opening paragraph in the letter says 'While others were taking easy classes, you've been working harder and smarter by taking the most advanced courses possible. This scholastic edge will serve you well.' This sort of education happens at Basis with the commitment and support of Basis administration, staff, faculty, students and parents. The very small class size in the high school is a plus for my son. Teacher/student ratios give students the opportunity for substantial interaction daily instead of occasionally. One of the Advanced Placement English teachers that has taught on the university level told me that when he taught at the university he would see minds light up on occasion and that here he sees minds light up daily. Our children can excel and will excel given the environment in which to do so -- and Basis does that for my child and for many others. We are proving that large budgets are not the answer for an excellent education, although, additional funding would be a plus! I truly believe that we have found one of the answers in the quest for an opportunity for an excellent education in The Basis School.
—Submitted by a parent