Beyond the Basics

Say hello to BASIS DC (410 8th Street), a new charter school opening in the historic, 38,000-square-foot Stables Building in August.  As part of Arizona-based BASIS Schools, Inc., which provides “an accelerated liberal arts education at internationally competitive levels,” it will be the organization’s first charter school outside of The Grand Canyon State. The expectations are high, both for the school and the students, of which there will be 450 in grades 5-8 (eventually growing to grades 5-12). The BASIS educational philosophy is threefold: a rigorous curriculum, student accountability, and knowledgeable and effective teachers.

The demanding academics have been well documented. The organization’s flagship campus in Tucson has earned top 10 rankings in U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and the Washington Post.  In addition, BusinessWeek named BASIS Scottsdale the top Arizona high school for overall academic performance.

Why the move to DC? “Having a visible presence in the heart of the Nation’s capital will shine a national spotlight on what is possible in public education,” says Mary Riner Siddall, BASIS DC’s executive head of school.

Thomson Elementary School (1200 L Street), known for focusing on the arts, academics and diversity, is the only public school now located in the DowntownDC BID area.