BASIS Peoria

9902 West Yearling Road

School District

Basis Charter Schools INC. (90841)
Grade

5-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

charter

School Map for Basis Charter Schools INC. (90841)

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 15, 2019

Basis Peoria is so emphazied in putting a lot of academic knowledge that some students have no life besides sleep, homework and school. I think that the drastic change from 8th grade to 9th grade is so bad that many! many! students end up leaving school in 9th grade.I remember one of my boys, used to say, "mom I would like to stay at basis school until I finish high school," he was doing fine. But once he started 9th grade, it quickly became overwhelming to the point he said, "mom! I don't wan to stay at basis anymore." There was so much "hard homework" from different classes, that there was litle to no time left for fun or sports, after doing homework every night, he wasn't sleeping well, it got to the point he started getting behing, then he couldn't make up for the hard assignments. By the 4th semester in 9th grade my best student at home, was having panic attacs, depression and it got worst. The overheming experience was the same for my other son, and some of their friends who trust them are definitely leavong school too. SO NO, IS NOT A COINCIDENCE, and is not that my son didn't care about school. What is the point of having children go through so much in such a short time. Then... there are about 3 to 4 weeks off from school, during the school year, plus 3 weeks at the end of the school calendar year, boys are no longer required to go to school and we are just at the beginning of May. Their finals have been completed at the begining of May, but their school year ends until May 24th. It is absurd. "school year 2019"I do care about education, I do care about my children becoming great professionals, but this is so insane. Your school is making children unhappy, deppressed, overhwhelmed, and miserable, because some parents don't realize how overwhelming it is and they still demand As from them. I will always remember the story about one of my boy's classmate.He was in soccer clubl, out of school, then he also signed up for scoccer club at the school. He said that was the only way for him to have so fun. He he was sad that his father was thinking about canceling his soccer club program, out of school, not because he loved soccer, but because that was the ONLY FUN HE HAD. His father is too sctrict with his school homework. He didn't have a normal life.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2017

I have been at this school since it opened, before it expanded into its new location, and have seen it grow in many negative ways. One such negative growth is the hiring of teachers who work in the subject matter who do not have the knowledge or experience in teaching youths. Despite the tremendous turn over of inexperience teachers the school continues to hire those who cannot and do not know how to teach, thus hurting the children who are there to learn and acquire the needed knowledge to do well in testing. Teaching is a skill, it is something you learn to do through acquiring a degree in teaching not just merely working in the field. Also, just hiring someone who does so and so for a job does not qualify them to teach in a specific subject ~~~ i.e. a journalist is not an English teacher and does not have the credentials or accreditation to be one. I have seen many great and phenomenal teachers who actually know how to teach as well as their subject matter leave only to have bad and unbeneficial persons take their place/enter the teaching arena. As children further advance in grades I feel they are not getting as much out of BASIS as they once did when great teachers setting strong foundations or reiterating strong concepts no longer exists. New incoming students and those remaining unfortunately are robbed of what once was in the exceptional teachers that have come and gone replaced by those who are lacking to say the very least. BASIS Peoria really needs to reevaluate how they hire individuals, why, and at what cost. Just hiring to fill a spot is not doing a school with such a high reputation any good and makes for bad business.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2017

The best AZ has to offer! This school prepares students for success in college. Love the diversity. It is a perfect utopia
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2017

Phenomenal leadership and educators challenge our child to become the best person she can be. Her opportunities are endless!
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2017

My children learn so very much at this school. the administration is AMAZING! They know all of the children, encourage them to do their best and are so very caring. It is a very rigorous school, however the teachers have set Student Support hours where they can help the students as needed. The teachers really invest in the students and truly help them learn.
Submitted by student on November 06, 2016

I love the community among the student body and the staff. Everyone (especially in high school) is so kind to everyone else. Every high school student knows everyone else in his or her respective grade and many in the other high school grade levels. The students form friendly relationships with the teachers and staff. Teachers talk with students as though we were peers, as do the staff, and even the head of school. There is no high school drama here. We joke about our weaknesses and mock ourselves in playful banter. We’re all nerds, so you can always be free to express your passion (as I often do and am very glad I can)! All students treat each other as friends, whether we see each other much or only in class.I love the advanced courses I get to take (to which most other students my age don’t have the opportunity). I am free to excel in the areas I love, such as math, sciences, and writing. With extracurriculars and certain elective classes, I can even excel in areas in the liberal arts. Students in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades have the opportunity to take Algebra I, and students as early as grades eight and nine have taken AP Calculus AB (Calculus I), continuing to post-AP capstone classes (Calculus III courses) while still in high school (optionally taking AP Calculus BC, or Calculus II, beforehand). All high school students take college-level courses, attending multiple AP classes per year, and all eighth graders take at least one AP course. Seniors take capstone classes (post-AP classes), some conduct research projects, and most graduate with high honors.I love the teachers who talk with the students as peers (very colloquially) and who sincerely care about our success, even stepping out of their way to reach out to struggling students. We have excellent teachers here. Many teachers have a Masters degree or a PhD in their fields, and as far as I know, all of them have no less than a Bachelors.I love the fun environment in the classrooms. Students can interrupt the lecture with sarcastic or jocular comments and the teachers would react in a similar fashion. Classrooms are filled with laughter and levity throughout the year. In high school, where the students are more mature and controlled, this energetic atmosphere does not evolve into chaos, but the teacher continues with the lecture with the same (or more) enthusiasm as he or she had before.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2016

Basis Peoria teachers enforce excessive amounts of homework seven days of the week to cover the curriculum. Few teachers have the skills and the training to teach students the advanced concepts, and impose unrelenting homework of about 5 hours everyday for both middle school and high school. The principal is uncaring, ineffective, and Basis corporate office have no real understanding of education, other than touting an advanced curriculum. There is no balance, the school gives no time or effort for any other activities, and the overall development of the child suffers with every waking hour of their life spent on completing homework to learn/understand concepts that should have been taught in class by the teachers. That most parents are choosing to pull their kids out in HS, is the true evidence of bad teaching practices of Peoria Basis.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2016

Always had a good respond time from teachers and principal of the school is great and genuine person who really loves the school and children.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2015

Since my son started going to school, he had been exposed to curriculums from 1) a private Catholic school and a private non-sectarian school in NV, 2) a traditional public school in CA and, 3) BASIS, a public charter school. Through the years understanding the different school systems, the choice of BASIS became evident because of the curriculum flexibility it offers. After a couple of months, my son liked the experience and decided that BASIS is the school for him. As a parent, that enthusiasm is very important. After all it is his challenge, not ours. So, I give BASIS "5 stars" based solely on the curriculum aspect.The choice of BASIS Peoria was incidental because our move depended on which BASIS school (among 4 different waitlist options) would make the first call. Whatever extra-curricular activities and after-school sports needed to maintain a balanced student life, my husband and I take the time to supplement him with other outside-school activites in addition to what BASIS meagerly provides.BASIS Peoria speaks highly of their teachers and their credentials which is always good. However, the curriculum that is put in place is what attracted me and my son to BASIS, not the teachers. The teachers complement the curriculum required of them to implement. I believe that if traditional public schools put in place a similar curriculum that capable students could elect to take, the disparity would not be so pronounced. Of course, there has to be some extra level of involvement coming from the parents, a luxury not prevalent nowadays because of the "time" involved. However, it is the commitment my husband and I embraced when we chose to become parents.So far my son is content to be going to BASIS Peoria.
Submitted by other on November 12, 2015

BASIS, the human experiment- While there are pros and cons to all schools, the cons here are grave. Parents thinking of attending, use caution. Current parents, listen to your children. Too often we hear of boastful parents saying how wonderful their children are performing and that they love the school. This is not the reality. Most students are not performing well (to school standards). What is most alarming is the psychological toll our children suffer when subjected to a high pressure environment for too long. There's no denying our educational system needs to raise standards in order to compete on a global scale. At the same time, we must not forgo the wholistic, developmental approach to nurturing the child. As a parent of a BASIS graduate and a parent who has also had to pull a child from the school, I have found BASIS to lack balance. BASIS can do better. The point I'd most like to stress is to listen to your children. If your children are happy and academically sound, you're in a good place. If your children are miserable and not performing well, reconsider your options. We are subjecting our children to a human experiment which holds such extreme outcomes (both positive and negative). Is it worth it? How?. After graduating, most students do not get admitted to their top choice school. BASIS encourages students to apply to prestigious universities to boost their marketing. Only when the students who have performed so well, mastering all APs and coursework do not get accepted to their first pick school or significant scholarship award do we say it may not have been worth it. We are now paying upwards of $50,000 per year at a private university. BASIS administration and faculty highly encouraged this and frowned upon in-state schools. In state schools are bad for BASIS marketing. Now, we as parents sit and reflect on whether the experiment will play to our advantage. If anything, I give you something to think about. Yes, my rating is bad. BASIS ignores critical areas which require little effort to improve. Many teachers lack skills to teach students higher level concepts. Administration lacks educational leadership credentials and therefore is merely HR for faculty and not a guiding body. Corporate prefers one who can litigate to lead a school rather than one who can inspire. Advocate for your children- always.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2015

I have a 7th grader at Basis Peoria and he loves it! He is the type of person that has always shown his love for learning and thrives in this environment. He had it tough the first half of last year because he started as a 6th grader and had to catch up. But after Christmas break, the Basis way just "clicked" and he has done great. He made 90's club again, and he has hardly any homework because he manages his time well and gets it done at school. Another Basis taught benefit....time management! This year, I had a 5th grader start. He is not one to love academics, at least that was how he was at his old school. At Basis his effort is amazing. He has test anxiety and one of his teachers called me personally to express concern because his test scores were sub-par, but homework and class work were excellent. We set an appointment and met with 3 of the deans and they truly cared. Ms. Shtull even interviewed all of my sons' teachers and I was amazed at how well she knew my son. She offered him a permanent pass to see her whenever he felt overwhelmed or anxious. They are working with him to diminish test anxiety and help him succeed at Basis. 1st grading period just ended and my son had an 89%!!!! After the way he performed at his district school, I was going to be happy with a 70% average. At his old school, he would turn in assignments a month late (one day late unacceptable at Basis) and he just floated through the school year. I think his actions reflected the leadership of his teacher, she didn't care, he didn't care. Not at Basis. I have seen a complete turn around in my son. He takes pride in his work, loves his teachers and loves the actual curriculum. Yes, the homework load is tough right now. Some days we do 2-3 hours, but he still has time for extra-curriculars. And it will progressively be less homework time as he adjusts. He had to "catch up" in traditional math. He was drawing boxes for division that he learned at his old school. It is already getting better, and I know that magic moment is coming after break where it will just "click" for him, like it did for his brother. Basis is nothing short of amazing. The dedication of the staff and teachers, in addition to an awesome curriculum, and a vast amount of extra-curricular activities makes this one awesome school. This is one happy mama!!
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2015

I have read many of the following posts, and feel I need to voice our gratitude to the administration and teachers at Basis Peoria. Our son was recently hospitalized for two weeks. The administration and teachers at Basis Peoria have gone out of their way to help our son catch up with the work he missed. They made us feel comfortable and assured us that he would be just fine at Basis Peoria. I'm so grateful for the enduring support we received from all the staff at Basis. It's hard for me to believe that anyone would knock such a great school. When we needed their help, they were ALL there for us. I would say Basis Peoria is a top-notch institution with great administration and amazing teachers! I am forever grateful for their support when we needed them the most. Also, our child loves his school. He doesn't get all As and struggles from time-to-time, but support is available at this fine school. This school is so amazing! I can't wait to get my younger child into Basis Peoria. I trust Basis administration and the teachers at this school.
Submitted by student on September 22, 2015

I switched (very reluctantly) last year in 8th grade (which is a terrible year to start). My only problem with this school is that half the teachers are amazing and the other half have no clue what they're doing. My joy for learning has been taken away by having it ruined by boring forty minute videos that don't teach anything and the workload given. Teachers claim they don't give much homework, but added up it prevents from kids pursuing extracurricular activities. I've had to quit many things just to keep up with my academics and the administration is just terrible. They don't care about major issues but God forbid you have your phone out afterschool to call your parents. The organization is messy and this school wasn't even prepared for the start of the school year. It was an absolute mess the first month. This school has no idea what they're doing, with everyone just winging it. The curriculum itself is very easy but if they could just teach properly and ease off the workload a bit, maybe we could pursue other interests that don't have to do with academics. The office and lunch staff could use some new staff because they are all very rude, forcing us all outside in 110 degree weather, even if you're just doing work. Great school with major staff flaws.
Submitted by other on July 22, 2015

BASIS is an amazing program if your student is willing to put in the effort. You automatically build a relationship with your teachers, but after 4 years (5th-8th) I feel that there is no need to be doing overly vigorous material. I recommend going to a regular school and excelling. If you seek severe challenge, this is a grade A school for you!
Submitted by other on June 04, 2015

I entered BASIS Peoria as a sophomore three years ago. The first year was rough - I had always been an A student, but had a very difficult time adjusting to such a grueling environment. Now, as a recent graduate, I have no regrets about deciding to stick with BASIS. This last year I was accepted into schools I had previously thought would be impossible for me to get into, and was awarded more scholarship money than I ever thought I would get. Beyond that, through the opportunities I was offered at BASIS, I truly believe I was able to explore (as fully as any high school student can) what I believe has become my life's passion. I had the privilege of learning under phenomenal teachers - people who are not only passionate about their discipline, but are passionate about teaching it as well. I can't even tell you how many extra hours these teachers put into their work for the sake of their students' success. The school is not for everyone, and I admit it does have its problems - but staff/faculty apathy or indifference was not, in my experience, one of them, as some other reviews might suggest. Many students might feel suffocated by the amount of work they receive or believe that the school limits creativity in important ways. The key to success at this school lies in student initiative: the staff and faculty really appreciate students that ask questions, are involved in and out of the classroom, and regularly go above and beyond what is required or asked of them. Don't be afraid to be the student that sticks around after class to geek out with his teacher about the assigned reading. The curriculum is not only advanced, but extremely thorough - but again, because of the accelerated nature of the curriculum, students are held entirely responsible for making sure they don't fall behind, which is something that some parents might struggle with. If the student is struggling, it's expected that the student will be the one to take care of it - not his parent. Still, the admin was always very receptive to my parents' concerns and my parents were always involved in my academic life. Again, the school is not for everyone, but if you are truly passionate about learning and know how to manage your time wisely, you will find success at this school. But then again, if you're truly passionate about learning, a bad grade won't be what drives you away from a school like BASIS.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2014

My kid has always been in the top 3% - 5% of her class and I was very glad that she had an opportunity to join Basis. Since she started, I see so much stress in her life with school and a lot of pressure on me to help her keep up with the homework, it makes me cry. I love my child and it breaks my heart to see her lose her faith and feel like she is not bright. I hope I have not damaged here for life. The materials they cover is top notch. Most college kids would fail a test they give 5-8th graders but they are expected to be adults from the 5th grade. It is not the school for my child but if you have a computer for a child, then this is the best place in the country for your kids.
Submitted by other on October 23, 2014

This school is amazing. If you want to have a good future (educational wise), this is the school for you. I ,personally as a student, am also overwhelmed. HW for every subject (7-9), can be very stressful. And on top of that, there is nightly studying, also. But hopefully, it pays off in the end. BASIS is one of the best schools in Arizona, and as seen on the news, in the nation. Highly suggested school for willing, intelligent students.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2014

I'm a parent with 2 kids here for 3 years. We stay because the curriculum is incredibly advanced. Yet, I don't believe the staff or teachers care at all about these students. Zero. Most teachers are arrogant millennials who may have recent degrees in their subjects, but most have little to no-teaching experience. Truth is, with their lack of certification, they can't get better paying jobs with benefits at public schools. Many seem to enjoy driving these high performing kids to their breaking points. The kids are elite, not the teachers. It's funny to read the comments on parent being un-involved. It's the most un-welcoming place. We have tried repeatedly to be involved, but it s closed. Also, we work, and parent meetings are held mid-day Mon-Fri. This is not a community school, and it doesn t operate like one. We pray the misery will be worth it for our kids in their adult lives. It s right for some kids, but not most.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2014

BASIS is a living nightmare that has a vast number of issues. The majority of time spent in class is starting the homework that you'll be spending the entire night on. I've been a student for 2 years now and can't stand this school. If you contain self determination or if you were a hard working student, you'll be able to survive, if not your in for an unpleasant surprise. Now, you may think I'm a slacker complaining about doing work but you can't even imagine the work I've put into this school only to be pummeled by the pressure the teachers and my own parents put on me. The teachers are straight out of college with no idea how to transfer a college level curriculum so that a twelve year can understand. The majority of the staff are nice people, just clueless when it comes to teaching. Forget doing anything over the weekend because you'll be inside doing 5 classes if homework while your friends arent. So in conclusion, I highly dislike this school and would never recommend this to anyome.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

This is a great but tough school! The curriculum is really advanced and the teachers are experts on their subjects but some of them without any experience in teaching and zero tolerance, so for the kids it's a truly challenge every single day! In reference to the parent involvement it is a very little percentage of parents so involved and committed, but unfortunately the majority doesn't participate enough and remain secluded.