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Our Final Open Houses of the Season are Here!

Our Final Open Houses of the Season are Here!

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We are overjoyed to welcome you to our campuses for our final in-person Open Houses this January! This event is a great way to learn more about our program before or after submitting your application! At this time we are accepting applications for TK – Grade 9 for Fall 2025.

For a comprehensive breakdown of our admissions process, consult the 2025 Admissions Guide also posted to our blog. The Regular Admissions deadline for TK-Grade 9 is fast approaching on January 22, 2025!

We have two Open Houses for families on Sunday, January 12, 2025. This includes an Lower school open house at 10:00 AM and an Upper school open house at 1:30 PM. 

Continue reading for more details.

Attending an Open House is the best way for prospective families to learn more about our liberal arts and sciences curriculum with advanced STEM offerings, meet our Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, hear from parents of currently enrolled students, and meet current Bumblebees and Yellow Jackets! 

We are so excited to speak with you and share everything our school and community has to offer! 

In-person Open House Details:

Students are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Referral Program

As a token of our appreciation for helping to build our community, your family will receive tuition credit for each new family referred to and enrolled at BASIS Independent Fremont. 

Click here to learn more!

Have questions? Please email the Admissions Team or call 510.775.5822.

BASIS Independent Fremont is a grades TK-12 private school based in Fremont, California, providing students an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum. 

Redefining College Prep at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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Early applications are in, the first decisions are coming out, regular deadlines are approaching, and the long college checklist doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Thankfully, our seniors are balancing any anxiety with confidence gained from BASIS Independent Manhattan’s college prep programs and supportive environment.  

With personalized guidance from our dedicated faculty, expert resources, and custom events, the Class of 2025 is not only applying to the finest educational institutions but also cultivating resilience and independence – qualities that will serve them well in their future academic journeys.  

Here’s a glimpse into the incredible work our students have been doing. 

Personalized Preparation

While traditional high school students might begin preparing for college in grade 11 or 12, our students begin their college preparation in grade 9. This early start allows our College Counselor, Mr. Tejada, to take the time to get to know each student’s interests and strengths.  

He says, “I ask students about their career interests, potential major, passions, and hobbies and work with them on ways they can demonstrate them in meaningful ways.” 

For Mr. Tejada, it’s not just enough that our students are prepared to apply to college. They must understand the connection between their strengths and the varying opportunities that each university has to offer. 

College Counseling one-on-one

To help students uncover this connection, Mr. Tejada works with seniors in a daily 45-minute College Counseling class to learn practical skills, such as navigating the application process, resume building, and essay writing, while also having them explore future degrees that might be a good fit.

A Standout Program

At many other schools in NYC, college counseling is part of a general guidance counseling program where the onus is on the student to ask for support and meet application deadlines. At BASIS Independent Manhattan there is a balance of independence and accountability. The College Counselor works one-on-one with juniors and seniors on a weekly basis, challenging them to complete goals and following up on their weekly progress.  

Another factor that has empowered the older students at BASIS Independent Manhattan is our commitment to small class sizes and expert educators. This model has made it possible for our teachers to really impart a deep understanding and mastery of content in the sciences, mathematics, literature, history, world languages, and AP Courses.  Personalized teaching makes for proficient learning and is one of the contributors to our legacy of outstanding test scores. 

Bringing Experts to You

BASIS Independent Manhattan is committed to sharing what we know with parents, recognizing the significant role they play in their children’s educational journey. Our insightful “College Admissions 101” classes are a series of monthly workshops for high school parents/guardians hosted by Mr. Tejada. Each of these exclusive virtual sessions features knowledgeable panelists who provide valuable insights into various steps or specific topics within the college application process. Topics covered include:  

  • The benefits of pre-college programs 
  • Testing with the SAT & ACT and using those tests in the college application process 
  • A guide to University of California Admissions 
  • Financial aid 
  • The benefits of public honors colleges and programs 

And so on. Below is a simplified list highlighting some of the more impactful elements of our college preparation program.  

Grades 9 & 10Grade 11Grade 12
College Counseling Newsletter College Counseling Newsletter College Counseling Newsletter 
Encouraged to attend college rep visits  Required to attend college rep visits  Encouraged to attend college rep visits  
Open access to counselor  Open access to counselor  Open access to counselor  
Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians
Student “Boot Camp” Workshops (Spring)Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor (Spring)Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor  
Daily College Counseling Class for two trimesters in length
Life-Skills Mentoring
Cornell University Acceptance
Congratulations on your Early Decision at Cornell!

Impressive Results

Already, there is good news to celebrate. Four of our seniors received Early Decision acceptances, and we are thrilled to announce they will be attending:

  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Lehigh University
  • Babson College 

One could attribute success in the college application process to our advanced curriculum, your child’s innate talents, or a myriad of other factors. However, the effectiveness of the approach at BASIS Independent Manhattan truly stands out, showcasing the remarkable results we achieve together.  

Setbacks are inevitable, but our students are well-equipped to overcome them with the right mindset. Our robust college counseling program plays a crucial role in this process. With personalized support, dedicated resources, and daily classes, our students confidently navigate obstacles and are empowered to make informed decisions about their future. 

Interested in learning more? Schedule a tour of our Upper School campus to witness firsthand what sets our programs apart!

Head of Operations Announcement

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We are proud to announce that Mr. Robert Wood has been named the founding Head of Operations for BASIS Independent Bothell. Mr. Wood is currently the Head of Operations at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower and will be joining the Bothell administrative team in spring 2025.

Letter from Mr. Wood, Head of Operations

When I think back to my childhood teachers, a few key individuals come to mind. My grade 5 teacher inspired me to stay positive through challenges. My middle school art teacher embraced the philosophy of “no mistakes, only happy accidents”. And my high school economics teacher taught me the basic principles of microeconomics and the practical economics of looming adulthood. Each of them left a lasting impression, and I strive to embody them as a school administrator and leader today.  

When I joined BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in the fall of 2020, I was unsure of what to expect. It didn’t take long to realize that I had become part of something special. Although I already had a few years of teaching experience, it was spectacular to join a program where students are not only challenged academically but also provided with a wide array of opportunities outside of the classroom to explore their passions and discover new interests. I sought to capture the imaginations of my history students, guide them through the argumentative reasoning process in classroom activities, and, hopefully, inspire future entrepreneurs.  

While I will forever treasure the experiences that I had in the classroom, I found my greatest impact in supporting the opening of BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower in the fall of 2022. If opening a new school wasn’t enough of an adventure, being part of one of the largest campus openings in BASIS Independent Schools history sure was! As a member of the Operations Team, I developed systems to ensure the school ran smoothly and worked cross-functionally to maintain our high standards for excellence in all aspects of the student and parent experience.  Over the past few years, it has been incredibly fulfilling to continue learning and adapting to the needs of a new school. My team and I have implemented adjustments, both big and small, to make our students’ daily lives easier. We have empowered our teachers by ensuring they have the materials they need to deliver engaging and joyful lessons. Additionally, we have supported our Auxiliary Team by catering to a multitude of club offerings, after-school competitions, and summer camps. 

Opening BASIS Independent Bothell is the next exciting chapter in this journey. My wife and I have been enthusiastically planning our move to Bothell, while also preparing for the arrival of our first child, due in December! When we visited the Pacific Northwest many years ago, we fell in love with it instantly and knew it was the exact environment in which we wanted to raise our family. 

As we approach the opening of BASIS Independent Bothell, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a founding staff member once again. Being part of a founding team is a unique opportunity to help shape the school culture, alongside students and parents, and to build a strong and supportive administrative and teaching team in collaboration with our Head of School, Mr. Runyon. My role as Head of Operations will also allow me to dedicate focused attention to supporting our future Auxiliary and Summer Program Team members. 

Ultimately, my goal is to be a pillar of support and ensure that every day at BASIS Independent Bothell is a success. I can’t wait to meet all of you. 

I am proud to be an Orca. 

Mr. Robert Wood
Head of Operations

A Day in the Life of a Grade 9 Student – Claire!

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Meet Claire, grade 9, class of 2028! Claire has been a student at our campus since our inaugural year in 2022. She has the unique privilege of being a member of BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first graduating class.

Claire is a pillar of this campus. Like many of our students, she is extremely dedicated to her studies, already taking three AP level classes and working diligently in each of them. But beyond academics, Claire is deeply involved in the fabric of our school community. She is a member of our Student Ambassador Program, Peer Advisory Council, National Junior Honor Society, Advanced Chamber Music Club, Biochemistry Club and will be a co-founding member of our upcoming Red Cross Club. Outside of school, Claire has been playing classical guitar for seven years and enjoys to read and play table tennis. We were delighted to spend the day with Claire to provide a glimpse into a Day in the Life of a grade 9 student at BASIS Independent Bellevue.

Claire begins her day with her World Language class. Beginning in grade 7, our students have the choice between four different World Languages – Latin, Spanish, Mandarin or French. Claire has opted to take French as her World Language and is currently taking French II. In more specialized classes, such as World Languages or Electives, our students begin to explore their individual interests. As a result, our students sometimes find themselves in classes with a very small teacher to student ratio. In Claire’s first period French II class, she is only one of three students! This allows each of the students to build meaningful connections with their teacher, Ms. Chaffee, while studying the language to advanced levels. During this class, we found that students are almost completely immersed in the language – we saw Claire and Ms. Chaffee having a conversation completely in French!

Second period, Claire heads to her Honors English Literature and Composition class, with Ms. Fischer. This is one of two English classes our grade 9 students have in their day, both of which are taught to the Honors level. Our Honors classes are designed to prepare students to take AP classes. Honors Literature and Composition is aimed at strengthening the foundational skill of textual analysis. In this course, students analyze various literary forms, including short stories, poetry, plays, novels and nonfiction. Ms. Fischer helps students dive into questions like “What makes literature meaningful?”, “How do we assign meaning to text?”, and “What messages are being conveyed by text?” Through these essential questions, students learn to develop their own voice as they construct arguments supported by textual evidence.

For third period, Claire is off to Pre-Calculus! By grade 9, all of our students have completed Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Some students have even completed Pre-Calculus in grade 8 and take AP Calculus in grade 9. While we are very proud of our students who are on this advanced math track, it is so important to acknowledge that all of our students are working at advanced levels already. Claire is a great example of a student who is on our ‘standard’ math track which means taking Pre-Calculus in her first year of high school. This course provides an in-depth coverage of 12 major functions their graphs and applications, including Polynomial, Power, Rational, Exponential, Logistic, and Logarithmic functions. The detailed study of trigonometric functions and analytic Trigonometry are emphasized. The course also introduces Matrices, Discrete Mathematics, Statistics with Probability. Next year, Claire will go on to take Calculus at the AP level!

Fourth period, Claire attends AP Physics, her first AP class of the day. This course is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); momentum and systems; work, energy, and power; and simple harmonic motion. Students develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills through a hands-on approach. As is sometimes the case, today was a quiz day so our observers saw students working hard on a quiz. On non-assessment days, students in AP Physics can often be found engaging in experiments as this class spends 25% of class time on labs.

Next, Claire is off to lunch! Our grade 9 students have open campus privileges, which means they have the ability to choose where they would like to have lunch on campus. After the first trimester of the school year, our grade 9 students also have the opportunity to leave campus during lunch. These lunch privileges allow our high school students to develop their autonomy while learning to manage their time effectively. On this day, we found Claire hanging out with her friends in a Mandarin classroom having lunch and working on homework.

After lunch, Claire heads to Honors English Language and Composition. This class, taught by Ms. Ward, provides students with an introduction to rhetoric, research, and composition. While reading works drawn from a range of disciplines and historical periods, students acquire foundational knowledge and skills related to the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts. As writers, students gain practice in the development and revision of evidence-based analytical and argumentative writing, and learn to locate, evaluate, and cite a range of sources in support of their arguments. The course deepens students’ understanding of how and why communicators make choices based upon the rhetorical situation and audience. While observing, we saw Claire working on the first outline of an essay. Students had previously participated in a murder mystery game where they were presented with various clues and evidence about a “murder” that had taken place. Using the evidence provided, they began crafting thesis statements as the start of their essay. These thesis statements were then used to create the outline we saw Claire working on.

Next, Claire has a 20-minute Academic Enrichment period that we call AE. AE provides students with quiet time for them to work on homework or study. AE is also utilized by staff members to convey important announcements or work on Social Emotional Learning strategies. For example, every Monday, all students have Mountaineer Monday activities, which are developed by our School Counselor and focus on our Character Themes of the Month. On other days, our College Counselor uses the AE period as a touchpoint with high school students, sharing leadership opportunities with them and checking in about upcoming events.

Once AE is over, it is time for Claire to attend AP United States Government and Politics. This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States, and it includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. On the day prior to our observation, students had worked in groups to complete an activity called hexagonal thinking, which acted as a review for their most recent unit. Each group of students was asked to choose 25 terms, documents or quotations from the most recent unit and make connections between each of them. Of those 25 items, they needed to create a detailed explanation for six of their connections. During our observation, we were able to see Claire and her group present their six explanations to the class! This type of work is designed to prepare our students for their upcoming AP exams in May.

Finally, Claire is off to her last class of the day, AP Computer Science. This class is Claire’s elective class and is currently one of our most popular electives on campus. This course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics including problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data, approaches to processing data, analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. It includes the study of common algorithms and the use of some of Java’s built-in classes and interfaces for basic data structures, as well as a structured lab component with of a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on lab experiences integrated throughout the course. On this day, students were working on a project focused on creating a text-based adventure game!

After school, Claire heads home to practice her guitar and get some well-deserved rest! She is an excellent representative of BASIS Independent Bellevue and we are so proud to have had the opportunity to share a day of learning with Claire. We extend our thanks to Claire and her family for allowing us to highlight her!

Shark Tank Sparks Innovation at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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Hey Sharks… Welcome to BASIS Independent Manhattan!

What does a TV show where stuffy millionaires scour the cerebral seas for tasty new ideas have to do with students at BASIS Independent Manhattan? Turns out, the Shark Tank formula is the perfect intersection between drama, English, and engineering, three subjects that our elementary school students happen to excel in.

Gearing up for our very own Shark Tank

When we announced the annual, interdisciplinary Shark Tank project at our private school on the Upper West Side, the grade 4 students were thrilled. They quickly began to scheme up idea after idea to pitch. But there was still a lot that needed to happen before our little entrepreneurs would be ready for the big day. Our top-ranked teachers got right to work.

Starting on the STEM side, students used the engineering design process to brainstorm and develop their inventions. Engineering Subject Expert Teacher Ms. Delaney explained how this unfolded in her class: “The first step was to guide students through drafting detailed blueprints to transform their ideas into reality. Once we identified their most innovative designs, the class collaborated to create working prototypes they were excited to pitch to the Sharks.” 

Shark Tank display of photos and inventions

Moving along to English, this is where students wrote persuasive essays with a strong hook, crucial supporting details, and a concise conclusion. Ms. Lauten (English Subject Expert Teacher, Gr. 4–5) said, “It was important that students understood the connection between their writing and their upcoming Shark Tank presentation, By using these components of a persuasive essay, it was a smooth process pulling out the strongest elements to craft a compelling oral pitch.”

Time for the last leg of the project! In drama students honed their public speaking skills. Ms. Boscolo (Drama Subject Expert Teacher) worked with them on projection, posture, eye contact, and enunciation. She went on to say, “These skills not only enhance public speaking, performing, and presenting, but they also boost individual self-confidence.” It was evident students learned that a solid presentation could make all the difference between sealing the deal or walking home empty-handed.

Learning to manage those pre-pitch jitters

As the looming day drew closer, students’ nerves increased. Here are a few ways our expert teachers supported students throughout the process:

  • Talked about using a growth mindset to approach challenges with resilience and confidence.
  • Focused on learning from feedback and seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
  • A special lesson led by our School Counselor emphasized the value of maintaining a positive attitude and believing in one’s abilities.
  • Teachers gave students strategies to help them stay calm under pressure, using their emotions as motivation for success rather than a reason to give up.

The Big Day

One by one, our young entrepreneurs proudly stood to pitch their ideas, all of which were incredible. Here are a few highlights:

  • “Tweet,” by Morgan, is a pencil case that has games, music, and lots of other things attached to it. Morgan explained how Tweet can make life more fun and give us easier access to technology.
  • Ryder pitched “The Lingle Bingle,” a powerful, cheap, GPS tracker that can work anywhere in the world.
  • “The Reminder Watch,” pitched by Ella, is a watch that glows and vibrates whenever the wearer has forgotten something. And the best part? The Reminder Watch comes in many different shapes and patterns. 😊 Each of our students pitched something that we were proud of.

Success for all

BASIS Independent Manhattan takes great pride in being a top-ranked liberal arts school. We also understand the importance of balancing rigorous academics, such as STEM, with joyful learning. Through interdisciplinary and real-world lessons, like the Shark Tank project, we prepare our students to be inquisitive, solution-oriented collaborative problem solvers.

We are proud of our young entrepreneurs for thinking outside the box and showcasing their innovations!

We invite you to learn more about our Wildcat community at one of our upcoming admissions events. You can also apply for the 2025-26 school year today — application fees are still being waived — and the deadline is January 9, 2025.

Fall 2025: What to Expect at Your In-Person Entrance Exam

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At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a willingness to work hard, with an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where a love of learning is developed, academics are celebrated, and students engage in a joyous environment! To both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process. 


What is the Entrance Exam? 

The BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam is part of the admissions process for students applying for grades 2–10 for Fall 2025. Its results show us concepts understood, and concepts not yet understood for the grade level they are applying for. All grade 2-10 applicants will take this Entrance Exam. 


How is your Entrance Exam conducted? 

Entrance Exams will be conducted in person on our campuses this admissions season. Staff members proctor the paper and pencil, timed exam. 
 

What is a passing score on the Entrance Exam? 

This exam is not pass or fail. Given that the exam is diagnostic in nature, we consider it to be just one part of our comprehensive admissions process, along with all the other application requirements.  
 

How will I learn the results of the Entrance Exam? 

We do not share exam results with applicants or parents. 
 

Do you require students to take the ISEE or other similar outside exams? Do you accept these scores?  

We do not require the ISEE, HSPT, or SSAT, nor will the Admissions Team accept or review these scores. All grade 2–10 applicants are required to take the BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam.  
 
 
What is on the Entrance Exam? 

Our Entrance Exam covers three topics: Math, English/Language Arts, and Writing. The content of these exams is created based on the material needed for the grade students are applying for. 

Math: Students will be presented with a set of open-ended math questions based on their incoming grade level and the BASIS Curriculum Schools program. Exam length: 40 minutes.  

English/Language Arts: Students will be presented with reading comprehension and grammar multiple-choice questions. Students will read short passages and then answer questions to assess their comprehension, as well as their knowledge of words in context, literary devices, etc. Students will also be presented with grammar questions that will ask them to correct sentences or identify parts of speech. Exam length: 30 minutes.  

Writing: Students will be presented with an essay prompt and asked to write a response. Exam length: 30 minutes.  
 
 

How long does the Entrance Exam take? 

In total, we ask for families to allow two hours. Students have 100 minutes to complete the exam. These two hours will allow enough time for the proctor to take attendance, read the instructions, and for all students to complete all three parts of the exam.  We commonly find middle and high school applicants take the full time, but for grades 5 and below, it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. 
 
 

How should my student prepare academically for the exam? 

Preparation is not necessary. We want students to focus on their current academics at their current school and not study for or stress over an exam they will never know the results of. The exam is used by the Admissions Team and Head of School to find out where your student is, academically speaking. As BASIS Independent Schools offers an advanced curriculum, it is completely normal for your child to encounter some challenging or unknown concepts on our exam.  
 
 

What should my student bring to the exam? 

Students are required to bring their own pencils and erasers. Admissions will have extra pencils and erasers if needed, but students should not depend on using them. Students are also welcome to bring a water bottle, but it cannot be a glass bottle. We do not allow food in our classrooms. Cell phones, calculators, rulers, and smartwatches are not allowed. 
 
 

When should we arrive on campus for the exam? 

The campus will open 30 minutes before the exam start time, 8:30 AM for the December 7 and 14 dates. All exams will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. We will have a closed campus once the exam begins and will not allow late students to join. If students arrive after 8:55 AM they will not be able to participate in the exam and will have to reschedule. Families are encouraged to arrive by 8:45 AM at the latest to allow enough time to check-in and have their students led to their assigned classroom.  
 
 

How do I sign up for an exam? 

Once you submit an application, you will be guided in the application portal to schedule your exam date.  
 
 

When are the In-Person Entrance Exam dates? 

Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM at 405 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM at 405 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 


What if my student can’t attend the in-person Entrance Exam times?  
 
If you are unable to join us at our December 7 or 14 Entrance Exam, there will be one makeup day on Monday, December 16 at 8:00 AM. The makeup exam will take place at our Upper School Campus at 556 Columbia Street.  


We look forward to meeting your student(s) soon at your Entrance Exam! 
  

If you have any questions, email us at  

brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com 

Giving Thanks: How Our Teachers Bring Thanksgiving into the Classroom

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Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, reflection, and shared traditions, and our teachers have found creative ways to bring these themes to life in their classrooms. From storytelling and art projects in PreK to exploring food chemistry in high school, students across all grades have been connecting with the holiday spirit while honing their skills and expanding their understanding. Here’s a glimpse into how our educators make Thanksgiving memorable this year.

PreK-2: Gratitude and Friendsgiving Fun
During November, PreK-2 students delved into Thanksgiving’s spirit through activities combining learning and joy. They explored traditional Thanksgiving foods in class and even used math skills to graph their favorite and least liked dishes. They also learned to use their writing skills to create a list of people and things they were grateful for, including parents, pets, and toys.  

The celebration culminated in a “Friendsgiving,” where all three PreK-2 classes came together to make turkey puppets and bond with their peers. Ms. Jen, our Director of Lower School, added a special touch by reading a story about thankfulness to each Early Learning Program (ELP) class. Students then created a gratitude chain, linking paper links with pictures of things each of them was thankful for. This heartwarming display is now visible in the ELP atrium to show how gratitude connects us all!

Grade 3: Turkey and Budgets
Third graders tackled Thanksgiving with a mix of creativity and practical skills. In math class, they explored geometric patterns while designing intricate turkey feathers, from which they learned about the similarities and differences between shapes like parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids.

Students also had a taste of real-world problem-solving by planning a Thanksgiving dinner. With a budget of $50–$60, they selected main courses, side dishes, desserts, and beverages for a feast for eight people. This activity was an excellent way for students to practice their adding and subtracting skills while learning how to make thoughtful, budget-conscious decisions—a lesson that will be useful beyond the classroom.

Middle School: Holiday Tunes and Teamwork
In middle school music classes, students prepare to spread holiday cheer with their first concert of the year. Grade 6 students have been building their instrumental skills by learning festive music and are excited to showcase their progress to parents and peers.

Meanwhile, Grades 7 and 8 elective bands, comprising more experienced musicians, have taken their holiday repertoire to the next level. Not only did they choose some of the songs they were going to perform, but they also started practicing after Trunk or Treat (one of our Halloween traditions before October 31) and made significant progress. We can’t wait to watch the results of their heartfelt commitment and growing understanding of music and teamwork! The upcoming concerts are sure to be a highlight of the season.

Mark Your Calendars!

Monday, December 16: Grades 7–8 and High School Rock Bands
Tuesday, December 17th: Grades 5 & 6 Performances

Grade 10: Chemistry of Thanksgiving Favorites

Honors Chemistry students took a lighthearted approach to Thanksgiving this year by exploring the science behind favorite holiday foods. After watching a video that delved into questions like why muffins rise without yeast and how turkey timers work, students turned to hands-on learning. Using Thanksgiving-themed food items, they constructed molecular models of compounds like tryptophan, amylose, and amylopectin.

Meanwhile, in the AP Chemistry class, students became detectives in a Thanksgiving-themed experiment called Easy as Pie. Through a series of mini-experiments on evidence found in the kitchen, they worked to solve the mystery of who stole Mom’s pie! These creative, hands-on projects offered a fun and interactive way to connect chemistry with everyday life and holiday traditions.

Through these engaging and creative lessons, our teachers have inspired students to connect with the spirit of Thanksgiving while practicing gratitude, teamwork, and curiosity. From colorful crafts to musical performances and molecular models, these activities highlight the many ways our school celebrates learning and community during this special time of year.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Collaborative Coat Drive: Chinese, French, and Spanish Honors Society.

Join Us for a Shadow Day: Experience Life as a Red-Tailed Hawk!

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What better way to understand life as a Red-Tailed Hawk than to experience it for yourself! At BIM, we invite applicants to Grades 5 and above to join us for a morning on campus and see what life is really like for our Red-Tailed Hawks!

I recently attended a Student Ambassador meeting and watched over 70 Red-Tailed Hawks practice everything from how to introduce themselves during a panel to making eye contact when answering one-on-one questions. I love watching our students learn and grow as they prepare to welcome visitors like you to campus. And speaking of welcoming visitors to campus, nearly all of our Student Ambassadors will tell you that Shadow Days are their favorite admissions activity.

Shadow Days are a great way for BIM applicants to better understand our school culture and community. If you are applying to grade 5 or above, we highly encourage you to spend a morning on campus, where you can gain first-hand insights into life as a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Here are four great reasons to participate in the BIM Shadow Day Program.

Reason 1: See It for Yourself
Here, students are excited by their advanced studies and hands-on learning experience, which bring the material to life. Plus, they are energized and inspired when surrounded by others eager to learn. Joining us (even just for a morning) will give you a chance to participate in our vibrant learning community.

Reason 2: Make Friends
A small school provides great opportunities to get to know the entire class as well as students older and younger. Teachers and staff take extra time to get to know each other. While you will not meet everyone in just one morning, making a friend or two or three will help you feel more comfortable about joining our community.

Reason 3: Get Your Questions Answered
At BIM, teachers and classmates want to succeed and are dedicated to supporting each other. From how students balance their academic and extra-curricular interests to where students hang out during lunch, this is a great time to get your questions answered.

Reason 4: Have fun!
Learning and school should be fun, engaging, and interactive. BIM provides the chance to explore new interests, meet new people, and try new things!

As you get to know our school, I hope that you will see and experience these things for yourself. From seeing an experiment in the Food Science class to watching the drama club prepare for an upcoming performance, our Red-Tailed Hawks are ready to give you a glimpse into life on campus. So, sign up for a Shadow Day, where you will meet our Student Ambassadors, faculty, administrators, and more and see how we are preparing our Red-Tailed Hawks to soar!

Leadership Spotlight: Middle School Dean of Students Patrick Russell

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The Middle School Program at BASIS Independent Brooklyn aims to build strong foundational knowledge across subjects while also nurturing student autonomy and self-discipline needed for advanced critical inquiry important for high school and college. Two Deans of Students help guide that growth and advancement in the critical middle school years at the school. Today we wanted to feature Dean Patrick Russell, who focuses on academic student support in the Middle School years, since prospective families often have questions about the transition to our Middle School Program. Who better than Mr. Russell to speak to the support and best practices brought to help students transition to and thrive at our school.

After graduating from Cornell University in 2016, Mr. Russell joined our team first as a Teaching Fellow. During this time, he shadowed Subject Expert Teachers to learn about the BASIS Curriculum and grow teaching skills and understanding of classroom management. His passion for teaching, skill in connecting with students, and ability to bring subject matter to life was quickly evident. He moved into a Subject Expert Teacher role for both English and French instruction in our Middle and High School Programs. Mr. Russell is a beloved teacher and now a rising star in administration. He is the Coach for our Cross Country and Track Teams, and he has led conditioning and weight training programs for our students.

Would you share what drew you to a career in education?

I was inspired to go into education by my high school English teacher. I was one of the kids not always succeeding in middle school and high school, since the school I attended was very rigid and had a very specific way of doing things. I needed something a little bit different.

My high school English teacher constantly sat me down and we would debrief after difficult lessons or disappointing grades. He would ask what happened, and he listened and made the content more accessible to me. He was also one of those teachers who would assign somewhat non-canonical material that he knew we would read. At the end of the day, this teacher being able to give students challenging material and provide it in such a way that they care, showing up every day with the enthusiasm that he brought, completely turned around my high school experience. He created a course that made every student care.

What appealed to you about joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn first as a teaching fellow then teacher and now Dean?

I wanted to focus on the parts of my job that were the most fulfilling, which were helping students overcome challenges, facilitating their growth as students, and making real connections with people. While I do love the disciplines that I taught, the Dean role allowed for more of those rewarding moments and the opportunity to make a bigger impact on the entire Middle School Program rather than in just my disciplines.  

Through the years, I have seen many different teaching styles that have different impacts on students, and I have seen the benefits that all of them can bring. I have also seen where different learning styles work differently for different students. It is so important to give kids the opportunity to figure out what works best for them, which also involves giving them space to experiment through trial and error and fail safely, build back up, and have moments of self-reflection. The pedagogical autonomy afforded to BASIS Independent Brooklyn teachers allows them to provide multiple differentiated routes to the same learning outcomes, which in turn increases content accessibility for students.

You taught middle school English and French before moving into the Dean of Students Role. How did that experience inform your new position?

Coming from a teaching role to administration, I have seen the positive culture and genuine joy around learning at the school. I have seen first-hand also how what works for one student might not work for every student, which reinforced to me the importance of being able to meet students where they are to create a differentiated, supportive approach to instruction.

Tell us about the support in place for students transitioning into the Middle School Program.

We understand that every student is unique—each adjusts to change differently, has their own approach to learning, and defines success in their own way, which is why personalized Student Support is essential to the process of learning and to academic success. Essentially, we provide a range of support to our new students, and we know some students will need more supervision and guidance through a formal program. The first few months of school entail students getting used to their daily and weekly schedule of classes and homework, which may feel overwhelming at first. Our team is present to help students adapt to changes and reestablish positive habits.

Another important skill we prioritize developing is self-advocacy. When students advocate for themselves, they feel empowered to ask for help, take academic risks, and make mistakes in a supportive environment. It involves learning from mistakes and failing safely, knowing that failure is not permanent but an opportunity to grow.

Overall, finding the best way to study and approach academic challenges is a trial-and-error exercise. Our team works with students alongside their Subject Expert Teachers to build work and study habits as well as develop effective time management and organization skills. These skills are incredibly important in Middle School as we prepare students over time for our High School Program and beyond.

You just worked to establish both track and cross country teams at our school. Have you always enjoyed running and being a coach?

Yes, when I grew up cross country and track were my off-season sports. I’ve had a running club at our school as long as I’ve been here. Over time with our revamped ethos on sports where it is a greater part of the holistic student experience, we were able to evolve that club into a competitive team. Also, I recently received my USA Track and Field Level One coaching certification, and I’m excited about it.

Do you mind sharing some fun facts that families might not know about you?

When I was younger, I played hockey in the World Junior Championships for Great Britain. I had to stop playing after graduating college and moving to Brooklyn, but I would love to have time to start again!

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK– Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the Bears community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here. 

Celebrating Gratitude – Our November Character Theme of the Month

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The PNW rainy season is upon us at BASIS Independent Bellevue, which means fall is officially in the air! The weather may be gloomy, but we are taking time this month to celebrate our Character Theme of the Month – Gratitude! The American Psychological Associate defines this phenomenon as a sense of happiness and thankfulness in response to a fortunate happenstance or a tangible gift. Some additional research describes gratitude as the willingness to expand our attention so that we perceive more of the goodness we are always receiving (Pratt, 2022)

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you”; it is about appreciating the big and small moments that make life special. Studies show that practicing gratitude can improve our physical health, calm our nerves, strengthen our relationships and generate greater happiness in life (Pratt, 2022). This month, we are excited to create opportunities for students, staff, and families to embrace gratitude in meaningful ways.

On – Campus Gratitude

  1. Mountaineer Mondays

Each Monday, during our Academic Enrichment periods, our students participate in Mountaineer Mondays. Mountaineer Monday is a time for students to start their week by reflecting on important topics and learning what it means to be a Mountaineer. This month, the focus of Mountaineer Mondays is Gratitude! Students will be engaging in grade–level activities such as writing a letter expressing gratitude for themselves and creating a tree filled with drawings of what they are grateful for.

  1. Renewal Food Bank Food Drive

To express our gratitude to our local community, the staff and students at BASIS Independent Bellevue are holding a Food Drive for Renewal Food Bank.  We are collecting nonperishable food and hygiene items to give back and help others. With the support of our School Counselor and Student Affairs team, our teachers will be having meaningful discussions with students about food insecurity and empathy during this month. Additionally, members of our National Junior Honor Society will have the opportunity to visit the Food Bank and volunteer while bringing in our school donations. We are so proud of our students for their dedication to showing compassion and care for others!

  1. Cookies with the Counselor Notes

Every month, our School Counselor, Ms. Olivia, hosts a Cookies with the Counselor event during recess periods. This is an opportunity for students to come by and have a sweet treat with our Counselor while engaging in an activity aimed at developing Social-Emotional Wellness. This month, students will be writing cards of well wishes to accompany our donation to the Food Bank.

  1. Staff notes

Our reflection on gratitude does not only come from our students. In the staff lounge this month, teachers have been writing down what they are grateful for on leaves and posting on the wall as a reminder to stop and reflect. Additionally, we will be hosting a Staff Potluck and providing an opportunity for the staff to gather during lunch while sharing a delicious meal.

  1. Coffee and Cocoa

As a final show of gratitude to our campus, our Operations Team organized a “Coffee and Cocoa” event for both students and staff. A barista was sourced to come in and provide delicious, caffeinated beverages for our teachers, and yummy hot cocoa for students. It was the perfect event for the chilly fall weather!

What is our community grateful for?

We surveyed our staff to discover what our community members are grateful for this year, and to get to know them better. Check out their responses!

Ms. Grear, Director of Admissions – “I am so grateful to live in the beautiful PNW for most of the year, while having the opportunity to return home to Buffalo, NY and spend time with my loved ones for the holiday season.”

Ms. Chaffee, French Subject Expert Teacher – “I am so grateful for our students because they are energetic, motivated, and always on task. They give me new perspective when it comes to approaching culture and languages. I feel like I learn from them as much as they learn from me!”

Mr. Tyler, History Subject Expert Teacher – “Our Mandarin Expert Teacher, Ms. Pan is the best cook! She is always bringing food for the staff and I am grateful for that.”

Ms. Rakotz, Director of Academic Programs – “I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Mountaineer community. Throughout the hardships of the most recent big storm, our community came together to support one another by reaching out to each other, opening up our homes and making sure we were all safe and supported. The Mountaineer community feels like a true family that always supports each other. It is a privilege to be able to watch our students do the same.”

Mr. Pitak, Auxiliary Programs Coordinator – “I am thankful for my fiancé. We recently got engaged and we are looking forward to a bright future together.”

Ms. Campos, Front Desk Coordinator – “I am so thankful for my family. They are always there for me and support me in any way that they can. I saw them recently and we had a movie night, did puzzles and colored together. I feel grateful to have such a strong support system.”

Mr. Diambri, Associate Director of Admissions – “I am grateful for loving friends, good health, and a great place to work!”

Ms. Rieger, History Subject Expert Teacher – “I’m thankful for my coworker, Mr. Hui-Peterson. We share a room and he has been so supportive of me in my first year here. He always answers all my questions and helps in anyway that he can. It is great to have that support”

Mr. Hui-Peterson – “I am thankful for power and the internet! You don’t realize how much you take it for granted until you don’t have it anymore. The recent storm was hard on everyone and I’m so grateful we all got through it.”

Ms. PV, Math Subject Expert Teacher – “I am grateful that my extended family is coming to visit for the holiday season. We are going to have the usual holiday celebrations, but this year is extra special because I am hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law. I can’t wait to be an auntie!”

Gratitude teaches us to focus on the good in our lives, even during challenging times. By practicing gratitude, students learn resilience and empathy—essential skills for personal growth and success. At BASIS Independent Bellevue, we’re proud to nurture these qualities by modeling it in our own lives to help our students become thoughtful, compassionate individuals.