Meet Our New Subject Expert Teacher: Ms. Kendall Goldschmidt

April 29, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

Ms. Kendall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Oregon and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, with a focus in the social sciences, from the University of San Francisco. This provides her with the skills necessary to create and maintain a welcoming educational environment for all learners. She is a strong believer that social studies classrooms are the perfect place for developing skills and interacting with content relevant to students’ lives.

Ms. Kendall is a strong believer in developing a student’s enthusiasm for learning through hands-on activities, class discussion, and individualized assistance.

In her free time, Ms. Kendall likes to crochet and spend time with her family and friends.

What drew you to join our school community?

What drew me most to join this school community was the strong academic environment that has been developed, and the opportunity to work with students who have a love for learning and who have been very successful in meeting their academic goals!

What are you most excited about in your first year here?

I am most excited to get to know all my students and to develop a strong classroom community. Social studies classes are some of the best places to develop important literacy skills and confidence that can help students in other areas of study. I am also excited to interact with and get to know my peers at BASIS Independent Dublin and to help foster a strong and welcoming environment for all learners.

What advice do you give to students who want to succeed in your class?

Come to class with an open mind and be ready to learn new things! History is an exciting subject that connects to each person’s past while helping them prepare for the future. Ask questions, make connections, and challenge yourself to be the best student you can be every day, and you will be successful.

What do you hope students will remember most about your class years from now?

I hope that students remember all the skills they will be developing and strengthening in my classes years from now. History and social studies are classes that are best taught when students are hands-on learning, but from these activities students are also working on important literacy and interpersonal skills that they will use in academic, professional, and personal settings for years to come.

BASIS Independent Dublin is a Grades 5 – 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the BASIS Independent Dublin community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

What’s the Best Way to Spend Summer?

April 29, 2026 by aixuanwang Leave a Comment

By Dr. John Hight, BIM Student Advancement Manager

Students and parents ask all the time what they should be doing in the summer. The short answer is that students should use the summer to pursue their passions in meaningful ways. But don’t just take my word for it! Below, I’ve gathered quotes from admissions officers at schools from Duke to Yale to answer some of the most common questions about summer activities.

Question 1: What is the one thing a student can do in the summer that will best maximize their chances of getting into a top school?

I’ll let Mark and Hannah, the Yale admissions officers behind the excellent Yale Admissions Office podcast, answer this one:

“We have heard about parents who will turn their families’ lives upside down, and they might even throw money at people who claim to tell them what a student should do. So we want to try to keep things very simple and clear. You don’t need to do anything like that. Making yourself miserable, overextending yourself, spending your time doing things that you, as an applicant, don’t care about– it’s not going to help you get into college. In fact… approaching things with that kind of attitude will probably hurt your chances…

“Don’t make any decisions about what you do in high school based on how it’s going to look on your college application. We get most excited when we see genuine interest and excitement and commitment. Not when we see a particular formula or collection of activities…

“You should be active at the right level for you, doing what you like. That’s the simple advice.”

Question 2: But surely all summer activities aren’t created equal. Let’s say a student has multiple options for activities that they enjoy, how does that student decide what to do?

For all extracurriculars – whether in the summer or the school year – admissions officers are looking for the same three things. Richard Clark at Georgia Tech calls them involvement, investment, and impact. Or put a slightly different way by the Yale Admissions Podcast, “it’s about commitment, time, impact, even on a small scale.”

Let’s look at these one by one.

1. Commitment / Investment

“Find something you can actually fail at. And along with that, something you can improve at.” —“Inside the Yale Admissions Office”

Key takeaway: Schools want to see challenge and growth in your extracurriculars. Succeeding is great. Challenging yourself, failing, learning, and then winning, is even better.

2. Time / Involvement

“What have you been DOING? Where have you been spending your time? NOT what you have won.” —Ellery Kirkconnell at Georgia Tech

Key takeaway: Invest a significant amount of time (5+ hours a week) in something.

3. Impact

“Remember, it’s more than just academic preparation. It is, how am I vested in the community, how am I vested in my high school or junior high? What clubs, organizations, or extracurricular events that I participated in, am I adding value, am I making a difference? It’s not just a litany of, “I’m in 20 clubs.” We would much prefer to see a student in fewer clubs but they have vested themselves and made a true difference in their lives and other people’s lives…We’re not judging what the topic is. We’re judging, did you take hold and grab it and move forward.” —Douglas Christiansen, Dean of Admissions at Vanderbilt University

Key takeaway: Strive to make a direct impact, and ask yourself, will you be missed when you’re gone?

Question 3: Okay, sure… but if I had to pick ONE thing to maximize my chances, what should it be? I’ve heard you need to do scientific research to get into a top university. And maybe found an NGO, too. Should I do that?

For this one, I’m going to quote at length from Chris Peterson, an admissions officer at MIT, who writes their excellent Admissions Blog.

“There is nothing, literally nothing, that in and of itself will get you in to MIT.

“For example: A few years ago, we did not admit a student who had created a fully-functional nuclear reactor in his garage.

“Now, most students, when I tell them this story, become depressed. After all, if the kid who built a freakin’ nuclear reactor didn’t get in to MIT, what chance do they have? But they have it backwards. In fact, this story should be incredibly encouraging for most students. It should be liberating. Why? Because over a thousand other students were admitted to MIT that year, and none of them built a nuclear reactor!

“I don’t mean to discourage anyone from pursuing incredible science and technology research on their own. If you want to do it, DO IT. But don’t do it because you think it’s your ticket to MIT. And that applies to everything you do – classes, SATs, extracurriculars.

“There is no golden ticket.”

Question 4: What about summer programs at prestigious colleges? Won’t going to summer school at Harvard or the University of Chicago give me a better chance of getting in?

“[Students who attend our summer program] don’t have a better chance nor do they have a worse chance. We’ve had that policy in place for a long time. In the past, we did an informal study. The only thing I remember about it definitively was that the admission rate for summer school students was very similar to the pool as a whole.” —William Fitzsimmons, Harvard Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

“[Parents should] understand select summer programs vs summer experiences that have hefty price tags. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on summer programs.” —Susan Semonite, Duke Associate Director of Admissions

In short: the more you spend, the less likely it is to move the needle with college admissions. At BIM, we regularly include quality summer opportunities in our college counseling newsletter. We are also happy to work with students individually to find ways to explore their area of interest.

Question 5: I’ve heard that colleges want students to have a focus for their application. I want to dance, but the focus of my application is on my desire to be a doctor. Should I make everything about that?

“Myth number one, Yale is looking for applicants who have a very clear plan for professional success after college.

“So if you spend your application space trying to convince us that you are on this vector towards professional success, we might read that and say, ‘Hey, great. Good for you. You could do that at lots of different universities. Nothing about that in particular, your success plan, actually makes it seem like you’re a good fit for our experience specifically.’” —“Inside the Yale Admissions Office”

Or, as Jeannine Lalonde, The University of Virginia Associate Dean of Admissions, puts it:

“Activities don’t have to be related to each other. Activities don’t have to be related to your academic interests. Activities should be rewarding, interesting, and fun. You shouldn’t be afraid to try something because it doesn’t fit into a strategy.”

Again: Students should do activities they are interested in and find rewarding. Period. That is the best strategy.

Question 6: I get that students should invest time in things they are interested in and try to make a difference, rather than doing things they think will look good. But do you have any specific advice for potential summer activities?

The Emory admissions blog has a concise, helpful list:

Volunteer in your community
Work: Internship or summer job
Learn: Take a summer course
Grow: Hone your skills

To that, I would add two more: visit colleges to get a feel for the sort of campus you like or do your OWN independent research.

And remember: if a student wants more guidance on potential summer activities, they can always reach out to the College Counseling department. It’s what we’re here for!

I’ll conclude with one more quote from Chris Peterson at MIT:

“Find what you love, and do it. Maybe it’s a sport. Maybe it’s an instrument. Maybe it’s research. Maybe it’s being a leader in your community. Math. Baking. Napping. Hopscotch. Whatever it is, spend time on it. Immerse yourself in it. Enjoy it.”

BASIS Independent McLean is an Age 2–Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the Red-Tailed Hawks community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

Meet Our New Subject Expert Teacher: Mr. Clifford Rawls

April 28, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

A San Francisco native and life-long musician, Mr. Cliff received Bachelors of Arts degrees in Music and English in 2009 from Santa Clara University where he studied performance and screenwriting. He then began his career as an educator, teaching guitar, drums, and music theory throughout the Bay Area. He soon returned to school, earning a Master’s of Music in Music Education in 2014 from Boston University. During this time, Mr. Cliff continued his career as a music educator, teaching modern band, music theory, instrumental performance, and music history throughout the East Bay. While continuing his teaching career, Mr. Cliff found himself bitten by the education bug once again; he returned to Boston University in 2017 to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts, where he is currently finishing his degree as a doctoral candidate.

Mr. Cliff is a passionate music educator who believes that music is for everyone – he also thinks it’s important to provide students with music education experiences that will transcend the classroom. Students can look forward to learning to play new instruments, getting better at instruments they can already play, performing live, learning to record, and listening to lots and lots of music together!

When Mr. Cliff is not busy teaching, you can find him spending time with his family in the city, on the hunt for the best burgers and hot wings with his friends in the East Bay, at the driving range, at the skatepark, on his laptop finishing his dissertation, and, of course, in his music room practicing!

What drew you to join our school community?

BASIS Independent Dublin seems like a place where the teachers and students are enthusiastic, and the prospect of building a music program from scratch with new students sounded like a can’t miss opportunity!

What are you most excited about in your first year here?

I’m excited to meet all the students, pick our first few songs, and to play the first notes in our brand new building together!

What advice do you give students who want to succeed in your class?

Some advice I would give to my students is to remember that “we are all musicians.” Whether you’ve been playing music for 30 years like me, or you’re just starting, it’s OK! You’re a musician, and as long as you keep practicing, you’ll be able to play and learn new things.

What do you hope students will remember most about your class years from now?

I hope when you look back on our time together as a class, you’ll remember the fun you had learning and growing, choosing and playing repertoire you loved, and the joy we shared as a community of musicians.

Meet Our New Subject Expert Teacher: Coach Jacqueline Bateman

April 27, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

Coach Jacki is a dedicated Physical Education teacher with a background in exercise science and a passion for helping students develop confidence and discipline, as well as a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, and brings experience from both school-based teaching and athletic training environments. Her approach focuses on creating a structured, positive, and engaging learning environment where students can build skills, improve their physical abilities, and learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Drawing from her own experience playing multiple sports including basketball, soccer, water polo, softball, and baseball, Coach Jacki strives to expose students to a wide range of activities and to help them discover ways to stay active for life.

What drew you to join our school community?

I was drawn to BASIS Independent Schools because of its strong emphasis on high standards, student accountability, and overall excellence. I appreciate that the school values both academic success and the development of the whole student. I believe physical education plays an important role in building discipline, confidence, and teamwork, and I was excited about the opportunity to contribute to a community that prioritizes those qualities.

What are you most excited about in your first year here?

In my first year, I’m most excited about building strong connections with students and creating an environment where they feel supported and motivated. I look forward to helping students grow in their skills and confidence, while also establishing routines and expectations that keep them engaged and active.

Are there any highlights you’d like to share about your teaching philosophy or approach?

My teaching approach focuses on helping students feel both supported and appropriately challenged as they develop their skills. I design lessons that allow for steady progress so students can recognize their growth, while also promoting collaboration and accountability. I adapt activities to meet different ability levels, ensuring all students remain engaged and have opportunities to succeed.

What goals do you have for your students to take away from your PE classes?

My goal is for students to leave my class with confidence in their physical abilities and a positive attitude toward staying active. I want them to develop strong movement skills, understand the importance of fitness and injury prevention, and build lifelong habits around health, teamwork, and perseverance.

Meet Our New Auxiliary Program Manager: Ms. Malaya Paras

April 24, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

Coach Malaya received her B.S. in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. She also holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts, focusing on Business and Computer Information Systems, from De Anza College, where she played competitively on the college’s badminton team for two years. She is dedicated to guiding students toward creative and more resilient lifestyles.

Coach Malaya began her journey with BASIS Independent Schools as a summer camp counselor at the BASIS Independent Fremont Lower School, where she quickly connected with the welcoming community. She went on to become a Subject Expert Teacher in Physical Education, working closely with elementary students. Her background in coaching badminton, along with experience in gymnastics, competitive dance, and taekwondo, fuels her belief that physical education is about more than exercise—it’s about understanding the body, building confidence, and developing mindfulness.

Now serving as Auxiliary Program Manager, Coach Malaya is excited to design a dynamic, student-centered after-school program that reflects student interests to foster innovative projects. She also looks forward to building a strong and inclusive athletics program at BASIS Independent Dublin. Her coaching experience includes leading the BASIS Independent Fremont Upper School badminton team to multiple individual and team titles placing Top 5.

Coach Malaya enjoys almost anything and everything related to sports. Outside of work you can find her hiking, taking nature walks with her dogs, spending quality time with loved ones, and staying active through Pilates, badminton, and weightlifting. Fun fact: She serves as an assistant coach for the De Anza College intercollegiate badminton team.

Are there any highlights you’d like to share about your educational philosophy or approach?

My approach is student-focused, emphasizing skill mastery and progress before gameplay so students can build a strong foundation. I believe mistakes are an essential part of learning—students grow not only from their own attempts, but also by observing and learning from their peers. Collaboration is key, as it exposes students to different perspectives and ways of thinking.

The idea “how you practice is how you play” holds a great deal of truth. Quality and intentional practice lead to skill mastery and success in games, while poor practice habits can carry over into performance. By focusing on purposeful practice, students are better prepared to participate confidently and successfully.

What are some of the most rewarding parts of being a Subject Expert Teacher and working with BASIS Independent School students?

One of the most rewarding aspects is watching students grow in their athletic abilities and seeing the excitement, motivation, and confidence they gain as they master new skills. I value building relationships with students—getting to know their interests and creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing them. BASIS Independent Schools students are especially curious and eager to learn, which makes teaching them incredibly fulfilling.

Additionally, forming friendships and collaborating with fellow faculty and leadership is very meaningful. Building strong relationships with colleagues and co-teachers creates a supportive and positive teaching environment.

Are there any thoughts you’d like to share with families who are joining – or who are thinking of joining – the BASIS Independent Dublin community?

I am drawn to the BASIS Independent Dublin community because of the opportunity to grow the after-school and athletics programs, creating more ways for students to get involved, stay active, and build meaningful relationships. During my time at BASIS Independent Fremont, I experienced strong support from leadership—especially when launching the Upper School badminton team, where Ms. Singh and Dr. Min were incredibly encouraging and supportive.

I am excited to continue working within a community that values its staff and fosters a positive, supportive environment for both students and educators. Being part of a new campus with this shared commitment makes this opportunity especially meaningful.

A Day in Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell

April 24, 2026 by abisoyetaylor Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Bothell, our earliest learners set the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Recently, our Head of School spent a full day immersed in a Kindergarten classroom. His experience offers a window into how curiosity, confidence, and community take root from the very beginning.

A reflection shared by our Head of School, Mr. Robert Runyon

On a typical Monday, I’m usually haunting our hallways, popping into classrooms, and catching up with our school’s administrators and teachers. This week, I got to take on an even more important mantle: I got to be a Kindergartener for a day. Ms. Lark, Ms. Pfeiffer, and all of the students in KH welcomed me into their room to be one of them. I, along with the students, had so much fun and learned so much.

Morning Meeting and Big Ideas

Morning Meeting at BASIS Independent Bothell Kindergarten Classroom

The day started with Morning Meeting, and we all got to sing our welcome song to each other in our circle, celebrating each and every member of the class. Ms. Lark had a big question for the group: what would you do if you were Head of School for the day? They really gave me a lot of food for thought – banning all cars from the parking lot to create an even bigger playground, having students be teachers and teachers be students, and the perennial favorite of no homework ever. I was so proud of their confidence and advocacy as they shared their ideas.

Learning Through Literacy, Movement, and Mindfulness

After that, we moved into our literacy practice in pairs, where we got to use dice to help us practice using different vowel sounds in whole sentences. Nova was so nice in showing me how to roll the dice and ensuring it stayed on the table.

After that academic focus, we were able to go out to recess and climb on the giant web in the middle playground before transitioning to a Mindful Monday in Movement class. Ms. Tello had us doing paired yoga, a perfect opportunity to break out my Tree and Dancer poses. My partners weren’t impressed with my inability to do the full splits, though. I’ll keep working on it.

Kindergarten Movement Class at BASIS Indendent Bothell

Language, Culture, and Community

Then, we got to work up an appetite in our Mandarin class, where Ms. Wang introduced us to fast food vocabulary. We were thinking about hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, soda, and juice through dancing, singing, drawing, and writing. At lunch, we were able to talk about what we were eating and some of our favorite activities inside and outside of school.

Math, Engineering, and Collaboration

When we came back to class for the second half of the day, Ms. Lark had all of us practice place value through using Skittles as manipulatives. The discipline that my classmates had with dozens of Skittles in front of them throughout the room was monklike. The candy all remained uneaten throughout the activity. Patience isn’t just the name of one of their teachers, it’s something inherent to our kids.

In our Engineering class, we got to expand on our aerodynamics knowledge by not just making paper airplanes, but also making circular gliders. I was grateful to Mihir for showing me how to be a good collaborator at my table and how to make sure we kept supplies organized for our friends to use them later on.

Science, Creativity, and Wonder

Back in the KH classroom, Ms. Pfeiffer led us through a lesson about the characteristics and biomes of dinosaurs. As we were talking, one of my classmates explained how the colors of dinosaurs can contribute to them being able to survive longer in different environments and not go extinct. It took me a second to get my jaw off the ground before I started drawing my own green stegosaurus. After a few pointers from Miya, I think I made something special.

After that, we closed out the day with Enrichment, where I got to work in our play kitchen. I was surprised when the kids told me spaghetti and meatballs isn’t a good sandwich topping.

Why Kindergarten Matters

Being part of Kindergarten for the day reminded me of another reason why I love being a Head of School: I get to contribute to the incredible journey these students are on. I remember their first day and how uncertain they were and how tentative they were both with their new friendships and with their academics. Now I see them praising and supporting each other as they read out sentences and paragraphs.

I strongly believe that while graduation rates and college placements are the evidence of success of school, the key to the long-term health of a school starts right in Kindergarten. If you are supporting and enabling the curiosity of these students and giving them the skills to flourish as people early on, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish. As I write this days later, I feel like my day as a Kindergartener helped me grow, too.

Experience Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell

Curious to see what Kindergarten looks like in action? We invite prospective families to join us for Kindergarten Preview Week, a series of opportunities designed to help you explore our program, meet our educators, and experience our campus community.

Kindergarten Preview Week Events:

Virtual Information Session | Tuesday, April 28 at 12:00 PM PT
A convenient way to learn about our program from home.

Head of School Kindergarten Campus Tour | Wednesday, April 29 at 12:15 PM PT
Get an inside look at our classrooms and meet school leadership.

After‑School Clubs Campus Tour | Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT
Explore the enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the school day.

Free Play & Meet the Teachers | Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 AM PT
A family‑friendly favorite! Your child can explore, play, and connect with our Kindergarten team.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus and sharing more about how learning begins in Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell.

7 Red-Tailed Hawks Accepted to VA Governor’s Schools or World Language Academy

April 24, 2026 by aixuanwang Leave a Comment

We are proud to announce that seven BIM students have been accepted to a Virginia Governor’s School or Governor’s World Language Academy, with two more students named as alternates. The list:

Colin B. ’27 – Latin (at Virginia Commonwealth University)
Sumer C. ’28 – Engineering (at Jefferson Laboratories)
Peter D. ’28 – Agriculture (at Virginia Tech)
Suraiya F. ’27 – Spanish (at Washington and Lee)
Adrith K. ’28 – Voice (at Radford)
Richard P. ’28 – Humanities (at Radford)
Manya R. ’27 – Acting (at Radford)
Sarah R. ’27 – Agriculture (at Virginia Tech)
Bethel W. ’27 – French (at Washington and Lee)

From left to right: Manya R. ’27, Suraiya F. ’27, Dr. Hight (Student Advancement Manager), Bethel W. ’27, Adrith K. ’28, Richard P. ’28, Colin B. ’27, Sarah R. 27, Sumer C. ’28, and Peter D. ’28

This is a significant achievement! Admittance to the Governor’s School and World Language Academy programs is extremely competitive. First, students must compete to be one of our school’s nominees in a subject area, then they must be nominated in our region, and finally they must be selected from nominees from all over the state. Spots in the program are limited. The engineering program at Jefferson Laboratories only takes 11 students from the entire state.

Attending the Governor’s School or a World Language Academy is one of the best ways a high school student can spend their summer. Top students from all over Virginia spend three weeks on a college campus doing college-level work under the guidance of college professors, and all at a fraction of the cost of other summer programs. It is a great opportunity that our previous students have unanimously enjoyed.

We are extremely proud of the hard work these students have done – on their applications, in the classroom, and beyond – to receive these nominations!

Leading with Purpose: Shogun R. Receives NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award

April 23, 2026 by ezekielbracamonte Leave a Comment

We are proud to celebrate Grade 7 student Shogun R., who has been recognized with the prestigious National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award—a national honor that highlights exceptional scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

For Shogun, the award represents more than recognition—it reflects the values he strives to live by every day.

“Winning the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award is incredibly meaningful to me because it validates that hard work, kindness, and a dedication to learning are impactful,” he shared. “It reminds me that being a good person and having a strong work ethic can turn all my dreams into reality.”

Shogun’s journey to this achievement has been shaped by both his leadership and his commitment to service. After earning the NJHS Pillar of Character recognition in the 2024–2025 school year, he stepped into the role of NJHS Vice President, where he helped lead initiatives and create new opportunities for student involvement.

“Volunteering at a variety of local community agencies helped me better understand the needs of our community,” he explained. “I wanted to make community service more accessible for middle school students and create opportunities for others to get involved.”

As Vice President, Shogun strengthened his leadership through collaboration and communication—working closely with fellow NJHS members and advisors to organize meetings, plan agendas, and bring ideas to life.

“I’ve honed my skills through respectful interactions and positive engagement with my peers and teachers,” he said.

Behind his success is a strong network of mentors and supporters. Shogun credits NJHS advisors Ms. Mujic and Mr. Salazar, along with Director of Student Affairs Ms. Moorthy, for helping him grow as a leader and encouraging him to use his voice to make a positive impact.

He also draws inspiration from his teachers and family. “My teachers consistently bring positivity and passion into the classroom, even with a rigorous workload,” he noted. “At home, my parents have supported me through academics, community service, and even the demands of competitive fencing, always reminding me to maintain balance and wellbeing.”

His NJHS advisor, Ms. Mujic, shared her pride in his accomplishments: “I am pleased to hear Shogun was named a recipient of the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award! Shogun has been a stellar example of the five pillars of NJHS for our campus community. He has done an excellent job as Vice President of our chapter this year, consistently demonstrating strong leadership, responsibility, and initiative.”

Looking ahead, Shogun remains focused on growth and impact. He hopes to continue developing creative solutions to support his community while maintaining excellence in his academic pursuits.

To students considering NJHS or leadership opportunities, his advice is simple but powerful:
“Don’t be afraid to try something new. Leadership can start with being thoughtful, respectful, and kind. It’s not just about academic success—it’s about how you help improve the lives of others.”

Shogun’s achievement is a reflection of both his dedication and his character, and we are excited to see the continued impact he will make in our community and beyond.

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

Meet Our New Subject Expert Teacher: Mr. Rohit Ravikumar

April 23, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

Mr. Ravikumar holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, where he double-majored in Economics and History. He then went on to complete a master’s degree in Economics from Boston University, focusing on applied economic theory and social policy. Outside the classroom, he worked for several years in the industry as a data scientist, utilizing economic principles to analyze business policies.

Mr. Ravikumar first joined BASIS Independent Schools as a Subject Expert Teacher in Economics and Computer Science at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, where he taught courses ranging from AP Economics to an Econometrics Capstone Course. His teaching philosophy is centered around a dynamic learning environment that connects theoretical concepts to real-world examples and critically engages with political and social implications of the course material. As an educator, he takes pride in developing a classroom milieu that is both rigorous and approachable: scaffolding challenging concepts with the support necessary for students to succeed at their fullest potential.

In his free time, Mr. Ravikumar enjoys video games, reading a good book, and spending quality time with his wife and cat.

What originally drew you to teach at BASIS Independent Schools, and what brought you back now?

I was originally inspired to teach at BASIS Independent Schools by the environment of genuinely inquisitive and curious students and families I saw. It was a joy to see teachers, parents, and students collaborate to foster an open, inclusive, and understanding learning environment. I am excited to return to a new community that holds learning in such esteem across a variety of subjects and the development of critical thinking along with reasoning skills.

What is one of your favorite memories from your previous time at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley?

I found it deeply rewarding to see my Econometrics capstone students take everything they had learned about statistical techniques and apply it to their own term projects. My students chose a wide variety of topics, from optimal basketball plays to stock market performance to competitive video game results, using their own skills and newfound knowledge to devise hypotheses, collect data, and present their completed projects. Seeing them do it all on their own was one of the greatest joys I had as a teacher.

What are you most looking forward to as you join a new school community?

I’m excited to meet my new students! Building this new community will be the collective work of the teachers, staff, students, and parents, and I can’t wait to meet the students who will play such a major role in shaping it. I also look forward to helping students develop new relationships with the world around them through a deeper understanding of history.

Gaining the Parent Perspective

April 23, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

On April 18^th, current parents at BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Lower School campus sat down with prospective families to share what life at the school is really like. Their message was clear and consistent: strong academics paired with personalized academic support, a genuine love of learning, meaningful school-family partnership, and a rich cultural and artistic environment are what define the experience here.

Read on for a recap of the conversation.

Strong Academics

For the families on the panel, academic strength was the top reason they chose BASIS Independent Brooklyn. Parents described an environment that raises the bar and trusts students to rise to the challenge given the proper support to do so, with one parent saying that the school treats children like “sponges” rather than underestimating what they are capable of doing in the classroom.

Parents cited examples from history and STEM classes, in particular a project where their PreK student learned about the body by constructing a whole “suit” of organs that they wore with things like plastic bags representing lungs and a paper towel roll for the esophagus. Several contrasted their experience here with prior schools that felt less challenging or lacked clear academic standards. One parent noted that BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s commitment to curriculum stood out even during remote learning. She described our school as one of the only schools that maintained a clear academic focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the board, parents felt confident that their children were receiving meaningful, high-quality instruction.

Academic Growth Supported

Academic growth is supported through a culture of individualized help, anchored by the school’s Student Hours system. Teachers offer after-school sessions where students can review assignments or classwork with teachers in a low-pressure setting. One parent commented that Student Hours are not seen as negative at all, as was the case when she was growing up. It is a great system for getting students caught up or for those who need more review. One parent’s child progressed rapidly in writing through these sessions combined with home practice.

The panel reinforced how the culture around Student Hours is normal and inclusive, with most kids participating at some point. This approach helps students address gaps quickly and builds confidence in their learning.

It is also worth noting that in PreK through Grade 4, BASIS Independent Brooklyn classes have a unique two-teacher model, with two teachers in the classroom with deep knowledge of effective pedagogical techniques and expertise. These two teachers work together to guide students in making vital connections inside and outside the classroom, delivering lessons to elicit student engagement and inspire a joy of learning.

School Community and Partnership

Parents spoke warmly about the strength of the school-family partnership. Weekly Parent Fridays invite families into the classrooms, giving children the chance to show their grown-ups what they have been working on and their classroom. This boosts excitement and connection.

Outside of school, the community extends into social life. Birthday parties, informal gatherings, and school-organized events outside of school foster close relationships among parents.

Parents noted that the school is great about organizing special events outside of school, such as the Community Art event happening after the Open House. These events create a relaxed, less structured way for lasting friendships to form among both children and their parents and guardians.

Cultural and Artistic Programming

Parents were enthusiastic about the school’s hands-on cultural and artistic programming, describing it as both enriching and developmentally appropriate. Regular cultural celebrations encourage students to learn about different heritages through food, movement, music, and art.

One parent gave the example that this year’s music classes included Latin American styles taught by Mr. Peebles, who has a master’s degree in music as well as a degree in Hispanic Studies, adding unique value. Students performed Winter Concerts showcasing their new cultural dance skills, and that was wonderful.

Art classes introduce students to a range of techniques and foundational principles, and drama programs and music education contribute to a well-rounded school experience beyond core academics. Specials including Mandarin, early STEM, art, music, movement, and drama create a comprehensive enrichment environment.

Thank you to all our parent panelists for a wonderful conversation. Your candor and insights made for a truly enriching conversation, and the families in attendance were so glad to hear your perspectives.

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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.