Every admissions season brings wonderful conversations with families as they discover our program and school. This year, one question stands out above the rest which is, “Who is a BASIS Independent Bothell Student?” 

As a founding school in our first year, this question comes up often and it’s an important one. While our admissions process is comprehensive and considers every part of a student’s application, what truly helps families understand our environment is getting to know the qualities and values that define our students. When we speak with our Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, and administrators across our campus, the same themes surface. Our community is grounded in the CORAL values that shape the BASIS Independent Bothell experience: Curiosity, Ownership, Respect, Advocacy, and Loyalty. 

These values are not admissions requirements. Instead, they reflect the environment students thrive in and the traits that naturally develop as they grow within our classrooms. Understanding CORAL gives families a meaningful picture of the kind of learning community we are building. One centered on exploration, responsibility, character, and connection. 

Curiosity at BASIS Independent Bothell: The Spark That Drives Learning 

Curiosity is foundational to a BASIS Independent Bothell student. It fuels engagement, inspires creativity, and drives students to ask thoughtful questions. 

Our Dean of Students, Ms. Cales, describes our students as “ambitious, hardworking, and curious.” That curiosity shows up in science investigations, literature discussions, math problem-solving, and each moment where students lean into learning with enthusiasm. 

Mr. Sturm, a Primary Math and Science Subject Expert Teacher, echoed this, calling his students “curious, tenacious, and joyful.” These qualities reflect our learners’ determination to explore new ideas and the joy they find in discovery. 

In our Kindergarten Early Learning Teacher, Ms. Gray shared similar observations, describing her young scholars as “kind, curious, and collaborative,” adding that “these are skills that will benefit our students throughout their lives.” Curiosity starts early and only grows as students advance through our program. 

Ownership: Building Responsibility and Confidence 

Ownership emerges when students take responsibility for their learning, reflect on progress, and take pride in their growth. 

Primary and Middle School Math Subject Expert Teacher Ms. Perleberg describes her students as “ambitious, mature, and compassionate.” That maturity often shows up in the way students manage their time, set goals, ask for help when needed, and take initiative. Ownership is a skill that supports long-term academic success and personal development. 

Respect: Creating a Positive and Inclusive School Culture 

Respect is one of the first values families notice when visiting our campus. It is reflected in the way students speak to their Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, collaborate with peers, and care for their learning environment. 

A culture of respect helps students feel safe sharing ideas, making mistakes, and taking academic risks. This foundation supports meaningful collaboration and helps students build strong social emotional skills. 

Advocacy: Empowering Students to Use Their Voice 

Advocacy helps students learn how to communicate confidently and respectfully. It emerges when a student asks a question, seeks clarity, requests help, or stands up for a peer. 

As students grow, advocacy becomes a key part of their learning journey. It builds independence, leadership, and emotional resilience which are all essential for long-term success. 

Loyalty: Strengthening Our School Community 

Loyalty develops naturally within a supportive school community. In our founding year, this value has been especially strong. Students, families, and faculty are building traditions, shaping culture, and creating a sense of belonging together. 

Loyalty inspires our students to support one another, take pride in their work, and invest in the community they are helping to build. 

The Bigger Picture: What Defines a BASIS Independent Bothell Student? 

When we asked teachers across multiple grade levels to describe the kind of student who thrives here, a consistent picture emerged: 

These qualities shared by Ms. Perleberg, Ms. Cales, Mr. Sturm, and Ms. Gray reflect who our students become when they are immersed in a learning environment shaped by these CORAL values. 

They are not criteria for enrollment. They are the characteristics that naturally develop within a community that values curiosity, ownership, respect, advocacy, and loyalty. 

Ready to Learn More About BASIS Independent Bothell? 

If these values resonate with your family and you’d like to explore whether our school is the right fit for your child, we would love to connect. 

We look forward to partnering with families who share our belief in a community built on curiosity, integrity, and lifelong learning.