Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make.

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we welcome students who are curious, motivated, and excited to challenge themselves in a supportive academic community.

As one of New York City’s leading private schools, we look for students who are eager to learn, embrace new ideas, and contribute positively to our incredible school culture. Our classrooms foster intellectual curiosity, meaningful collaboration, and a genuine love of learning. Students thrive in an environment where academic excellence is balanced with creativity, character development, and opportunities to explore their passions.

Whether you are applying to private school for the first time or are already familiar with the independent school admissions process, our Admissions Team is here to guide your family every step of the way.

Two Campuses Designed for Student Success

BASIS Independent Manhattan serves students from PreK through Grade 12 across two purpose-built campuses in NYC.

Each campus is intentionally designed to meet the developmental needs of its students while providing access to exceptional academic programs, dedicated faculty, and engaging extracurricular opportunities.

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event

One of the best ways to discover whether BASIS Independent Manhattan is the right fit for your family is by attending an admissions event.

Throughout the admissions season, we offer opportunities to:

• Tour our campuses
• Meet members of our Admissions Team
• Learn about our academic program and curriculum
• Hear from school leaders, teachers, students, and current families
• Ask questions about the admissions process

Attending an event provides valuable insight into daily life at BASIS Independent Manhattan before you begin your application.

Step 2: Submit Your Online Application

Applications open on August 1 and are submitted online through Ravenna. Review our Regular Admissions application process here to prepare you and your family for the application steps and requirements.

The application includes:

• Basic family and student information
• A non-refundable application fee
• A Parent Questionnaire for families applying to PreK–Grade 1

Once your application has been submitted, you will gain access to your admissions checklist, where you can:

• Request teacher recommendations
• Request report cards or transcripts
• Schedule your Family Meeting
• Register your student for their required evaluation (Entrance Exam or Play Date)
• Track the status of your application

After your application is submitted, you may complete the remaining admissions requirements in any order before the application completion deadline.

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (PreK–Grade 10)

Teacher recommendations help us better understand each applicant as a learner and classroom community member.

• PreK–Grade 1 applicants: One Early Learning Teacher Recommendation
• Grades 2–10 applicants: One English Teacher Recommendation and one Math Teacher Recommendation

Recommendations must come directly from a student’s current teachers through the admissions portal.

Recommendations from former teachers or submitted by parents or guardians cannot be accepted.

Step 4: Submit School Records (Grades 1–10)

Applicants for Grades 1–10 are asked to submit current and recent academic records.

Families will request transcripts through the admissions portal, allowing the student’s current school to send:

• Current-year progress reports or report cards
• Academic records from the previous two school years

If a student has attended multiple schools during that time, records may be requested from each institution.

We understand that applicants entering grades 1 or 2 may not have formal transcripts from preschool or early childhood programs. In those cases, transcript requirements may be adjusted accordingly.

Step 5: Student Evaluation

Student evaluations help us better understand each applicant’s academic readiness and developmental stage.

Evaluation requirements vary by grade:

• PreK–Grade 1: Play Date
• Grades 2–10: Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)

These evaluations allow our team to get to know students while assessing their readiness for our academic program.

Step 6: Family Meeting

The Family Meeting is an important part of our holistic admissions process.

At least one parent or guardian participates in every Family Meeting.

• Students applying to PreK–Grade 1 are not required to attend.
• Students applying to Grades 2–10 attend alongside their parent or guardian.
• Families applying with multiple children only need one Family Meeting.

After You Complete Your Application

Once all required materials have been received—including recommendations, transcripts (where applicable), student evaluation results, and the Family Meeting—your application will be considered complete.

Applicants who complete all requirements by the published admissions deadlines will receive an admissions decision according to the schedule for their entry grade.

Because admissions dates may vary slightly from year to year, families should refer to the current admissions calendar for the most up-to-date deadlines, notification dates, and enrollment commitment dates.

We Are Here to Help

Applying to private school can feel overwhelming, but are here to help you navigate the process.

Our Admissions Team is committed to making the experience welcoming, transparent, and informative for every family. We encourage prospective parents and students to visit campus, attend an admissions event, and experience firsthand what makes BASIS Independent Manhattan unique.

If you have questions at any point during the admissions process, our team is happy to help.

We look forward to meeting your family and welcoming you to the BASIS Independent Manhattan community –

home of the Wildcats.