The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and nearly 60% of BASIS Independent Schools Class of 2024 have been recognized as Semifinalists and Commended Scholars this school year.

20% of the Class of 2024 have been named Semifinalists across our five high schools including BASIS Independent Brooklyn, Fremont, Manhattan, McLean, and Silicon Valley. Each state has different cutoff scores for the honors, and our BASIS Independent Schools are in some of the most competitive states – California, New York, and Virginia — for semifinalist qualification.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Since 1955, the NMSC has been well-recognized as a marker of academic excellence. Each year, BASIS Independent Schools students are honored for their academic achievements. In addition to our stand-out Senior Year experience offered at our school, which encompasses content-rich Capstone Classes and The Senior Project, the distinction bestowed upon our students equips them with the ability to present themselves exceptionally well during the college admissions process uniquely.

“This is a reflection of all the hard work of our students and Subject Expert Teachers,” said Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools, Mr. Toby Walker. “We have every confidence that our program equips our students with the skills, knowledge, and experience to take high stakes assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and Advanced Placement® exams so that they can gain this type of recognition.”

“Having our students recognized at this national level fills all of us with immense pride and we look forward to celebrating our semi-finalists becoming finalists,” expressed Mr. Walker.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!