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A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Student – A Reflection From Head of School, Dr. Thies

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At BASIS Independent Bellevue, our Kindergarten students fill our campus with joy, curiosity, and an unmatched excitement for learning. Recently our Head of School, Dr. Thies, spent a full day with our youngest learners to experience the joy first hand. Her experience provides a window into how we develop fearless and confident thinkers from the start of a student’s educational journey with us.

On the day of Dr. Thies’ visit, students had their Engineering class. However, in addition to Engineering, students also take Art, Music, Drama and Mandarin, throughout their week. To view a weekly sample schedule for Kindergarten, click here.

Step inside a dynamic day in Kindergarten with Dr. Thies and experience the creativity, joy, and collaboration that is abundant in Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bellevue!

Arrival

Suffice is to say that it has been a while since I attended Kindergarten. However, I found myself flooded with the usual kid anxiety as I prepared for my full day in Kinder adventure. 

“What should I wear?”  I asked myself 

“I wonder if the kids will enjoy having me in class?” 

But, as soon as I entered our Kindergarten building my anxiety was put at ease.   

“What greeting would you prefer, Dr. Thies?” Ms. Metrick asked me. Without hesitation I chose a fist bump (and added fireworks for added emphasis). I then found my decorated name tag at Table 3 and began my coloring activity. Can I just take this moment to ask why we don’t all begin our day with an energized greeting and coloring time?  I feel like the world may be a much better place with this one simple adjustment. 

Morning Meeting

Once all of the students had arrived, we moved to the carpet for our Morning Meeting time. We were all told to find our place on the carpet. While I was not sure where I should sit, my Kindergarten friends were very helpful in letting me know where I should not sit. With kindness in their hearts, they told me, “Dr. Thies, that’s where Dhruv sits.”  “Not there, that’s Ethan’s spot.” I eventually landed on the correct spot, sat criss-cross applesauce (that is a little more challenging with age), and prepared for a day of learning. 

My favorite part of our Morning Meeting time was our swimming greeting. I have never actually participated in a greeting like this before and, quite frankly, I now know that I have been missing out. In order to properly execute a swim greeting, you allow someone to introduce themselves and then you respond with a kind hello while also fully committing to a beautiful freestyle swim stroke. Now that I think about it, I believe that any swim stroke will do with the method of greeting. So, if you are more of a backstroke or butterfly aficionado, they will work as well. Saying hello to all of my new classmates in this manner put an immediate smile on my face. So, maybe try it out sometime? I mean, Kindergartners shouldn’t be the ones having all the fun, right? 

Language and Literacy

Once we finished our greeting, reviewed our daily schedule, discussed the date and days of the week, and sang our weather song, we moved on to Language and Literacy. For this portion of the lesson, we got to split into two groups and began our activity. I was lucky enough to work with Ms. Armitage. She handed out plastic covered phoneme handouts and dry erase markers. We practiced our new phonograms together first and then Ms. Armitage let us color in the phonogram that represented the beginning letter of the word she read aloud. Ms. Armitage reminded us of the long, short and shwa sounds as well so that we could be confident in the answers that we chose.   

I loved this activity and was really happy to see my friends practicing their sounds aloud before they made their selection. As I began to color my long “A” phonogram I thought to myself, “Wow, these Kindergartners are pretty smart; I better pay close attention so that I can keep up!” I was happy to discover that my new friends were not only smart, they were kind and happy to help. If I had any questions, they happily demonstrated the sounds for me so that I could be sure that I completed the activity correctly! 

Recess

Don’t even get me started on a mid-morning snack and recess time. I’m not quite sure why this is not a normal part of my work day. But I am missing out! During snack, I returned to my assigned table and got some time to talk with my classmates. I learned a few things about myself at snack and recess. The first is that I am really good at opening things. Before this time, I was not fully aware that I possessed such an important gift, but I feel empowered with my new found strength. The second thing that I learned is that making chalk art is a much better choice than attempting to ride a very small bike. While I was able to make it around the loop, my legs did not thank me Saturday morning. 

Engineering

I took my spot as #19 in the line and followed my classmates from recess to Engineering. I was pleasantly surprised when Ms. DiBattista met me at the door with my very own hardhat, clipboard and title of “Chief Boxitech”. We entered the classroom and Ms. DiBattista reminded us of the importance of working together in a positive manner and communicating respectfully as we worked as a team. My classmates were then divided into groups to create and draw different buildings in a community. My responsibility was to recognize and award those groups that worked well together and give a final sticker of approval when they had finished their design and were ready to build. I am happy to report that all drafts were approved and the finished products were amazing. Several groups also earned PACE passes and additional stickers because of their teamwork and positive problem-solving skills. I eventually had to turn in my hard hat and hang up my clipboard because it was time for PE. 

Movement Foundation

I will fully admit that I am slightly biased about this class being a former Physical Education teacher. I could hardly wait for PE because I am such a fan of exercise and bodily kinesthetic learning. So, I once again took my place at the end of the line and headed to the gym for another fun-filled adventure. While in PE, my classmates and I warmed up by pretending the floor was lava and sticking to the clearly marked lines to ensure our safety.  We then transitioned to a game called, “What Time is it Mr. Fox?” where we got the chance to practice our counting skills and test our speed and endurance. I worked together with another classmate to make sure that we were not eaten as Ms. Tello (aka Mr. Fox) yelled out “Lunch Time” and chased us back to our line! All this talk of lunch time made me hungry—and good thing because after PE we headed off to lunch.

Lunch and Recess

I thoroughly enjoyed lunch with my classmates. We talked about weekend plans and even got some high five from the high school students before they left the lunchroom. When we returned to class, we reviewed our class rules, talked about how we can be kind to one another, and participated in a highly engaging brain break.   

Math

For math we split into groups again and this time I got the opportunity to work with Ms. Metrick. She taught us about fact families and even sang a song with us to help us remember. When we returned to our tables for independent work, I got the opportunity to work with my tablemates. I was so impressed with their ability to solve problems, write number sentences and check their work. We worked collaboratively to make connections and describe how we had arrived at our answers. I truly enjoyed working through the learning process with the students and witnessing their resilience when they were challenged. To top of a great chunk of learning, we got to color our fact family worksheets after we finished. 

Enrichment

We were rewarded for all of our hard work with enrichment time. Within minutes, the classroom transformed into a plethora of mini projects in the making. I was so impressed with all of the different choices that the students made and the fact that they all seemed to naturally pair up and happily share with one another. There were students using building blocks, practicing math skills with the cash register and play money, developing structures with Magna-Tiles, constructing tubes for marble transport, and so much more. As I looked around the room I was amazed to witness creativity in action and overwhelmed by their use of respectful language as they shared ideas. 

Language and Literacy

For afternoon language and literacy we read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and wrote messages for those people in our lives that loved us. All around me, I could hear my Kindergarten friends sounding out words and practicing spelling techniques in order to write a thoughtful message to someone special in their life. Myself and my Kindergarten friends were excited that this writing activity extended into an arts and crafts project that allowed us to add color and a personal touch to our writing activity. 

Civics, History & Science Foundation

We wrapped up our day with a civics lesson on wants vs. needs. Everyone was eager to share their ideas and I loved listening to my Kinder friends share their thinking.

Until Next Time

We have all heard the saying, “everything that I need to know I learned in Kindergarten,” but I don’t think that I truly understood this until I was lucky enough to spend a full day learning such important skills in such a dynamic way.  Kindergarten learning is intentional and so important but what struck me the most about the day was the fact that I had so much fun!  The teachers were exceptional and my classmates added to the joy of the learning process.  The only part of the day that I did not enjoy was dismissal because it meant that this incredible experience had come to an end. The next time I am in need of collaborative classmates, creative ideas, or dynamic learning songs, I know just the place to go!

A huge thank you to Dr. Thies, our wonderful Kindergarten teachers, Ms. Metrick and Ms. Armitage, Ms. Dibattista, Ms. Tello, and of course our incredible Kindergarten students for being a part of this blog!

Welcome Back Mountaineers! – Orientation and the First Day of School

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It is hard to beat the energy of a new school year. Students running to hug their friends they have not seen all summer, empty desks now filled with smiling students, and the unmistakable anticipation of what the new school year will hold.

At BASIS Independent Bellevue we are thrilled to be staring the 2026–2027 school year as it marks a special milestone for our campus—this is our first year with a full primary program and our very first class of Kindergarten students! We have long been anticipating the arrival of our youngest learners on our campus and could not be more thrilled with the warmth, joy, and curiosity they bring to our Mountaineer Community. We were equally as eager to welcome new and returning mountaineers to our campus from grade 1 all the way to grade 11!

BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first Kindergarten class!

Orientation

In order to set our students and families up for success, we always kick off the school year with a Student and Parent Orientation.

During Orientation students had the opportunity to meet their teacher and classmates through introductions and ice breakers, participated in team building exercises, discussed the importance of respecting the learning process, and of course got their picture taken!

While the students were with their teachers, families met the Administration Team who will be supporting their child’s learning throughout the year, had time to mingle with one another to build community within their child’s grade level, and wrote an encouraging first day of school note for their child.

The First Day of School

After a good night of rest, our students and teachers returned to campus for the first day of school!

As students arrived onto campus they were greeted by smiling teachers and staff members to help them find their way to class. Ms. Metrick and Ms. Armitage were especially eager to greet our first class of kindergarten students at BASIS Independent Bellevue!

The first day of school focused on building community, getting to know the campus, and learning important expectations and procedures.

Campus Tours

All students got to take a campus tour to see important places they may need to navigate to throughout the year. An important stop on the tour was the SCC (Student Support Center) where students can go to, to see our School Counselor, Ms. Olivia, update their schedule with Mr. Pitak the Director of Academic Programs, or meet with their Director of Student Affairs, Ms. Hinton or Ms. Rakotz. The tour also took a stop at the Main Office where students learned how to check in if they are late, where the Health Office is, or where to turn in their P.A.C.E. passes. Students can earn P.A.C.E passes through demonstrating our community values of Perseverance, Active, Community, or Empathy. Each week students turn in their P.A.C.E. passes for a chance to win a prize in their grade level raffle.

Communication Journals

Students also learned about their Communication Journals or CJs. Students in all grade levels utilize CJs to keep track of what they learned in class each day and any homework they might have. CJs are one way we build up student’s responsibility in the learning process and a great tool for parents to see the learning that is going on in the classroom each day.

Community Building

Additionally, students participated in team building exercises to build community within their class. In grade 6 students worked together to brainstorm unique ideas of how they would survive in different wilderness scenarios. The classroom was alive with unique ideas, passionate plans, and collaboration. In grade 3 students played a silly game where they copied the leaders sound our gestures. Students who were shy at the start of this game were quickly participating in the laughter and fun.

Lockers and Procedures

Part of a launching a new school year is ensuring students know emergency procedures, dismissal expectations and also learning new skills, like how to open a locker. Students who were learning how to use a lock for the first time got support from classmates, teachers and even our Head of School, Dr. Thies! This was the perfect example of how our Mountaineer Community supports each other in the small and big ways.

Dr. Thies helping students with their locks.
History SET Mr. Tyler bringing added excitement to reviewing rules and procedures!

We are so grateful to our Mountaineer Community—students, families, teachers, faculty, and administration—who all worked together to make the start of the 2026–2027 school year a success. We are confident that our students are going to have a year full of inspiring challenges, curiosity, and discovering that they are capable of more than they can imagine!

Choosing a School That Develops Fearless, Independent Thinkers

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When families begin their school search, one question often rises above all others:

How do I know if a school is the right fit for my child?

With so many options available, it can be tempting to compare schools based on rankings, facilities, or convenience alone. While those factors may play a role in your decision, the most important considerations often go deeper.

The right school should challenge students academically, nurture their confidence, and prepare them to navigate an increasingly complex world with curiosity, integrity, and independence.

As you begin evaluating independent schools, here are five qualities worth looking for.

1. A Curriculum Designed for Long-Term Success

A strong education is more than a collection of individual courses. The best schools intentionally build knowledge and skills year after year, helping students develop both depth of understanding and confidence in their abilities.

When researching schools, consider asking:

  • How does the curriculum evolve as students grow?
  • Are students encouraged to think critically and solve complex problems?
  • Does learning build progressively from one grade level to the next?

Students benefit most from an educational experience that develops strong foundations while continually challenging them to reach new levels of achievement.

2. Teachers Who Inspire Curiosity

Exceptional teachers do more than deliver lessons. They spark questions, encourage exploration, and help students discover a genuine love of learning.

As you tour schools and attend admissions events, pay attention to the people who will guide your child’s educational journey.

Ask yourself:

  • Do teachers demonstrate expertise in their subjects?
  • Are students actively engaged in classroom discussions?
  • Do educators encourage independent thinking?

The most memorable teachers often inspire students to see learning not as a requirement, but as an opportunity.

3. Opportunities for Students to Build Independence

One of the most valuable outcomes of a great education is confidence.

Students should gradually develop the ability to take ownership of their learning, manage responsibilities, advocate for themselves, and approach challenges with resilience.

Look for schools that encourage students to:

  • Ask thoughtful questions
  • Pursue their interests
  • Take initiative in projects and activities
  • Develop strong organizational and problem-solving skills

These habits help students become self-directed learners who are prepared for future academic and personal success.

4. A Community Where Families Feel They Belong

Academic excellence and a supportive culture should go hand in hand.

The best school communities create an environment where students feel known, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. Families should also feel welcomed as important partners in their children’s educational experience.

As you visit schools, consider:

  • How are prospective families welcomed?
  • Do students appear engaged and happy?
  • Is the culture warm, respectful, and inclusive?

A strong community creates the foundation that allows students to take risks, develop confidence, and thrive.

5. A Commitment to Character and Global Citizenship

Success is about more than academic achievement.

Today’s students need opportunities to develop integrity, empathy, and an understanding of the broader world around them. Schools play an important role in helping students become thoughtful individuals who contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Look for programs and experiences that encourage students to:

  • Demonstrate leadership
  • Build strong character
  • Respect diverse perspectives
  • Engage with global issues
  • Serve others with purpose and compassion

These experiences help prepare students not only for college, but for life.

What Sets BASIS Independent Bothell Apart?

At BASIS Independent Bothell, these qualities are woven into every aspect of the student experience.

Our mission is to develop fearless, independent thinkers with the confidence to explore, question, and shape the world. Through a challenging, thoughtfully designed curriculum, expert teachers passionate about their fields, opportunities for growing independence, and a warm, welcoming community, students are empowered to reach their full potential.

We believe an exceptional education should inspire students to meet challenges with curiosity, confidence, integrity, and joy while preparing them for success in college and beyond.

Experience BASIS Independent Bothell for Yourself

The best way to determine whether a school is the right fit is to experience it firsthand.

As you continue your school search, we invite you to attend an upcoming Information Session, schedule a campus tour, or connect with our Admissions Team to learn more about our programs and community. Fall 2027 admissions are now open, with information sessions and admissions events taking place throughout the school year.

Ready to learn more?

  • Register for an Information Session
  • Schedule a Campus Tour
  • Explore Fall 2027 Admissions
  • Connect with an Admissions Team Member
Visit Our School

Your Guide to the Fall 2027 BASIS Independent Manhattan Admissions Process

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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.

Grade 1 Engineering

Grade 6 Bridge Mandarin

Two Campuses Designed for Student Success

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

Lower School (PreK–Grade 5)
795 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10025

Upper School (Grades 6–12)
556 West 22nd Street
New York, NY 10011

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.

795 Columbus Ave – Lower School

556 W 22nd St – Upper School

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.

Register Here

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.

Apply Now

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.

This conversation gives us the opportunity to learn more about your family’s educational goals, your student’s interests, and what you’re seeking in an independent school community.

Grade 9 Students

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.

Taste the Creativity at Our Grade 3 Food Truck Fair!

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As a PreK–Grade 5 school on the UWS, BASIS Independent Manhattan provides authentic learning experiences that connect classroom concepts to real-world applications. Learning comes to life through engaging, hands-on experiences that inspire students to think creatively, collaborate with their peers, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. One of the most anticipated highlights of the grade 3 curriculum is the annual Food Truck Project, an interdisciplinary unit that transforms students into young entrepreneurs and culminates in a vibrant Food Truck Fair.

Families researching private schools often seek opportunities that combine rigorous academics with hands-on learning experiences. The Food Truck Project is a signature component of the grade 3 curriculum NYC families appreciate for its blend of academics, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

How Grade 3 Students Become Entrepreneurs

The Food Truck Project exemplifies the dynamic learning experiences that make grade 3 such an exciting year. Working in teams, students take ownership of creating and launching their own food truck businesses from the ground up. From brainstorming concepts and conducting market research to designing branding materials and developing menus, students experience the many steps involved in building a successful business.

As they bring their ideas to life, students develop valuable entrepreneurial skills including financial literacy, branding and design, persuasive writing, public speaking, collaboration, and problem-solving. They learn how to evaluate customer interests, make strategic business decisions, communicate ideas effectively, and work as a team toward a shared goal. These authentic experiences help students understand how the skills they learn in the classroom can be applied in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Bringing Learning to Life

Students apply concepts from multiple subject areas:

Mathematics

  • Create budgets
  • Calculate expenses and profits
  • Make financial decisions

Geometry & Engineering

  • Design scale models
  • Calculate area, perimeter, and volume

Research & Writing

  • Investigate global cuisines
  • Analyze information
  • Create persuasive marketing materials

Branding & Design

  • Develop logos
  • Design menus
  • Create advertisements

Public Speaking & Collaboration

  • Present ideas
  • Pitch concepts
  • Work toward shared goals

A Showcase of Imagination and Innovation

This year’s Food Truck Fair featured a wide variety of imaginative concepts, each reflecting the creativity and unique interests of its student team.

  • Breakfast Bank invited visitors to explore breakfast favorites from around the world, offering a menu inspired by global morning traditions.
  • Slurping Ramen celebrated the comforting flavors of noodle dishes while introducing customers to different styles of ramen and Asian cuisine.
  • Fry-Days embraced everyone’s love of crispy treats, serving up a creative menu dedicated to all things fried.
  • Europe from East to West took guests on a culinary journey across the continent, showcasing foods and flavors from a variety of European countries.

Each food truck demonstrated not only creativity but also thoughtful planning, teamwork, and attention to detail. Students proudly shared their concepts, explained their business strategies, and presented the hard work they had invested throughout the project.

Building Confidence Through Experience

Beyond academics, the Food Truck Project helps students build confidence in their abilities. By navigating challenges, making decisions as a team, and presenting their work to an audience, students gain meaningful experience in leadership, collaboration, and public speaking. They learn how to advocate for their ideas, respond to feedback, and adapt when plans change—skills that will benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.

The project also fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to take risks, learn from mistakes, and celebrate both individual and team accomplishments. These experiences help students develop resilience and independence while cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

A Project That Evolves Every Year

One of the strengths of the Food Truck Project is that it continues to grow and evolve each year through the creativity and dedication of our teachers. Guided by their Learning Expert Teacher (LET), Ms. Arlinda, and the Grade 3 Subject Expert Teachers (SETs), the project regularly introduces new opportunities for creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, ensuring that each year’s experience is fresh and engaging.

In recent years, students have explored modern marketing concepts by creating mock social media content for their businesses, including developing Instagram profiles that reflect their brand identity and target audience. Other additions have included designing branded merchandise featuring their logos, helping students further explore the connections between marketing, design, and entrepreneurship. These enhancements ensure that each year’s Food Truck Project builds on previous successes while providing new opportunities for creativity and innovation.

A Memorable Grade 3 Tradition

The Food Truck Project is more than a classroom activity—it celebrates creativity, curiosity, and interdisciplinary learning at BASIS Independent Manhattan. At this year’s fair, Grade 3 students proudly showcased their food truck businesses, demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and confidence they built throughout the year. A beloved tradition, the project creates lasting memories while inspiring deeper learning and engagement.

Ready to Experience the Magic of Grade 3 at
BASIS Independent Manhattan?

Our Rolling Admissions application cycle is now open for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications for the 2027–2028 school year open August 1. We invite prospective families to connect with our Admissions team and discover how our engaging, interdisciplinary curriculum helps students grow as confident learners, fearless thinkers, and future leaders.

From Apollo to Artemis: How Kindergarten Engineers are Mapping the Future of Space Flight

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While the world watched the successful splashdown of the Artemis II mission, the Kindergarteners at BASIS Independent Manhattan were already deep into their own lunar preparations. In engineering class, a simple pile of LEGO bricks became a lesson in the high-stakes world of aerospace, where our early learning students discovered a fundamental truth: in engineering, every single detail matters.

five students stand in front of a white board that says "We are going back to the moon" and they are holding their straw rockets.

An Interdisciplinary Preview

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we often speak about our “spiraling curriculum.” For this lesson, that spiral started early. Before picking up a single block, students discussed the meaning behind the name Artemis.

This served as a fascinating interdisciplinary bridge to grade 5 Classics, where students dive deep into Greek mythology and history. By connecting a modern NASA mission to ancient stories, our students could understand how science, history, and culture are never truly separate.

a boy student holds up a design of a space launching system with the rocket and parts labeled in front of a LEGO model.

Mastering Propulsion and Design

The classroom was a hub of “focused fun” as students deconstructed the complexities of a Space Launch System (SLS).

  • Structural Integrity: Using LEGO, Kindergarteners designed launch systems that required balance and strength to stand tall for “liftoff.”
  • The Science of Flight: Through “straw rockets,” students experimented with the mechanics of propulsion, learning how force and direction dictate a successful trajectory.
A Facebook post from NASA History that shows the Apollo 12 astronauts with the helicopter flying over to recover them.

A Living Connection to History

The lesson took a personal turn thanks to our Kindergarten Teaching Fellow, Ms. Kelly. She shared a remarkable piece of her own family legacy: her father was a Navy pilot who flew the recovery helicopters for the original Apollo missions.

Students looked at archival photos of these recovery missions, realizing that the “splashdown” they were watching on TV – that the world was watching – connected directly to members of their own school community who were part of this carefully constructed operation’s evolution. This use of primary sources and personal narratives is a hallmark of the inquiry-based learning in our Lower School.

female student sits at a table and smiles with LEGO structures that look like a space launch system in front of her.

“We Will Follow Her There”

Perhaps the most powerful moment came during a discussion about the first female astronaut to journey toward the moon on the Artemis mission. The representation on screen sparked an immediate reaction from several of our students.

“We’re going to follow her there one day so we can explore the moon, too,” they remarked.

What our teachers marveled at most wasn’t that the students learned the mechanics of a rocket, but that they gained the confidence to believe in themselves to accomplish a feat like that in their future. We provide the tools, the content, and the encouragement for them to aim for the stars—literally.

teacher holds a straw rocket with a student standing in front of her pointing up at it like he is asking a question. They are standing in front of a white board that says "We are going back to the moon."

Join Our Next Mission

Our classrooms are spaces where curiosity meets high-level inquiry every day. If you’re ready to see how our Subject Expert Teachers inspire the next generation of engineers and explorers, we invite you to visit our campus or connect directly with our admissions team at manhattan-admissions@basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK–grade 12 private school with campuses in the Upper West Side and Chelsea. Our mission is to educate students to the highest international levels through a spiraling liberal arts and sciences curriculum. We are committed to a joyful learning culture where hard work is celebrated, and our Subject Expert Teachers inspire extraordinary outcomes.

Making Science Come to Life: Every Spring, Our Cubs Watch Life Change Before Their Eyes

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There’s a moment that happens every spring in our Lower School classrooms when a hush falls over a group of young Cubs as they peer into a glass container and watch, with wide eyes, as something that was once a tiny egg or a wriggling larva becomes something entirely different. It’s the kind of moment no worksheet or video can replicate.

That’s exactly why, for several weeks each spring, our Lower School dedicates itself to one of science’s most wondrous stories: the life cycle.

“In an urban environment where kids don’t get as much exposure on a day-to-day basis to nature, anything we can do to bring the natural world to life for students is really important,” commented Head of the Lower School Ms. Miller-Sims. “When you can put a living creature in front of them and observe the life cycle from the beginning, you just see it light up in their eyes in a completely different way than learning about it on a screen, or learning about it in a textbook, or talking about it through a discussion in class. Those moments are just so pivotal, because it is what the children will remember and constantly go back to, even as they age, remembering these foundational experiences.”

Engaging, Experiential Learning

From PreK through Grade 2, our students don’t just read about how living things grow and change; they witness it. Each year, our campus becomes a living science lab as we welcome a carefully chosen cast of creatures: caterpillars that spin themselves into chrysalises, tadpoles paddling in tanks, ladybug larvae inching along leaves, and eggs nestled in a warm incubator, waiting to hatch.

The goal isn’t just to teach biology. It’s to give children a visceral, unforgettable understanding of transformation, and allow them to see that living things change, grow, and become something new, right in front of their eyes.

“When students see something happening in real time, they really learn the best that way,” stated Grade 2 Math and Science Subject Expert Teacher Ms. Witherspoon. “When we have our eggs in our incubator, they can see how they are growing inside. Yes, we have a chart where they can see inside the egg. It’s different when you see it day by day. Once the chicks hatch, they can see how fast they may grow, or that not all chicks are yellow, learning about different colors and different breeds. The joy on their faces when they learn something and see it in person is just really unforgettable.”

Students observing the growth of tadpoles in Kindergarten

Why Hands-On Learning Matters

Young children learn best when they can touch, observe, and wonder. Watching a tadpole sprout tiny legs over the course of a week is a lesson in patience, curiosity, and scientific observation all at once. Checking on a tray of eggs each morning teaches children to look closely for details, to notice small changes, and to ask questions. When a chrysalis finally opens, the room fills with a kind of collective awe that’s impossible to manufacture and impossible to forget.

“The whole school gets involved by the time our chicks are hatching,” said Ms. Witherspoon. “I get parents, all the time, sharing that they are learning just as much as their children are learning. It’s great just to see from our littlest ones in the PreK classrooms to our oldest ones in Grade 2 how they are all just curious at the end of the day.”

These experiences also build a foundation for scientific thinking that will serve our Cubs for years to come. They begin to understand that nature operates on its own timeline, that change is a process, and that the world is full of living things undergoing their own remarkable journeys.

The Lineup This Spring

Each creature we bring to campus represents a different kind of life cycle story:

Caterpillars to chrysalises to butterflies: Students observe the transformation from larva to winged insect, learning about metamorphosis up close.

Tadpoles: The classic frog life cycle unfolds in a classroom tank, day by day.

Ladybug larvae: These spotted favorites go through a dramatic transformation that surprises even the adults in the room.

Chick eggs: Perhaps the most anticipated of all, children gather around the incubator and wait (and wait and wait) for the first signs of hatching. “Chick watch” is the term we use, and this year, Ms. Witherspoon helped welcome the great-grand chicks of the first chicks hatched in her classroom three years ago!

A Tradition Worth Protecting

In an age of screens and simulations, there’s something quietly radical about putting a living creature in a child’s classroom and saying: watch what happens. Our Lower School’s life cycle unit is one of those rare school experiences that students carry with them long after the school year ends- the spring they saw a chick hatch, the morning they noticed the tadpole had legs.

We’re proud to offer our Cubs this window into the natural world, and we are committed to nurturing their curiosity in such engaging ways for years to come.

Students in PreK marvel at butterfly larve

Global Finance And Fearless Curiosity Collide: Brookfield Investors Visit Our Upper School

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What happens when some of the world’s leading institutional investors step inside an NYC private school powered by fearless, independent thinking?

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The Evolution of Lab Sciences: From Exploration in Primary Years to Advanced Laboratory Experiences in High School

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At BASIS Independent Bellevue, science comes to life through hands-on experiments, collaborative projects, and engaging investigations that encourage students to think critically and creatively. Across every division, from Primary School to High School, students are actively exploring the world around them in a variety of capacities.

Primary School: Building Curiosity Through Exploration

In Primary School, students are introduced to the wonders of science and engineering through engaging, project-based learning experiences. Throughout the primary years students deepen their knowledge of essential science concepts while teachers inspire a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world, encouraging them to see themselves as young scientists ready to explore and discover.

In engineering classes, students explored various aspects of STEAM through units on civil and aerospace engineering. During the civil engineering unit, students worked collaboratively to design free-standing paper skyscrapers and environmentally informed cities centered around green spaces. In aerospace engineering, students designed rockets inspired by the Artemis II launch. During presentations, the BASIS Aeronautics Space Administration (B.A.S.A.) voted on the most innovative rocket design, with one winning all-girls team, impressing classmates by designing a rocket capable of cooking s’mores for astronauts during takeoff.

Class presentations
Most Innovative Rocket Design Winners!
Paper skyscraper city
Grade 3 students admiring their city.
A proud rocket engineer!

Students also participated in several exciting scientific investigations throughout the year. During a month-long moon phase project, students observed and documented the moon each night in moon journals before reenacting the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun to better understand lunar phases. Students also explored light energy through learning centers focused on how light travels and reflects off surfaces. Another favorite activity came during the measurement unit, where students practiced measuring liquids and following detailed lab instructions. If completed correctly, the experiment resulted in a colorful rainbow, making science both educational and exciting.

Exploring light energy
Reenacting lunar phases
Rainbow measuring lab

Middle School: Applying Science Through Hands-on Learning

Middle School students take scientific exploration to the next level through challenging labs, engineering projects, and interactive investigations. From grade 6–grade 8 students take three separate, concurrent science classes, biology, chemistry, and physics.

In physics classes, students participated in the “Egg War,” where they applied concepts such as Newton’s Laws, momentum, impulse, and kinematics to design vehicles capable of protecting an egg during a head-on collision. Students also explored electricity by building a variety of circuits using batteries, wires, and light bulbs, gaining firsthand experience with electrical systems and experimentation.

Final round of “The Egg War”
Experimenting with circuits
“The Egg War” in action

Engineering electives have also provided students with opportunities to collaborate and innovate. In grade 6 Introduction to Engineering, students worked together to build and code robots capable of competing in friendly robot battles. Through this project, students strengthened their skills in coding, construction, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Middle School chemistry students recently completed a stoichiometry lab involving a single replacement reaction between Copper (II) Sulfate and Aluminum. Students calculated theoretical yields, conducted the reaction, and analyzed their percent yield based on the copper produced. Biology students have also immersed themselves in the study of anatomy and life sciences through a variety of dissections, including cow hearts, cow eyes, frogs, and owl pellets. In addition, students explored the microscopic world by using microscopes to observe tissues, organisms, and cellular structures.

Cow heart dissection
Observations with a microscope
Frog dissection
Stoichiometry lab
Copper yield

High School: Connecting Theory to Real-World Science

In high school science courses, students deepen their understanding of scientific concepts through advanced laboratory experiences and independent inquiry. In AP Physics 2, students conducted a capacitance lab in which they built parallel-plate capacitors using aluminum foil and textbooks. By testing how effectively paper functioned as a dielectric material, students were able to apply classroom equations to real-world experimentation and engineering design. In AP Physics 1, students got to build model trebuchets, a medieval siege engine powered by a counterweight. They explored the forces and torques acting on the system and how their design choices affected the range and accuracy of their models.

Building the trebuchet
Testing the trebuchet

Honors and AP Chemistry students have also engaged in a wide variety of labs throughout the year, including titrations, acids and bases investigations, and experimental procedure design. Students are often challenged to create their own methods for achieving a scientific goal using only a provided set of materials, encouraging creativity and critical thinking in the lab. But what is the fun in chemistry without some fire? One particularly memorable experiment involved testing metals in flames to demonstrate properties of matter. By combining alcohol with different salts, students produced brilliantly colored flames that brought chemistry concepts vividly to life!

From designing rockets and building robots to conducting advanced chemistry and physics experiments, students across all grade levels are discovering that science is more than just a subject. It is an opportunity to explore, create, and innovate. Through these engaging lab experiences, our students continue to develop the problem-solving skills that will assist them in their future endeavors.

BASIS Independent Manhattan: Class of 2026 College Results

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In the world of New York City private schools, success is often measured by numbers—test scores, GPAs, and matriculation lists. We are proud of our nine seniors whose collective impact resulted in monumental success.

Our Class of 2026 finalized their plans for the fall, and the results tell a story of intellectual curiosity, resilience, and the power of a personalized education. From the historic campuses of the Ivy League to the nation’s premier research hubs, our seniors are headed to institutions that reflect their unique passions and the high-rigor college-prep they received at BASIS Independent Manhattan.

Redefining Elite Results in NYC

two male senior students hold up college flags to show where they are enrolled -- one says Carnegie Mellon University and the other one says Yale.

When looking at the landscape of a private school in Manhattan, it is rare to see such a high density of elite placements within a single graduating cohort. While larger institutions may celebrate dozens of acceptances, the statistical acceptance rate for our nine seniors is extraordinary. Among this year’s Class of 2026:

  • 100% gained acceptance and enrolled in schools ranked in the Top 50.
  • 33% secured spots at Top 15 universities (as ranked by U.S. News & World Report).
  • 56% received offers from institutions within the Top 25 nationally, including prestigious names like Yale University, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan.

This is a testament to the BASIS Curriculum, our scaffolded college prep that starts in grade 9, and the dedicated teachers who know each student so they can excel no matter the competitive landscape.

The Privilege of Options and the Right Fit

While our seniors ultimately chose eight world-class institutions for their next chapter, their collective List of Acceptances (found at the end of this post) afforded them the comfort of selecting the “perfect fit” for their next ambitious pursuits.

  • The Ivy League: Students will be heading to Yale University and Columbia University, continuing our legacy of placement in the world’s most storied academic environments.
  • The Public Ivies: The University of Michigan and the University of Virginia—two of the most selective public institutions in the world—will welcome our graduates this fall.
  • Specialized Excellence: With enrollments at Carnegie Mellon University, Northeastern University (two students), George Washington University, and American University, our students are pursuing careers in everything from cutting-edge tech and engineering to global policy and international relations.

*See the full list of College Acceptances for the Class of 2026 at the bottom of this blog.

four students walk through Yale University on a college tour.
Senior went face-to-face with our faculty on Pi Day.
The annual seniors vs. teachers basketball game.
A little snow fun on the roof for our seniors.

The BASIS Curriculum: Prepared for Any Path

What makes a BASIS Independent Manhattan student stand out in a sea of thousands of applications? It begins long before the college essay. From the Middle School Program through our specialized High School offerings, students are asked to take ownership of their learning. By the time they reach their senior year, they have already mastered collegiate-level discourse and advanced STEM concepts.

This preparation allows our seniors to approach the admissions process with a level of confidence and agency. Whether they are discussing social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives or presenting their Senior Projects, they attract admissions officers because of their high achievement and because they are ready to contribute meaningfully to a campus community.

juniors and seniors smile in a group standing on the gym floor at Chelsea Piers while their parents are in front of them taking pictures

Looking Ahead

As the Class of 2026 prepares to walk across the stage and head to New Haven, Ann Arbor, Charlottesville, and beyond, they leave behind a legacy of excellence. They have proven that a PreK-12 education in New York City doesn’t have to be a “one-size-fits-all” journey. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we remain committed to ensuring that every student who walks through our doors is given the tools to find their own version of a Top 50 success story. We look forward to seeing how these nine individuals change the world. After all, if they could achieve this much in a class of nine, there is no limit to what they will do on the global stage.

Curious about how our High School program prepares students for the Ivy League and beyond? Visit our school to experience BASIS Independent Manhattan firsthand or explore our academics page to learn more about the BASIS Curriculum.

BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2026 College Acceptances

American University

Amherst College

Babson College

Binghamton University

Bocconi University

Carnegie Mellon University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Denison University

Drexel University

Fordham University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Indiana University-Bloomington

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Northeastern University

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Skidmore College

Stony Brook University

SUNY University at Buffalo

Syracuse University

The Ohio State University

The University of Warwick

Tulane University of Louisiana

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Maryland-College Park

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Southern California

University of St Andrews

University of Toronto

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Vassar College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Yale University