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Subject Expert Spotlight: How Dr. C Redefines Biology at Our NYC Private School

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At BASIS Independent Manhattan, our passionate Subject Expert Teachers (SET) are the secret ingredient to delivering our advanced curriculum in an engaging way, helping students take intellectual risks and make real-world connections outside of the classroom.

This month, we spotlight Dr. Chubaryov (Dr. C), our Biology SET at the Upper School in Chelsea, who teaches AP and Honors Biology in addition to AP Environmental Science to our high school students. After reading about her approach in the classroom and what makes her one of the best teachers in Manhattan, come and see for yourself at one of our Fall Open Houses.

Dr. Chubaryov

The Spark: From Opera to Observation

In August, Dr. C balanced a full life that brought huge changes at the start of this school year: she graduated from her PhD program at NYU and got married. Yet, her focus remains on the students. Dr. C’s own passion for biology was ignited in high school by an amazing teacher who made the subject exciting—even “cool.” A fond memory that sticks with her is how her biology teacher would play opera music while instructing the class on how to do dissections. This mix of creativity and deep study informs her teaching today.

Two female students performing a dissection in biology class

Thinking Like a Scientist: Beyond Memorization

Once in high school at BASIS Independent Manhattan, students have already completed three years of physics, biology, and chemistry. With this preparation and budding passion for biology, Dr. C can immediately help grow her students’ intellectual curiosity. She also challenges them to take risks that go beyond just learning biology, helping them feel confident to “do biology.”

Dr. C is one of the best subject expert teachers in manhattan, demonstrating a hands-on learning lab for her students

From NYU PhD to Chelsea Classroom

To enable her students to be active participants, Dr. C emphasizes that they are scientists in training. She often brings her doctoral research into the classroom, sharing personal anecdotes about her work in the NYU lab studying Hirschsprung Disease. These stories help her students connect abstract concepts – like cellular signaling or genetics – and their real-world applications. Dr. C notes that this is when she really sees her students thinking like scientists: reasoning through how biological systems interact and discovering both the beauty and relevance of biology in everyday life.

three female students present a biology poster on cell organelles

A Nurturing Academic Environment

When asked about their teacher, students immediately get wide-eyed and say she is great because of her duality. Dr. C’s teaching style is direct, but it is constantly peppered with personal anecdotes about her PhD studies that bring the subject to life. Students also appreciate how she holds them accountable, but does so by consistently performing “checks for understanding” to ensure every student feels supported. This exemplifies the nurturing academic environment at BASIS Independent Manhattan, where students feel inspired to safely take intellectual risks and achieve their highest potential.

student presenting to her peers in the classroom

The Takeaway

BASIS Independent Manhattan’s unique model, featuring passionate Subject Expert Teachers who deliver an advanced curriculum in a nurturing environment, is why we are recognized among the best NYC private schools. It’s designed to empower students to think critically and achieve great success.

Experience the BASIS Independent Manhattan difference!

Join us at one of our upcoming Fall Open Houses to meet Dr. C and the rest of our incredible teachers.
Upper School
Sunday, October 26
Grades 6–12, Chelsea Campus
10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Lower School
Saturday, October 25
PreK–5, UWS Campus
10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Save Your Spot Today

Our Entire Class of 2025 and Approximately 70% of High School Students Awarded AP Scholar Distinction

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At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we prioritize celebrating our students’ accomplishments. Today, we can proudly share that all members of our Class of 2025 and nearly 70% of our high school students qualified as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars during their tenure at our school. Students move from AP Scholar to AP Scholar with Honor and then AP Scholar with Distinction. With the 2025 scores, BASIS Independent Brooklyn students earned the highest-ever average AP test score of 3.94 as well as the highest-ever passing rate of 94%.

“We reached a milestone this year with every one of our seniors receiving an honor of AP Scholar or higher this year at BASIS Independent Brooklyn,” said Josh Harmon, Head of School for BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Upper School. “When looking at all students in grades 9-12, our students earned the highest average score yet of 3.94 across all the exams and a pass rate of 94%. This is possible due to a number of factors: the strong drive of our students, an outstanding curriculum that spirals through the years, the expertise of our teachers, and the overall support offered by our faculty and Student Affairs team.”

AP Scholar awards recognize students who have demonstrated both a depth and breadth of knowledge and whose work has shown college-level mastery across multiple disciplines. The College Board awards the following distinctions for AP exams, and we have students who have achieved all levels.

AP Scholar: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.

AP Scholar with Honors: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more exams, and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken.

AP Scholar with Distinction: students who received a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken.

Nationwide, only about 10% of students earn the distinction of AP Scholar or higher by the time they graduate (based on historic data provided by the College Board). We are thrilled to share some of the top accomplishments here:

80 students in our high school were named AP Scholar (or higher distinctions), representing approximately 67% of our high school, after the exams were taken in May 2025.

Approximately 63% of our seniors received the AP Scholar with Distinction, the highest award offered by the College Board.

Congratulations to all our students who have earned an AP Scholar Award for their performance on the exams during their High School tenure. See the full list of student recipients updated to include the 2025 results below:

AP Scholar: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.

Victor Bergman-B. ’25

Dana B. ’26

Matthias B. ’25

Leo B. ’25

Leonardo C. ’27

Joaquim H. ’26

Gabriel H. ’26

Rachel K. ’25

Ethan L. ’27

Summer L. ’26

William M. ’28

Hendrix. N. ’25

Jason P. ’25

Saajan P. ’26

Ishan P. ’28

Julia R. ’28

Gabe S. ’26

Willa S. ’27

Sasha T. ’25

Vivian W. ’27

Victor Y. ’27

Erica Z. ’26

AP Scholar with Honors: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more AP exams and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken. Nationwide, only about 6% of students will graduate high school with this degree of recognition or higher. Nearly all of these honorees have done so well before graduation.

Bodhi D. ’27

Laith J. ’25

Audrey L. ’27

Viola L. ’25

Noah N. ’27

Nolan S. ’27

Isabella Y. ’27

AP Scholar with Distinction: Students who have a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken. These students have already completed at least a semester’s worth of college credit while still in high school. Only about 4% of graduating seniors nationwide receive this award, and less than 1/10th of 1% of students receive it after sophomore year.

Overall, in our high school, more than 50 students received this honor:

Wyatt A. ’26

Orsen A. ’27

Iris Autier-B. ’27

Maya B. ’27

Philip B. ’26

Henry B. ’27

Jack C. ’25

Nathaniel C. ’26

Mia C. ’26

Nicolas D. ’25

Colin D. ’25

Axel F. ’25

Petra G. ’27

Alexa G. ’26

Abraham G. ’27

Douglas H. ’27

Archie H. ’26

Maxwell H. ’25

Mateo K. ’25

Sofia K. ’27

Katherine K. ’26

Lianna L. ’26

Aidan L. ’25

Harrison L. ’27

Thomas M. ’25

Sabrina M. ’26

Varick M. ’27

Maddox M. ’25

Sefir O. ’26

Talin P. ’26

Crosby P. ’27

Gustavo P. ’25

Kanika R. ’26

Noah R. ’26

James R. ’25

Skye S. ’25

Zahra S. ’26

Hudson S. ’27

Nadia S. ’25

Xinyi S. ’26

Bowen S. ’27

Gregory S. ’26

Maxim S. ’25

William S. ’27

Hugo S. ’27

Jasmine S. ’26

Indi S. ’27

Olivia S. ’27

Ryan T. ’25

Beckham V. ’26

River W. ’26

Photo (above): Our Class of 2026 posing with Head of School Josh Harmon and College Counselor Matt Brauch.

Please join us in congratulating our Bears!

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.

BASIS Independent Bothell is Open

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It’s finally here. The opening of the brand-new BASIS Independent School in Bothell was announced over a year ago, in January of 2024. Since then, countless individuals have worked countless hours to launch the school. 

On September 10, 2025, all of the hard work, dedication, and intensive thought culminated on the first day of school, welcoming over 230 students into the building for the first time. Our founding class of Kindergarten – 7th Graders has the opportunity to carve out a culture, create traditions, and build a legacy that will remain for every class to follow.  

“The journey of getting this school started has been one of the most interesting, complicated, and enjoyable projects I have ever undertaken. Over the past 18 months, I have been privileged to welcome hundreds of parents and students to our community and hire dozens of teachers and administrators to help make this a welcoming place for all our students. Throughout it all, we have all been united under our shared commitment to our students and ensuring that we can provide a space where they can thrive and meet their potential. Now that our doors are open, I feel so privileged to walk into classrooms where that is happening every single day”. Robert Runyon, Head of School

Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of our community next year.  

Visit our School

Meet Our Teachers: Featured Educators from Our Community

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This month, our annual Meet the Teacher Night brought BASIS Independent Fremont families together to explore our campus and gain valuable insights into the learning environment that shapes their children’s educational experience. Our teachers opened their classroom doors wide, sharing their passion for education and giving parents that coveted “inside scoop” on what makes learning at BASIS Independent Fremont so special. While Meet the Teacher Night gave a taste of what’s in store, we wanted to take this opportunity to dive deeper and introduce you to three of our exceptional teachers who are making a tremendous impact on our students’ lives.

Getting to Know Our Incredible Educators

Mr. Kasper: Engineering Wonder and Curiosity

Our beloved Engineering Subject Expert Teacher for grades TK–4, Mr. Kasper, has been a cornerstone of our school community for years. His passion for education was cultivated during 17 years of teaching in South Korea, where he discovered his true calling working with elementary students.

What makes Mr. Kasper truly special is his infectious curiosity—the same quality he loves nurturing in his students. “I love teaching because every question from a curious child and every spark of creativity in their work reminds me that learning is not just about answers—it’s about the joy of discovery,” he shares.

In his Engineering classes, students dive into the Engineering Design Process, tackling age-appropriate projects that seamlessly blend math, science, and technology. Through hands-on, real-world challenges, our young engineers learn how to solve problems with tangible benefits while developing crucial STEM literacy skills.

Ms. Bhora: Individualized Excellence in Our New Role

This year, we’re thrilled to introduce Ms. Bhora in her new position as our Specialist Expert Teacher—a role we created specifically to enhance individualized instruction across subjects. After serving as an exceptional Grade 3 Learning Expert Teacher, Ms. Bhora was the natural choice for this important position.

With over 13 years of teaching experience and five years as part of our BASIS Independent Fremont family, Ms. Bhora brings a wealth of expertise to her new role, focusing on academic enrichment in math and English, intervention programs, and support for our Learning Expert Teachers.

“The beautiful thing about working one-on-one is that every student’s path looks different. My job is to help them discover their own way to reach their goals,” Ms. Bhora explains, perfectly capturing the essence of personalized learning.

Ms. Bhora’s approach creates exactly what she believes children need most: a safe, loving, nurturing, and challenging environment where every student can thrive.

Ms. Vicky: Bringing Mandarin to Life

New to our campus this year, Ms. Vicky joins us as one of our Mandarin Subject Expert Teachers, bringing over 20 years of experience in language education and an infectious passion for making Mandarin accessible and exciting.

Born and raised in Taiwan, with educational roots in New Zealand and nearly two decades of experience in the U.S., Ms. Vicky brings a truly global perspective to her classroom. Her expertise spans from preschool through 9th grade, and she’s even the co-founder of the “Fun Learning Mandarin” YouTube channel.

“Starting somewhere new is always an adventure, but the enthusiasm I see from students here makes me confident we’re going to build something amazing together,” Ms. Vicky shares with the optimism that defines her teaching approach.

Through songs, stories, games, and hands-on activities, Ms. Vicky creates an immersive Mandarin experience that connects students not just to language skills but to the rich culture and customs of Mandarin-speaking regions.

Our Meet the Teacher Night was just the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary year of learning, discovery, and growth. These three educators, along with all our incredible teachers, are ready to inspire, challenge, and support every student on their unique educational journey.

Here’s to a year filled with curious questions, creative sparks, and amazing discoveries!

Learn more about our world-class educators here.

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

Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year for Academic Excellence

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We are thrilled to celebrate a truly outstanding year of academic achievement at BASIS Independent Manhattan, as our students have once again surpassed expectations on their Advanced Placement (AP) exams and earned significant recognition from the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

This year’s results are a testament to our students’ dedication and our teachers’ commitment to fostering a culture of excellence. We are incredibly proud to announce that 69% of our AP test-taking students received AP Scholar Awards, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates consistent growth since our first AP exam administration.

By the Numbers: Our Students Continue to Excel

The achievements of our students speak for themselves:

  • 35 students have earned AP Scholar Awards across various categories.
  • 4 juniors have received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.
  • Our students’ average AP score was an impressive 4.28 out of 5, significantly higher than the overall average for the rest of the country and abroad, which was 3.12.
graphic showing average ap score and number of ap scholars

A Track Record of Growth and Success

Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in the steady growth of our AP Scholar recognition year after year. The number of students receiving these prestigious awards has consistently grown since our first AP exam administration.

  • 2022-2023: 47% of test-takers were recognized as AP Scholars
  • 2023-2024: 51% of test-takers were recognized
  • 2024-2025: 69% of test-takers were recognized

“The year-over-year increase in how many of our students are honored as AP Scholars is a fantastic representation of the BASIS Independent Manhattan program and the teachers who deliver our curriculum,” said Ms. Cyndriel Meimban, Director of Academic Programs. “Hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity have enabled them to excel at the highest levels of academic achievement, and we are incredibly proud of their outstanding accomplishments on the AP Exams.”

This upward trend is a clear indicator of our students’ rising potential and the strength of our rigorous academic program.

Recognizing Our Scholars

We would like to celebrate every one of our students who worked tirelessly to achieve these results. Their hard work and determination are truly inspiring.

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

  • Maxfield S.
  • Sean F.
  • Symir T.
  • Zixi Y.
national merit scholarship commended students
AP ScholarAP Scholar with HonorAP Scholar with Distinction
Daniel C. (Gr. 10)Joshua Ag. (Gr. 10)Finn B. (Gr. 10)
Anderson C. (Gr. 10)Aidan B. (Gr. 10)Stella C. (Gr. 11)
Isabella D. (Gr. 10)Yujia (Zoe) G. (Gr. 10)Charles D. (Gr. 11)
Or H-U. (Gr. 10)Saira K. (Gr. 10)Sean F. (Gr. 11)
Julia N. (Gr. 11)Lucia M. (Gr. 10)Eli F. (Gr. 11)
Evan N. (Gr. 10)Apostolos R. (Gr. 10)Felix H. (Gr. 10)
Julien N. (Gr. 10)Charles S. (Gr. 10)Kaylee H. (Gr. 10)
Uliana T. (Gr. 10)Andrew S. (Gr. 11)Arry J. (Gr. 12) + AP Capstone Diploma
Lola O. (Gr. 11)
Marcus P. (Gr. 12) + AP Capstone Diploma
Maximilian R-J. (Gr. 11)
Dashiell S. (Gr. 11)
Maxfield S. (Gr. 11)
Alex S. (Gr. 10)
Joshua (J.J.) S. (Gr. 10)
Symir T. (Gr. 11)
Amelie W. (Gr. 10)
Zixi Y. (Gr. 11)
Isabella (Izzy) Z. (Gr. 10)

Congratulations once more to these bright minds and the supportive teachers and families who have helped them along the way. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success!

Interested in learning more about our program? We invite you to visit our school at an upcoming Fall Open House on October 25 (PreK–5) and October 26 (Gr. 6–12) or contact our Admissions team to see if BASIS Independent Manhattan is the right fit for you.

BASIS Independent Manhattan, a private school offering PreK through Grade 12, is based in Manhattan, New York. Students thrive alongside Subject Expert Teachers as they engage in a liberal arts program with STEM offerings. 

BASIS Independent Brooklyn Students Honored by National Merit Scholarship Corporation

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Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) just released the names of Semifinalists and Commended Scholars in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including 9 BASIS Independent Brooklyn students. Alexa G., Kanika R., and River W. ’26 were named as Semifinalists and will continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. Along with our semi-finalists, we proudly celebrate 6 Commended Scholars recognized by NMSC.

Photographed above: Left to right – Beckham V. ‘26, Noah R. ‘26, Head of School Harmon, Director Forde, College Counselor Brauch, Associate Head of School Yoon, Dean Robbins, Gregory S. ‘26, Philip B. ’26. Seated left to right: Sabrina M. ‘26, Alexa G. ‘26, and Kanika R. ’26.
2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists: Left to right – Alexa G. ‘26, Kanika R. ‘26, and River W. ’26.

High school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 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.

“I am incredibly proud of our National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars,” said Josh Harmon, Head of School at BASIS Independent Brooklyn Upper School. “Their achievements are the result of the hard work and motivation they bring to school each day. It’s wonderful to see such diligent students and positive classmates recognized for such a prestigious achievement.”

While we could talk for hours about each and every one of our seniors, we wanted to share a brief overview of the students recognized by NMSC.

· Commended Scholar Philip B. ’26 is a founding member of our school’s High School FIRST Robotics Team, a founding member of our DECA chapter, and a member of our men’s Varsity Soccer team, which made the league playoffs every year he was a member. Philip is a proud member of our Science Team that won first place in the New York State Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) last year. He is also a founding student at our school, joining us right when our doors opened in the fall of 2014.

· Semifinalist Alexa G. ’26 is the founder and president of our French Honor Society, helping to reinforce a love of the language and French culture at our school. She has taught guitar at the Red Hook Art Project since her freshman year, and this past summer, Alexa interned with a music therapist and conducted research on ways music could improve the lives of patients with dementia. She has played on the Varsity Volleyball team, helping the team make the league playoffs each of her four years, and this year she is leading the Yearbook Club with her peers. She is also a founding student at our school, joining in grade 1.

· Commended Scholar Sabrina M. ’26 envisioned and built a website for our school’s chapter of the National Honor Society to streamline the process of connecting students with teachers in our school when they need help. That tool has made a huge difference in students’ abilities to make a difference and be of service at our school. She’s also a proud member of our school’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the math honors society. Sabrina is also a founding member of our FIRST Robotics Team, and she led the marketing efforts in the competitions.

· Commended Scholar Sefi O. ’26 co-founded our school’s FIRST Robotics Team and was instrumental in helping them win the Inspire Award in last year’s competition. Sefi was the driving force in establishing the team, recruiting members, and preparing for competitions last year.

· Semifinalist Kanika R. ’26 is editor-in-chief of our student news site The Grizzly, a leader in our International Student Journalism Society chapter, and president of our National Honor Society. Kanika is a proud member of our Science Team that won first place in the New York State Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) last year. She also founded the JASA chapter at our school, focused on helping underserved seniors in the New York City area.

· Commended Scholar Noah R. ’26 is an active Science Team member who helped lead the team to a first-place finish in the New York State Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) last year. He has worked hard to mentor younger students through the years. Noah is also a leader of our math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta.

· Commended Scholar Gregory S. ’26 co-founded our inaugural DECA club and went to the state championships this past year. He is the Vice President of our High School Leadership Team, and co-founded our school’s Jewish Affinity Club, where he delivered presentations and created events to educate his peers about Jewish culture and history in his first two years in our high school.

· Commended Scholar Beckham V. ’26 is a leader on the cross-country and indoor and outdoor Varsity Track Teams. He is recognized for winning awards and helping establish and build the teams at our school. He is a proud member of our Science Team that took home 1st place in the New York State TEAMS competition! He was a founding student at our school, joining in grade 1!

· Semifinalist River W. ‘26 co-founded the DECA chapter at our school and competed in the State Championship last year. She was a driving force on our Science Bowl team that won the TEAMS competition. River spent the last year working in computational oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering and has published in academic journals. River has proudly won track awards for the Varsity Track Team, and she is a science columnist for our student news site, The Grizzly. She was also one of the founding students at our school, joining in grade 1 in fall 2014.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, more than 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 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. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February, they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Network Results

Across our network of BASIS Independent Schools, we are celebrating 65 Semifinalists this year. Each state has different cutoff scores for honors, and our BASIS Independent Schools are located in some of the most competitive states—CA, NY, and VA—for semifinalist qualification. This achievement represents nearly one-third of the combined graduating class across our five high schools in California, New York, and Virginia—up from 25% last year.

On behalf of all BASIS Independent Schools, we are so proud of you – and of all of our students – for your continual academic achievements both big and small. Please join us in congratulating our Bears!

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, please click here.

A Legacy of Excellence: 1 out of 4 Seniors Honored as 2025 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

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One out of every four of our seniors across the BASIS Independent Schools network have been named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists! The impressive achievements across our high school campuses in California, New York, and Virginia underscore our institution’s academic standards, comprehensive approach to education, and excellence in student outcomes.

Four students from BASIS Independent in McLean, Natasha A., Ian P., Vincenzo T., and Gavin W. were selected as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognized a total of 46 students from BASIS Independent Schools as semifinals! These exceptionally talented high school seniors now have the chance to advance in the competition for approximately 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, collectively worth nearly $26 million, which will be awarded next spring.

At BASIS Independent Schools, we ignite student potential with an internationally inspired curriculum, passionate educators, and countless opportunities for growth both inside and outside the classroom. Our students’ success not only highlights their exceptional talent and hard work but also serves as a testament to the supportive and enriching academic environment we cultivate. Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools expressed, “These outstanding results are a reflection of the incredibly talented student body at BASIS Independent Schools as well as the planning, instruction, and inspiration provided by their Subject Expert Teachers each and every day.”

As we celebrate this incredible accomplishment, we remain committed to shaping the leaders, innovators, and thinkers of tomorrow. Congratulations to our National Merit Scholar Semifinalists — your achievements inspire us all!

Learn more about BASIS Independent Schools by joining our interest list today!

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 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. 

First Week in Review – Kicking off the 2025-2026 School Year!

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Our BASIS Independent Bellevue Mountaineers have made their mighty return to school for the start of a brand new year! We welcomed both returning and new students, eager to take on new classes, meet new friends, and learn about our extracurricular offerings.

On Monday, August 25 we kicked off the week with Orientation, where we welcomed both parents and students to the campus for a chance to learn everything they’ll need to know for a successful school year. Parents were ushered to the gym for a presentation from our Administrative Team which covered topics like AP scores, traffic procedures, lunch options, and best practices for getting in touch with our teachers. The Admin at BASIS Independent Bellevue understand the importance of partnering with parents through our students’ educational journeys and work to be transparent and communicative starting from the very beginning of the school year. This paves the way for an ongoing partnership that drives student success.

While parents were in the gym with the Admin, our students were participating in an Orientation of their own. Teachers were all hands on deck with students, conducting fun ice breakers, running through schedules, practicing fire and emergency procedures, and hosting campus tours. By the end of the day, students left with their locker assignments, new school schedules, and a sense of empowerment to take on the year ahead!

Tuesday, August 26 was our first official day of school, though for BASIS Independent Bellevue, our first day of school is always a half day. We want to ensure that our students are able to navigate the campus and begin forming relationships with their teachers and peers before jumping into content. This is especially important, as each year brings us many new students who we want to feel comfortable and supported in their new school community. We utilize this half day to allow students the time to set up their lockers, find all their classes using their schedule, and meet their teachers.

At noon, as classes came to an end, we welcomed parents back on campus to pick up their children and attend our annual Extracurricular Fair! The Extracurricular Fair is an opportunity for our teachers and club advisors to set up booths and recruit for the clubs and programs, while enjoying treats from local food trucks and games in our field. This year, we are offering over 90 extracurricular opportunities between the fall, winter, and spring season. For a look into some of this year’s offerings, click here .

Wednesday, August 27, marked the very first full day of school. Our students were faced with navigating the campus on their own for the first time, making it to classes on time, meeting new peers in the lunch room, and diving head first into content with their teachers. Our teachers are part of what truly makes BASIS Independent Bellevue unique. Each of them are talented and committed to their craft in different ways, and this passion shows itself in the classroom in a variety of ways. For example, Mr. Dowers, our Latin teacher who joined us this year from BASIS Peoria, wore full Roman garb all day long while he introduced Latin to his students!

On Thursday, our Administrative Team did one final round of special introductions. This year, we welcomed a brand new full section of grade 5 students, which meant that we have more new students in grade 5 than any other grade. Because of this, we wanted to ensure that all of these new students learned who each of the members of the Administrative Team was, so they understood who to go to for support on campus. During Academic Enrichment time, the Admin Team circulated between the grade 5 classes to introduce themselves and meet the new students.

By Friday, both returning and new students had adjusted to their new school year, familiar with teachers and staff and ready to take on the year ahead. We can’t wait to see what our Mountaineers will accomplish during the 2025-2026 school year!

How to: the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) Assessment 

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Starting this year, BASIS Independent Bothell will align with many of our peer institutions by requiring Grades 2-9 applicants to submit their ISEE scores in place of our own BASIS Independent Schools exam.  Let’s go through our most frequently asked questions in understanding the ISEE and how to sign up! 

How can I sign my student up for the ISEE? 
There are a variety of in-person locations at which your student can take the ISEE. While testing fees, format, and the registration process may vary, the test itself remains uniform across all testing locations. To learn more about your ISEE testing options, please visit www.iseetest.org .  

Can my student take the ISEE at BASIS Independent Bothell? 
Yes! We will be proctoring the ISEE exam at our campus once in the Fall testing season and twice in the winter testing season. These testing dates will only be available to students who have applied to our school for the 2026-2027 school year. Once you apply, you will be able to see our unique “event code” on your Ravenna portal to sign up for our exam through the ISEE website.

How long does the ISEE take? 

See below for exam times. 

How often can my child take the ISEE? 
ERB allows your child to take the ISEE once per testing season, up to three times per school year. The seasons include Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March), and Spring/Summer (April-July). 

How many sets of scores can I submit to BASIS Independent Bothell?  
For Early Admissions (current siblings only), students can submit one set of scores from an ISEE taken between August 2025 and November 2025. For Regular Admissions, students can submit one set of scores from an ISEE taken between August 2025 and February 2026. No scores from before August 2025 will be accepted.  

Additionally, BASIS Independent Schools will only accept and consider one set of admission test scores per applicant. If we receive more than one set of test scores, we will only review the test scores from the chronologically earliest test date. 

Can students take the ISEE exam at a different location and share the results of the exam with BASIS Independent Bothell? 
Yes, if more convenient, students can take the exam at another testing site, and parents can share the results of their exam with us directly in their ERB Parent Portal.  

What forms of identification should my child bring to the test site on exam day? 
All students will be required to present their Verification Letter from ISEE to confirm the student’s name and ISEE ID Number, in addition to one of the approved forms of student identification below.  

Applicants to Grades 2 – 8 

• Birth Certificate 

• Social Security Card 

• School Report Card 

• Health Insurance Card 

Applicants to Grades 9 – 12 

• School ID 

• Passport or Green Card 

• State-Issued ID 

• Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit 

• Military Dependent ID 

• Visa 

• Global Entry Card 

• National Identity Card 

• Employment Authorization Card

How can my child prepare for the ISEE?  
ERB provides free online sample tests to help students familiarize themselves with the exam portal and question types. Sample tests can be found here 

How much does it cost to take the ISEE? 
The cost to take the ISEE varies based on both the testing method and your student’s grade level. Review full pricing details here. BASIS Independent Schools has no control or influence over the pricing of the ISEE. 

If you have any questions, email us at bothell.admissions@basisindependent.com or give us a call at 425-219-1116 

Helpful links for families: 

Senior Project Spotlight: Arry J. – Horizontal Gene Transfer in Microalgae for Wastewater Treatment

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At BASIS Independent Manhattan, senior year culminates in a transformative experience that prepares students for the independence and rigor of college academics. Seniors benefit from a daily college counseling class that supports every aspect of the application process—from building college lists to making final decisions. Throughout the year, students take a range of advanced courses, including AP classes and Capstone courses that allow them to explore subjects in greater depth. In the final trimester, students shift their focus to either the Senior Project or AP Research track—immersive, student-driven experiences that reflect their passions and equip them for success beyond high school.

The Senior Project Experience 

The BASIS Independent Manhattan Senior Project challenges students to move beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge to real-world topics. In their final trimester, students conduct independent research, collaborating with an internal faculty advisor and an external mentor. They develop a unique project that reflects their interests and career aspirations. Students blog regularly about their progress and conclude with a presentation to the school community. 

Alternatively, students enrolled in the AP Capstone program take on a two-year research commitment, starting with AP Seminar in Grade 11 and culminating in AP Research in Grade 12. These students conduct original investigations, collect and analyze data, and present their findings in a format similar to a university thesis. This pathway hones advanced research skills, critical thinking, effective communication, and scholarly inquiry. 

Senior Spotlight: Arry J. 

Arry J. (Class of 2025) embodies the spirit of independent inquiry. His AP Research project, “Exploring the Potential for Horizontal Gene Transfer to Enhance Microalgal Efficiency in Wastewater Treatment,” dove into the world of environmental biotechnology. Arry’s work focused on increasing microalgal cell wall permeability to improve gene transfer from bacteria, potentially leading to breakthroughs in sustainable wastewater treatment. 

Despite limited lab access, Arry demonstrated creativity and determination. He transformed his kitchen into a functional workspace and improvised with household tools to conduct microbiological experiments. His project reflects not only scientific ambition but also the core outcomes of our program: resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving. 

Reflecting on the experience, Arry shared, “The biggest surprise for me was realizing how little I knew about the topic. I always thought of myself as pretty biology-oriented. I chose my topic based on biology; however, as I conducted more research, I realized that every subject has numerous small niches, and you have to dive deep to understand most aspects. This is what surprised me because I didn’t realize just how complicated every little thing is.” 

He also recalled the satisfaction of scientific success after initial setbacks: “When doing my project, I ordered everything to my house, and was growing a safe strain of E. coli in my bedroom. My first trial didn’t work. There was no growth on any of the plates. However, I then repeated the entire process, refining some steps and conducting additional research. The second time, it worked! By work, I mean I genetically engineered E. coli to glow in the dark, and it glowed in the dark. I thought that was cool and pretty incredible… and I’m proud of my work.” 

Real Science, Real Impact 

Arry’s project is a powerful example of what BASIS Independent Manhattan students are capable of: research that combines intellectual passion with real-world relevance.  His weeks of late-night incubation checks, improvised lab equipment, and glowing bacterial colonies prove him to be a capable student and a budding scientist. Through the AP Research program, Arry developed a deeper understanding of microbiology along with resilience, resourcefulness, and the analytical skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. 

Preparing Students for the Future 

Whether through an AP Research or Senior Project, our students take ownership of their learning, preparing them for higher education and real-world impact. These projects foster academic independence, deepen subject matter expertise, and give students a platform to explore professional interests before graduation. 

Arry’s work—like that of his peers—reinforces how the high school at BASIS Independent Manhattan can be a launching point for meaningful, original contributions to today’s most pressing challenges. This fall, after being accepted into 11 of the nation’s top 25 universities, Arry will bring that same spirit of inquiry and impact to the University of California, Berkeley.

Curious to Learn More? 

Explore Arry’s full blog and follow the work of other BASIS Independent Manhattan seniors here: Senior Projects at BASIS Independent Manhattan.