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April Open Houses – Top Ranked PreK-12 Private School in Brooklyn

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Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are sending our seniors off to conduct their Senior Projects and planning for upcoming spring arts festivals. The other special part of spring is that our Rolling Admissions Cycle is in full swing. This means one thing for BASIS Independent Brooklyn – our Spring Open Houses! Open Houses are considered the greatest way for your family to get to know our BASIS Independent Brooklyn community, making them some of the best events of our year. Come see for yourself how we are redefining education at BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s two campuses!

Please join us in person at one of our Open Houses on Saturday, April 12 (Grades 3-12) and Saturday, April 26th (PreK–Grade 2). Click here to register!

What to Expect:

For both Open Houses, doors will open at 9:40 AM ET, and the event will last approximately until 12:00 PM ET. We welcome you to register and attend even if you are not able to participate in the entire event. Students are encouraged to join us, as well.

Open Houses begin with an Introduction and an Open House Overview. They include a parent and student panel where you will be able to hear from current BASIS Independent Brooklyn families. Families will also be able to tour the campus while visiting classrooms. Please review the details below for additional information regarding the structure of each Open House: 

Grades 3-12: Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 AM ET

The Primary Program: Grades 3-5

Visit our Learning Expert and Subject Expect Teachers to learn about our unique two-teacher model (for Grades 3 and 4). From math and science to humanities, Mandarin, music, and more, find out how we support students in developing study skills and spark a lifelong love of learning. You will also have the chance to learn about how these bridge years encourage autonomy, creativity, and confidence to help prepare your student for Middle School. 

The Middle School Program: Grades 6-8 

In the Middle School Program, we focus on developing the academic, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills needed for success in the high school years. Hear from our Subject Expert Teachers about how they inspire excellence inside and outside of the classroom. Plus, learn about our many athletic and academic competition teams, clubs, international trips, and more.

The High School Program: Grades 9-12

Educating tomorrow’s great innovators, pioneers, and leaders requires a well-rounded curriculum–one with breadth and depth across academic disciplines. Meet students, faculty, and administrators as you and your child learn about high school at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, including our unique Senior Year program.

Refreshments

We will have light refreshments for the whole family at the Open House. After the Open House, we invite you to stop by our Primary School Fine Arts Festival alongside our Grades 3-5 students and families.

PreK–Grade 2: Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM ET

PreK & Kindergarten

Learn about our Early Learning Program, where our youngest students grow. Hear from teachers, administrators, and parents about how BASIS Independent Brooklyn Lower School fosters curiosity, exploration, and creativity. Our passionate Subject Expert Teachers will show you what a day in the life looks like as they lead mini-lessons in their vibrant rooms.

Grades 1-2 

Visit with our Learning Expert and Subject Expect Teachers to learn about our unique two-teacher model. From math and science to humanities, Mandarin, music, and more, find out how we support students in developing study skills and spark a lifelong love of learning. Our Subject Expert Teachers will lead mini-lessons to help you get a feel for the engaging activities that take place in the classrooms. These sessions will also help you understand the transition to our Upper School campus in Grade 3.  

Don’t miss this interactive experience! Click here to register for our Spring Open Houses. As you get ready for the spring and end of the school year, we hope you choose to spend some of your time with us, getting to know our wonderful community.

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Warmly,

Ms. Thea LaCrosse
Director of Admissions | BASIS Independent Brooklyn
thea.lacrosse@basisindependent.com

April Open House: Top NYC PreK-12 Private School for Liberal Arts & STEM

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Are you seeking an exceptional education experience for your child in Manhattan? Whether you are interested in exploring an innovative and balanced PreK-12 Liberal Arts and STEM program, meeting our passionate Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, or connecting with our talented students and supportive parents, our April Open Houses are the perfect opportunity to discover education redefined.

Experience education beyond expectations – Where students take the lead:
Our Open Houses will provide you with a comprehensive overview of our school. We will start with a presentation about our visionary founding story and the redefining BASIS Curriculum. Families will get a peek into the supportive culture and unique student experience that makes BASIS Independent Manhattan Wildcats stand out.

Meet our Teachers while touring our Campus:
Embark on a tour of our campuses as you meet our passionate, expert teachers and hear firsthand how they engage with students to elevate learning and critical thinking to help them uncover their potential. From Lower School to Upper School, you will see how our engaging, hands-on approach fosters a love for learning and prepares students for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Discover Our Wildcat Spirit:
Meet current students and parents to hear about their experiences and why they love being part of the BASIS Independent Manhattan community. Get a true feel for what it means to be a Wildcat!


Visit us during our April Open Houses:


Lower School: PreK – Grade 5

Sunday, April 27 at 10:00 AM
795 Columbus Avenue (Upper West Side)
New York, NY


Upper School: Grades 6 – 12

Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM
556 West 22nd Street (Chelsea)
New York, NY

Register for our Open House Today!


Our BASIS Independent Manhattan Wildcat community is thrilled to welcome you to our campuses this April! Meet our dedicated Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, connect with campus leadership, bring your top questions for our parent and student ambassadors, and experience Education Redefined at one of NYC’s top private schools.

We’ve Got a Seat for You—Rolling Admission Cycle is Open!

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It has been an exciting 2025–2026 admission season at BASIS Independent McLean, and it’s not quite over. Our Rolling Admissions Cycle is open.  

Applications for the 2025–2026 school year are being accepted on an ongoing basis until all remaining seats are filled. We continue to accept applications for Toddler–Grade 10.  

What does this mean for you? 

  • There’s Still Time: Submitting an application early in the Rolling Admission Cycle improves the likelihood of securing a spot in our program as spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Rolling Admissions Decisions: Applications submitted in the rolling admission cycle will be reviewed as soon as they are complete. We will begin releasing decisions on or around March 20, and we will continue to provide decisions within 5–7 business days thereafter.

What next?

We are excited to begin this process with you and look forward to introducing you to our Red-Tailed Hawk community!  

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to our Admissions team at mclean-admissions@basisindependent.com

 

Rolling Admissions: Secure Your Seat for Fall 2025 Today! 

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We are excited to announce that our Rolling Admissions Application Cycle for BASIS Independent Manhattan is officially open! 

This means that applications for the 2025 – 2026 school year are now being accepted on an ongoing basis until all remaining spaces are filled. We continue to accept applications for PreK – Grade 10.  

What does this mean for you? 

  • Winter and Spring Admissions Decisions: As soon as your application is complete and after Regular Admissions Notifications in February, our Admissions Team will begin notifying you of our admissions decision within five business days.  
  • Secure Your Spot: Early Rolling Applicants have a greater chance of securing a place in our program, as spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying earlier makes a difference! 

Next Steps 

We are excited to begin this process with you and look forward to introducing you to the Wildcat Community!  

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to our Admissions team at manhattan-admissions@basisindependent.com

Rolling Admissions: Secure Your Seat for Fall 2025 Today! 

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We are excited to announce that our Rolling Admissions Application Cycle for BASIS Independent Brooklyn is officially open! 

This means that applications for the 2025 – 2026 school year are now being accepted on an ongoing basis until all remaining spaces are filled. We continue to accept applications for PreK – Grade 10.  

What does this mean for you? 

  • Winter and Spring Admissions Decisions: As soon as your application is complete and after Regular Admissions Notifications in February, our Admissions Team will begin notifying you of our admissions decision within five business days.  
  • Secure Your Spot: Early Rolling Applicants have a greater chance of securing a place in our program, as spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying earlier makes a difference! 

Next Steps 

We are excited to begin this process with you and look forward to introducing you to the Bear Community!  

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to our Admissions team at brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com

Our Final Open Houses of the Season are Here!

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We are overjoyed to welcome you to our campuses for our final in-person Open Houses this January! This event is a great way to learn more about our program before or after submitting your application! At this time we are accepting applications for TK – Grade 9 for Fall 2025.

For a comprehensive breakdown of our admissions process, consult the 2025 Admissions Guide also posted to our blog. The Regular Admissions deadline for TK-Grade 9 is fast approaching on January 22, 2025!

We have two Open Houses for families on Sunday, January 12, 2025. This includes an Lower school open house at 10:00 AM and an Upper school open house at 1:30 PM. 

Continue reading for more details.

Attending an Open House is the best way for prospective families to learn more about our liberal arts and sciences curriculum with advanced STEM offerings, meet our Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, hear from parents of currently enrolled students, and meet current Bumblebees and Yellow Jackets! 

We are so excited to speak with you and share everything our school and community has to offer! 

In-person Open House Details:

Students are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Referral Program

As a token of our appreciation for helping to build our community, your family will receive tuition credit for each new family referred to and enrolled at BASIS Independent Fremont. 

Click here to learn more!

Have questions? Please email the Admissions Team or call 510.775.5822.

BASIS Independent Fremont is a grades TK-12 private school based in Fremont, California, providing students an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum. 

Shark Tank Sparks Innovation at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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Hey Sharks… Welcome to BASIS Independent Manhattan!

What does a TV show where stuffy millionaires scour the cerebral seas for tasty new ideas have to do with students at BASIS Independent Manhattan? Turns out, the Shark Tank formula is the perfect intersection between drama, English, and engineering, three subjects that our elementary school students happen to excel in.

Gearing up for our very own Shark Tank

When we announced the annual, interdisciplinary Shark Tank project at our private school on the Upper West Side, the grade 4 students were thrilled. They quickly began to scheme up idea after idea to pitch. But there was still a lot that needed to happen before our little entrepreneurs would be ready for the big day. Our top-ranked teachers got right to work.

Starting on the STEM side, students used the engineering design process to brainstorm and develop their inventions. Engineering Subject Expert Teacher Ms. Delaney explained how this unfolded in her class: “The first step was to guide students through drafting detailed blueprints to transform their ideas into reality. Once we identified their most innovative designs, the class collaborated to create working prototypes they were excited to pitch to the Sharks.” 

Shark Tank display of photos and inventions

Moving along to English, this is where students wrote persuasive essays with a strong hook, crucial supporting details, and a concise conclusion. Ms. Lauten (English Subject Expert Teacher, Gr. 4–5) said, “It was important that students understood the connection between their writing and their upcoming Shark Tank presentation, By using these components of a persuasive essay, it was a smooth process pulling out the strongest elements to craft a compelling oral pitch.”

Time for the last leg of the project! In drama students honed their public speaking skills. Ms. Boscolo (Drama Subject Expert Teacher) worked with them on projection, posture, eye contact, and enunciation. She went on to say, “These skills not only enhance public speaking, performing, and presenting, but they also boost individual self-confidence.” It was evident students learned that a solid presentation could make all the difference between sealing the deal or walking home empty-handed.

Learning to manage those pre-pitch jitters

As the looming day drew closer, students’ nerves increased. Here are a few ways our expert teachers supported students throughout the process:

  • Talked about using a growth mindset to approach challenges with resilience and confidence.
  • Focused on learning from feedback and seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
  • A special lesson led by our School Counselor emphasized the value of maintaining a positive attitude and believing in one’s abilities.
  • Teachers gave students strategies to help them stay calm under pressure, using their emotions as motivation for success rather than a reason to give up.

The Big Day

One by one, our young entrepreneurs proudly stood to pitch their ideas, all of which were incredible. Here are a few highlights:

  • “Tweet,” by Morgan, is a pencil case that has games, music, and lots of other things attached to it. Morgan explained how Tweet can make life more fun and give us easier access to technology.
  • Ryder pitched “The Lingle Bingle,” a powerful, cheap, GPS tracker that can work anywhere in the world.
  • “The Reminder Watch,” pitched by Ella, is a watch that glows and vibrates whenever the wearer has forgotten something. And the best part? The Reminder Watch comes in many different shapes and patterns. 😊 Each of our students pitched something that we were proud of.

Success for all

BASIS Independent Manhattan takes great pride in being a top-ranked liberal arts school. We also understand the importance of balancing rigorous academics, such as STEM, with joyful learning. Through interdisciplinary and real-world lessons, like the Shark Tank project, we prepare our students to be inquisitive, solution-oriented collaborative problem solvers.

We are proud of our young entrepreneurs for thinking outside the box and showcasing their innovations!

We invite you to learn more about our Wildcat community at one of our upcoming admissions events. Interested in joining us for the 2025-2026 school year? Our rolling application cycle is now open — apply here!

Fall 2025: What to Expect at Your In-Person Entrance Exam

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At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a willingness to work hard, with an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where a love of learning is developed, academics are celebrated, and students engage in a joyous environment! To both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process. 


What is the Entrance Exam? 

The BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam is part of the admissions process for students applying for grades 2–10 for Fall 2025. Its results show us concepts understood, and concepts not yet understood for the grade level they are applying for. All grade 2-10 applicants will take this Entrance Exam. 


How is your Entrance Exam conducted? 

Entrance Exams will be conducted in person on our campuses this admissions season. Staff members proctor the paper and pencil, timed exam. 
 

What is a passing score on the Entrance Exam? 

This exam is not pass or fail. Given that the exam is diagnostic in nature, we consider it to be just one part of our comprehensive admissions process, along with all the other application requirements.  
 

How will I learn the results of the Entrance Exam? 

We do not share exam results with applicants or parents. 
 

Do you require students to take the ISEE or other similar outside exams? Do you accept these scores?  

We do not require the ISEE, HSPT, or SSAT, nor will the Admissions Team accept or review these scores. All grade 2–10 applicants are required to take the BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam.  
 
 
What is on the Entrance Exam? 

Our Entrance Exam covers three topics: Math, English/Language Arts, and Writing. The content of these exams is created based on the material needed for the grade students are applying for. 

Math: Students will be presented with a set of open-ended math questions based on their incoming grade level and the BASIS Curriculum Schools program. Exam length: 40 minutes.  

English/Language Arts: Students will be presented with reading comprehension and grammar multiple-choice questions. Students will read short passages and then answer questions to assess their comprehension, as well as their knowledge of words in context, literary devices, etc. Students will also be presented with grammar questions that will ask them to correct sentences or identify parts of speech. Exam length: 30 minutes.  

Writing: Students will be presented with an essay prompt and asked to write a response. Exam length: 30 minutes.  
 
 

How long does the Entrance Exam take? 

In total, we ask for families to allow two hours. Students have 100 minutes to complete the exam. These two hours will allow enough time for the proctor to take attendance, read the instructions, and for all students to complete all three parts of the exam.  We commonly find middle and high school applicants take the full time, but for grades 5 and below, it can vary from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. 
 
 

How should my student prepare academically for the exam? 

Preparation is not necessary. We want students to focus on their current academics at their current school and not study for or stress over an exam they will never know the results of. The exam is used by the Admissions Team and Head of School to find out where your student is, academically speaking. As BASIS Independent Schools offers an advanced curriculum, it is completely normal for your child to encounter some challenging or unknown concepts on our exam.  
 
 

What should my student bring to the exam? 

Students are required to bring their own pencils and erasers. Admissions will have extra pencils and erasers if needed, but students should not depend on using them. Students are also welcome to bring a water bottle, but it cannot be a glass bottle. We do not allow food in our classrooms. Cell phones, calculators, rulers, and smartwatches are not allowed. 
 
 

When should we arrive on campus for the exam? 

The campus will open 30 minutes before the exam start time, 8:30 AM for the December 7 and 14 dates. All exams will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. We will have a closed campus once the exam begins and will not allow late students to join. If students arrive after 8:55 AM they will not be able to participate in the exam and will have to reschedule. Families are encouraged to arrive by 8:45 AM at the latest to allow enough time to check-in and have their students led to their assigned classroom.  
 
 

How do I sign up for an exam? 

Once you submit an application, you will be guided in the application portal to schedule your exam date.  
 
 

When are the In-Person Entrance Exam dates? 

Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM at 405 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM at 405 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 


What if my student can’t attend the in-person Entrance Exam times?  
 
If you are unable to join us at our December 7 or 14 Entrance Exam, there will be one makeup day on Monday, December 16 at 8:00 AM. The makeup exam will take place at our Upper School Campus at 556 Columbia Street.  


We look forward to meeting your student(s) soon at your Entrance Exam! 
  

If you have any questions, email us at  

brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com 

The Future is Now in Session—Attend our Fall Open Houses!

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If you are in the process of looking for the perfect school for your child, we would like to help you cut through the clutter and hone in on what is important to you – finding a place that balances world-class academics in a supportive and joyful learning environment.

The perfect way to optimize your time searching is to step inside our school, interact with our incredible teachers, and have your questions answered honestly by current parents and students.

This can all be accomplished in a couple of hours on one weekend morning at the BASIS Independent Manhattan Fall Open Houses:

Upper School (Grades 6 – 12) Open House
Saturday, October 26 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
556 West 22nd St., New York (Chelsea)

Lower School (PreK – Grade 5) Open House
Sunday, October 27 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
795 Columbus Ave., New York (Upper West Side)

Our Fall Open Houses are the perfect opportunity to discover our campuses in person, learn about our world-class advanced BASIS Curriculum, and participate in live mini-classroom demos with our talented, and dedicated Learning Expert and Subject Expert Teachers. Your students will have plenty of fun to enjoy, too! As always students are welcome and encouraged to attend our Open Houses.

In addition, the best way to learn about a school is through the unfiltered perspectives of current parents and students. We provide a panel of student and parent ambassadors for you to hear from directly about their BASIS Independent Manhattan experience. Bring your top questions.

We invite you to join our Open Houses –  Register today!

What will a BASIS Independent Manhattan Open House look like?

Doors will open at 9:30 AM and we encourage families to arrive as close to this time as possible. There will be light refreshments and an opportunity to mingle with our Wildcat Student Ambassadors, Parent Ambassadors, and staff. The event will begin promptly at 10:00 AM (but if you have to arrive later, that is totally fine. We would rather you join us!).

Following a welcome from our leadership, all attendees will receive a schedule tailored to the grade level of interest. Then you will head off to see mini and interactive demonstrations led by our teachers. You will step inside the classrooms to see them come alive. Simultaneously, there will be rooms where you can ask questions and hear about the student experience directly from current families. This portion of the program will continue until 12:00 PM, and we hope that you can stay for the entirety of the event to take full advantage of the experience and leave with a complete understanding of our school, the curriculum, culture, and community.

  • A short Information session and welcome by our Head of School, Ms. Hodge, and the Admissions Team to introduce you to our program.
  • Mini demo lessons led by our Subject Expert and Learning Expert Teachers
  • Q&A Panels with our Parent and Student Ambassadors
  • College Counseling Overview at our Upper School Open House
  • Face Painting and a Balloon Artist at our Lower School Open House

We look forward to welcoming families and introducing you to a school designed for 21st Century Learning

Register for our Fall Open Houses today! 

Join Us for Fall Open House!

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The Admissions Team at BASIS Independent Bellevue is delighted to share that our annual Open House is coming soon!  

This event will be an opportunity to learn about our internationally benchmarked advanced curriculum, hear directly from our Subject Expert Teachers about their impressive classroom techniques, and meet current parents and students. All of our staff and faculty will be on campus to demonstrate what makes BASIS Independent Bellevue an exceptional school community. 

We invite you to join us on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Click here to register! 

Open House Schedule 

Doors will open at 9:30 AM and we encourage families to arrive as close to this time as possible. The event will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. We will be providing refreshments during this time, and our Student Ambassadors and Class Parents will be circulating to answer questions and discuss their experience with our program.  

This will be a structured event with specific demonstrations and offerings tailored to the grade levels of interested families. Programs will begin at 10:00 AM and will continue until 12:00 PM. Families should expect to stay for the duration of the event, though it is not required. Please keep in mind there will be no re-entry. 

Structured Programs 

Open House at BASIS Independent Bellevue is tailored to highlight the unique offerings of our program at all grade levels. Families may choose to attend the one grade level group they are most interested in applying for, though it is important to note that each group will be showing off a variety of our offerings across all departments.  

Please see below for what to expect regarding our Open House Programs. 

Grade 3 – 4  

  1. Mini Information Session with our Admissions Team and Head of School, Dr. Elizabeth Thies 
  1. Demonstration lesson of our Subject Expert/Learning Expert Teacher Model 
  1. Demonstrations lessons in core academic subjects such as Math/Science and History 
  1. Presentations from our Specials teachers, including Engineering and Mandarin 
  1. And more! 

Grade 5 – 7 

  1. Mini Information Session with our Admissions Team and Head of School, Dr. Elizabeth Thies 
  1. Teacher Panel with core Subject Expert Teachers who will discuss our Middle School Curriculum 
  1. Demonstration lessons in core academic subjects such as Science and English 
  1. Presentations from our Elective and World Language teachers  
  1. And more! 

Grade 8 – 9 

  1. Mini Information Session with our Admissions Team and Head of School, Dr. Elizabeth Thies 
  1. Teacher Panel with core Subject Expert Teachers who will discuss our High School Curriculum 
  1. Presentation from our College Counselor who will discuss how we set students up for success beyond high school 
  1. Demonstration lessons in core academic subjects such as Math and English 
  1. Presentations from our Elective and World Language teachers  
  1. And more! 

See You There! 

Don’t miss this exciting chance to see BASIS Independent Bellevue in action. We hope you will consider joining us and getting to know our Mountaineer community. 

Click here to register for Open House! 

Warm Regards,

Jessica Grear

Director of Admissions | BASIS Independent Bellevue

blv.admissions@basisindependent.com