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Your top FAQs: BASIS Independent Bothell (K–12 Private School)

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From application details to curriculum and campus life, this FAQ post covers the most common inquiries we receive from families exploring BASIS Independent Bothell, home of the Orcas. Whether you are just beginning your search or preparing to apply, we are here to make the process as smooth and informative as possible.

Are you still accepting applications for this fall?

Yes! We continue to accept applications in Rolling Admissions for Kindergarten through Grade 7 for the 2025-2026 school year and have seats available. You may apply online through Ravenna. We will add grades 8-12 over the next few years.

Be a part of our founding class and community!

What is the application process?

Kindergarten–Grade 1:

Grade 1 Applicants: Current school year and Kindergarten transcript
Virtual Family Meeting
Virtual Play Date Assessment

Grades 2–7:

Virtual Family Meeting
In-person BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam
Math and English Teacher Recommendation Letters
Transcripts for the current school year and prior two school years

What time will school start and end? 

For the 2025-2026 school year, we have three different start and dismissal times from Kindergarten through Grade 7. Additionally, during the school year, our campus is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We also provide families Early Care (Early Bird) and After Care (Late Bird). While Early Bird is free, Late Brid is fee based.

Start and Dismissal Times

School starts around 8:00 AM and dismisses around 3:45 PM.

View the 2025-2026 School Calendar

What curriculum do you use?

Our students will follow the BASIS Curriculum, which has been continuously developed over the last 25 years. This internationally-inspired program offers a balanced approach to both liberal arts and STEM. While the curriculum is academically advanced, student success is driven by the strong support system in place—one that empowers students to reach and apply their full potential.

Are clubs and sports offered?

Yes! There will be an enrichment guide that will be released in August and an all-campus enrichment fair at the start of the school year for families to preview offerings and sign up. Extracurricular offerings are fee based, which varies by club and sport/athletic. Our brand-new field and gym will be regulation size for WIAA competition, providing us many opportunities to host a variety of sporting events!

View our renderings including our gym, field, and playground.

How many students will be enrolled?

We will have 20-25 students enrolled per section, with a maximum of three sections per grade. In the 2025-2026 school year, we are enrolling Kindergarten through Grade 7 and will have more than 200 students enrolled.

What will transportation be like for getting to and from school? 

Our operations team is currently investigating bus transportation options for the current school year and/or future school years. We have a carpool survey that goes out every summer as we have students who hail from many areas in the Seattle metro area including Bothell, Mill Creek, Kenmore, Seattle, Bellevue, Snohomish, Redmond, Woodinville, and Kirkland.

What is your student and teacher ratio in every class?

Kindergarten

One class can accommodate around 20 students, with two teachers in each classroom, and a different Subject Expert Teacher for Music, Performance Arts, Visual Arts, Engineering, and Mandarin.

Grades 1-4

One class can accommodate around 25 students, with two teachers in the classroom—one Subject Expert Teacher for each discipline and then one Learning Expert Teacher who is with students throughout the day and as they move from subject to subject. Students rotate from classroom to classroom and teacher to teacher.

Grades 5-12

One class can accommodate around 25 students and one Subject Expert Teacher in each classroom. Students will take seven courses each school day, each with their own subject expert teacher.

What are the school lunch options? 

While bringing lunch from home is always an option, hot lunch will also be provided by our food service vendor, Green Sprouts!

In Kindergarten, there is snack time in the morning and we recommend families pack snacks from home for their child(ren).

Have you hired all your teachers?

We launched our teacher recruitment efforts this past fall, and we are excited to share that our staffing for the upcoming school year is now complete. We look forward to welcoming a full team of talented educators and dedicated staff as we look ahead to a great year.

Do you offer scholarships or tuition assistance?

We do not currently offer tuition assistance. However, families can submit tuition through three different payment plans including: 1) One payment, 2) Two payments, and 3) 10 monthly payments. At BASIS Independent Bothell we do not fundraise from our families, allowing our Head of School and school administration to focus solely on delivering exceptional learning in our classrooms and an enriching after school program.

BASIS Independent Bothell is a K-12 private school located in the Canyon Park area. Submit an inquiry to join our interest list to learn about upcoming events, admissions process, and more.

We’re Growing: Introducing Kindergarten & Primary Grades in Fall 2026

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We are pleased to share an exciting new chapter in the growth of BASIS Independent Bellevue. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, we will expand our academic offerings to include Kindergarten through Grade 2 — making our school a comprehensive Kindergarten through Grade 12 community!

This expansion is in response to continued demand for our Kindergarten and Primary Program, inspiring us to open enrollment and welcome even more young learners into our vibrant, growing school community.

Why Expand Now?
Two key factors make this possible: space and demand.

Originally, our long-term plan was to transition our primary grades (K–4) out of the current building, ultimately making this a grades 5–12 campus once our second campus opened. However, instead of gradually removing the Primary Program, we are excited to announce that we will now reintroduce Kindergarten through Grade 2 to our current campus beginning in 2026–2027.

In two years, BASIS Independent Bellevue will have full use of our existing campus, giving us the space needed to accommodate additional grades. Rather than wait for the construction of our new second campus next door, this strategy allows us to meet the strong interest in our program sooner — without compromising the quality or experience for our current students.

This decision supports our school’s overall growth plan and does not delay the timeline for the new campus. In fact, by building the Kindergarten and Primary Programs now, we ensure a smoother transition when the time arrives to move our younger students.

“This expansion is not just about growing in size; it’s about strengthening our community, building important connections between students of all ages, and ensuring that when we move into our new campus, we do so with an experienced, cohesive team ready to support every learner.” — Dr. Elizabeth Thies, Head of School

Building a Stronger Community
One of the most exciting parts of this expansion is the opportunity to further enrich our Mountaineer community. Our new Kindergarten and Primary students will bring fresh energy to our outdoor halls, while our experienced Middle and High School students will have new leadership opportunities. Programs such as Reading Buddies, Mentorships, and Classroom Assistants have had a remarkable impact at other BASIS Independent Schools campuses, and we are eager to bring these traditions to BASIS Independent Bellevue.

Our incoming Kindergarten and Primary teachers will collaborate closely with our existing faculty, gaining valuable experience and building strong professional relationships before our younger students transition to the new campus. This continuity ensures that when we open the doors to our new, second campus, we will do so as a unified, Mountaineer community — ready to grow together.

Looking Ahead
We are energized by the incredible momentum at BASIS Independent Bellevue and grateful for the trust and support of our families. Applications for Kindergarten along with our Primary, Middle, and High School Grades for the 2026–2027 school year will be available on August 1, 2025.

With more young learners joining our school, and with plans for our future lower school campus moving forward, the future continues to look bright for our Mountaineers.

We are excited about what’s ahead and look forward to continuing this journey together. Explore our Kindergarten and Primary Programs on our website to learn more.

Beyond the Classroom: Exciting New Outdoor Space Rendering Revealed

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In addition to providing students with a rich academic experience, we recognize that academics and school enrichment activities are integrally connected to one another and are mutually beneficial. Enrichment opportunities not only help meet students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical needs but they also offer a balanced learning experience that provides numerous opportunities for students to develop into whole, responsible, and enthusiastic learners.

Our approach to sports promotes healthy competition and empowers students with the discipline, grit, and persistence to become leaders on and off the court. It is mastery of these skills that has led many of our student athletes to victory in a variety of competitions, large and small.

Students will have access to not only the gymnasium, but also a multi-use outdoor space between the academic building and the gym.

The Rolling Admissions Cycle – Your Questions Answered!

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Our Regular Admissions Cycle wrapped on March 14, 2025, which means that we have now entered Rolling Admissions . Due to increased demand and the competitive nature of the application cycle, we’re excited to say that our seats for the 2025 – 2026 school year have filled in grades 3 – 8. This means that students who apply for Rolling Admissions in these grades will be applying to join our wait pool.

However, each year there is always movement in our seats from the spring to fall, which means that we reach out to applicants in our wait pool to offer seats as they become available. Applicants on our wait pool often have the chance to secure a spot before the school year begins!

What does this mean for Rolling Admissions for grade 9 students?

We currently have seats available for grades 9! If you would like to apply for the 2025 – 2026 school year for this grade, we encourage you to do so sooner rather than later to secure your child’s seat.

What does this mean for Rolling Admissions for grade 3 – 8?

While we have some applicants in our wait pool, we are continuing to accepting rolling applicants across ALL these grade levels to add to this pool. As we have added an additional section of grade 5 this year, we expect even more seat availability is likely to come up in grade 5.

If we apply and make it on the wait pool, will my child be last on the list?

No! Students in our wait pool are not ranked. This is why we do not consider it a wait list but a wait pool. Whenever a seat becomes available, we evaluate all students in the pool and offer the seat to the applicant that seems to be the best fit, considering all aspects of their application. Applying for the wait pool as a rolling applicant does not hinder your chances of being offered a seat, should one become available.

How are the Rolling Application requirements different than Regular Application requirements?

The requirements to be considered for Rolling Admissions are the same as Regular Admissions. The only difference is that the Admissions Team will reach out to you to schedule the Entrance Exam and Family Meeting after we have received all the required materials. Review our application checklist to ensure you are aware of all the materials needed to complete your application.

When should I apply for Rolling Admissions?

Sooner rather than later! There is no way to guarantee when a seat will become available before next school year. The sooner your child is able to join the wait pool, the more likely their application will be considered when a seat opens.

Can I still come visit the school?

Yes! We will continue to offer one-on-one tours for the duration of the spring. If you would like to attend a campus tour, submit this form on our website and our Admissions Team will contact you.

How will I be contacted if a seat becomes available?

Our Admissions Team will call you immediately if we have a seat to offer your child and follow up this call with an email. We will provide all the details necessary to proceed with accepting the seat from there.

If my child makes it on to the wait pool but is not offered a seat this year, will they be guaranteed a seat next year?

No, applicants are not held for the next admissions cycle. If you wish for your child to be considered for the following year, you will need to reapply.

How should I apply?

Click this link to begin your application!

If you require any additional support during this process, please feel free to reach out to the admissions team at blv.admissions@basisindependent.com

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

 

Virtual Campus Tour

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Since our campus is currently an active construction site, we are unable to offer campus tours until late Spring 2025. In the meantime, let’s take a virtual tour of the brand-new campus opening in Fall 2025!

The Campus

BASIS Independent Bothell is nestled in the Canyon Park neighborhood in Bothell, WA. It is 123,000 sq. ft. on 6.2 acres to fit all of our Kindergarten – Grade 12 families. This acreage includes a full-sized competition regulation playfield, outdoor sport court, and a brand-new playground!

The Gym

The gymnasium will be fully equipped and will hold up to 600 guests! We expect to host many sporting and large school events in this space.

The Theater

The brand-new theater is a great space for students to express their creativity and put on many different types of performances for an audience.

The Classrooms

Our campus will be equipped with dedicated state-of-the-art laboratories for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, designed for grades 6—12 students. Other classroom types not pictured here will also be brand new and intentionally designed for student and faculty collaboration. 

The Common Areas

While our athletic and outdoor play facilities allow students to move their bodies and burn energy, our common areas provide a safe environment for students to read a book, work on their studies, and collaborate with their peers. 

The Fields

This amazing space will allow for multiple sports to be taking place at the same time, further driving that ability to host and hold many different sporting events. Additionally, it makes for a great space for students to burn off some energy! 

The Playground

The play area will be a great way for our younger grades to enjoy getting outdoors. It’s a very large area that contains three main zones with active spaces in between as well as a track that can be utilized for Movement and PE classes and recess fun.

Thank you for taking this tour with us! To submit an application for Fall 2025, click here.

BASIS Independent Dublin Opens Fall 2026! 

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BASIS Independent Schools, celebrated globally for its exceptional academic outcomes and rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum, is thrilled to announce the opening of BASIS Independent Dublin in Fall 2026!

This state-of-the-art campus will serve grades 6–12, offering Dublin families access to the renowned BASIS Curriculum, taught by Subject Expert Teachers who inspire curiosity and academic excellence. With modern facilities designed to foster collaboration and innovation, BASIS Independent Dublin is set to provide a transformative educational experience right here in your community.

Enrollment begins in August 2025. Register for an upcoming Information Session to learn more about the curriculum, faculty, and vision for this exciting addition to the Tri-Valley area.

Read the full press release for details!

BASIS Independent Schools, a globally-recognized network of K–12 private schools celebrated for its rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum and exceptional academic outcomes, is proud to announce the opening of BASIS Independent Dublin in fall of 2026. The Dublin campus will mark the third school serving families in the Tri-Valley community, joining BASIS Independent Silicon Valley and BASIS Independent Fremont.

BASIS Independent Dublin, grades 6–12, will provide students with access to the globally benchmarked BASIS Curriculum, a liberal arts and sciences curriculum designed to challenge and inspire students. The campus will engage subject expert teachers, who bring passion and expertise to the classroom, and a nurturing environment with student-teacher support and individualized learning plans.

State-of-the-Art Science Labs

“Our BASIS Independent campuses in Silicon Valley and Fremont have set a high bar for academic excellence, consistently preparing students to excel in competitive university programs and achieve their fullest potential,” said Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “We are excited to expand our reach into the Dublin community, where families value an exceptional, well-rounded education that equips students for success in a rapidly changing world.”

Outcomes for BASIS Independent Schools across the U.S. reinforce the network vision to raise the bar in education to the highest international levels. Twenty-three percent of students in the Class of 2024 were admitted to a top 10 university and 56% were admitted to a top 25 university*. 

BASIS Independent Schools in the Tri-Valley community have a distinguished record of student achievements, including one out of every four high school seniors qualifying as National Merit® Scholarship Semifinalists, as well as recognition in national academic competitions including National Science Bowl®, Scripps National Spelling Bee®, and the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Full-Size Gymnasium

BASIS Independent Dublin will offer families a modern campus designed to foster innovation and collaboration, including expansive outdoor areas. The intentionally and thoughtfully designed spaces of the more than 150,000-square foot Dublin campus include science labs, large gymnasium, music classrooms, dedicated art rooms, theater, and boasts a 34,257-square foot outdoor sports field. 

BASIS Independent Dublin plans on hiring approximately 35 faculty and staff initially and growing the team to approximately 60 in the course of the following five years.

About BASIS Independent Schools

BASIS Independent Schools offers the high-achieving BASIS Curriculum, which was developed in 1998 and serves students from Preschool through Grade 12. BASIS Independent Schools educate students to the highest international levels with a spiraling liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked to the best education systems in the world. Our advanced curriculum, unmatched in breadth and depth, prepares students to be innovative leaders across disciplines. BASIS Independent Schools currently offers private school campuses in California, New York, Northern Virginia, and Washington as well as international school locations in China and Thailand. Visit www.basisindependent.com for more information. BASIS Independent Schools is part of Spring Education Group, a multi-brand network providing superior private school education from infant care through high school.

*based on U.S. News & World Report rankings

Join our interest list to receive exclusive details about BASIS Independent Dublin, including key Admissions information.

Join the Interest List

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