Admissions

We are excited to meet many wonderful families considering a BASIS Independent Brooklyn education for their family.

During each admissions season we field a wide range of questions about the admissions process, our program, the transition, student life, electives, extracurriculars, and so much more! 

While we are delighted to speak to every one of our families, we have observed certain questions that are commonly asked. 

Continue reading below to learn more about the top ten questions asked every admissions season. 

How many students are at each campus? 

Our Upper School campus is home to almost 600 students, while our Lower School campus is just under 200. 

What is the teacher model at your school? 

Present in all grades 1 and above, Subject Expert Teachers (SETs) are the shepherds of academic content and are focused on high-level mastery. SETs use their passion for their subjects to inspire students while teaching them at a higher level than what is expected of students at any given age. SETs almost always hold advanced degrees in or have a great deal of experience in their discipline.

Present in most Grade 1 – 4 classrooms, Learning Expert Teachers (LETs) are masters of the learning process and of social-emotional growth in students. They accompany their students all day, from class to class, and ensure that the SETs are reaching each and every child in the class. LETs also play a lead role in literacy and Connections classes. The partnership of one LET and SET in each classroom and for each subject forms the Symbiotic Classroom of our primary program.

Unlike the Primary, Middle, and High School Programs, the Early Learning Program is primarily self-enclosed. Students don’t move classrooms for each subject and remain engaged in their vibrant, specialized classrooms throughout the school day. ELTs lead our Kindergarten and PreK classrooms and are responsible for delivering most of the content to students by bringing their own pedagogical expertise to the classroom, with the consistent support of an Early Learning Teaching Fellow.​

What special classes do students have the opportunity to take? 

For the Early Learning and Primary Program, students will take Performing Arts, Music, Visual Art, and Engineering. For the Middle and High School Programs, students will continue to have access to these courses as electives as well as Band/Orchestra and Computer Science. 

Do you offer any Clubs or Athletics? 

Our Clubs include AI for Kids, Chess, Leadership Club, Math Team, Science Bowl, Student Newspaper, Black Student Union, LatinX Affinity, Chess Team, and many more. We also have competitive and league sports for students to play. Offerings include basketball, flag football, running, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Every year our club and athletic offerings grow in number and vary based on student interest. Learn more about our athletic and club offerings.

Do your campuses have any outdoor space? 

Our Upper School campus located in Red Hook has three different outdoor spaces. Our Lower School campus at City Point will have direct access to a new park right across our street!

What is your student-to-teacher ratio? 

It depends on the grade! Our classes are capped at the below student-to-teacher ratios. We have between two to five sections of each grade.

• PreK-1:14:2
• PreK-2:16:2
• Kindergarten: 20:2
• Grades 1 – 4: There are two teachers in every classroom, with one Subject Expert Teacher per each discipline. Our average class size is around 21 students.
• Grades 5 – 12: Our average class size is around 20 students, with one Subject Expert Teacher per each discipline.

What is the diversity of your student population? 

Brooklyn is home to such a wonderful, diverse community and our student community reflects this! 48% of our student population are students of color and 41 different languages are spoken. 

Do you offer financial aid? 

At this time we do not offer any financial aid. We do offer tuition payment plans in one, two, or ten installations.

We do award a select number of scholarships based on academic merit to a highly selective group of current BASIS Independent Brooklyn students in grade 8, planning to stay for high school. Qualification for the scholarship is determined by the student’s academic record, teacher recommendations, and demonstration of leadership.

At most private and independent schools, financial aid and scholarships are funded through school fundraising, whether from parents, outside donors, alumni, or employees. BASIS Independent Brooklyn does not do any fundraising and does not expect or accept any monetary donations from our community.

Do you offer transportation? 

We encourage families at both campuses to make use of nearby public transportation options; we offer free or reduced MetroCards for students who plan to use public subways or buses. The BASIS Independent Brooklyn Upper School campus in Red Hook is conveniently located near stops for the B61 and B57, as well as the F and G trains at Smith & 9th Street Station. BASIS Independent Brooklyn Lower School is located centrally in Downtown Brooklyn near stops for the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, D, F, G, N, Q, and R trains; the LIRR at Atlantic Terminal; and many MTA bus lines, including the B25, B26, B38, B52, B54, B57, B61, B62, and B67.

Families are also welcome to use CitiBikes, bikes, strollers, skateboards, and scooters. We have storage at both campuses for these modes of transportation. For those families with students at both our Upper and Lower School campuses, BASIS Independent Brooklyn offers a “Connector” bus. Our fee-based transportation program at the Red Hook campus includes morning and afternoon bus services throughout New York City. Our bus routes attempt to accommodate the majority of students who sign up, and they are carefully planned with each school year. Please inquire directly for more details on our current routes.

What community opportunities will my student have if they join your program?

We have very active National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society chapters at our school leading regular service initiatives. Moreover, our student leadership society, Leadership Club, has prioritized building both a culture of service and sustainability at the school. That means students lead annual drives and regularly promote ways to volunteer with Red Hook and Downtown Brooklyn organizations throughout the school year. Our Student Affairs team started an Annual Day of Service for our entire high school before Thanksgiving Break three years ago which has become an anticipated tradition.

Our school community has worked to develop partnerships with impactful non-profits making a difference in the community. One great example is the Red Hook Art Project, which provides tutoring and mentoring for under-served children and youth. The organization offers free classes and tutoring in visual art, music, and homework help. Our students have volunteered for the homework help program and just started teaching guitar classes. They also work to ensure our leftover school lunches are transported to RHAP and given to students and their families.

The level of community involvement differs by grade. Many of our students start service work in middle or high school that continues through to their Senior Project. In our younger grades, teachers often lead service projects as part of their Connections class. This year we are excited that many of our high school students will teach a class on the importance of service to our Lower School Cubs that involves a service project.

We want to ensure that our students not only feel the comfort and sense of belonging that comes with their own community but also recognize the ways to give back to society.

We invite you to attend an upcoming informational event or campus tour to learn more about our program, difference, teachers, and approach to helping students discover their potential.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Admissions Team at (718) 643-6302 or email us at brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK – Grade 12 private school, providing students an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings.

We invite you to join our Open House on Saturday, October 21. Open House is the best way to learn about our advanced curriculum, discover our talented subject expert teachers, and meet our dynamic students and parents!

Hints of fall are beginning to appear everywhere! Pumpkin-spice everything is beginning to appear everywhere, and my Saturdays now consist of admissions events in the morning followed by football and gumbo in the evenings. This can only mean one thing. The BIM Fall Open House will soon be here! Fall Open House is my favorite event of the year, and one of the best ways for your family to get to know our Red-Tailed Hawk community!

This event is sure to help you learn what makes BASIS Independent McLean unique – not just in the DMV but around the world.

Open House Structure
Doors open at 9:00 AM, and the length of the event and start time of your program will vary based on your program of interest. Please review the section below for your child’s grade of interest.

Toddler-Kindergarten (The Early Learning Program)
Program Time: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Visit our Early Learning Program where our youngest students learn and grow. Hear from Early Learning teachers, administrators, and parents, as you learn how BIM fosters curiosity, exploration, and creativity.

Following the program, you are invited to visit with our Parent Community Association (PCA) at the PCA Meet-and-Greet.

Grades 1-4 (The Primary Program)
Program Time: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Visit with our Learning Expert and Subject Expect Teachers, where you will learn about our unique two-teacher model. From math and science to humanities, Mandarin, music and more, hear about our focus on teaching students how to learn and how we spark a lifelong love of learning.

Following the program, you are invited to visit with our Parent Community Association (PCA) at the PCA Meet-and-Greet.

Grades 5-8 (The Middle School Program)
Program Time: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

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 and learn about how they inspire excellence inside and outside of the classroom. Plus, learn about the many athletic and academic competition teams, students clubs, international trips, and more.

Join our students, faculty, and administrators as you experience a day in the life of a Red-Tailed Hawk.

If you arrive early, please join the Parent Community Association (PCA) for the PCA Meet-and-Greet or join our Student Ambassadors for a campus tour between 9:00-10:00 AM. The last tour will depart at 9:40 AM.

Grades 9 and Above (The High School Program)
Program Time: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Educating tomorrow’s great innovators, pioneers, and thought 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 BIM. At BIM, your child will join a collaborative and supportive learning community and be challenged to become a dynamic problem solver – one poised to tackle difficult challenges with confidence.

If you arrive early, please join the Parent Community Association (PCA) for the PCA Meet-and-Greet or join our Student Ambassadors for a campus tour between 9:00-10:00 AM. The last tour will depart at 9:40 AM.

Don’t miss this interactive experience! Register today for our Fall Open House. As you get ready for whatever a fall weekend means to you and your family (apple or pumpkin picking, tailgating and BBQs, fall leaves with a pumpkin spice latte/hot chocolate), spend a little of your weekend with us on October 21 and learn how:

• Our passionate subject teachers guide each child through the BASIS Curriculum, a curriculum that builds the skills needed for students to be creative, innovative, and independent thinkers.
• Our supportive community focuses on building confidence, self-advocacy, and independence, where students guide our traditions and are encouraged to be culture creators.
• Our students achieve top outcomes and college placements while developing the content and skills necessary to be prepared to lead.

Please contact me with any questions at stephanie.cancienne@basisindependent.com or 703.991.6075.

At BASIS Independent Fremont, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, 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 academics are encouraged, learning is celebrated, and students have fun! In order 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 2–9 for Fall 2024. Its results show us concepts understood and concepts not yet understood for the grade level they are applying for. All applicants will take this Entrance Exam.

How will your Entrance Exam be conducted this year?

Entrance Exams will be conducted in person and on our campuses this admissions season. 

What is a passing score on the Entrance Exam?

This exam is not a 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 2–9 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 based on the foundational 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: 30 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 test 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. The exam is self-paced, but students have up to 30 minutes for each topic. 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 two hours, 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 can not 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, 9:30 AM. All exams will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. We will have a closed campus once the exam begins and will not allow late students to join. If students arrive after 9:55 AM, they will not be able to participate in the exam and will have to reschedule.

Families are encouraged to arrive by 9:45 AM at the latest to allow enough time to park, 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. While there is an application fee, there is no additional fee for the exam. The application fee covers all requirements of the application process.

When are the In-Person Entrance Exam dates?

Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM* 
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM* 
Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM* 
Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM*

*Please note once an exam date fills, we will close registration for that date, and families will have to sign up for the next available exam.  

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

If you have any questions, email us at fre.admissions@basisindependent.com.

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

Every admissions season we field hundreds of questions about the admissions process, our program, the transition, student life, electives, extracurriculars, and so much more! 

While we are happy to speak to every one of our families, we notice the same questions being asked consistently. 

Keep reading below to learn more about the top ten questions asked every admissions season. 

#1 – How many students will be admitted in each grade? 

Our most commonly asked question! Seat capacity changes from year to year depending on the reenrollment of our current families and our graduating class. As this is an ever-changing number, we aren’t able to determine seat capacity until around February, after the reenrollment deadline of our current families, which is why we make the majority of our admissions offers (Regular Admissions) in March. So, though we cannot provide you specifics of exactly how many seats are available “this year” and in “this grade”, we encourage you to apply as we will have available seats in all grades every year.

If you are interested in a BASIS Independent Fremont education, apply!

#2 – What is the difference between Early Admissions and Regular Admissions? 

We offer two application cycles during our core season. Early Admissions is only available for TK. This will require families to complete their application earlier in order to have the opportunity to receive an admissions decision and accept their seat earlier. Regular Admissions will have all the same requirements but families receive an admissions decision and accept their seat at a later date. Regular Admissions is open to all applicants, TK-Grade 9.

#3 – How do you help students transition into the program? 

We enroll new students every year. For students to achieve the results that they do in our program, they must have the necessary support along their academic journey, from both the school and at home. While we encourage families to join our program sooner rather than later, students consistently join in later grades and are incredibly successful.

One of the tools with which we support our students is through office hours. Teachers provide support through targeted interventions as well as office hours throughout the school week for both students and parents to talk through concerns or questions. In addition to this, both our lower and upper school campuses have student affairs’ departments consisting of deans and counselors. This department provides academic and social emotional tools, along with interventions for academic and behaviors support plans.

Depending on the grade we offer a student-led Peer Tutoring and mentoring program, which operates after school and is there to help expand their networks and become comfortable asking for help. We also offer Summer School along with JumpStart Packets before the start of the school year. 

#4 – Can a student successfully transition from a public school to your program? 

Every year, we have students join us from multiple public schools. Any motivated student can excel in our program. We have a strong support network to ensure a student has the toolkit to succeed. In the beginning, there is always some adjustment for students from both public and private schools. Workloads may be higher than average in the beginning as students adjust to the structure and practices of our day-to-day program and classroom experience. However, we see time and again, that students adjust and learn how to utilize their resources to thrive in their school life.

School administration, faculty, and staff are always present to participate in supporting and guiding students, as well as helping develop good work and study habits, along with time management skills.

#5 – How much homework should students expect in middle school and high school?

This depends on the student, their core classes, electives, after-school activities, and even what time of year it is, especially in high school. Grade 5 students will typically see 45 minutes to an hour of homework every night, but that depends on the day and the student. Grade 6 students will have one to one and a half hours of homework. Grade 7 and 8 students will have one and a half to two hours of homework, but that once again depends on the student and their schedule. Homework in high school largely depends on our student’s course selections but is usually around two hours or more. Our Student Affairs Team assists in monitoring homework but since each student, their work ethic, and their schedules can vary, it is hard to say an exact time for each grade.

#6 – With such high academics, do students even have time for clubs and sports?

Absolutely! Most of our student body participates in at least one extracurricular activity at our school every year. But our answer to this is, “it always depends on the student.” We have Upper School students taking two to three AP courses and they participate in one to two clubs or more, but we also have Lower School students that take their required coursework and only have time to participate in one club.

Students are given the tools to learn and practice organization, time management, and work and study habits. But no two students are alike. It is more important to us that our students learn to take on only what they can handle, challenge themselves when appropriate, and learn when and if they need to turn their focus elsewhere. Many students may play a sport or participate in a club on campus but also engage in an activity outside of school such as ballet or martial arts. Our students learn to manage their time while exploring and enjoying their extracurricular interests and passions.

#7 – What is your teacher hiring process?

We believe academic degrees or experience in the disciplines taught, and passion for that subject are the most important tools for inspiring deep content understanding in students. Our selective hiring process screens for candidates who are committed to sharing their expertise and helping students become the best versions of themselves. All final candidates are invited to conduct a Teacher Demo, where Heads of School assemble classes of our students and administrators, and candidates are given the opportunity to teach a lesson, challenge students, show their subject expertise, as well as show their ability to communicate high-level subject matter to young students. 

Our students take these sessions seriously; they know their feedback weighs heavily in our hiring decisions. Some new faculty members have been teaching for years in school or university settings. Others are leaving a research lab or corporate job to leap into a new career and share their experience and applied knowledge with BASIS Independent students.

#8 – What is your student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom?

TK and Kindergarten will have around 21 students to two teachers per classroom. Grades 1 – 4 will have around 26 students per class with a Learning Expert Teacher (LET) that stays with them throughout the day and an individual Subject Expert Teacher (SET) that joins their class for each subject. Grade 5 and above will also have around 26 students but have an individual Subject Expert Teacher for each subject. 

#9 – How do you teach soft skills such as empathy, confidence, self-control, and self-awareness?

We believe that these skills begin at home and we rely on our parents and guardians to work in partnership with us to enhance social emotional learning. On the school side, students are a part of a learning community, one that gives the opportunity for young adults to better themselves, have achievements, have failures, learn lessons, etc. One of the unique things about our program is that we implement an SEL (social emotional learning) curriculum starting in TK that is regularly taught as part of the school day.

Whether it be their behavior in the hallways, participating in class discussions, or connecting with friends during lunchtime or after school, they are learning these lessons through their relationships with their teachers and fellow students. It’s a daily journey and one that reminds students of the community they are a part of, and the respect we require them to show other people and themselves.

#10 – How does the school communicate with families about campus life and events? 

Our parents and guardians are a valued part of our community and we strive to keep them updated regularly about day to day school life. Most of our communications occur on a platform called ParentSquare. Your family will be updated weekly through our School Newsletters and “Friday Photos”. These weekly ParentSquare publications keep you informed and entertained with lively tidbits from around our campuses. We also post regularly about upcoming campus events and updates. 

Families at the Lower School will also receive weekly newsletters with updates from their student’s Learning Expert Teacher to ensure they are best able to support their students through their studies. Starting in grade 9, our students have access to StudentSquare, which provides them with the same content and resources our families access through ParentSquare.

Families are also invited to regular Administrative Office Hours to connect with our teams at both Lower and Upper School campuses both virtually and in person! We are so excited to stay connected with you!

The application for the 2024-25 school year is now available for PreK – Grade 10. Join our community!

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we invite those with a passion for international learning, a drive to excel, and a commitment to contributing meaningfully to a dynamic, vibrant, and thriving community. Our supportive and encouraging learning environment, led by Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, fosters ambition and joy in learning, empowering our students to discover their potential. Along the way, we develop participants, not spectators.

Outside of the classroom, our students actively engage in a variety of athletic, club, and competitive offerings to explore their passions and interests and build lasting connections with their peers.

We invite you to learn more about the admissions process at BASIS Independent Manhattan, home of the Wildcats!

BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK – Grade 12 private school with Lower and Upper Manhattan, New York campuses.

PreK – Grade 5: Upper West Side
795 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10025

Grades 3 – 12: Chelsea
556 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011

Welcome, from the Admissions Team!
Each family will work with members of the Admissions team over the course of the admissions process, both before and after you submit an application. Our hope is that every family who comes to visit our school has a warm, personal experience, and leaves knowing what makes BASIS Independent Manhattan an exceptional place for their student to not only study and learn, but also to grow, build a community, and explore their passions.

Contact the Admissions Team

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event (Optional)
Though not required, we strongly recommend you attend one of our Admissions Events to learn about our unparalleled program before applying, or before completing your application. We anticipate that events will be a combination of virtual and in-person for the 2024-25 application cycle. Events are held from August–January traditionally.

Step 2: Submit an Online Application
To officially start the application process, you will fill out an application on our website! After submitting your application, you will be able to email Teacher Recommendation Forms, download the Transcript Request Form, and schedule your student’s assessment and Family Meeting. Submit your application.

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (Required for all Applicants*)
You will be able to email our recommendation forms directly to your child’s teacher through the application portal. You can also download fillable PDFs of the Teacher Recommendations (PreK and Kindergarten, Math and English). As listed in the instructions of the recommendations, we do not accept documents from parents. All recommendations must be sent from the teacher to the Admissions Office directly.

*We understand some schools do not allow their teachers to write recommendations for students, or that some of our youngest applicants may not have a formal teacher. In these circumstances, the requirement can be waived. Please email our Admissions Team to discuss this in further detail.

Step 4: Transcripts (Grades 1 – 10 Required*)
You will be able to download a Transcript Request Form in your application. This form requests your child’s current school send us a current-year report, along with the last two years. As listed in the instructions on the request form, we do not accept documents from parents. All transcripts must be sent from the school to the Admissions Office directly.

*Depending on an applicant’s prior school attendance, we understand a Grade 1 – 2 applicant may only be able to provide transcripts for years they attended school. In these circumstances, the requirement of three years of transcripts can be waived.

Step 5: Student Assessment (Required for all Applicants)
Students applying to PreK – Grade 1 will register for a play-based assessment. Students applying to Grades 2 – 10 will register for a BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam. Both of these evaluations allow us to meet and interact with your child and determine if they are ready–academically, socially, and emotionally–to join our program in the grade for which they are applying. You will receive more information and a detailed what to expect document before your student’s assessment.

Step 6: Family Meeting (Required for all Applicants)
At least one parent or guardian is required to attend a Family Meeting. Students are required to attend. This meeting is an opportunity for us to get to meet your family, and your student, and learn a bit more about them in a one-on-one setting.

Step 7: Supplemental Materials (Optional)
In addition to the above-required steps, we are happy to consider any supplemental material you would like to submit on behalf of your student. Examples include but are not limited to, additional letters of recommendation from coaches or teachers, recordings from recitals, copies of certificates or awards won, art portfolios, and athletics achievements or highlight reels.

During the admissions process, if you elect not to submit additional materials it will not have a negative impact on your student’s application.

Please note: Steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be done in any order, but must be completed after the application is submitted and before the Completed Application Deadline.

Once all required materials are received and required meetings are attended, your application is complete! If you complete your application by the completion deadline, you will receive an admissions decision on the notification day.

Application Available: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 11, 2024

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Admissions Team at (347) 305-4960 (lower) / (917) 383-2600 (upper) or email us at manhattan-admissions@basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK – Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings.

The application for the 2024-25 school year is now available for Preschool – Grade 12. Join our community!

At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we invite those with a passion for international learning, a drive to excel, and a commitment to contributing meaningfully to a dynamic, vibrant, and thriving community. Our supportive and encouraging learning environment, led by Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, fosters ambition and joy in learning, empowering our students to discover their potential. Along the way, we develop participants, not spectators.

Outside of the classroom, our students actively engage in a variety of athletic, club, and competitive offerings to explore their passions and interests, and build lasting connections with their peers.

We invite you to learn more about the admissions process at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, home of the Bears!

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK – Grade 12 private school with Lower and Upper school campuses in Brooklyn, New York.

PreK – Grade 2: City Point
405 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Grades 3 – 12: Red Hook
556 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Welcome, from the Admissions Team!
Each family will work with members of the Admissions team over the course of the admissions process, both before and after you submit an application. Our hope is that every family who comes to visit our school has a warm, personal experience, and leaves knowing what makes BASIS Independent Brooklyn an exceptional place for their student to not only study and learn, but also to grow, build a community, and explore their passions.

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event (Optional)
Though not required, we strongly recommend you attend one of our Admissions Events to learn about our unparalleled program before applying, or before completing your application. We anticipate that events will be a combination of virtual and in-person for the 2024-25 application cycle. Events are held from August–January traditionally.

Step 2: Submit an Online Application
To officially start the application process, you will fill out an application on our website! After submitting your application, you will be able to email Teacher Recommendation Forms, download the Transcript Request Form, and schedule your student’s assessment and Family Meeting. Submit your application.

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (Required for all Applicants*)
You will be able to email our recommendation forms directly to your child’s teacher through the application portal. You can also download fillable PDFs of the Teacher Recommendations (PreK and Kindergarten, Math and English, respectively). As listed in the instructions of the recommendations, we do not accept documents from parents. All recommendations must be sent from the teacher to the Admissions Office directly. 

*We understand some schools do not allow their teachers to write recommendations for students, or that some of our youngest applicants may not have a formal teacher. In these circumstances, the requirement can be waived. Please email our Admissions Team to discuss this in further detail.

Step 4: Transcripts (Grades 1 – 10 Required*)
You will be able to download a Transcript Request Form in your application. This form requests your child’s current school send us a current year report, along with the last two years. As listed in the instructions of the request form, we do not accept documents from parents. All transcripts must be sent from the school to the Admissions Office directly. 

*Depending on an applicant’s prior school attendance, we understand a Grade 1 – 2 applicant may only be able to provide transcripts for years they attended school. In these circumstances, the requirement of three years of transcripts can be waived. 

Step 5: Student Assessment (Required for all Applicants)
Students applying to PreK – Grade 1 will register for a play-based assessment. Students applying to Grades 2 – 9 will register for a BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam.

Both of these evaluations allow us to meet and interact with your child and determine if they are ready–academically, socially, and emotionally–to join our program in the grade for which they are applying. You will receive more information and a detailed what to expect document before your student’s assessment.

Step 6: Family Meeting (Required for all Applicants)
At least one parent or guardian is required to attend a Family Meeting. Students applying for PreK – Grade 1 are not required to attend. Students applying to Grade 2 – 9 are required to attend. This meeting is an opportunity for us to get to meet your family, and your student, and learn a bit more about them in a one-on-one setting.

Step 7: Supplemental Materials (Optional)
In addition to the above required steps, we are happy to consider any supplemental material you would like to submit on behalf of your student. Examples include, but are not limited to: additional letters of recommendation from coaches or teachers, recordings from recitals, copies of certificates or awards won, art portfolios, and athletics achievements or highlight reels.

During the admissions process, if you elect not to submit additional materials it will not have a negative impact on your student’s application.

Please note: Steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be done in any order, but must be completed after the application is submitted and before the Completed Application Deadline. 

Once all required materials are received and required meetings are attended, your application is complete! If you complete your application by the completion deadline, you will receive an admissions decision on the notification day.

Regular Admissions: PreK – Grade 9

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Admissions Team at (718) 643-6302 or email us at brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK – Grade 12 private school, providing students an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings.

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