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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 Fall 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

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

Warm Up To Winter at Our Open House!

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While we don’t know the weather forecast for Saturday, January 25th, we do know the doors at BASIS Independent McLean will be open to welcome you to our Winter Open House!

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.

Please join our Open House on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Click here to register!

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. Students are encouraged to join us as well.

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 Expert 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 about how they inspire excellence and from our students who address questions about the day in the life of a Red-Tailed Hawk. Plus, learn about the many athletic and academic competition teams, student clubs, international trips, and more.

If you arrive early, please join the Parent Community Association (PCA) for the PCA Meet-and-Greet and/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, including our unique Senior Year. The High School Program will conclude with a Networking Mixer with our Student Ambassadors, teachers, and school leadership.

If you arrive early, please join the Parent Community Association (PCA) for the PCA Meet-and-Greet and/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! Click here to register for our Winter Open House. As you get ready for a fun winter season, we hope you will choose to spend time with us and get to know our Red-Tailed Hawk community.

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Warm regards,
Sharon Brown

Director of Admissions | BASIS Independent McLean

sharon.brown@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. 

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 

Join Us for a Shadow Day: Experience Life as a Red-Tailed Hawk!

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What better way to understand life as a Red-Tailed Hawk than to experience it for yourself! At BIM, we invite applicants to Grades 5 and above to join us for a morning on campus and see what life is really like for our Red-Tailed Hawks!

I recently attended a Student Ambassador meeting and watched over 70 Red-Tailed Hawks practice everything from how to introduce themselves during a panel to making eye contact when answering one-on-one questions. I love watching our students learn and grow as they prepare to welcome visitors like you to campus. And speaking of welcoming visitors to campus, nearly all of our Student Ambassadors will tell you that Shadow Days are their favorite admissions activity.

Shadow Days are a great way for BIM applicants to better understand our school culture and community. If you are applying to grade 5 or above, we highly encourage you to spend a morning on campus, where you can gain first-hand insights into life as a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Here are four great reasons to participate in the BIM Shadow Day Program.

Reason 1: See It for Yourself
Here, students are excited by their advanced studies and hands-on learning experience, which bring the material to life. Plus, they are energized and inspired when surrounded by others eager to learn. Joining us (even just for a morning) will give you a chance to participate in our vibrant learning community.

Reason 2: Make Friends
A small school provides great opportunities to get to know the entire class as well as students older and younger. Teachers and staff take extra time to get to know each other. While you will not meet everyone in just one morning, making a friend or two or three will help you feel more comfortable about joining our community.

Reason 3: Get Your Questions Answered
At BIM, teachers and classmates want to succeed and are dedicated to supporting each other. From how students balance their academic and extra-curricular interests to where students hang out during lunch, this is a great time to get your questions answered.

Reason 4: Have fun!
Learning and school should be fun, engaging, and interactive. BIM provides the chance to explore new interests, meet new people, and try new things!

As you get to know our school, I hope that you will see and experience these things for yourself. From seeing an experiment in the Food Science class to watching the drama club prepare for an upcoming performance, our Red-Tailed Hawks are ready to give you a glimpse into life on campus. So, sign up for a Shadow Day, where you will meet our Student Ambassadors, faculty, administrators, and more and see how we are preparing our Red-Tailed Hawks to soar!

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