Awards & Recognition

Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year for Academic Excellence

September 19, 2025 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

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

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

By the Numbers: Our Students Continue to Excel

The achievements of our students speak for themselves:

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

graphic showing average ap score and number of ap scholars

A Track Record of Growth and Success

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

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

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

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

Recognizing Our Scholars

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

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

Maxfield S.
Sean F.
Symir T.
Zixi Y.

national merit scholarship commended students

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

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

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

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

BASIS Independent Brooklyn Students Honored by National Merit Scholarship Corporation

September 19, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

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

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

2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists: Left to right – Alexa G. ‘26, Kanika R. ‘26, and River W. ’26.

High school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, more than 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

(PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

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

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

Network Results

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

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

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

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Seniors Achieve Record 80% National Merit Honors

September 17, 2025 by ezekielbracamonte Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program — including 40 students from BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. Alongside our 40 Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated 51 Commended Scholars, meaning that 80% of the Class of 2026 received National Merit recognition, setting a new record for our school community. These academically talented high school seniors now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

More than 1.3 million juniors from roughly 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, which served as the initial screening test for program entrants. From this group, the nationwide pool of Semifinalists — representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors — includes the highest-scoring students in each state. The number of Semifinalists from each state is based on its share of the nation’s graduating seniors.

Reflecting on this achievement, Associate Head of School Josh Henriquez shared, “These students represent the heart of BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: determination, curiosity, and a drive to excel. As a community, we are thrilled to celebrate their journey and the hard work that has led to this well-deserved recognition.”

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. The scholarship winners of 2026 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. All Merit Scholar recipients are selected based on their abilities, achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

We are incredibly proud of these students — and of all our Bobcats — for their continual academic achievements, both big and small. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone for the Class of 2026!

Aaditya Bharadwaj
Peter Chow
Xiangtuo Cui
Anna Deng
Eileen Gong
Maximilian Guo
Aanya Gupta
Ellen Hao
Chloe Ho
Grace Huang
Nishka Jain
Arshiya Kalra
Manant Kochar
Aaron Li
Albert P Li
Albert S Li
Angela Li
Jessica Li
Junren Li
Leo Li
Maggie Liu
Alexander Ma
Arjun Maganti
Nikola Mazzola
Nelson Nishio
Helen Peng
Xinyue Ren
Archita Satapathy
Manasi Sharma
Yifan Sheng
Lily Tao
Caroline Tian
Aryan Tummala
Richard Wang
Yujie Wu
Maggie Xu
Maximillian Yang
Catherine Yue
Yiyang Zheng
Lawrence Zhou

Congratulations, Bobcats!

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

From Silicon Valley to the Big Apple, nearly 1 in 3 of our students is a National Merit Semifinalist

September 15, 2025 by ekugler Leave a Comment

Students at BASIS Independent Schools have set a new record this year, with 65 seniors from the Class of 2026 named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This achievement represents nearly one-third of the combined graduating class across our five high schools in California, New York, and Virginia—up from 25% last year.

These exceptionally talented high school seniors now have the chance to advance in the competition for approximately 6,930 National Merit Scholarships, collectively worth nearly $26 million. National Merit Finalists will be announced in the spring of 2026.

This success highlights the strength of the BASIS Independent Schools program—where the rigorous, well-rounded BASIS Curriculum is brought to life by passionate Subject Expert Teachers who challenge and inspire students daily. From coast-to-coast, our student’s achievements underscore the depth of preparation, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence that define a BASIS Independent Schools education.

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

High school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semiﬁnalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

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

September 9, 2025 by msnyder Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semiﬁnalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

2024-2025 Year-in-Review: BASIS Independent Brooklyn

August 31, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Dear Families and Staff,

The summer months bring reflection that offers a vital pause—a time to transform our hindsight into foresight. Today, we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our students in our annual reflection, and we honor or Class of 2025 graduates from BASIS Independent Brooklyn as they embark on their university journeys.

Academic excellence unites every corner of our school. We harness data from across our BASIS Independent Schools network not just to measure progress, but also to illuminate paths forward. This is how we master both the art and science of education—turning insight into inspiration and potential into achievement.

This past school year, nearly 70% of our students earned the AP Scholar designation (scoring a 3 or higher on at least three AP Exams). This impressive result is consistent with year-over-year scores, showcasing our program’s strength. Also, in high school, we celebrated our National Merit Scholarship Finalists, Maxwell H. and Gustavo P., and we proudly celebrated three Commended Scholars: James R., Maxim S., and Ryan T. ’25.

We cheered on Gustavo P. ’25 for being named a Presidential Scholarship candidate, joining a total of nine seniors named to the distinction across our network. At the end of the year, we were thrilled to learn that Maxim S. ’25 won the Fellows Scholarship for the best Senior Project across our network. The award is an honor in and of itself and comes with a $10,000 scholarship to college.

Let’s also take a moment to reflect on our seventh graduating senior class! More than 60% of students were offered seats at universities in the top 30-ranked national and international institutions. Today, we can share that our students will matriculate at the following universities and colleges (listed by U.S. News rankings for national universities, liberal arts colleges, and then international universities):

Stanford University (2), Duke University, Northwestern University, Cornell University (3), Washington University in St. Louis, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Southern California, New York University, University of California-Irvine, Boston University, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Purdue University (2), Northeastern University, American University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hamilton College, Haverford College, and McGill University (2).

*Our Class of 2025 posed with Mr. Harmon, Mr. Brauch, and Mr. Yoon during the start of school last year.*

Celebrating Accomplishments

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, one thing remained the same—student accomplishments across all grades reaffirmed the vision to hold ourselves to the highest standards. Our educators took pride in providing structure and stability to support content mastery.

Our students excelled in their studies, and their accomplishments outside the classroom made us incredibly proud. An overview of 2024–2025 student accolades and significant developments follows.

Fine Arts

Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition: Eight of Mr. Opirhory’s Digital Photography students were honored in the 2025 awards. Students were recognized with the following regional awards: 3 Gold Keys, 3 Silver Keys, and 2 Honorable Mentions in photography.
Our Upper School Choir was invited to perform at Radio City Music Hall before the Christmas Spectacular once again!
Band student Nicole J. ’28 received an “Outstanding” ranking by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for her solo flute audition, performing Sicilienne, Op. 78 by Gabriel Faure at Level 6, the highest degree of difficulty.
Choir student Katha A. ’30 received an “Outstanding” ranking by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Our Spring Musical, Shrek, was a rave hit. Upper School drama performances in elective classes were a wonderful celebration of creativity all year long.
Our entire Fine Arts team at the Lower and Upper School hosted wonderful festivals before Winter Break and at the end of the school year.

*Scholastic Arts Gold Key Winning Photo “Old and New” by Henry B. ‘28*

Chess/Social Sciences/Languages

Our Bears won the 3rd-place team in the very competitive U1400 division at the Chess Super Nationals! Our K—Gr. 6 U100 team came in 9^th place, and Gr. 3 Milo S. went undefeated with 6 points to medal for second place in K—Gr. 3 Championships. There were many, many other chess accolades throughout the year.
Our Bears earned 6^th place in the 2025 All-Girls National Chess Championships in Chicago.
Our inaugural DECA Club headed to the NY State Competition in Rochester, making our school proud.
On the National Latin Exam, our students were decorated with honors: 6 students received Gold Summa Cum Laude, 9 students received Silver Maxima Cum Laude, 12 students received Magna Cum Laude, 13 students received Cum Laude recognition, and one Blue Certificate of Merit for the School.
Nearly all the students in Mr. Bedes’ High School French classes sat for and passed the French DELF (certification) A1, A2, or B1 exams through L’Alliance NY.
Mr. Bedes was proud to induct 16 members into our newly established French Honor Society.
In the Chinese Bridge Competition, Gr. 4 Scottie F. won 3^rd place in the Eastern Region. Two of our Gr. 3 students, Isabelle L. and Bathazar R., also received recognition!

*French Honor Society Induction Ceremony*

Math/Science

Our school won the New York State Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) competition for High School. Thank you to Physics teacher and coach Josh Winter for continuing to grow the team.
Our High School Robotics team Ori-Gen went to the Super Qualifier round of the FIRST Robotics Challenge after winning the Inspire Award 3^rd place regionally. It was their first year of competition, and we look forward to another great year ahead.
Once again, a large group of students sat for the MATH KANGAROO assessment for younger grades across both our campuses and comprised one of the largest groups yet to receive accolades from the organization.
NOETIC Math accolades poured in with national winners across several grades across both of our campuses!

*Our High School Science Team won 1^st place in the New York State TEAMS competition!*

Sports

Our Varsity Boys and Middle School Girls Tennis teams won the inaugural CPSAL Tennis Championships!
Our Middle School Flag Football team won the CPSAL League Championships after an incredible season. Go Bears!!!
Our Gr. 4-5 Co-ed Soccer Team won the CONSAT Championships. We are proud of our young student-athletes!
Our Middle School Boys won the CPSAL Indoor Track Championship, and our Middle School Girls came in 3^rd! High School Student Talia L. took first place in the Varsity Girls 1 mile and 800m.
CPSAL Boys and Girls Cross Country Team: Our Bears had a great season, and the High School Boys team took home 2nd Place, High School Girls placed 3^rd overall, and Middle School Boys placed 3^rd overall.
Our High School Flag Football and High School Boys Soccer teams made it to the league semi-finals
CSAA Varsity and JV School Volleyball Team, as well as High School Flag Boys Flag Football, made it to the league playoffs.
Our Varsity Girls Soccer Team had its first season, winning 2^nd place in the CPSAL Spring Classic Tournament.

Community Involvement

This year, our high school team arranged a Fourth Annual Day of Service in the fall to bring our community together and make a difference locally with nonprofits around Red Hook.
Our National Honor and National Junior Honor Society students dedicated more than 2,000 hours to service projects this year!
Our Lower and Upper school community donated hundreds of coats, scarves, hats, and more to our local Coat Drive in the fall.
Our community created more than 200 Thanksgiving cards for Heights and Hills to deliver with their Thanksgiving meals to seniors.
Students in our High School Program conducted a Red Hook Clean Up before Earth Day. They picked up 169 pounds of trash around the neighborhood.

These awards and examples of community involvement are an amazing testament to the school and the power of the curriculum and teachers. Most importantly, they are an incredible representation of our creative, diverse, driven scholars. It is important to us that as a school we prioritize opportunity, finding opportunities for students to showcase their skills, define their interests, and pursue their passions.

Looking Ahead

Without community, academic success is temporary and limited. We have made significant growth as a community this year, and it is our priority to support and grow in the year ahead under the guiding principles of BEARS–Belonging, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Service. Cultivating mutual respect and trust is key for our school after eleven years in Brooklyn.

Teachers continue to express to us that they love this school because they are allowed to teach the subjects they know best, the way they know best. They are allowed to share their passion for their subjects with their students, and this builds engagement. We are excited to bring new faculty into the fold and continue supporting veteran teachers returning to our campus.

As we close our thoughts on the year, we want to salute our Class of 2025 for shaping our sense of community and traditions at our school. What we want to ask from our alumni and parents is to help provide professional advice and even connect our students after they graduate to internships and opportunities as part of our expanded mentorship program.

Overall, we want our students to look back, feel a great sense of pride in their school, and share in the school’s success that they helped create. We have much to celebrate, and we are in an exciting position after eleven years of educating students in Brooklyn. We truly look forward to the year ahead!

Unlocking Potential: A Glimpse into Extracurricular Life at BASIS Independent Manhattan

August 12, 2025 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe that the best education is enhanced by extracurricular activities. Beyond the classroom, our extensive array of clubs, activities, and athletics plays a crucial role in fostering well-rounded individuals. Through exploring their passions, our students develop new skills and cultivate leadership in a supportive environment. As a PreK-Grade 12 private school in NYC, with our Lower School serving PreK-Grade 5 on the Upper West Side and our Upper School serving grades 6-12 in Chelsea, we offer diverse opportunities tailored to every age and interest.

two prek students participate in gardening club outside by pouring water on a tray of dirt

Read on to learn more about our exciting after-school activities, clubs, and sports, designed to enhance the academic journey and build a stronger sense of self. For an in-depth look at our full program offerings, please visit our dedicated pages for Clubs & Activities and Sports & Athletics.

Lower School Extracurriculars:

Cultivating Early Passions (PreK-Grade 5)

four lower school boy students stand in basketball poses wearing their wildcat jerseys

On the Upper West Side, our Lower School students choose from a selection of after-school programming to pursue their interests in sports, art, music, science, technology, and more! We continuously expand our offerings, aiming to inspire broad participation among our young Wildcats.

Some of our super-popular clubs that return year-after-year include:

Basketball
Cheer-Gymnastics
Chess
Drama (Putting on a fully staged musical production)
Piano
Soccer
Speech & Debate
Tech & Lighting (for the Drama Club’s musical)
Tennis

engineering and robotics club building lego robots

girl students make cheer gymnastics pyramid with pompoms

We also have the best teachers, who are not only expert educators and passionate about the subjects they teach, but they also run after-school programs. These teacher-led clubs are some of our most popular! While building strong teacher-student relationships, participants have unique opportunities for exploration in:

Drama
Clay World
Comic Book Writing
Fashion & Photography
Figure Drawing
Gardening
Pokémon
Set & Costume Design (for the Drama Club’s musical)

The primary goal behind our Lower School’s extracurricular design is to foster curiosity, skill-building, creativity, and exposure to new areas beyond the classroom. We also actively curate our programs to meet the majority of requests from our families, based on our annual surveys.

students as the sharks hold a pose perform drama club musical finding nemo

the three student leads of finding nemo sing the finale

Success & Highlights:

Last year, we saw 82% of our PreK–K students and 76% of our grade 1–5 students engage in these enriching programs, a testament to their appeal and impact. A notable success we are particularly proud of is the Lower School Drama Club, which consistently sells out its shows and fosters cross-club collaboration. We are also proud of our popular Tennis and Piano clubs, which always have a full roster of students.

bar chart showing participation percentages for lower school students

woman with violin in front of a table of musical materials at the extracurricular fair

Upper School Extracurriculars & Sports

Deepening Engagement (Grades 6–12 )

At our Chelsea campus, the Upper School Extracurriculars provide unparalleled opportunities for students to develop a stronger sense of self through a multitude of after-school activities. Approximately 47% of all Upper School students are actively involved in an extracurricular activity, reflecting a strong culture of student engagement beyond the classroom.

two middle school boys playing basketball and running with an opposing player encroaching and a referee in the background

Popular and returning clubs include:

Drama (Putting on a fully staged musical production)
Dungeons & Dragons
Engineering & Robotics
Journalism (Wildcat Weekly News)
Math Support & Competition Prep
Money Smart
Ping Pong
Speech & Debate

This year marks a dynamic period of growth for our Upper School extracurricular landscape, with the launch of a new journalism club, led by one of our beloved English teachers. We are also excited about the continued momentum of our new high school speech and debate program.

a female student gives two thumbs up after testing the bearing weight her bridge could hold in engineering club. she built it with popsicle sticks and stacked six metal weights on top

Success & Highlights:

One of our most exciting success stories comes from our debate team, which began as a middle school club and won the championship two years in a row. Building on that momentum, the team has now transitioned into an Upper School club, expanding its scope and ambition. This year, they are preparing to travel to prestigious institutions such as Columbia.

three middle school students hold up their championship trophies at the ESU USA speech and debate tournament in new york city

Competitive Athletics:

Building Teamwork and Discipline

Our middle and high school student-athletes participate in a robust lineup of competitive sports. This year’s offerings include High School Boys Soccer, High School Girls Volleyball, Middle School Girls Volleyball, and Middle School Basketball.

Philosophy:

Our growing competitive athletics program centers on developing the whole student through sport. We aim to foster:

- sportsmanship,
- teamwork, and
a competitive spirit that pushes students to strive for excellence while embracing both victory and defeat as opportunities for growth.

the middle school girls vollebyall team poses with their championship trophy, holding up the number one with their fingers, and biting their medals like olympians

Program Expansion:

Our athletics/sports offerings are experiencing exciting growth, particularly in volleyball and soccer.

After the middle school volleyball team secured a championship win last fall, enthusiasm for the sport has continued to build, leading to the launch of a brand-new high school volleyball team this fall.
- Additionally, our high school soccer program is kicking off its inaugural season this year by joining a new competitive league.

Cultivating Well-Rounded Wildcats

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, our extracurricular and athletic programs are integral to our mission of educating students to the highest international standards. They are designed to complement our rigorous academic curriculum, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and a sense of community. We encourage both prospective and current families to explore these incredible opportunities.

Leading by Example: Associate Head of Upper School Honored as a Rising Star in Education

July 11, 2025 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe that inspired leadership fuels inspired learning. We are proud to celebrate our Associate Head of Upper School (grades 6–12, Ms. Jennifer Dickens, who has been recognized as one of The Rising Star Women Leaders in Education for 2025 by Women We Admire. This national recognition celebrates women shaping the future of education through innovation, collaboration, and vision—qualities Ms. Dickens embodies every day at our NYC private school.

Ms. Dickens joined our school community as a history teacher, where she quickly distinguished herself not only for her dynamic classroom instruction but for her unwavering commitment to students’ growth and well-being. As she moved into administrative leadership, she carried with her a deep understanding of what it means to be both an educator and a mentor.

“I am so proud that Ms. Dickens’ leadership is not only being recognized internally, but externally,” said Ms. LaNette Hodge, Head of School. “She has a rare gift for inspiring those around her to be their very best, whether they are students in her classroom or colleagues across our campus.”

Her impact is evident in every corner of our school. Whether she is leading professional development sessions on effective classroom management inspired by Teach Like a Champion, organizing icebreakers to build camaraderie among faculty, or simply recognizing a teacher’s effort with a thoughtful shout-out or a surprise treat in the staff lounge, Ms. Dickens has created a culture where every member of our community feels valued and supported.

Ms. Friederike Williams, Dean of Students for our Upper School and a longtime colleague of Ms. Dickens, shared:

“I had the privilege of teaching alongside Ms. Dickens, and I believe she made me a better teacher. I benefited from her expertise and insight while she was my teacher mentor, especially by acquiring new methods for lesson planning structure. She also showed me how reflection on this process would help me find the best way to present content for my students.”

Ms. Dickens is not only a leader in her field but also an innovator. In November, she will attend a national education conference and present her insights in a session, “From Chalkboards to Chatbots: Rethinking AI in Middle Level Education.” Her work explores how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to empower students, personalize learning, and prepare young people for a world that is rapidly evolving.

This award from Women We Admire reinforces what our community already knows: that Ms. Dickens is a dedicated and visionary leader. She reminds us that true leadership is not about titles or accolades—it is about showing up for others, listening with empathy, and never losing sight of why we do this work in the first place.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dickens on this well-deserved honor. We are excited to watch her continue to lead, inspire, and redefine what is possible in education.

Class of 2025: Graduation Reflections

July 10, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

On June 18th, family, faculty, and students of BASIS Independent Brooklyn gathered together at the Palm House in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to celebrate the accomplishments of our Class of 2025. Our twenty-four graduates are now poised to continue their academic careers in top colleges and universities across the country.

During the ceremony, Valedictorian Maxim S. expertly captured their time together as a class and inspired his fellow graduates to look ahead to all that is in store for them. We wanted to share his speech with our community since his words reflected the joy and honor at the heart of the celebration.

Address by Class of 2025 Valedictorian Maxim S.

Hello everyone, and thank you all for coming to celebrate this long-awaited achievement. It is an honor to stand on this stage as valedictorian—an honor I couldn’t have achieved without the unwavering support of my teachers, administrators, and, of course, my family.

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt—thank you for not only giving me the opportunities to succeed, but for being there through all my highs and lows. And a special thank you to my brother as well—although he’s not here today, I truly cannot imagine how dull life would have been without your company, snarky humor, and competitiveness.

For most of us, today marks the long-awaited moment of liberation. The words AP, College Board, and Advisory are finally behind us. No more watching AP Classroom videos at 2x speed, hiding from Advisory teachers in the Senior Lounge, or complaining to our teachers about unnecessary post-AP assignments. I’ll admit, I certainly felt that sense of freedom at Senior Send-Off—more excited about what’s to come than nostalgic for what had passed.

But over the course of this last trimester—with more free time and fewer deadlines—I’ve had space to reflect and genuinely appreciate what BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] as given us.

Like many of you, I joined this school in its early days. When my family moved to the United States in the middle of my 2nd-grade year, I was nervous. I didn’t know how I’d fit in, or whether my differences would set me apart. But BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] did something remarkable—it welcomed me with open arms. It embraced the things that made me unique and gave me the space to grow into who I am today.

This small community—quirky, intense, tight-knit—has encouraged us to be ourselves. Class presentations and projects gave us the creative liberty to explore our topics of interest deeper. And because our class was so small, we had no choice but to listen to each other—to hear perspectives we might have tuned out in a more traditional high school. That closeness made us not just classmates, but collaborators, confidants, and, in many cases, lifelong friends.

We felt this school was small enough to create the changes we wanted—and so we did. We argued our case for better grades after tests we thought were unfair, started clubs where we saw gaps in the extracurricular catalog, and pitched in to support both the BASIS [Independent] and Red Hook communities. Sure, some of our efforts didn’t succeed—like the infamous Puerto Rico trip—but every attempt taught us how to advocate for ourselves, speak up, and shape the environment around us.

Through these four years, there were obviously moments when I wasn’t always the most prideful about our school. I sometimes compared our experience to the more “traditional” high schools we see in movies, and wondered what we were missing. But now, I see just how special our journey has been. We weren’t just students here. We were contributors to something still being built, persevering through academic rigor to help leave a mark on the expanding BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] community. And because of that, we didn’t just grow—we helped shape the school that shaped us.

So to the Class of 2025: As we turn the page and begin the next chapter, let’s not forget the laughter, the lessons, and the late nights that brought us to this stage. Let’s carry forward the values BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] has instilled in us—the courage to be ourselves, the willingness to listen, and the strength to grow. So let’s not wait for the world to change—let us be the ones who change it.

Congratulations, Class of 2025. And in the words of Fabrizio Romano: Here we go!

Thank you to Maxim and our entire Class of 2025 for leaving their mark on our school community! We will be cheering you on these next few months during the transition to college.

Celebrating Young Authors: BASIS Independent Fremont’s 3rd Annual Creative Writing Competition

July 1, 2025 by sarahpeterson Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Fremont, we believe in nurturing creativity just as much as academic excellence. A highlight of student life at our Lower School is the Creative Writing Competition, now in its third year. This year, we’re especially excited to showcase the voices behind the stories—literally. Each of our winning authors recorded a reading of their work, bringing their characters and historical journeys to life in their own words.

Open to all students in grades 4 and 5, the contest offers young writers an opportunity to share their voices, hone their craft, and be recognized for their storytelling talents. The prompt invited students to imagine a time traveler who experiences a historical event or moment in time, and how that experience changes them. Students responded with a wide range of creative, heartfelt, and thought-provoking stories.

Entries were judged by a panel that included Upper School English teachers, high school Creative Writing students, and local author Krystaelynne Sanders Diggs. Ms. Diggs—a published author, speaker, and advocate for children’s voices in literature—brought her expertise and passion for storytelling to the judging process.

We are proud to introduce the three winners of this year’s contest, each honored in a specific award category. Read on to meet each writer, discover what made their story stand out, and hear them share their work aloud in the videos below. From strong character arcs to inventive ideas and beautifully descriptive language, these young writers impressed us all—and we think they’ll impress you, too.

Best Character Development: Arya S. (Grade 5) – “In Memory of Papouli“

Arya impressed the judges with a compelling protagonist whose emotional growth unfolds beautifully over the course of “In Memory of Papouli”. Her ability to build a believable and dynamic character stood out in a field of strong contenders.

Watch Arya read her story below:

Most Original: Arjun M. (Grade 4) – “The Old Way Forward – A Time Traveler’s Tale“

Arjun’s story, “The Old Way Forward – A Time Traveler’s Tale”, took a wonderfully imaginative approach to the prompt, offering a fresh twist on time travel that surprised and delighted our judges. His creativity and risk-taking paid off in a story that felt entirely his own.

Watch Arjun read his story below:

Most Descriptive: Yunxi X. (Grade 4) – “Through the Tube of Time“

With vivid language and detailed imagery, Yunxi transported readers into the heart of “Through the Tube of Time”. Her descriptions made scenes come alive, immersing the reader in every sound, smell, and sight.

Watch Yunxi read her story below:

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Creative Writing Competition is just one of the many ways our Humanities Program fosters a love of storytelling and self-expression. Arya, Arjun, and Yunxi’s work showcases the creativity, imagination, and talent that thrive in our classrooms. We hope their accomplishments inspire others to find their voice and explore their own creative journeys at BASIS Independent Fremont and beyond.

Curious about how BASIS Independent Fremont supports students’ academic and creative growth?

Connect with a member of our admissions team to learn more.

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