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Awards & Recognition

Exceptional Achievement: Nearly 1 in 4 Seniors Named National Merit Finalists!

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At BASIS Independent Schools, we take immense pride in our students’ dedication to academic excellence. This year, we are thrilled to announce that an impressive 44 seniors have been recognized as 2025 National Merit Scholarship Finalists, a prestigious honor that reflects their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to success.

Our students’ outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT has earned them a place among the nation’s top academic achievers. This distinction not only showcases their exceptional abilities but also highlights the advanced, globally benchmarked BASIS Curriculum that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep content mastery.

A Remarkable Achievement Across Our Schools

  • BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: 25 National Merit Finalists
  • BASIS Independent Fremont: 13 National Merit Finalists
  • BASIS Independent McLean: 4 National Merit Finalists
  • BASIS Independent Brooklyn: 2 National Merit Finalists

What This Recognition Means

The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. Finalists are selected based on their exceptional PSAT/NMSQT scores, academic performance, leadership qualities, and extracurricular achievements. These students now advance to compete for prestigious National Merit Scholarships, a testament to their dedication and perseverance.

The BASIS Independent Schools Legacy

At BASIS Independent Schools, we cultivate a learning environment that empowers students to push boundaries and achieve their highest potential. Our challenging curriculum, expert educators, and dynamic learning culture ensure that students are well-prepared for success in college and beyond.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2025 National Merit Scholarship Finalists! Your hard work and passion for learning inspire us all. We look forward to seeing your continued success as you take the next steps in your academic journey.

Stay tuned for more updates as we celebrate these exceptional scholars and their accomplishments!

See what sets our students apart—explore our High School Program today!

BASIS Independent Schools provides students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here. 

2024 – 2025 Startups at Spring Competition: Wellness in the Workplace

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Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools, and the results are sure to impress. How could students in grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators seek to discover at the yearly Startups at Spring Competition.  

The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education Group school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was “Wellness in the Workplace” and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals.  

The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”.  

Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I was so impressed with the level of maturity in this year’s presentations. Our theme was wellness, and we had students speaking on subjects related to health, safety, and well-being at levels far beyond their teenage years. It really makes me hopeful that they will be able to bring some of these ideas to fruition in the future.” 

The top three teams are awarded prize money to be donated to a charity of their choice.  

Third Place: Team Wanderphyll
(awarded $2,000)

Team Members: Akhil G. (Grade 9) and Jacob L. (Grade 9) 

School: BASIS Independent Silicon Valley 

Startup: Wanderphyll: Explore the Wanderphyll World of Nature 

Selected Charity: World Wildlife Fund  

Pitch: Stress and laziness from schools and offices have caused people to stop going outside. People would rather spend their free time on their phones or watching TV.  Mental health issues like depression increase alongside with pressure and stress from work and constant screen time and lack of exercise. Going outside to nature restores people’s mental well-being and reduces depression and anxiety in most people. 

Wanderphyll is a mobile app that incentivizes going outdoors by turning it into a passive game. 

Team Take Away 
“The entire Startups at Spring experience has been a wonderful learning opportunity; allowing us to experience the full process of fleshing out an idea into a detailed framework for a startup. It was a fun experience and we enjoyed watching the other presentations and we’re glad that it was also able to make a positive impact in the form of a donation to a charity. Additionally, we’d like to thank the organizers, especially Ms. Silva, and the judges for making the whole competition possible.”

To view their entire presentation, click here.  

Second Place: Team SipSense
(awarded $3,000)

Team Members: Rishik P. (Grade 10) and Aarya V. (Grade 11) 

School: BASIS Independent McLean 

Startup: SipSense: Have a Sense of What You’re Sipping 

Selected Charity: US-India Solidarity Mission 

Pitch: 11 million women in the U.S. have been assaulted or worse as a result of involuntary consumption of drugs through drinks. More than 80% of women have reported an imminent need for safer pubs, bars, and restaurants.

The solution? A drug sensor system that is accurate, reuseable, discrete, and is connected to a multi-functional app.

Team Take Away 
“Developing our startup idea and building a prototype was a truly unique and inspiring journey. It expanded our vision of what’s possible—from further product development and manufacturing to real-world application. Throughout this competition, we discovered our ability to create innovative solutions that address genuine needs in modern society. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Wright and Mr. Biemesderfer for helping refine our pitch deck to its best possible version. Above all, this experience taught us that many of today’s societal challenges remain inadequately addressed, and there is a critical demand for creative, effective solutions.”

To view their entire presentation, click here. 

First Place: Team OurIBD
(awarded $5,000)

Team Members: Zoe A. (Grade 9) 

School: Laurel Springs 

Startup: Our IBD: AI Powered Gut Health Tracking – From Toilet to Data, Instantly 

Selected Charity: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation 

Pitch: 10 million plus are diagnosed with inflammatory (IBD) globally. 80% struggle with tracking symptoms accurately and current solutions are invasive, expensive, and unreliable. Patients are forced to guess, leading to frequent ER visits and worsening health.  

The solution is an AI-powered, non-invasive stool monitoring device.   

Team Take Away 
“Winning 1st place at the Startups at Spring Competition isn’t just an award—it’s validation that an idea born from my own struggles has the power to help others. I started OurIBD because I knew firsthand how frustrating and exhausting it is to manage IBD with delayed test results, invasive procedures, and unreliable tracking methods. What began as a personal project—a way to automate symptom tracking and detect inflammation through AI—has grown into something real, impactful, and now, recognized.

Pitching my startup, seeing industry leaders believe in what I’m building was a moment I’ll never forget. It reinforced that this isn’t just a personal solution—it’s something that can truly change lives. I’m incredibly honored, not just for the recognition, but for the chance to take this further, refine my prototype, and push toward making this available to real patients. And to give back, I’m honored to be donating my $5,000 prize to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation—an organization that has supported my family and I since diagnosis, and helps millions of others just like myself.”

To view their entire presentation, click here. 

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Expert Judging Panel

Mr. John Forte is the CEO and President of VT-ARC, responsible for guiding strategic growth in applied research and development with the intent of strengthening national security, driving societal impact, and improving the human condition. In this capacity he also oversees 5 Innovation Centers for the Air and Space Force, drawing together government, industry and academia to advance research and accelerate innovation. 

Prior to VT-ARC, Mr. Forte served as one of the US Air and Space Force’s 5 science and technology executives (EPAs), responsible for advising the command, control, communications and networking needs of the warfighter and the Department of Defense. He was charged with creating forward leaning and innovative ecosystems focusing upon the toughest challenges across multiple operating domains. During this time Mr. Forte also served as an advisor on the Defense Science Board for critical infrastructure resilience. 

Mr. Forte served nearly 10 years as a senior leader within the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). His culminating assignment was as the Executive for the Homeland Protection Mission Area, directing the development and implementation of technologies and solutions to protect the United States against a variety of asymmetric threats. While at JHU, he founded and served as the Interim Director of JHU’s Institute for Assured Autonomy, a center of excellence charged with driving safety, security, and reliability into the future autonomous world. 

Mr. Forte served in numerous senior leadership positions within the public and private sectors, including the Morgan Franklin Corporation, MITRE, and as the Chief Scientist for the White House Communications Agency. He also served as a communications officer in the US Army, assigned to multiple airborne and special operations units and deploying in support of operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. 

Mr. Forte earned a BSEE from the University of Tulsa and an MSEE from George Washington University with a focus in Communications and Networks. He also completed Executive Programs at the Harvard Kennedy School on Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology; as well as on National and International Security. 

Mr. Amrit Saxena is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm, that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology.  Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (Stella.ai, Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, and enterprise software companies in the Silicon Valley, investing in 300+ early stage technology companies (including being an early investor in companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Figure, Perplexity, SpaceX, Palantir, etc.).  

Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015.  Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from 0 to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford & MIT.

He received his B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded 7 U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford. 

Mr. Ken Snyder serves as the Executive Director of the Shingo Institute and as a Senior Lecturer in the department of Marketing, Strategy, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship (MSLE) of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. He has regularly taught the business planning course in the Entrepreneurship program. 

Mr. Snyder earned an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1980 with an emphasis in international business. Immediately after graduation, Mr. Snyder joined a Japanese electronics manufacturing company and led the startup of its U.S. affiliate company as plant manager, CFO, and later president of that company. 

Mr. Snyder then raised money to launch a venture startup company which ultimately was unsuccessful. Mr. Snyder then led a corporate-backed startup company, Progressive Impressions International (PII) in Bloomington, Illinois. Following this successful startup, Mr. Snyder then led a corporate venture capital fund within Taylor Corporation. 

Before joining the Huntsman School, Mr. Snyder was president of Marketing Communication Inc., an operating division of Taylor Corporation, where he directed a group of six companies while growing revenues from $25 million to over $80 million. He joined the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in 2008. 

National Junior Honor Society at BASIS Independent Bellevue

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The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) plays an integral role in building up the students in our Middle School Program as young leaders. As one of the premier student organizations in the nation, NJHS empowers members to contribute meaningfully to their communities while excelling academically. This year, our NJHS chapter has been busier than ever as our school continues to grow. 

Character, Citizenship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. 

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) pillars—character, citizenship, leadership, scholarship, and service—align with BLV’s mission to foster well-rounded students. NJHS encourages students to pursue academic projects and take the lead on initiatives that benefit their community. In grade 10, students transition to the National Honor Society (NHS), which introduces additional requirements to further their growth. This progression reflects BLV’s commitment to teaching foundational skills and guiding students toward confidently reaching higher levels of achievement. 

The number of members fluctuates yearly depending on the number of applicants. The admittance process is rigorous, and students must re-apply annually.  Students need to have earned high marks in school, complete the application questions which show examples of how they work to achieve the pillar characteristics, and write an essay based on the chosen topic. Once they have submitted their application, it is looked over by the Chapter Head and by the faculty committee which is made up of teachers from our school. 

Currently, our chapter has 30 students, each doing their best to stay committed to upholding NJHS’s principles. Becoming a member of NJHS at BASIS Independent Bellevue is an honor and a responsibility. Membership requires ongoing dedication. Students must maintain strong academic standing, contribute 15 volunteer hours, and participate in NJHS activities. Students have done many creative projects such as cleaning up parks and leading informational lessons at libraries. These expectations and activities of NJHS ensure that members remain engaged and committed to their personal growth and community impact.  

NJHS at BASIS Independent Bellevue: This Year so Far  

At the beginning of the school year, students who had been accepted into the BASIS Independent Bellevue NJHS chapter joined the organization during our Induction Ceremony. During this event, select students read passages relating to the five pillars. Students then took their NJHS oath and received their certificate from Head of School, Dr. Thies.   

In the months of November and December, BASIS Independent Bellevue hosted a food drive in partnership with Renewal Food Bank. During this time, NJHS students had the opportunity to volunteer with counting, storing, and organizing the food and hygiene products that were donated. At the end of the food drive, NJHS students went to deliver the food to the bank and received a tour to learn more about the food bank process and the communities impacted by the donations. 

Lending support to our on campus community is also a passion for many of our NJHS students. For example, four grade 8 students from NJHS are currently working on a student-led project. To help support their peers in grades 6 through 8 who are taking their Pre-Comprehensive exams at the end of January, they have partnered with the primary students to create encouraging notes. The primary students wrote personal messages of support which the grade 8 students then attached to folded origami cranes that they had hand-crafted.

As our learning community grows further, NJHS is becoming a force that strengthens our student body. Through their dedication to service, leadership, and character, NJHS members set an example for their peers.  

Redefining College Prep at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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Early applications are in, the first decisions are coming out, regular deadlines are approaching, and the long college checklist doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Thankfully, our seniors are balancing any anxiety with confidence gained from BASIS Independent Manhattan’s college prep programs and supportive environment.  

With personalized guidance from our dedicated faculty, expert resources, and custom events, the Class of 2025 is not only applying to the finest educational institutions but also cultivating resilience and independence – qualities that will serve them well in their future academic journeys.  

Here’s a glimpse into the incredible work our students have been doing. 

Personalized Preparation

While traditional high school students might begin preparing for college in grade 11 or 12, our students begin their college preparation in grade 9. This early start allows our College Counselor, Mr. Tejada, to take the time to get to know each student’s interests and strengths.  

He says, “I ask students about their career interests, potential major, passions, and hobbies and work with them on ways they can demonstrate them in meaningful ways.” 

For Mr. Tejada, it’s not just enough that our students are prepared to apply to college. They must understand the connection between their strengths and the varying opportunities that each university has to offer. 

College Counseling one-on-one

To help students uncover this connection, Mr. Tejada works with seniors in a daily 45-minute College Counseling class to learn practical skills, such as navigating the application process, resume building, and essay writing, while also having them explore future degrees that might be a good fit.

A Standout Program

At many other schools in NYC, college counseling is part of a general guidance counseling program where the onus is on the student to ask for support and meet application deadlines. At BASIS Independent Manhattan there is a balance of independence and accountability. The College Counselor works one-on-one with juniors and seniors on a weekly basis, challenging them to complete goals and following up on their weekly progress.  

Another factor that has empowered the older students at BASIS Independent Manhattan is our commitment to small class sizes and expert educators. This model has made it possible for our teachers to really impart a deep understanding and mastery of content in the sciences, mathematics, literature, history, world languages, and AP Courses.  Personalized teaching makes for proficient learning and is one of the contributors to our legacy of outstanding test scores. 

Bringing Experts to You

BASIS Independent Manhattan is committed to sharing what we know with parents, recognizing the significant role they play in their children’s educational journey. Our insightful “College Admissions 101” classes are a series of monthly workshops for high school parents/guardians hosted by Mr. Tejada. Each of these exclusive virtual sessions features knowledgeable panelists who provide valuable insights into various steps or specific topics within the college application process. Topics covered include:  

  • The benefits of pre-college programs 
  • Testing with the SAT & ACT and using those tests in the college application process 
  • A guide to University of California Admissions 
  • Financial aid 
  • The benefits of public honors colleges and programs 

And so on. Below is a simplified list highlighting some of the more impactful elements of our college preparation program.  

Grades 9 & 10Grade 11Grade 12
College Counseling Newsletter College Counseling Newsletter College Counseling Newsletter 
Encouraged to attend college rep visits  Required to attend college rep visits  Encouraged to attend college rep visits  
Open access to counselor  Open access to counselor  Open access to counselor  
Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians
Student “Boot Camp” Workshops (Spring)Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor (Spring)Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor  
Daily College Counseling Class for two trimesters in length
Life-Skills Mentoring
Cornell University Acceptance
Congratulations on your Early Decision at Cornell!

Impressive Results

Already, there is good news to celebrate. Four of our seniors received Early Decision acceptances, and we are thrilled to announce they will be attending:

  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Lehigh University
  • Babson College 

One could attribute success in the college application process to our advanced curriculum, your child’s innate talents, or a myriad of other factors. However, the effectiveness of the approach at BASIS Independent Manhattan truly stands out, showcasing the remarkable results we achieve together.  

Setbacks are inevitable, but our students are well-equipped to overcome them with the right mindset. Our robust college counseling program plays a crucial role in this process. With personalized support, dedicated resources, and daily classes, our students confidently navigate obstacles and are empowered to make informed decisions about their future. 

Interested in learning more? Schedule a tour of our Upper School campus to witness firsthand what sets our programs apart!

Young Author Spotlight: Aashna S., Grade 12

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We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Aashna S., a grade 12 student from our Upper School, to learn more about her journey as an author and poet. Aashna recently published a book of poems titled “Reflections”, and we were captivated by her creativity, talent, and remarkable accomplishment. Join our Head of School, Ms. Abodouma, and Head of Operations, Ms. Apra as they explore her creative process and the story behind her work.

Tell us about your book of poems and what inspired you to write it?

I began writing “Reflections” over a year and a half ago. At first, I would jot down my thoughts in the Notes app on my phone, creating different tabs when I was commuting in the car, on the bus, or riding BART. The process took about eight months, after which I organized my work into a collection of poems. It was my dad who suggested reaching out to publishers, so I sent a few samples of my work, and that’s where the journey toward publishing began.

How did you figure out that you had a passion for writing?

I used to write a lot of short stories, primarily dystopian fiction, and even had one of my stories published in “Teen Ink” magazine. Dystopian fiction felt like an escape and allowed me the freedom of being untethered in my writing. “Reflections” is my first attempt at poetry, and the experience has really brought me back to my center. Poetry has re-centered me and led me to reexamine my own feelings in the context of my life as opposed to the dystopian futuristic society I was used to writing about. 

My first exposure to writing was actually taking the Creative Writing Elective here at BIF in grade 8 and my passion grew from there. One of my favorite achievements since then has been founding our school’s literary magazine which I have been working on for the past three years. 

What is your favorite piece in this book?

My favorite pieces are “candle” and “empathy.” A candle is a symbol that has always intrigued me; there are so many different ways to look at a candle. A candle can signify a journey or a way to measure time. For instance, high school is a journey where you are constantly timing yourself. On one hand, you want to stop, slow down, and appreciate this journey, but on the other hand, you are always looking ahead to the future and how much time you have left. 

Also, in the piece “candle” – I talk about how a journey is illuminated but the destination is shrouded in darkness. A candle dims over time but in the darkness, you have freedom. 

Did you face any challenges when writing this book?

I encountered a few challenges while writing “Reflections.”

The first was organizing my poems cohesively and identifying common themes—this was challenging but also enjoyable. The second challenge was the publishing process itself. The book went through multiple rounds of edits and revisions, and it was difficult to decide when to stop. I wanted to keep refining and improving, but eventually, I had to reach a point where I could say, “I’m satisfied,” and be ready to publish.

Do you have any special memories from your classes or teachers here at BIF about learning to write stories/poems?

In grade 7 English with Mr. Betcher, we were asked to write poetry, both original and emulate existing poems from “Brown Girl Dreaming.” That was my first exposure to poetry and is a really special memory for me. 

My book dedication includes Mr. Betcher. In it, I mention how he helped me become bold and courageous in my writing. My English classes here at BASIS Independent Fremont have challenged me to explore creative expression and introduced me to authors who have deeply inspired me.

Where do you hope to go from here in your journey as an author and poet?

Honestly, my goal is to read more novels and poetry to continue developing my own voice as an author and poet. I want to challenge myself by experimenting with form, structure and themes and see how I can make my messages more potent and powerful. I plan to stay involved in literary spaces throughout college.

I see this first book as just the beginning, and I hope to publish more in the future while continuing to grow as a writer.

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Humanities Program continues to cultivate a community of young, talented authors who are motivated to pursue their passions! Aashna’s journey and accomplishments inspire others to express their creativity and explore their own talents at BASIS Independent Fremont.

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

BASIS Independent Schools Solidify Position as Leading K-12 Network

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The 2025 Niche private school rankings are here, and BASIS Independent Schools has once again secured its spot as one of the nation’s top, private K–12 institutions! This year, five of our seven campuses were eligible for ranking, and all of them received high honors: BASIS Independent Brooklyn, McLean, Silicon Valley, along with Fremont and Manhattan, which were eligible for rankings for the first time this year. BASIS Independent Bellevue and Bothell, our newest schools, will be eligible for ranking in the next few years.

2025 Rankings: BASIS Independent Schools


National Achievements



State and Region Achievements

Top Rankings by Campus

BASIS Independent McLean: A+ Grade

#1 Best Private K-12 Schools in Virginia

#1 Best High Schools for STEM in Virginia

#1 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Virginia

#1 Best Private High Schools in Virginia


BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: A+ Grade

#3 Best High Schools for STEM in California

#5 Best High Schools for STEM in America


BASIS Independent Brooklyn: A+ Grade

#9 Best College Prep High Schools in New York 

#11 Best Private K-12 Schools in New York

#20 Best Private K-12 Schools in America


BASIS Independent Manhattan: A+ Grade
(First year eligible for Rankings)

#15 Best High Schools for STEM in New York 

#20 Best Private K-12 Schools in New York 


BASIS Independent Fremont: A+ Grade
(First year eligible for Rankings)

#6 Best High Schools for STEM in the San Francisco Bay Area

#9 Best High Schools for STEM in California

#13 Best Private K-12 Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area

Niche, a trusted leader in K–12 school rankings, provides detailed profiles for schools across the U.S. using comprehensive search and data tools. The 2025 rankings are based on an in-depth analysis of key data points and millions of reviews from students and parents. Factors such as SAT/ACT scores, the quality of colleges students pursue, student-teacher ratios, and private school ratings are considered. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche users, and the schools themselves.

“We are both extremely proud and also not surprised by this recognition and attention for BASIS Independent Schools,” says Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “This year, two additional schools were eligible to be ranked and the impressive rankings for BASIS Independent Fremont (CA) and BASIS Independent Manhattan only goes to show the consistency of excellent across our network of schools.”

These exciting achievements further highlight our continued excellence and commitment to delivering world-class education year after year, and further demonstrates the dedication of our Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, and their unwavering commitment to helping students achieve success at the world’s leading colleges and universities. The strength of our network is evident from coast to coast, consistently delivering outstanding results.

Explore Admissions at a BASIS Independent school today. Find your school.

BASIS Independent Schools offer the high-achieving BASIS Curriculum, which was developed in 1998 and serves students from preschool through Grade 12. BASIS Independent Schools educates 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, well-rounded leaders across disciplines. BASIS Independent Schools currently offers private school campuses in California, New York, Northern Virginia, and Washington State.

Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

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In September, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including Maxwell H. and Gustavo P. of BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025! These high school seniors can now continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. Alongside our two Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated three Commended Scholars: James R., Maxim S., and Ryan T. ’25.

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) 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. 

2025 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars-Front Row from left to right James R., Maxwell H., Ryan T., and Gustavo P. Not pictured Maxim S.

“The honored students exemplify the spirit of excellence seen throughout our school, ” said Josh Harmon, Head of School at BASIS Independent Brooklyn. “Their accomplishment reflects the level of achievement that we strive for, and I am sure that I speak for the entire community when I say that we couldn’t be more proud of these individuals and commend them on their hard work and dedication.”

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 2025 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.

On behalf of all BASIS Independent Schools, we are so proud of you—and of all of our students—for your continual academic achievements. Please join us in congratulating our incredible 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 and receive admissions updates and more, please click here. 

BASIS Independent Manhattan: A Rising Star in New York City Education

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BASIS Independent Manhattan is thrilled to announce its remarkable success in the 2025 Best Schools Niche Rankings! We have burst into the scene in our inaugural year of eligibility, securing spots in the Top 15 Best Private Schools in Manhattan and Top 20 Best Private High Schools in New York. These outstanding achievements are a testament to our dedicated faculty, supportive staff, talented students, and close-knit community. We take great pride in the achievements of our graduating seniors, the Class of 2024, and their impressive college acceptances, which have significantly contributed to our growth and enhanced our profile in NYC.

2025 Rankings: BASIS Independent Manhattan

#13 Best K-12 Private School in Manhattan and #14 Best Private High School in Manhattan

BASIS Independent Manhattan: A+ Grade

#15 Best High School for STEM in New York

#19 Best College Prep Private High Schools in New York

#20 Best Private K-12 Schools in New York

#87 (out of 3,180) Best Private K-12 Schools in America

“Receiving these prestigious rankings is an honor, but I’m most proud of the exceptional educational experience we’ve created,” said Ms. LaNette Hodge, Head of School. “These rankings are a validation of our faculty and staff’s dedication and commitment to our school. Achieving these impressive results in our first year of eligibility is remarkable, and I’m confident that our upward trajectory will continue as we build upon our successes.”

group of students in classroom
lower school balloon welcome

Other BASIS Independent Schools Achieve High Honors

While BASIS Independent Manhattan has made significant strides in New York City, other BASIS Independent Schools across the country have also achieved impressive rankings. BASIS Independent Brooklyn, McLean, Silicon Valley, and Fremont have all secured top positions in their respective regions. These collective achievements solidify BASIS Independent Schools’ position as a leading network of K-12 institutions. Read full network rankings »

Explore Admissions at BASIS Independent Manhattan today. View upcoming admissions events.

Nearly 70% of High School Students Awarded AP Scholar Distinction

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At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we prioritize celebrating our students’ accomplishments across many areas–from fine arts to community service, debate competitions, sports, and beyond. However, academic accomplishment remains a shared priority within our community. Today we can proudly share that based on the 2024 AP scores approximately 68% of our high school students qualified as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars during their time in our program. Students move from AP Scholar to AP Scholar with Honor and then AP Scholar with Distinction. Approximately 75% of our students reach that highest level of AP Scholar with Distinction by the time they graduate.

“The AP Scholar distinctions our students earned this year are yet another measure of the success that’s earned here at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, ” said Josh Harmon, Head of School for BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Upper School. “Academically all of our high school students qualified as AP Scholars by the time they finished their junior year. When looking at all students in grades 9-12 nearly 70% of our high school was awarded the honor of AP Scholar or higher. Moreover, our students sat for more AP exams in 2024 than ever before with the growth of our high school.”

AP Scholar awards recognize students who have demonstrated both a depth and breadth of knowledge and whose work has shown college-level mastery across multiple disciplines. The College Board awards the following distinctions for AP exams, and we have students who have achieved all levels.

    • AP Scholar: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.
    • AP Scholar with Honors: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more exams, and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken.
    • AP Scholar with Distinction: students who received a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken.

Nationwide, only about 10% of students earn the distinction of AP Scholar or higher by the time they graduate (based on historic data provided by the College Board). We are thrilled to share some of the top accomplishments here:

    • 75 students in our high school were named AP Scholar or higher distinctions, representing approximately 68% of our high school in May 2024 when the exams were taken.
    • 75% of our seniors received the AP Scholar with Distinction, the highest award offered by the College Board.

Our school has been recognized as a Platinum Member of the AP School Honor Roll. This is the highest recognition possible for a school on the Honor Roll, and it is based on our students’ outstanding results.

Congratulations to all our students who have earned an AP Scholar Award for their performance on the exams during their High School tenure. See the full lists of student recipients updated to include the 2024 results below:

AP Scholar: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.

Victor B. ’25

Matthias B. ’25

Leo B. ’25

Eden E. ’24

Abraham G. ’27

Joaquim H. ’26

Douglas H. ’27

Gabriel H. ’26

Charlotte J. ’24

Rachel K. ’25

Katherine K. ’26

Avi L. ’24

Hendrix N. ’25

Jason P. ’25

Saajan P. ’26

Sasha T. ’25

AP Scholar with Honors: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more AP exams and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken. Nationwide, only about 6% of students will graduate high school with this degree of recognition or higher. Nearly all of these honorees have done so well before graduation.

Wyatt A. ’26

Laila G. ’24

Archie H. ’26

Laith J. ’25

Alexa L. ’24

Viola L. ’25

AP Scholar with Distinction: Students who have a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken. These students have already completed at least a semester’s worth of college credit while still in high school. Only about 4% of graduating seniors receive this award, and less than 1/10th of 1% of students receive it after sophomore year.

Overall in our high school, the following 50 students received this honor:

Philip B. ’26

Radha B. ’26

Jack B. ’24

Zeke B. ’24

Jack C. ’25

Nathaniel C. ’26

Mia C. ’26

Nicolas D. ’25

Colin D. ’25

Axel F. ’25

Sofia G. ’24

Alexa G. ’26

Samantha G. ’24

Diego G. ’24

Angelina G. ’24

Maxwell H. ’25

Mateo K. ’25

Lianna L. ’26

Aidan L. ’25

Ye L. ’24

Thomas M. ’25

Sabrina M. ’26

Dilan M. ’24

Maddox M. ’25

Ben N. ’24

Sefir O. ’26

Oliver P. ’24

Talin P. ’26

Charles P. ’24

Gustavo P. ’25

Daniel P. ’24

Kanika R. ’26

Noah R. ’26

James R. ’25

Alexander R. ’24

Skye S. ’25

Nadia S. ’25

Xinyi S. ’26

Gregory S. ’26

Maxim S. ’25

Nadine S. ’24

Yuna S. ’24

Jasmine S. ’26

Jonah S. ’24

Lucas S. ’24

Ryan T. ’25

Beckham V. ’26

Isaac W. ’24

River W. ’26

Andre Z. ’24

Photo (above): Our Class of 2025 posing with Associate Head of School Leo Yoon, Head of School Josh Harmon, and College Counselor Matt Brauch.

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 and receive admissions updates and more, please click here. 

BASIS Independent Manhattan Celebrates AP Scholar Recognition

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BASIS Independent Manhattan is proud to announce that nearly half (48%) of our Advance Placement (AP) test-taking students have been recognized by the College Board for their exceptional performance on the 2023-24 AP Exams. These dedicated 23 students demonstrated a remarkable commitment to rigorous academic pursuits and have earned the following prestigious AP Scholar awards.

  • 15 AP Scholars with Distinction: Students who scored 3 or higher on five or more AP exams and an average score of at least 3.75.
  • 5 AP Scholars with Honor: Students who earned scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams and an average score of at least 3.5.
  • 4 AP Scholars: Students who scored 3 or higher on at least three AP exams.
  • 1 AP Capstone Diploma: Students who earned a qualifying score on both the AP Seminar and AP Research exams.
Ms. Meimban administers the AP Exams

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ outstanding accomplishments on the AP Exams,” said Ms. Cyndriel Meimban, Academic Programs Manager at BASIS Independent Manhattan’s Upper School. “Their hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity have enabled them to excel at the highest levels of academic achievement.”

Additional results worth highlighting include:

  • The average AP score for our students was 4.02 (out of 5), whereas it was 2.96 for the rest of the country and abroad.
  • For two years in a row (2022-2023 and 2023-2024), approximately 75% of our AP students reach the highest level of AP Scholar with Distinction by the time they graduate.

What is increasingly impressive is that our students on average complete 12.4 AP exams and complete their AP course requirements during their first three years of high school. These AP Scholar awards are a testament to the exceptional quality of education at BASIS Independent Manhattan in a supportive learning environment with experienced teachers who provide students with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Interested in learning more about our program and the High School Years? We invite you to explore our website, visit our school, 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.