High School

Fall Open Houses: Discover What’s Possible at BASIS Independent Manhattan

September 30, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

We believe students are capable of more than they can imagine. Choosing the right school in New York City is an important step in helping your child discover their endless potential—and finding a community where academic challenge, curiosity, confidence, and joy can grow together.

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we provide an advanced PreK–12 education grounded in a globally recognized, thoughtfully designed curriculum. Our program brings together the liberal arts and STEM, with expert teachers who challenge students to think independently, build meaningful knowledge, and pursue excellence in a warm, collaborative, and unpretentious community.

But choosing a school is about more than selecting an academic program. The best way to understand a school is to experience it.

This fall, we are opening our campus doors on the UWS and in Chelsea to welcome you in. Please join us at our Fall Open Houses to tour our campus, meet school leaders, interact with current students and their families, and connect with our expert teachers as they share how they inspire students to become fearless thinkers.

Lower School Open House | PreK–Grade 5
Saturday, October 17 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
795 Columbus Ave., New York, NY
Upper West Side

Upper School Open House | Grades 6–12
Sunday, October 18 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
556 West 22nd St., New York, NY
Chelsea

Experience Our Curriculum in Action
Our Open Houses are designed to give families a genuine sense of life at BASIS Independent Manhattan. You’ll learn about our advanced, spiraled BASIS Curriculum and see how our Learning and Subject Expert Teachers deliver engaging material through interactive mini-classroom demonstrations.

When you step inside our classrooms at an Open House, you will see how our teachers make learning come alive by sparking curiosity. You’ll get a firsthand look at the kind of engaging, purposeful learning that builds knowledge and confidence and challenges students to think independently.

At the event, prospective students are welcome—and encouraged—to attend. They’ll have opportunities to explore the campus, participate in activities, meet members of our community, and begin imagining themselves as part of the BASIS Independent Manhattan community.

Hear From the People Who Know Us Best
To round out a complete understanding of a school, one must hear the unfiltered experiences of the people who live it every day. Throughout the Open House, you’ll have opportunities to meet current students and their families, hear their perspectives, ask your questions, and get real-life answers about academics, community, student life, and the day-to-day experience of being part of BASIS Independent Manhattan.

Bring your questions and take the opportunity to connect directly with the people who know our community best.

BASIS Independent Manhattan Ranks #1 STEM High School in NY and #3 Private K–12 School in America

September 25, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

When walking through the doors of our Upper West Side and Chelsea campuses, one immediately encounters a distinct atmosphere: primary students exploring the aerodynamics of paper airplanes, upper schoolers engaged in meaningful literature discussions, and whiteboards filled with advanced multivariable calculus equations. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe that students are capable of far more than they can imagine when provided with high support, intellectual freedom, and expert guidance.

That belief lies at the heart of our latest milestone. In the newly released 2027 Niche Best Private Schools Rankings, BASIS Independent Manhattan has earned landmark national, state, and local recognitions:

#1 Best High School for STEM in New York State (up from #12 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in America (up from #228 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in NYC (up from #57 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in NY State (up from #42 in 2026)
#3 Best Private High School in NYC (up from #71 in 2026)
#3 Best Private High School in New York State (up from #52 in 2026)
#4 Best High School for STEM in NYC (up from #17 in 2026)
#8 Best College Prep Private High School in NY State (up from #37 in 2026)
#9 Best College Prep Private High School in NYC (up from #55 in 2026)
#11 Best Private High School in America (up from #391 in 2026)
#21 Best High School for STEM in America (up from #57 in 2026)

While these honors confirm our position among the premier independent educational institutions in the nation, raw statistics only tell part of the story. Behind every ranking is a real story of individual student self-advocacy, faculty collaboration, or community involvement.

Nurturing Fearless Thinkers from the Upper West Side to Chelsea

Educational outcomes are built through intentional, step-by-step progress. From our youngest Wildcats exploring foundational concepts in PreK–grade 5 at our Upper West Side campus to grade 6–12 students engaging in post-AP coursework in Chelsea, the spiraling BASIS Curriculum introduces complex ideas early and revisits them with increasing depth.

This continuum encourages students to be inquisitive, embrace challenging coursework, and develop genuine intellectual agency. Securing the #3 Best Private K–12 School in America spot reflects the strength of this full educational journey, demonstrating how early curiosity develops into college-level mastery.

STEM Excellence Meets Strong Humanities

While being recognized as the #1 Best High School for STEM in New York State is a proud achievement, our academic program extends far beyond science, engineering, and mathematics. We place equal weight and focus on a rich, inquiry-driven humanities curriculum—ensuring that students develop critical analysis, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving skills alongside quantitative rigor.

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, you do not have to be a “STEM kid.” Whether a student’s passion lies in creative writing, historical research, performing arts, or robotics, our dual emphasis on STEM and the liberal arts gives every child the support and freedom to forge their own path. Read more about how we cultivate well-rounded, versatile thinkers in our feature, More Than a STEM School: Highlighting Our Humanities Curriculum.

Experts in the Classrooms

A key driver of our recognition across all disciplines is our Subject Expert Teacher model. Rather than teaching from pre-packaged scripts, our faculty members hold advanced degrees and industry experience in the disciplines they lead.

Whether breaking down complex physics concepts or guiding students through literary analysis, our teachers bring genuine scholarly passion into the classroom. They serve as mentors who show students that intellectual challenges are opportunities for growth, creating an environment where high academic expectations exist alongside social warmth and support.

Purposeful College Prep

The Niche rankings place significant weight on college outcomes, matriculation quality, and advanced coursework participation. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, college counseling is an individualized, reflective process. We work closely with families to ensure each graduate leaves equipped with the confidence, self-advocacy skills, and academic foundation needed to thrive at top-tier universities.

Our growth in national college prep metrics highlights the work of our recent graduating classes and faculty. Their achievements demonstrate that when students are encouraged to take intellectual risks within a supportive community, exceptional outcomes naturally follow.

A Collective Celebration for Our Community

“Receiving these prestigious rankings is a proud milestone for our community, but what inspires us most is the daily work happening across our classrooms,” shares Head of School LaNette Hodge. “These results validate the dedication of our Expert Teachers, the hard work of our students, and the trust of our families. Achieving this level of national and state recognition reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to raising independent thinkers.”

As our sister campuses across the BASIS Independent Schools network—including Brooklyn, McLean, Silicon Valley, and Fremont—continue to earn national honors, we remain focused on our mission in New York City: delivering an advanced education designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, integrity, and joy.

Head of School Address to Seniors

September 24, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Every new school year begins with a wave of excitement, and we always take time to celebrate our seniors at BASIS Independent Brooklyn as they prepare for the next chapter of their education. Our Head of School address is an annual tradition to recognize and inspire our senior class. Earlier this month, Mr. Harmon dropped by Mr. Brauch’s daily college counseling session to welcome our Class of 2027 and help orient them for the school year ahead.

Head of School Josh Harmon (far left) poses with our Class of 2027
and College Counselor Mr. Brauch (far right)

Below are selections from Mr. Harmon’s address:

There has never been a better time to be a senior here. We just finished our 12^th school year, and our school is well established and thriving. All our teachers and administrators are ready to support you. We are all committed to making your final year with us a great one. I just ask for three things in return:

Be a leader on campus. Other students look up to you and will follow you.
Make decisions that benefit you and your families.
Set the tone for the years to come and finish the year strong.

Have fun. Enjoy your senior year. You have worked hard, and we are so proud of you.

In senior year, our students take college-level seminar courses called Capstones. These are teacher-created, post-AP courses that are designed to challenge and engage. While AP courses typically cover a breadth of content, Capstones allow students to explore a topic’s depth. Our teachers’ talents shine as they develop these college-level original courses tied to their academic passions. This year, the Capstone classes at BASIS Independent Brooklyn are:

Astrophysics and Cosmology
Chinese Literature & Culture
Differential Equations
French Cinema
Linguistics
Molecular Genetics & Genomics
Monsters in the Mirror – Victorian Literature
Multivariable Calculus
Music and War in the Modern Age

Seniors also have a daily college counseling class with Mr. Brauch, who developed our college counseling program at our school more than ten years ago. Because seniors meet with our college counseor in a daily class, Mr. Brauch has the time to truly have the time to understand each student’s strengths and aspirations to help them present themselves compellingly in the college admissions and scholarship applications. He guides students as they explore their interests and long-term goals, and he provides steady support throughout what can be an intense application process.

Mr. Brauch is able to focus on each senior during his daily College Counseling Class

In the third and final trimester of senior year, our seniors embark on their Senior Projects. The Senior Project is an independent, student-led culmination of our high school experience. After three years of academic preparation, our seniors are ready to spend the last trimester of their high school careers applying the skills and knowledge they have gained to develop a project that is insightful, academically rigorous, and professional in nature.

Once we know what questions our seniors will set out to answer with their Senior Projects, we will share with our community in the hopes of parents and guardians helping connect our Class of 2027 with leaders in the field who can provide perspective and expert commentary to benefit their research.

Class of 2027: We could not be prouder of you. We will be rooting for you this year and in all the years to come. GO BEARS!

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK– Grade 12 private school, providing students with expert teachers, a globally recognized liberal arts and sciences curriculum, and a welcoming community. Interested in learning more? Attend an upcoming admissions event. To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

Celebrating Our 2027 National Merit Scholars

September 21, 2026 by ezekielbracamonte Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, we are proud to celebrate the Class of 2027 students recognized through the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. This year, 35 BISV students have been named National Merit Semifinalists and 38 have been named Commended Scholars, for a total of 73 recognized students. With 94 students in the graduating class, that means approximately 78% of the Class of 2027 has received National Merit recognition.

While the recognition marks an important academic achievement, the stories behind these students are about much more than a test score. They reflect years of curiosity, persistence, challenging coursework, personal interests, and a willingness to take on something new.

“Being named a National Merit Semifinalists is an incredible accomplishment, and we’re excited to celebrate these students,” said Head of School Sara Kolb. “What makes me especially proud, though, is the curiosity, determination, and enthusiasm they bring to their learning every day. They’ve worked hard, challenged themselves, and pursued the subjects and ideas that interest them. That’s the kind of academic excellence we want to see at BISV—not just strong results, but students who are genuinely excited to learn.”

*Our Semifinalists are pictured with Head of Operations Zach Farrell.*

Finding Their Own Challenges

For Jack Zhu, the journey to becoming a National Merit Semifinalist was shaped by preparation and a willingness to challenge himself early.

“I’m most proud of just the sheer amount of work I put into studying,” Jack said. “I took this test while also taking the actual SAT, so I was really grinding with questions.”

Jack also credits his experience at BISV with encouraging him to step outside his comfort zone from an early age. Taking advanced courses in subjects including physics, calculus, and government as a freshman gave him opportunities to encounter challenging material early in his high school experience.

“BISV did really well introducing me to challenging concepts early,” he said. “I think that really let me go outside my comfort zone and learn a lot of things.”

Looking ahead, Jack hopes to carry that same willingness to challenge himself into the next stage of his education. His advice to younger students is simple: “Work hard and start early.”

For Aaron Cohen, the recognition reflects something he values about his education at BISV: being prepared to take on opportunities when they arise.

“The thing I am most proud of is that everything I needed for the PSAT came from my regular coursework,” Aaron said. “The score just reflected the education I had already been getting.”

That foundation also gave Aaron the confidence to pursue interests beyond the classroom, including physics research and independent projects. He found that having a strong academic foundation allowed him to enter new environments ready to contribute rather than first having to catch up.

“I think the real requirement for thinking independently is that you have to actually be prepared enough to go do something with it when the opportunity is there,” he said.

That mindset has also shaped how Aaron approaches difficult problems. At BISV, he became accustomed to working through challenges without always knowing exactly where they would lead.

“At first that was uncomfortable, but after working through it enough times it became the way I work,” he said. “I expect it will come up constantly in college and in research, and I’m glad I got used to that at BISV instead of having to figure it out for the first time in college.”

Staying Curious

For Melody Dai, being named a National Merit Semifinalist represents a step toward greater independence as she prepares for life after high school. Applying for scholarships has given her an opportunity to think about the practical realities of college while taking greater ownership of her future.

But for Melody, one of the most meaningful parts of her BISV experience has been the community around her.

“BISV has allowed me to take classes with some truly fantastic teachers who not only teach interesting and thought-provoking classes but also are invested in our growth, both academically and personally,” she said.

Her peers have played an important role as well. Surrounded by students who are motivated to pursue their own interests, Melody has been inspired to explore her own passions, contributing to the personal projects and clubs that make up the broader BISV community.

As she looks toward college, Melody hopes to hold onto one quality above all: curiosity.

“I hope I can stay curious and keep learning for the sake of learning,” she said. “While grades and credits are important, the real privilege I’ve had at BISV is taking fascinating classes purely because of my interest in the material.”

For Melody, that includes experiences such as Senior Capstones, which have allowed her to explore subjects because she genuinely wants to learn more about them.

“I plan to continue learning for my personal development both in and outside the classroom, in college and beyond,” she said.

More Than a Recognition

The National Merit recognition is an important milestone for the Class of 2027, but each student’s path to this moment looks different. For some, it has meant pushing themselves through challenging coursework. For others, it has meant pursuing research, independent projects, personal interests, or simply learning to approach unfamiliar problems with greater confidence.

Together, their experiences reflect something at the heart of the BISV community: students who are willing to explore what interests them, challenge themselves, and discover where their curiosity can take them.

We are proud to celebrate the 35 National Merit Semifinalists and 38 Commended Scholars in the Class of 2027 and, most importantly, the individual journeys that brought each of them to this achievement.

Congratulations to our 2027 National Merit Scholars!

View the full list of our 2027 National Merit Semifinalists below and join us in celebrating their achievement.

Aaron Cohen
Melody Dai
Siyu Fan
Jonathan Gao
Nico Gong
Ethan Guo
Garrett Guo
Anusha Hirlekar
Shivani Iyer
Govind Krishnan
Eric Li
Warren Li
Heding Liu
Xinyue (Alice) Liu
Niyantra Mohan Babu
Lucas Quan
Vedh Reddy
Naman Siddheshwar
Carolina Sun
Fred Sun
Elaine Wang
Evelyn Wang
Harrison Wu
Zimeng Xiong
Ethan Xu
Francesca Yang
Liyuan Yang
Brian Yu
Leo Zeng
Yaxin Zheng
David Zhou
Sarah Zhou
Yifan Zhou
Jack Zhu
Lauren Zhuang

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.

Purposeful Connections and Joyful Rigor: How BASIS Independent Manhattan Launched the 2026–27 School Year

September 18, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe students are capable of more than they can imagine. From the very first day of school, our mission is to cultivate a genuinely warm and advanced learning environment where fearless independent thinkers build the confidence to explore, question, and shape the world.

Launching a new academic year is about far more than handing out syllabi or organizing lockers. It is about establishing a joyful learning culture where ambition meets community, and where students feel supported as they step into complex, inspiring challenges. This September, across both our Lower School (PreK–5) and Upper School (Gr. 6–12) campuses on the Upper West Side and in Chelsea, respectively, our Wildcats dove headfirst into BOSS (BASIS Organizational Skills for Success) orientation and our annual Back-to-School Carnivals. Here is how we set the stage for a transformative year of growth.

Cultivating Independence and Agency Through BOSS

At our Lower School campus on the Upper West Side, foundational routines pave the way for self-directed learning. During BOSS week, our youngest Wildcats in PreK through grade 5 mastered essential executive functioning habits—from organizing their daily Communication Journals (CJs) to navigating classroom transitions. By establishing clear, supportive structures early on, our Expert Teachers empower students to take active ownership of their learning journey from day one.

Meanwhile, at our Chelsea campus, middle and high school students kicked off the year with targeted BOSS workshops designed to elevate student agency. Sessions led by our Student Affairs team and faculty focused on crucial life and academic skills, including:

Academics & Technology: Navigating digital learning tools with intention and responsibility.
Flex Time Mastery: Leveraging a daily, 80-minute structured block for academic support, peer collaboration, and self-advocacy during teacher Student Hours.
College Counseling Foundations: High School students met with our College Counseling team to map out long-term goals, standardized testing pathways, and independent research aspirations.

“By fostering student agency from PreK through grade 12, we ensure that ambitious academic expectations are paired with the tools students need to navigate them with confidence.”
– Ms. LaNette Hodge, Head of School

Building Community: From Marshmallows to Rooftop Carnivals

We believe that purposeful challenge should always be inspiring and collaborative. On Friday Collab Day, Upper School students put their creative problem-solving and peer mentorship to the test during the iconic STEM Marshmallow Challenge. Working in teams, students engineered freestanding structures using limited materials, turning trial, error, and teamwork into a memorable lesson in resilience. Groups also designed custom banners in homeroom to represent their element identity and engaged in thoughtful culture, reflection, and goal-setting sessions.

To celebrate these new connections, both campuses brought the school community together for festive fall carnivals:

Lower School Terrace Carnival: Lower School families joined us on the terrace for an afternoon of community connection. Families shared burgers, chicken fingers, and popcorn while enjoying cornhole, face painting, carnival games, and a puppet show.
Upper School Friday Collab & Carnival Day: Upper School Wildcat students took to the rooftop for an energetic celebration featuring rooftop carnival games, snow cones, prize booths, and team-building competitions.

The Power of Shared Purpose

Whether collaborating on a hands-on STEM design challenge, “untying” a human knot, creating class banners, or enjoying popcorn with teachers on the terrace, our start-of-school traditions reflect what makes BASIS Independent Manhattan so distinct: nurturing thoughtful, responsible, and well-rounded individuals paired with academic confidence and ownership.

When students feel a deep sense of belonging and support, they are empowered to take intellectual risks, embrace complex global ideas, and discover the true joy of learning.

Join Our Community of Fearless Thinkers

The future is actively in session at BASIS Independent Manhattan. We invite prospective families to experience our joyful learning culture firsthand, meet our extraordinary Subject Expert Teachers, and discover how our advanced PreK–Grade 12 curriculum inspires curiosity and confidence.

Welcome Back Mountaineers! – Orientation and the First Day of School

August 26, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

It is hard to beat the energy of a new school year. Students running to hug their friends they have not seen all summer, empty desks now filled with smiling students, and the unmistakable anticipation of what the new school year will hold.

At BASIS Independent Bellevue we are thrilled to be staring the 2026–2027 school year as it marks a special milestone for our campus—this is our first year with a full primary program and our very first class of Kindergarten students! We have long been anticipating the arrival of our youngest learners on our campus and could not be more thrilled with the warmth, joy, and curiosity they bring to our Mountaineer Community. We were equally as eager to welcome new and returning mountaineers to our campus from grade 1 all the way to grade 11!

BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first Kindergarten class!

Orientation

In order to set our students and families up for success, we always kick off the school year with a Student and Parent Orientation.

During Orientation students had the opportunity to meet their teacher and classmates through introductions and ice breakers, participated in team building exercises, discussed the importance of respecting the learning process, and of course got their picture taken!

While the students were with their teachers, families met the Administration Team who will be supporting their child’s learning throughout the year, had time to mingle with one another to build community within their child’s grade level, and wrote an encouraging first day of school note for their child.

The First Day of School

After a good night of rest, our students and teachers returned to campus for the first day of school!

As students arrived onto campus they were greeted by smiling teachers and staff members to help them find their way to class. Ms. Metrick and Ms. Armitage were especially eager to greet our first class of kindergarten students at BASIS Independent Bellevue!

The first day of school focused on building community, getting to know the campus, and learning important expectations and procedures.

Campus Tours

All students got to take a campus tour to see important places they may need to navigate to throughout the year. An important stop on the tour was the SCC (Student Support Center) where students can go to, to see our School Counselor, Ms. Olivia, update their schedule with Mr. Pitak the Director of Academic Programs, or meet with their Director of Student Affairs, Ms. Hinton or Ms. Rakotz. The tour also took a stop at the Main Office where students learned how to check in if they are late, where the Health Office is, or where to turn in their P.A.C.E. passes. Students can earn P.A.C.E passes through demonstrating our community values of Perseverance, Active, Community, or Empathy. Each week students turn in their P.A.C.E. passes for a chance to win a prize in their grade level raffle.

Communication Journals

Students also learned about their Communication Journals or CJs. Students in all grade levels utilize CJs to keep track of what they learned in class each day and any homework they might have. CJs are one way we build up student’s responsibility in the learning process and a great tool for parents to see the learning that is going on in the classroom each day.

Community Building

Additionally, students participated in team building exercises to build community within their class. In grade 6 students worked together to brainstorm unique ideas of how they would survive in different wilderness scenarios. The classroom was alive with unique ideas, passionate plans, and collaboration. In grade 3 students played a silly game where they copied the leaders sound our gestures. Students who were shy at the start of this game were quickly participating in the laughter and fun.

Lockers and Procedures

Part of a launching a new school year is ensuring students know emergency procedures, dismissal expectations and also learning new skills, like how to open a locker. Students who were learning how to use a lock for the first time got support from classmates, teachers and even our Head of School, Dr. Thies! This was the perfect example of how our Mountaineer Community supports each other in the small and big ways.

Dr. Thies helping students with their locks.

We are so grateful to our Mountaineer Community—students, families, teachers, faculty, and administration—who all worked together to make the start of the 2026–2027 school year a success. We are confident that our students are going to have a year full of inspiring challenges, curiosity, and discovering that they are capable of more than they can imagine!

Costa Rica Term Project Trip 2026

June 26, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Somewhere between the roar of white-water rapids and the impossibly slow blink of a three-toed sloth, our students stopped rushing through life and started paying attention to it during our Term Project Trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has a way of doing that. For seven days, our group of BASIS Independent Brooklyn High School students and their teacher chaperones, Ms. Nalipinki and Mr. Bedes, traded classrooms and schedules for rainforest canopies, cacao groves, and rivers that had absolutely no intention of going easy on them. They harvested coffee beans, spotted baby crocodiles from a riverboat, and soaked their sore muscles in volcanic hot springs as the sun dipped below the mountains. They stood under waterfalls and found tiny tree frogs hiding in plain sight.

This is the story of that trip from the muddy boots to the many unforgettable moments in between.

Our wonderful trip leaders, Ms. Nalipinski and Mr. Bedes, posed with our high school travelers

Landing in San Jose and Jumping In

After the long flight to Costa Rica, our local guide helped revive our group for a walking tour of San Jose. He helped orient our students and chaperones to the culture of Costa Rica and prepared us for the busy day ahead!

Day two started with an early wake-up and a tour of a coffee farm. Guides spoke about the bean-to-cup journey and exactly how volcanic soil, high altitudes, and microclimates create the country’s special coffee.

Then our explorers took to the zip lines! Thanks to one brave soul with a GoPro, we have a video so you can experience it, too.

https://vimeo.com/1204930772?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Adventure Travel

On day three, our Bears got up early and went white water rafting. The amazing local guides helped spot local wildlife, including a sloth, macaw, and toucan! There were periods of adventure as well as very calm, scenic moments on the water.

Hiking to the Volcano

The next day, everyone drove to Arenal Volcano National Park and hiked for 3.5 miles to see the volcano. Along the way, our team saw colorful snakes, more toucans, and many interesting insects. The day ended with a tour of the small town of La Fortuna.

Waterfalls and Kayaking

On day 5, everyone began the day by driving to La Fortuna’s gorgeous waterfall. There were 502 stairs down to the river for some lovely swimming, and the 502 stairs back up! Consensus was that the trek was well worth it.

After lunch, it was time for kayaking. Then the day ended with a few hours of relaxing in the hot springs.

Vieja National Park

Another amazing stop for spotting animals and being immersed in nature was Vieja National Park, where our team saw white-faced monkeys, sulfur springs, and mud pots.

River Cruise and Snorkeling Adventure

On the last day, we relaxed together and enjoyed a river cruise, where we saw baby crocodiles and so many monkeys. Afterwards, we went snorkeling and saw beautiful wildlife, including pufferfish, turtles, eels, and incredibly colorful fish.

# # #

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.

Class of 2026: Graduation Reflections

June 26, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

On June 16th, 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 2026. Our twenty-five graduates are now poised to continue their academic careers in top colleges and universities in both the U.S. and abroad.

During the ceremony, Co-valedictorians Gregory G. and Nate C. captured their time together as a class and inspired their fellow graduates to look ahead to all that is in store for them. We wanted to share their speeches with our community since their words reflected the joy, humor, and honor at the heart of the celebration.

Gregory S. ’26 Co-valedictorian
*Photo by Danny Dolan (www.dannydolan.com)*

Address by Class of 2026 Co-valedictorian Gregory S.

Hi everyone. I can’t believe our time in high school is coming to an end, so with that, I have some words to say.

There’s one question I get more than anything when people find out where I go to school. They say how is BASIS Independent Brooklyn? And my answer has always been the same: it’s small.

For a long time, I said that like it was a complaint. But now I realize it was a blessing and the best thing that ever happened to us.

It’s all about perspective.

When I got to BASIS, I noticed pretty quickly that a lot of things just didn’t exist yet. No club for this, no group for that. And at first, I thought that was a problem. But then I realized — that’s actually the opportunity.

Think about it. Amazon didn’t start because Jeff Bezos had everything handed to him. It started because there was no good way to buy books online, and he went and built it. Some of the greatest companies in the world exist because somebody looked at something that wasn’t there and decided to go build it themselves.

We did the same thing. If the East Asian Club didn’t exist, someone in this room would have built it. The Jewish Affinity Group, the Motorsport Engineering Club, and DECA — all started by people in this room. BASIS Independent Brooklyn, being small, meant the opportunity was wide open. We just had to be willing to step up and take it.

BASIS being small also meant there weren’t a lot of people in the class. You look around, you’ve got 25 kids in your grade, and you think: this is it? So, there were definitely some moments where we all felt like we were missing out. Brooklyn Tech has a thousand people in its class.

Meanwhile, we’ve got 25.

But those 25 people were in every single class with you. They were there stressing over the same deadlines, praying for the AP curve to save everyone’s grade, having fun in Spanish together, and chilling at lunch. You didn’t get a thousand acquaintances. You got a handful of people who actually know you.

I’ll take five people who know me completely over a hundred people who don’t know me at all. Every single time.

Before I close, I need to thank some people.

Mom, Dad — thank you. For everything. To my older brother —thank you for screaming at me when I needed it. To my younger brother — sorry for screaming at you. You probably needed it too.

To my teachers, thank you for all the care and effort you put into this school.

And to my class — you shaped me more than you know. I went through all of it with you, and I genuinely hope our paths keep crossing.

So, here’s what I actually want you to walk away with today. Not that BASIS is small. Not that we missed out on the massive homecoming. But that didn’t stop us from going out and being great. From building things, to showing up for each other, to becoming genuinely amazing people.

That’s perspective. Taking what you have, not using it as an excuse, and making something out of it anyway.

Don’t let the small stuff stop you. Don’t let what’s missing define you. Look at what’s in front of you and ask what you can build with it.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Go be great.

Nate C. ’26 Co-valedictorian
*Photo by Danny Dolan (www.dannydolan.com)*

Address by Class of 2026 Co-valedictorian Nate C.

Good morning, everyone. I want to thank everyone for attending this highly anticipated yet mandatory event. Whether you are excited to be here or one of the siblings who was dragged here against your will, I hope my words will resonate with you today.

Thank you to parents, teachers, administrators, family members, esteemed guests, average guests, and of course, the Class of 2026.

I am honored to serve as your co-valedictorian. So let me briefly introduce myself. People know me as Nate the Great, Nate Dogg, the old man, the guy who sleeps too much, the guy who doesn’t sleep enough, and, for a certain few teachers, the traitor who didn’t take their capstone course this year.

Regardless of how you know me, I want you to know that I entered BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] in 9th grade as someone who had never been in such a close-knit and supportive environment. I had never seen such dedicated teachers, flexible schedules, and clean restrooms in my life. To be honest, I was quite terrified and overwhelmed, but BASIS took me in without a second thought.

Of course, I wouldn’t have gotten here without the support of the people around me. As much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn’t be standing here without my family’s support. I specifically want to thank my parents for encouraging me to leave my room and be “more social”, my grandparents for bringing an absurd amount of food to increase my “brain power,” and my brother for keeping me up during late-night study sessions with his superb singing and guitar skills. I also want to thank my friends and classmates for putting up with my sarcasm and constant exhaustion.

We have all grown over the last four years at BASIS. We have all grown as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, and emerging scholars. While we have improved in many ways, we must acknowledge room for improvement, whether it’s only showing up late twice a week rather than four times or only falling asleep in class once rather than twice a day.

Throughout these past four years, we have truly gone through it all. We memorized countless literary devices, trig functions, the entire unit circle, the periodic table, and every major war between 1600 and 2000. And we couldn’t have done it without our supportive yet at times overly zealous teachers. Whether it was trying not to blow up the classroom during our chemistry labs, rewriting history in AP world, or channeling our inner acting talent during AP literature plays, our teachers supported and encouraged us.

Moving past academics, we have started so many clubs and greatly improved our local Red Hook community. I have honestly lost count of the number of awards we have earned over the years. We have become leaders and have shaped our school in just as many ways as it has shaped us.

Throughout our time together, we have created many fond yet, at times, embarrassing memories. From getting sunburnt and taking the wrong ferry to our high school retreat, to taking our local trash pickup too seriously by collecting an absurd amount of questionable items, we have done it all. I still remember stuffing my face with unknown delicacies during World Fest and being forced to take a photo with my four favorite teachers during Prom (you know who you are).

As we prepare for the next chapter ahead of us, we need to remember what we will be leaving behind. We will miss having a welcoming student lounge all to ourselves, accessible student hours, and of course, free food. These everyday moments, the ones we barely noticed at the time, are the ones we’ll miss the most. However, we will not be missing the numerous post-AP projects, college essays, or times the vending machine scammed us.

I also want to take the time to congratulate you all on your college acceptances. Whether you are attending your dream school or simply trying to get as far away from your parents as possible, I’m confident it will work out. We will carry the values BASIS instilled in us to college and beyond, including hard work, perseverance, and the courage to negotiate every and any assignment we find unfair.

I look into the crowd, and I see future doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and many other successful professionals. I hope we all stay in touch in the future, whether as friends or as simply colleagues, we call for investment advice.

I’m sure you’re waiting for a cliche ending or overused quote, but we’re innovators here, so you’re going to have to keep on waiting forever. I also know many of you have been impatiently waiting at the finish line for the past three months now. Well, guess what, we’re all caught up now, so are you ready to graduate?

Thank you, Class of 2026, and good luck.

# # #

Thank you to Gregory, Nate, and our entire Class of 2026 for leaving their mark on our school community! We will be cheering you on these next few months during the transition to college, and remember, you will always have a home here.

Term Project Week: Hands on Learning and Discovering Passions Through Multidisciplinary Projects

June 25, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

Term Project Week is a special tradition across all BASIS Independent Schools. At BASIS Independent Bellevue, Project Week is a much anticipated time on campus by teachers and students alike. After a year of learning, studying, and exams, the teachers are eager to create projects around their passions and share them with students. Term Project Week provides a space for students to discover new passions through multidisciplinary projects.

When walking around campus during Project Week you might see students learning how to line dance, while other students are building volcanoes as they learn about Pompeii, and some students may even be designing and building their own race cars. The excitement of Project Week isn’t limited to projects on campus, but expands into the community as well. This year we had students who got to learn about the intertidal zone and explore three different beaches in the Puget Sound. Beyond that we have groups of students who will be traveling to Alaska, France, and Norway for their Project Week.

Take a look at some of the projects we had this year and see what happens when students have the opportunity to explore passions and delve into creative projects.

Wearable Art Studio: Become a Fashion Designer

This project was led by Ms. Tseng and Ms. Haugen for students in grades 3–5. Students got to create custom totes bags, hats, and bandanas using printmaking, fabric paint, and tie-dye techniques. Their project culminated with a runway showcase where the designers got to debut their one-of-a-kind creations!

Chinese Cooking Camp

Ms. Pan and Ms. Chen, two of our Subject Expert Teachers in Mandarin, took students in grades 3–4 on a fun and flavorful journey into the world of Chinese cooking. During this project students used their team work skills to prepare vegetables, meat, and other ingredients. All of the students had a blast growing their confidence in the kitchen. But the best part of this project — trying and sharing the delicious food they created with friends!

Splish Splash

Ms. E-E and Ms. Rieger left campus behind for Project Week and took a group of grade 6–8 students to explore different forms of outdoor exercise, including hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. This group of students loved immersing themselves in nature for the week and admiring the beauty of the lakes and forests that are in their own backyard. A highlight of this project was getting to see a turtle in its natural habitat!

Rome 3-D Model Lab

In this project students in grade 7–10 became Roman architects and city planners for the week, as they reconstructed the monuments of the ancient world. Students learned how the Romans designed their cities and the engineering and architectural techniques that made Rome famous. Students then worked in teams to create detailed models of famous Roman monuments, using physical materials and digital tools.

Fiber Arts

Many students in grades 5–10 chose to explore the colorful world of weaving, led by Ms. Dreskin. Students got to explore texture and pattern as they built their own unique woven pieces with yarn and other creative fibers. Artists got to learn weaving techniques, as wells as knotting, fringe, and mixed-material details.

Erupting History: Build a Volcano and Discover Pompeii

Another group of grade 3–5 students explored the history and science behind the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Students analyzed archaeological evidence and created their very own working volcano models of Mount Vesuvius. Getting to make the volcanoes erupt was a highlight for all!

Term Project Week is a cherished tradition at BASIS Independent Bellevue that highlights the joyful learning culture we nurture on our campus. We are grateful for our teachers who work hard to create engaging projects and our students who consistently bring their passion, innovation, and creativity into each project.

From Page to Carnegie Hall: Celebrating Kurn S., Class of 2026

June 24, 2026 by ezekielbracamonte Leave a Comment

For many students, writing is an assignment. For Kurn S., it has always been something deeper—a way to understand the world, and himself within it.

That passion culminated this year in one of the highest honors a young writer can achieve. Kurn was named a 2026 National Gold Medal Portfolio Award recipient in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, placing him among just 16 students nationwide selected from over 10,000 submissions. The award represents the highest distinction in the competition and is awarded to only 16 high school seniors each year—8 artists and 8 writers. As part of this recognition, Kurn received a $12,500 scholarship and traveled to New York City, where he was honored on stage at Carnegie Hall.

Kurn S. holds his National Gold Medal Portfolio Award at Carnegie Hall, honoring his achievement as one of just 8 writers nationwide selected for this distinction.

His winning portfolio, Cosmology of My Second Spines, explores themes of identity, memory, and reconstruction. Rather than building a perfectly cohesive collection, Kurn leaned into something more authentic.

“My portfolio existed less as a curation of connected works and instead displayed the real, live way the human mind moves through memories the body refuses to remember,” he shared.

This willingness to embrace complexity—and even fragmentation—is part of what defines his voice as a writer. His English Subject Expert Teacher, Hal Hansen, describes his work as “sincere, personal, and very intuitive,” noting that “he’s very creative and original.”

In addition to his Scholastic recognition, Kurn was also named a 2026 YoungArts Winner with Distinction, placing him among the top 150 young creatives nationwide. Earlier this year, he traveled to Miami for National YoungArts Week, where he collaborated with peers across disciplines and performed his work at the historic Lyric Theater. He also served as the 2025–2026 Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate, acting as a literary ambassador and working with local schools and organizations to expand access to creative writing.

Kurn S. performs his spoken word poetry at the historic Lyric Theater during National YoungArts Week in Miami.

Behind these accomplishments is a process grounded in observation and patience. Kurn describes constantly capturing small, fleeting moments—details that might otherwise go unnoticed—and later transforming them into layered imagery and metaphor. His work often evolves over time, revisited and refined with fresh perspective.

At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, he credits his growth in part to his AP English Literature experience, where he was able to put language to instincts he had developed on his own. Through studying poetic structure, sound, and technique, he strengthened both his analytical and creative confidence.

Still, sharing deeply personal work has not always come easily. Writing, for him, is often an act of vulnerability—one that requires both courage and acceptance.

“It’s most important for me to be proud of what I have created, and to know that it is brave to share my work with the world,” he reflected.

This mindset has shaped not only his success, but also his perspective on achievement. While recognition has been meaningful, he remains grounded in the purpose behind his work.

“Art should always be written first for the self and second for the audience.”

Hansen sees this dedication as something lasting well beyond high school. “I think Kurn is going to be writing for the rest of his life,” he shared. “He’s a natural born writer, and writers tend to write.”

This fall, Kurn will attend Stanford University, where he plans to major in Symbolic Systems, an interdisciplinary field combining neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, and philosophy. While he does not plan to pursue writing professionally, he intends to continue engaging with poetry through spoken word groups, student publications, and research exploring the intersection of neuroscience and creative expression.

Kurn celebrates a milestone moment, holding his diploma at graduation as he closes one chapter and begins the next.

“In a lot of ways, this recognition feels like a simultaneous cap on my high school creative writing career and a stepping stone for the next era of my life,” he said. “I will always consider myself a poet.”

His achievement also reflects a broader culture of writing at BISV. As Hansen noted, “There are more young writers at BISV than you’d maybe think… and Kurn did really well this year.”

From the classroom to the stage at Carnegie Hall, Kurn’s journey reflects the power of authentic expression and the impact of pursuing one’s passions with intention. As he begins this next chapter, his voice—and the stories he tells—will undoubtedly continue to evolve.