High School

More than 60% of High School Students Earned AP Scholar Distinction

October 27, 2023 by msnyder

At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we prioritize cheering on 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 2023 AP scores more than 60% 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 48% of our students reach that highest level of AP Scholar with Distinction by the time they graduate.

“Academically all of our students qualified as AP Scholars by the time they finished their junior year,” said Josh Harmon, Head of School for BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Upper School. “When looking at all students in grades 9-12 more than 60% of our entire high school was awarded the honor of AP Scholar or higher. Moreover, our students sat for more AP exams in 2023 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:

72 students in our high school were named AP Scholar or higher distinctions, representing approximately 67% of our high school in May 2023 when the exams were taken.
Our school was 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 2023 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
Alex D. ’23
Luke D. ’23
Eden E. ’24
Axel F. ’25
Charlotte J. ’24
Rachel K. ’25
Viola L. ’25

Avi L. ’24
Noah L. ’23
Jason P. ’25
Talin P. ’26
Nadia S. ’25
Sasha T. ’25
Rei W. ’24
River W. ’26
Lyra Y.-M. ’23

AP Scholar with Honor: 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. 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.

Jack C. ’25
Mabel C. ’23
Nicholas D. ’25
Laila G. ’24
Miles H. ’23
Laith H. ’25
Alexa L. ’24

Aidan L. ’25
Katreen L. ’23
Matthew R. ’23
James R. ’25
Richard S. ’25
Evan S. ’25
Daniella S.-B. ’23

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. At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, a third of students finishing sophomore year received the distinction.

Overall in our high school, the following 40 students received this honor:

Hong-Yuan B. ’24
Krishan B. ’24
Isabella B. ’23
Jack B. ’24
Katie B. ’23
Zeke B. ’24
Luca C. ’23
Syun D. ’24
Zach D. ’23
Colin D. ’25
Sofia G. ’24
Samantha G. ’24
Diego G. ’24
Angelina G. ’24
Maxwell H. ’25
Mateo K. ’25
Ye L. ’24
Shamei L. ’23
Thomas M. ’25
Dilan M. ’24

Maddox M. ’25
Ben N. ’24
Oliver P. ’24
Charles P. ’24
Gustavo P. ’25
Daniel P. ’24
Alex R. ’24
Colton R. ’24
Skye S. ’25
Maxim S. ’25
Felix S. ’25
Nadine S. ’24
Yuna S. ’24
Jonah S. ’24
Lucas S. ’24
Morgan S. ’23
Ryan T. ’23
Isaac W. ’24
Maren W. ’23
Andrej Z. ’24

Please join us in congratulating all of our BEARS!!!

All comparisons are based on publicly available data from the College Board, National Center for Education Statistics, and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Our Class of 2024 gathered together in the senior lounge the first week of the school year with Dean Matthew Goldman, Associate Head of School Robert Runyon, Director Darlene Forde, Head of School Josh Harmon, and College Counselor Matt Brauch.

A Family Affair: Brother and Sister Elected Student Council President and Vice President at BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper School

October 13, 2023 by msnyder

BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper School has elected a new student council president and vice president for the 2023-2024 school year: Hudson (Gr. 11) and Stella L. (Gr. 8). This brother-sister duo are passionate about making the Upper School a better place for all students.

During their lunch break, we had an opportunity to sit down and ask them a few questions. This interview provides a chance for the student body to get acquainted with their new leaders and learn about their plans for the upcoming year.

Hudson and Stella L. mentioned that their primary goal is to improve the student experience. They have three areas of focus right now:
Improve the creature comforts in our campus building.

Optimize lunchtime for enjoyment.
Create a textbook swap or ways to reuse them among students.
They also plan to continue growing the BASIS Green Committee, which focuses on eco-conscious decisions at school.

How To Achieve These Goals?

The duo intends to ensure that students follow the school rules, respect school resources, and do not take them for granted. They will work closely with the administrators to address any concerns raised by the students. They have already initiated a partnership with one of the facilities team members to make progress in this regard.

Now with a full school, they would like to implement simple adjustments to streamline lunch. These include rearranging tables and seating, making lines more efficient, and increasing the number of trash and recycling bins. The objective is to spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying meals with friends.

With textbooks, Hudson and Stella are aware of how expensive they can be and plan to create a system that spans grades – such as a book swap – so that textbooks can be passed on from year to year and reused. They will also work with the Wildcat Family Committee to create a full-scale effort that involves both students and parents.

Representing All Student Voices

At an Upper School with students in grades 6-12, Hudson and Stella L. explained that they are both high school and middle school students themselves, and they know their classmates and peers. They also have a representative from each element as part of the Student Council, who will talk to their class and bring their feedback to the meetings.

Lastly, they talked about not being just leaders but representatives of everyone. They would like to encourage all students to share their ideas, comments, and concerns with them.

Term Project Trip 2023: Galapagos Islands

September 25, 2023 by ekugler

During the final week of the academic year, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley celebrates Term Project Week, an enriching experience for students across all grade levels. This week provides a unique platform for collaborative, multidisciplinary projects, and engaging activities or trips. Students are grouped with dedicated teachers who guide and facilitate their learning throughout the week.

Each year, we offer a diverse range of project options, continually seeking to expand our offerings based on the interests and input of both our faculty and students. These projects challenge our students to be cooperative learners and to function as a team. This Term Project Trip was to the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands located west of South America.

Day 1: Students and their chaperones departed from SFO to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival at the airport in Quito, students were met by their course leader and headed to their hotel. Once at the hotel, they were formally welcomed by their course leader and given an overview of the key concepts they would learn and the sites they would visit throughout the program.

Day 2: The group traveled from Quito to Santa Cruz Island, the second largest in the Galapagos archipelago. Their adventure began with an exploration into the misty highlands, where they encountered a diverse array of ecological communities.

During their highland expedition, they paused at a ranch and witnessed giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Later in the day, they explored lava tunnels, where they learned about volcanic landforms and tectonic plate dynamics. Their day culminated with a visit to the Darwin Research Center, where they deepened their understanding of the islands’ climate, geography, and ecology.

Day 3: Students explored Isabela Island, focusing on its estuaries and endemic mangroves in the Wetlands. Their first stop was Playa de Amor, where they observed flamingos and gained insights into Darwin’s finches. Following this, they visited the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, dedicated to safeguarding the species throughout its life cycle. There, they conducted species differentiation studies and engaged in ecological relationship activities with their host.

The day concluded with a memorable snorkeling experience at Concha Perla, an underwater haven teeming with fish, sea lions, and the Galapagos penguin, providing an ideal snorkeling opportunity.

Day 4: The students went on an immersive excursion to explore the Sierra Negra Volcano area. They hiked along the six-mile crater rim, where they closely viewed lava fields and fumaroles. As they explored the area, their guide educated them on the distinctive ecological terrain and how to identify various types of volcanic rock.

Following their exploration, the group headed to Las Tintoreras where they enjoyed some time in the water and snorkeled. To end the day, some students engaged in a friendly game of basketball with local residents.

Day 5: Students explored Isabela Island, where they came face to face with some of the Galapagos’ most intriguing residents, such as marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, lightfoot crabs, green sea turtles, and resting whitetip reef sharks. After exploring Isabela Island and its wildlife, they returned to back to Balta on Santa Cruz Island by boat.

Day 6: The students flew back to Quito from Santa Cruz Island and made a memorable stop at the Mitad del Mundo, which translates to “The Middle of the World.” Here, they stood precisely on the equator at zero degrees latitude, engaging in interactive exhibits that illuminated the distinctive scientific aspects of this unique location. After visiting the Mitad del Mundo, the group headed by bus to the neighboring city of Otavalo, Ecuador.

Day 7: On their last full day, the group had a busy day in Otavalo, Ecuador. They explored a lively open market in the morning and then visited Cuicocha Volcanic Lake and Peguche Waterfall. Lunch was at a unique Pachamanca ceremony, where they helped cook food underground. They squeezed in a game of soccer before dinner and then headed to the airport for their flight back to SFO.

BASIS Independent Brooklyn Students Honored by National Merit Scholarship

September 21, 2023 by msnyder

Ofﬁcials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) just released the names of Semiﬁnalists and Commended Scholars in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including 9 BASIS Independent Brooklyn students. Jack B. ’23 was named as a Semifinalist and will continue on in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. Along with Jack, we proudly celebrate 8 Commended Scholars recognized by NMSC.

Photographed above: Left to right – College Counselor Brauch, Head of School Harmon, Dean Goldman, Charlie P. ’24, Jack B. ’24, Samantha G. ’24, Associate Head of School Robert Runyon, Director Forde. Seated left to right: Nadine S. ’24, Alex R. 24, and Jonah S. ’24.

High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semiﬁnalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

“I’m so grateful to have watched these students grow over the years,” said Josh Harmon, Head of School at BASIS Independent Brooklyn. “They are all exceptional students and individuals. They are very deserving of the recognition.”

The honored students at BASIS Independent Brooklyn are:

Jack B.
Syun D.
Samantha G.
Charlie P.
Daniel P.
Alex R.
Colton R.
Nadine S.
Jonah S.

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

Jack B. ’24 is a leading player on our Varsity Basketball team who helped grow the team through the years. He is one of the founding members of our Latinx Affinity Group and our school’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Syun D. ’23 graduated in June, and he is taking a gap year now before heading to Imperial College London to pursue an engineering degree. Syun joined our school in year one ten years ago. He founded the Aerospace Club at our school, and he was a proud member of Science Bowl with Mr. Winter.
Samantha G. ’24 is the Leadership Club President and Co-Editor of The Grizzly student news site. She has been published in the University of Pennsylvania’s Journal of Urban Education and she has a column with the Red Hook Star-Revue. She joined our school when the doors opened in 2014.
Charlie P. ’24 is interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and he won the World Food Prize New York Youth Institute as a Borlaug Scholar for his paper about obesity in Nauru. He traveled to Cornell’s Ithaca campus in March to present his results.
Alex R. ’24 won the National Strogatz Prize for Math Communication, and national and local Scholastic Arts awards through the years. He is also a proud member of our Science Bowl, which won honors in the TEAMS competition last year. He is also a founding student who has helped design more Communication Journal covers than any other student!
Colton R. ’23 graduated in the spring and is currently taking a gap year that involves meditating in Nepal without any devices. He was a key member of our band, where he led concerts with incredible drum performances.
Nadine S. ’24 just joined our Bear community last year, and she won honors in Forensics Debate League competitions and went all the way to the New York State competition last year. Nadine is a dedicated tutor at the Red Hook Art Project, and she proudly works closely with the nonprofit on events.
Jonah S. ’24. founded our Future Business Leaders of America chapter on campus, and he is the founding Director of Communications in our Leadership Club. Jonah was one of the first students at our school, and he is also one of our 15 seniors who joined BASIS Independent Brooklyn from day one.

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 2024 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 375,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

Network Results

Across our network of BASIS Independent Schools with 187 seniors across our five campuses, we are celebrating 38 Semifinalists and 69 Commended Scholars this year! Each state has different cutoff scores for the honors, and our BASIS Independent Schools are in some of the most competitive states — CA, NY, and VA — for semifinalist qualification.

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

3 BASIS Independent McLean Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

September 15, 2023 by ekugler

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, ofﬁcials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semiﬁnalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including 3 BASIS Independent McLean students. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

High school juniors entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semiﬁnalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

“Congratulations to our Red-Tailed Hawk National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists! We could not be prouder of them. They are all such great examples of what can happen when you work hard and dedicate yourself to the pursuit of academic greatness.” said Jason Shorbe, Head of School at BASIS Independent McLean.

The honored students at BASIS Independent McLean are:

Chelsea H. ’24

Paulina H.’24 (Not Pictured)

Orien L.’24

BASIS Independent Manhattan Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

September 15, 2023 by msnyder

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, ofﬁcials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semiﬁnalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In our school’s first year of eligibility, we are pleased to share that two BASIS Independent Manhattan seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists. These students have been with our school since the beginning, starting in 6th grade. Throughout their time here, they have consistently excelled in academics, extracurricular activities, and community service.

Among the16,000 Semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, we are pleased to recognize our honored students at BASIS Independent Manhattan: Scarlett S. (Class of ’24) and Zachary S. (Class of ’24).

“Watching the students go through the full academic experience at BASIS Independent Manhattan and starting to receive these awards and honors feels gratifying and motivating. Proper recognition is finally coming our way, marking the beginning of an incredibly strong future for our school,” said LaNette Hodge, Head of School at BASIS Independent Manhattan.

Zach and Scarlett at an awards ceremony during their grade 6 year at BASIS Independent Manhattan.

When asked about this achievement, Scarlett commented, “It feels really great to be honored for all of the hard work I have put into my studies.” She has always been a student who goes above and beyond, which is something our community witnessed just last year when Scarlett placed second in the BASIS Means Business competition as the only all-female, one-person team.

Ms. Williams (Subject Expert Teacher, Latin) said, “I have had the pleasure of teaching Zach Latin for the past six years. He is a student who — once exposed to a new topic — will dive into it whole-heartedly by not only participating in all class activities but also researching deeply. I am astounded at his academic ability and brilliant thought processes which enable him to make connections far beyond the classroom.”

These two Wildcats consistently impress their peers and teachers with their diligence and dedication. In addition to this recognition, both Scarlett and Zach have been awarded as AP Scholars with Distinction.

More about the National Merit Scholarship Program: High school juniors entered the 2024 program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semiﬁnalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The scholarship winners will be selected from a group of Finalists between April and July 2024.

Please join us in congratulating our incredible Wildcats!

10 BASIS Independent Fremont Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

September 14, 2023 by ekugler

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

Although, National Merit Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and at our school they represent one out of four of our seniors this year which is an incredible achievement!

“As the first graduating senior class, it is exciting to have our students nationally recognized for all of their efforts in being exemplary scholars and future leaders. This nomination is one of many indicators of their strength and potential to succeed in all that they do. I am incredibly proud of our students. Congratulations Yellow Jackets!” said Francine Davis, Head of School at BASIS Independent Fremont.

The honored students at BASIS Independent Fremont are:

Christopher C.

Heeya D.

Shirley F.

Revant K.

Yifei L.

Alicia P.

Aidan P.

Anjali P.

Ruoqing W.

Alan X.

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

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

22 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

September 14, 2023 by ekugler

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, ofﬁcials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semiﬁnalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including 22 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students. Alongside our 22 Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated 40 Commended Scholars, totaling over 70% of the class receiving recognition. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

“I continue to be amazed by our student body every year. This external validation of our students, and their hard work and determination, is always an exciting way to start off the school year with our upcoming Senior Class. Congratulations to our Bobcats!” said Sara Kolb, Head of School at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.

The honored students at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley are:

Akshaya A. Ajan

Paras Goel

Alina Huang

Robert Ji

Shreyas Kapavarapu

Saanchi Kapoor

Nivedita P. Kripalani

Ethan Y. Liu

Shreyas M. Nanjanagud

Alyssa E. Naoumov

Maggie J. Peng

Max Polosky

Maya Sriram

Anoushka A. Tamhane (not pictured)

Caitlyn N. Tom

Brandon M. Tsai

Shivaani Venkatachalam

Achyuth K. Vivek

Ellie Xi

Paulina Xu

Ivan Y. Zhang

Meryl Zhang

Term Project Trip 2023: Tanzania

August 24, 2023 by ekugler

Each year, we offer a diverse range of project options, continually seeking to expand our offerings based on the interests and input of both our faculty and students. These projects challenge our students to be cooperative learners and to function as a team. On this specific trip, students were also able to earn community service hours towards their various clubs and volunteer programs. This Term Project Trip was to Tanzania, where students traveled through the Serengeti to Zanzibar!

Day 1: Students and their chaperone departed from SFO to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Upon arrival at the airport in Kilimanjaro, students met with their designated program leaders and drove to the Danish Center in Arusha, Tanzania. Over the first five days of the trip, students engaged in service work within the local villages and used this center as their main hub.

Day 3 – Day 5: Each morning, students partnered with Sura Village members to build the medical testing lab facility for the village clinic. They roughly dedicated 2-3 hours of service work in the morning, followed by lunches with the local community. In the afternoon, they resumed their efforts for a few more hours. Their tasks included mixing cement, shoveling sand, and gathering rocks to build the foundation of the building. Beyond their service hours, students engaged in cultural and fun activities such as milking cows and cooking traditional food alongside village members.

The village commissioner expressed that the clinic’s construction will leave a lasting impact for generations. Upon its completion, he plans to display our school’s name on the building, showcasing our student’s dedicated efforts.

Day 6: Having completed their service work at the Sura Village Clinic, students departed from the Danish Center and made their way to Tarangire National Park for a safari adventure. Led by tour guides, they learned about the ecosystems and conservation efforts of the species that populate the area. Tarangire is known for its dense elephant population, providing a unique opportunity to witness them up close. The day concluded at a camping resort overlooking the Rift Valley in Migombani, Tarangire, where students settled in for the night.

Day 7 & 8: Students went on an expedition to Serengeti National Park, one of Tanzania’s most renowned and protected areas. Guided by their tour leaders, they ventured into vast savannahs by safari car in search of wildlife that inhabits the world-famous national park. Students observed a variety of animals including elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras during their exploration. They set up tents and slept in sleeping bags at the national park campsites.

Day 9 & 10: The group headed to Ngorongoro Crater where they settled into a new campsite. Ngorongoro Crater is a smaller area than the Serengeti and is known as Tanzania’s richest game park. Throughout their time there, our students learned about animal behavior, conservation, tribal customs, and wildlife-human interaction from their safari guides.

Day 11: Students took a flight to Zanzibar, famously known as the “Island of Spice.” They explored the local spice farms, learned the historical significance of the spice trade, and gained insight into Zanzibar’s evolution into the renowned Isle of Spice.

Day 12: Students visited Stone Town, a historic area that was once a trading hub. They took a walking tour through its winding alleys and streets. Later they enjoyed snorkeling along Stone Town’s beaches and explored Prison Island. On Prison Island, the group visited a giant tortoise sanctuary and learned about the endangered species.

Day 13: The students participated in a dhow sailing activity, setting off from the beachside of Zanzibar in classic wooden sailboats. Their destination was the Menai Bay Conservation Area, known for its dolphins, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. When they arrived, they snorkeled in the clear blue water of the Indian Ocean and had a seafood buffet on Kwale Island Beach. Following their adventure, they sailed back to Zanzibar for their final night of the trip.

Day 14: The group made their way to the airport in Zanzibar and headed home on a long flight back to SFO.

Term Project Trip 2023: Ireland/UK

July 25, 2023 by ekugler

Each year, we offer a diverse range of project options, continually seeking to expand our offerings based on the interests and input of both our faculty and students. This Term Project Trip was to Ireland and the UK and consisted of 61 students and 10 chaperones.

Day 1: The first day of the trip was dedicated to travel.

Students and chaperones at SFO for their AM flight to Dublin, Ireland

Students and chaperones at SFO for their PM flight to Dublin, Ireland

Day 2: Upon arrival at the airport, the morning group was greeted by their assigned tour guide, who would be one of two tour guides accompanying and guiding our students throughout the duration of the trip.

Having arrived in Dublin, Ireland ahead of the afternoon group, they took advantage of their early arrival and explored Bunratty Castle. It was a great opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the rich history and cultural heritage of the region while awaiting the arrival of the afternoon group.

Shortly after the morning group’s excursion to Bunratty Castle, the afternoon flight group landed at the airport and was welcomed by their dedicated tour guide. Both groups began to make their way to meet each other at their first hotel in Killarney, Ireland. They had their first dinner together as a group and called it a night.

Day 3: Our students went on an exciting adventure to Killarney National Park, where they rode on a horse and carriage through the park. The journey took them through lush greenery and landscapes, ending at Ross Castle on the lake.

Following the exploration of Ross Castle, our students then headed to West Ireland along the scenic route of The Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is known for its rolling green hills, rugged Atlantic seascapes, and quaint Irish villages. Along the way, they had the privilege of visiting Kerry Bog Village, where they traveled back to 18th-century Ireland and witnessed traditional thatched cottages and rural life from a bygone era.

They ended their excursion around the Ring of Kerry at Kissime Sheep Farm, where they witnessed an authentic sheepdog and sheering demonstration. Our students really enjoyed observing the skilled sheepdog commander’s whistle calls and the obedience displayed by the sheepdog as it herded sheep down the hill.

Day 4: Students ventured to Blarney Castle, where they explored its gardens and participated in the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone. Following their time at the castle, they proceeded on a short walk to Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned as the largest Irish store in the world. Here, they went shopping for authentic Irish goods such as wool caps, chocolates, and flutes.

Day 5: During their time in Dublin, students went on a guided bus tour led by a local Irish expert. As they drove through the historic streets of Dublin, they learned about the Georgian Squares, witnessed the hustle and bustle of O’Connell Street, and walked Phoenix Park. A highlight of the tour was their visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an architectural gem steeped in religious and historical significance.

They then went to EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin. The immersive experience featured the history of the Irish people, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and enduring resilience throughout the ages.

For their last stop of the day, students went to The Irish Dance Party. Dancers dressed in traditional Irish attire and played Irish-made instruments. Some of our students even had the chance to learn some traditional Irish footwork.

Day 6: The group departed from Dublin to Holyhead by ferry boat. After a couple of hours of travel, they arrived in Wales. Their first destination was Conwy Castle, where they walked across ancient walls and explored the guard towers of this historic fortress.

Day 7: The group began their day with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. They first explored Anne Hathaway’s cottage, followed by the Shakespeare Centre and Birthplace. Afterward, they split into smaller chaperone groups to further explore the city, with some visiting the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried and others exploring local markets and eateries.

Continuing their exploration, the group stopped in the city of Oxford on their way to London. Our students had time to explore the campus of Oxford University, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Oxford City Centre.

Day 8: On their first day in London, they began with a guided walking tour. During the tour, they visited notable landmarks including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey.

Following the tour, the group split up into four mini excursions: The Harry Potter London Experience, The London Dungeon, The London Tower, and Hyde Park.

Later in the day, a portion of the group attended a captivating performance by Eddie Izzard, while the remaining members went shopping at the M&M and Lego stores nearby.

Day 9: On their last full day of the trip, the group traveled to the Tate Museum as their first stop. They then walked along the River Thames to the famous Borough Market in South London to have lunch. After lunch, they proceeded to the Globe Theater to watch a performance of “The Comedy of Errors.”

Following the performance at the Globe Theater, they explored the British Museum, where they viewed famous artifacts firsthand, including the iconic Rosetta Stone.