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Fall Open Houses – Join Us!

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Autumn is approaching in Brooklyn, bringing with it cooler breezes, colorful leaves, and the energy of a new school year. For many, fall is a season of traditions and new beginnings, and here at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, it is no different. 

Autumn signals the start of one of the most exciting times on our school calendar—admissions events. At the heart of this season are our Open Houses. These events are among the most meaningful opportunities of the year for future families to experience our classrooms, meet our teachers and leaders, hear from current students and parents, and see firsthand what makes our program so unique. 

Please join us in person at one of our Open Houses on Saturday, September 27 (Grades 3-12) and Saturday, October 4 (PreK-Grade 2). 

General Open House Structure: 
For both Open Houses, doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the event will last approximately until 12:00 p.m. ET. We welcome you to register and attend, even if you cannot stay for the entire event. Students are encouraged to join us, as well. 

Open Houses begin with an introduction from our Head of School and an Open House overview. Then, families will be split up by grade level and enter our classrooms to meet our Learning Expert and Subject Expert Teachers. Open Houses also include a Parent and Student Panel, where you will be able to hear from current BASIS Independent Brooklyn families.  

Please review the details below for additional information regarding the structure of each Open House: 

GRADES 3-12:
Saturday, September 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET 
556 Columbia Street, Red Hook 

The Primary Program: Grades 3-5 
Saturday, September 27 
 
Visit with our Learning Expert and Subject Expect Teachers to learn about our unique two-teacher model (for grades 3—4). From math and science to humanities, Mandarin, music, and more, find out how we support students in developing study skills and spark a lifelong love for learning. You will also have the chance to learn about how these Bridge Years encourage autonomy, creativity, and confidence to help prepare your student for Middle School.  

The Middle School Program: Grades 6-8  
Saturday, September 27 

In the Middle School Program, we focus on developing the academic, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills needed for success in the high school years. Hear from our Subject Expert Teachers about how they inspire excellence inside and outside of the classroom. Plus, learn about the many athletic and academic competition teams, clubs, international trips, and more. 
 
The High School Program: Grades 9-12 
Saturday, September 27 
 
Educating tomorrow’s great innovators, pioneers, and leaders requires a well-rounded curriculum – one with breadth and depth across academic disciplines. Meet students, faculty, and administrators as you and your child learn about high school at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, including our unique Senior Year program. 

Parent and Student Panel 

Our Upper School Open House will also include a Q&A panel that consists of BASIS Independent Brooklyn parents, students, and school leadership.   

Refreshments 

We will have light refreshments for the whole family. 

PreK–GRADE 2:
Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. ET 
405 Gold Street, Downtown Brooklyn 

PreK & Kindergarten  
Saturday, October 4 


Learn about our Early Learning Program, where our youngest students grow. Hear from teachers, administrators, and parents about how BASIS Independent Brooklyn Lower School fosters curiosity, exploration, and creativity. Our passionate Subject Expert Teachers will show you what a day in the life looks like as they lead mini lessons in their vibrant rooms. 
 
Grades 1-2: 
Saturday, October 4 
 
Visit with our Learning Expert and Subject Expect Teachers to learn about our unique two-teacher model. From math and science to humanities, Mandarin, music and more, find out how we support students in developing study skills and spark a lifelong love for learning. Our Subject Expert Teachers will lead mini lessons to help you get a feel for the engaging activities that take place in the classrooms. These sessions will also help you understand the transition to our Upper School campus in Grade 3.  
 
Parent and Student Panel 

Our Lower School Open House will also include a Q&A panel that consists of BASIS Independent Brooklyn parents, students, and school leadership.   

Refreshments 

We will have light refreshments for the whole family. 

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Don’t miss this interactive experience! Click here to register for our Fall Open House. As you get ready for the fall season, we hope you choose to spend some of your time with us, getting to know our wonderful community.  

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

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Dear Families and Staff,

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

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

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

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

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

  • Stanford University (2), Duke University, Northwestern University, Cornell University (3), Washington University in St. Louis, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Southern California, New York University, University of California-Irvine, Boston University, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Purdue University (2), Northeastern University, American University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hamilton College, Haverford College, and McGill University (2).
Our Class of 2025 posed with Mr. Harmon, Mr. Brauch, and Mr. Yoon during the start of school last year.

Celebrating Accomplishments

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

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

Fine Arts

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

Chess/Social Sciences/Languages

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

Math/Science

  • Our school won the New York State Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) competition for High School. Thank you to Physics teacher and coach Josh Winter for continuing to grow the team.
  • Our High School Robotics team Ori-Gen went to the Super Qualifier round of the FIRST Robotics Challenge after winning the Inspire Award 3rd place regionally. It was their first year of competition, and we look forward to another great year ahead.
  • Once again, a large group of students sat for the MATH KANGAROO assessment for younger grades across both our campuses and comprised one of the largest groups yet to receive accolades from the organization.
  • NOETIC Math accolades poured in with national winners across several grades across both of our campuses!
Our High School Science Team won 1st place in the New York State TEAMS competition!

Sports

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

Community Involvement

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


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

Looking Ahead

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

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

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

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

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

Tips for Transitioning Back to School

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The excitement is building as our youngest learners at BASIS Independent Brooklyn prepare to embark on another year of discovery and growth. While these bright minds never cease to amaze us with their curiosity and resilience, we recognize that the transition from summer’s freedom to the classroom’s structure can stir up a mix of perfectly natural
emotions.

The shift from leisurely mornings and open-ended days to the rhythm of school life is one of childhood’s most significant seasonal changes. It’s an opportunity for growth, new friendships, and academic adventures that lie ahead.

Our Head of School for the Lower School, Ms. Miller-Sims, has gathered her most effective strategies from years of guiding our younger students through this important transition from her years as a school leader as well as a classroom teacher. These approaches will help transform any back-to-school butterflies into excitement for the learning journey ahead.

  1. Reintroduce routines before the start of school.
    Now is a great time to start resetting routines, particularly around bedtime. Going to bed a bit earlier will make the transition to an early bedtime during the school year less of a jolt. The more you talk to students about shifting to back-to-school schedules, the better. For younger students, consider starting up again the ritual of picking outfits out the night before. Practice using school materials, such as wearing a backpack, during the day. For older students, have a discussion of where they will do their homework this year. Make it fun for them. Let them know that this homework space is their own special grown-up area.
  2. Talk to your students about making new friends.
    Socialization is an important part of the development that occurs in school, and we know students need to stretch and grow in this area each year. Partner with the school by talking to your student about how exciting it is to meet new friends. We are trying to teach children a variety of skills, and learning how to meet and develop new friendships is important. The home-family connection can make a difference here.
  3. Remember that your students take cues from you, so convey excitement about the new school year.
    You may be nervous about how your child will separate, how your child will do in classes, or any number of issues. Try to push that worry aside and express excitement about the new school year. Talk about their great new teachers who will be teaching them, and how much they will learn. If you enjoyed school, then share your stories of meeting new teachers and getting new supplies and books. Students are sponges, picking up all the energy and feelings around them. They will reflect excitement about school if you do so genuinely.
  4. Give your child something small that they can keep in their pocket to remind them of you during the school day.
    For kids who have a difficult time separating, find a small stone, trinket, or a favorite soft item. You can tell them that they can think of you everything they rub it. Just be sure to keep the teacher in the loop that they have a special object on them.
  5. Sit down together to look through class welcome letters.
    Sit down with your child and read through parts of the welcome letter sent by their lead teacher for the year. These welcome letters will also contain a photo of the teacher, and that will be good to show your child before the first day of school. Practice saying their teacher’s name together.

For new families, we have new student orientation days to help with the transition. While the focus is on new student orientation, the events are also open to returning students who may also have nerves about the start of the school year.

School starts on Wednesday, September 3rd, and we look forward to seeing all our Cubs and Bears for a great year ahead!

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.

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

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

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

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

Lower School Extracurriculars:

Cultivating Early Passions (PreK-Grade 5)

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

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

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

  • Basketball
  • Cheer-Gymnastics
  • Chess
  • Drama (Putting on a fully staged musical production)
  • Piano
  • Soccer
  • Speech & Debate
  • Tech & Lighting (for the Drama Club’s musical)
  • Tennis
engineering and robotics club building lego robots
girl students make cheer gymnastics pyramid with pompoms
chess teacher shows students chess board on a table
students playing ukulele for music lessons
boy student shooting a basketball layup with coach instruction

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

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

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

students as the sharks hold a pose perform drama club musical finding nemo
the three student leads of finding nemo sing the finale

Success & Highlights:

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

bar chart showing participation percentages for lower school students
woman with violin in front of a table of musical materials at the extracurricular fair

Upper School Extracurriculars & Sports

Deepening Engagement (Grades 6–12 )

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

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

Popular and returning clubs include:

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

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

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

Success & Highlights:

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

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

Competitive Athletics:

Building Teamwork and Discipline

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

Philosophy:

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

    • sportsmanship,
    • teamwork, and
  • a competitive spirit that pushes students to strive for excellence while embracing both victory and defeat as opportunities for growth.
the middle school girls vollebyall team poses with their championship trophy, holding up the number one with their fingers, and biting their medals like olympians

Program Expansion:

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

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

Cultivating Well-Rounded Wildcats

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

We invite you to celebrate another season of growth, discovery, and excellence!

Join our interest list, get in touch with our Admissions team, or attend an event.

Learn more

Leadership Spotlight: Lower School Director of Student Affairs

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Today, our Leadership Spotlight series focuses on Ms. Allison Sandhu, who joined BASIS Independent Brooklyn this past school year as the Director of Student Affairs for our Lower School campus in Downtown Brooklyn. Ms. Sandhu brings years of experience as both an educator and a school administrator. She joined school leadership at our Lower School campus last year, and we wanted to share her insights, given her role as Director of Student Affairs, while shedding light on her interests and accomplishments.

Director Sandhu

Director Sandhu started her career in the classroom with Teach for America after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and she went on to be a founding teacher at a charter school in New Jersey, where she led her students to exceptional results. While teaching, Ms. Sandhu gained experience creating curriculum and utilizing data to drive differentiation for students. After four years of teaching, Ms. Sandhu was promoted to administration as a Department Head, where she led a team of educators in developing academic plans as well as unit and lesson plans. She regularly coached on instructional practices and classroom management.

Director Sandhu’s knowledge of our school runs deep, since she is also a proud parent of a Gr. 3 Bear at our Upper School campus. That perspective has informed her work at the Lower School campus. In the past school year, Director Sandhu spent time connecting with teachers and observing classes to help offer suggestions and ways to enhance learning. She also introduced new community events, particularly the BASIS Independent Brooklyn “Becoming a Bear Ball” for students in grade 2 stepping up to the Upper School campus next year. Director Sanhu has already made an impact on our school, and we had a chance to catch up with her to ask some questions we hope will help families get to know her better.

What drew you to BASIS Independent Brooklyn?

I originally found BASIS Independent Brooklyn as a parent in PreK. My husband and I were looking for a school for our son where strong academics lived alongside joy—where kids could be intellectually curious, challenged, and love coming to school each day. We wanted a diverse and inclusive community, with compassionate educators who truly knew and supported their students. The two-teacher model and commitment to differentiation stood out right away—it signaled that the school prioritized both high expectations and individual attention, which felt like exactly what we wanted for our son.

Tell us about what excites you in the year ahead?

I’m really excited to help enhance the student experience—looking closely at the systems and routines that help kids thrive and ensuring that rigor and joy show up in every classroom. I’m especially looking forward to building some new schoolwide traditions that celebrate academics in fun, community-building ways. Most of all, I’m eager to partner with teachers and families so that every student feels known, supported, and challenged every single day.

You spent some time focused on areas other than education. Tell us about some of your other interests.

I’ve spent time outside of the classroom working in a few different creative fields. I founded a travel startup that connected travelers with locals to create more authentic, meaningful experiences. I also worked as a documentary photographer, creating and publishing multimedia pieces for a variety of outlets. Across all of that work, there was a common thread: I was always trying to notice and elevate the beauty in everyday life. That same mindset is what brought me back to education—there’s nothing more powerful than seeing what makes a child unique and then doing the work to cultivate that.

Field Day 2025 – Director Sandhu helped lead our oldest Cubs over to Red Hook Fields to join our Bears!

Families might not know this, but you started as a parent at our school. What difference does that second perspective bring to your current role?

My family was part of the BASIS Independent Brooklyn community for years before I joined the staff, and that experience continues to ground my work as Director of Student Affairs. I know firsthand how important clear communication, consistent expectations, and trust are to families. As parents, we want to feel confident that our children are both cared for and challenged—and that belief shapes everything I do. It’s also why I truly value hearing from families. I know it’s easy to hesitate before reaching out, but I want everyone to know I’m always here as a partner. Please don’t ever hesitate to connect!

You are very well acquainted with the world of youth sports as a parent, since we always hear about a certain game or championships with your son. Can you tell us a bit about that and how that can help in your current role?

My son is incredibly passionate about soccer—or football, as he prefers to call it. He currently plays for the Red Bulls academy team, so when we’re not at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, there’s a good chance we’re on a field somewhere. One of the biggest takeaways from being around youth sports at that level is how much great coaching overlaps with great teaching. The best coaches—like the best educators—create safe, structured environments where kids can take risks, stretch themselves, and be creative. Clear expectations, timely feedback, and a deep belief in a child’s potential go a long way—on the field and in the classroom.

Do you mind sharing a fun fact that families might not know about you?

I love to cook and have bookshelves full of cookbooks. Even when I don’t have time to make something elaborate—or anything at all—I find it incredibly relaxing to flip through them and get inspired. One of my favorite weekly rituals is making my own yogurt from scratch—it’s shockingly easy and always so satisfying.

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Thank you, Director Sandhu, for dedicating your time and focus on making our school community impactful and meaningful. We look forward to another great year ahead!


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. 

Your Journey Starts Here: Fall 2026 Admissions

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At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we welcome applicants who are curious, motivated, and eager to contribute to our dynamic school community. As one of New York City’s top private schools, we seek students who are not only academically driven but also well-rounded—students who are excited to engage in a culture where intellectual curiosity is celebrated, collaboration is encouraged, and a love of learning is central to everything we do. Our students thrive in an environment where hard work is valued, learning is exciting, and school is both challenging and fun.

For families new to the admissions process, we want to provide a clear overview of what to expect. BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK–Grade 12 private school with two distinct campuses, each purposefully designed for the age group it serves.

PreK–Grade 5: 795 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY  10025
Grades 6–12: 556 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011

When applying, families will meet our Admissions Team, who are here to guide them through every step of the admissions process. As a leading New York City Independent School, we take pride in our team’s commitment to providing a supportive, transparent, and welcoming experience. Whether you are new to private school admissions or navigating it again, our team is eager to answer your questions and share what sets BASIS Independent Manhattan apart.

Read below to learn more about the admissions process.

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event 

We strongly recommend prospective families attend one of our Admissions Events to learn about our program and meet some of our staff, students, and family community members before applying. We host events for the Regular Admissions season from August to December.

To view and register for upcoming Admissions Events, click here. 

Step 2: Submit an Online Application

Families can submit an application by filling out an Application Form, which covers basic information, and paying a non-refundable deposit. Families applying for PreK–Grade 1 will also need to complete a Parent Questionnaire. Once you submit the application, application fee, and, if applicable, Parent Questionnaire, you officially start the application process!

In your application, you will be able to request teacher recommendations, report cards/transcripts, schedule your Family Meeting, and your student’s Play Date or Entrance Exam. Families can also keep track of their application process on their Ravenna dashboard. 

Please note: Steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be done in any order but must be completed after the application is submitted and before the deadline to complete an application.  

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (PreK–Grade 10 Required*)

Students applying for PreK–Grade 1 will have their current teacher fill out the Early Learning Program Teacher Recommendation. For Grades 2–10, your child’s current teacher(s) will fill out the English Teacher Recommendation and the Math Teacher Recommendation.

You will be able to delegate the recommendations directly to your child’s current teacher. We do not accept recommendations from past teachers. As listed in the instructions for the recommendations, we do not accept documents from parents or guardians. All recommendations must be sent directly from the teacher to the Admissions Office. 

Step 4: Transcripts (Grades 1–10 Required*)

You will be able to delegate a Transcript Request Form in your application. This form requests that your child’s current school send us a current-year report, along with the last two years. If you’ve attended more than one school within the past three years, you may need to provide a Transcript Request Form to any prior school(s). As stated in the request form instructions, we do not accept documents from parents or guardians. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the Admissions Office. 

We understand that some applicants to grades 1 and 2 may not have formal transcripts from their early childhood programs, such as PreK or daycare. In these circumstances, the requirement of three years of transcripts can be waived.

Step 5: Student Evaluation (PreK–Grade 10 Required*)

Students applying for PreK–Grade 1 will register for a Play Date. Students applying for Grades 2–10 will register for the ISEE (Independent Schools Entrance Exam). Both of these evaluations allow us to meet and interact with your child and determine their readiness to join our program academically, socially, and emotionally in the grade they are applying for.

Step 6: Family Meeting (PreK–Grade 10 Required*)

At least one parent or guardian is required to attend the Family Meeting. Students applying for PreK–Grade 1 are not required to attend. Students applying to Grades 2 – 10 are required to attend. For families applying for multiple students, only one family meeting is required. This meeting is a chance for us to meet your family, ask your student(s) questions about their specific interests in school, and get to know them a bit more in a one-on-one setting.

Once all supplementary materials are received and required meetings are attended, your application is complete! If you complete your application by the completion deadline, you will receive an admissions decision on the notification day. See below for more details. 

Early Admissions (only for siblings of current students)

Deadline to submit an application: Friday, November 14, 2025
Deadline to complete an application: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Notification date: Friday, December 5, 2025, by 5:00 PM EST
Commitment Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025, by 12:00 PM EST

Regular Admissions (PreK–Grade 10)

Deadline to submit and complete an application: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Notification date by grade: by 5:00 PM EST
PreK: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Kindergarten: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Grades 1–8: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Grades 9–10: Friday, February 20, 2026

Commitment deadline by grade: by 12:00 PM EST
PreK: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Kindergarten: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Grades 1–8: Friday, February 27, 2026
Grades 9–10: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Our BASIS Independent Manhattan Admissions Team prioritizes a spirit of collaboration and accessibility to new families, demystifying the application process as much as possible. They work hard to ensure anyone interested in our program can tour the campuses and meet our staff. To that end, parents, guardians, and students are encouraged to come to campus and see our school in action. We hope to see you at an upcoming event soon!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact our Admissions Team at Manhattan-Admissions@basisindependent.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch Arya read her story below:

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

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

Watch Arjun read his story below:

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

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

Watch Yunxi read her story below:

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

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

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

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

Sparking Innovation Early: Robotics and Engineering in the Primary School at BASIS Independent Manhattan

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In today’s tech-driven world, preparing students for the future is essential. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, a leading private school in NYC, we are excited to have an enhanced engineering program that includes a Robotics curriculum for primary school students (Pre-K through grade 4). At the head of the classroom for this interactive, engaging, and hands-on learning is Engineering Subject Expert Teacher at the Lower School, Ms. Delaney. She introduced us to the three unique hardware systems—Ozobots, Finch Robots, and LEGO SPIKE kits— and how she uses them to build skills that grow with students through our spiraling curriculum.

Why Robotics?

Beyond just building robots, our program develops critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills vital for future STEM success. Robotics is deeply rooted in computational thinking, the real-world processes behind computer science and engineering. That sounds challenging for early learners, but this hands-on approach seamlessly teaches students how to break down complex problems, identify patterns, develop step-by-step solutions (algorithms), and refine those solutions when needed. It transforms students from passive tech users into active creators!

Ozobots: A Joyful Introduction (PreK–1)

Meet the Robot: A playful, screen-free start to learn the basics of coding! These small, color-sensing robots follow lines and respond to sequences drawn with markers. 

Benefits of Ozobots: Students intuitively grasp concepts like sequencing, logic, and cause-and-effect through creative play for beginners. Ozobot’s complexity keeps older students engaged by using more intricate coding knowledge to create multifaceted behaviors and challenges. Learning feels like play, which is exactly our goal.  

Skills Gained: Sequencing, prediction, visual coding, debugging, and confidence.

coding ozobots

Finch Bots: Creative Coding That Connects (PreK–1)

Meet the Robot: Bluetooth-enabled bots that add movement, lights, and sensors with block-based coding languages like Blockly and Scratch.

Benefits of the Finch: The versatile robot! Highly adaptable and scalable for all ages, Finch robots make abstract coding concepts tangible and provide interdisciplinary connections, reinforcing concepts from music, art, and math. They can be programmed to make music or hold markers, and be used as a drawing tool to sketch shapes, trace patterns, or illustrate coded paths, like a custom maze.

Skills Gained: Sequencing, cause and effect, conditional statements, spatial awareness, and perseverance.  

LEGO SPIKE Kits: Engineering in Motion (Gr. 2–4)

Meet the Robot: A kit of over 400 construction pieces with a programmable Hub that uses a Scratch-style interface to move the motors, sensors, and gears.

Benefits of LEGO SPIKE: Hands-on engineering challenges allow students to design, build, and bring their robots to life. They start with basic machines and move to more advanced projects like in biomedical engineering.

  • A Favorite Project: Grade 4 designing prosthetic hands, which mirror real-world devices, prompting them to think critically about how engineering can improve lives.

Skills Gained: Preparing students for advanced engineering electives, developing collaborative iteration skills, and strengthening their understanding of integrated systems and mechanical design.  

Coding the programmable hub to a mechanical claw.
Grade 4 students display their final LEGO robotic projects.
Students test their tri-motorcars in grade 3 engineering.
We’re thrilled to announce that our engineering program will extend into grade 5 starting in 2025-2026. This expansion will allow students to build on their understanding of engineering and robotics through exciting cross-curricular connections with science.

Ready to see innovation in action?

Our robotics program is just one example of how BASIS Independent Manhattan provides an enriching curriculum led by expert educators. We balance rigorous academics with fun, hands-on, and experiential learning that prepares our students to be inquisitive, solution-oriented, and collaborative problem solvers.  

Discover the difference of a BASIS Independent Manhattan education, where students are empowered to think critically, create fearlessly, and build the future.

We invite you to learn more about our Wildcat community at one of our upcoming admissions events. Interested in joining us for the 2025-2026 school year? Our rolling application cycle is now open — apply here!

APRIL OPEN HOUSES

Upper School
(Grades 6–12)

Saturday, April 26

10:00 AM

Lower School
(PreK–5)

Sunday, April 27

10:00 AM

REGISTER NOW

The New Works Arts Festival and Spring Showcase: A Celebration of our Fine Arts Department

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This week BASIS Independent Bellevue hosted the annual New Works Arts Festival and Spring Showcase! This event is meant to celebrate our Fine Arts Department and creativity of our students in grades 2 – 8 through dramatic works, musical performances, and the visual arts. The event was four evenings of planned artistic showcases, allowing students to explore their own creative voices and present their perspectives to our community.

Our Fine Arts Subject Expert Teacher, Ms. Carter, teaches grades 2 – 4 in Performance Arts, Music and Visual Art, giving her the unique ability to work with these students across several artistic disciplines. Since the beginning of the school year, Ms. Carter has been working with our primary students on body percussion and control. This skill has allowed students to develop more focus and mindfulness in the classroom, and has been especially helpful in preparing for their Spring Showcase performance. In January, students began using their body percussion skills to rehearsal the musical they would perform in March. Students in grades 2 and 3 were ensemble cast members, singing and dancing during the show, while students in grade 4 were assigned lines and learned blocking techniques on the stage. It came together beautifully!

“Giving the students the opportunity to blend theater, music, and the visual arts created a flow for me to be able to recognize their individual strengths, help direct their energies, and learn what each grade level was truly capable of. Working with these kids brings me such joy because I get to see them set aside their inhibition and come to life. They’re not afraid to be goofy, but and even the ones that are, learn quickly to break down those walls. I love the way they work together. We are a family in that classroom and I think the performance showed that.” – Ms. Carter

In grades 5 – 8, preparation for the New Works Festival began all the way back in August when students in drama classes learned that they would be asked to craft and perform their very own script, adapted from a piece of literature. This required students to look at themes of text, character and story development, and even write their own scripts. This cross-curricular method allows students to rely on skills learned from classes like Classics, English, and Literature and Composition.

Our Drama Subject Expert Teacher, Mr. Mullens, agrees that the integration of Humanities in our curriculum is crucial to the ongoing holistic growth of our students:

“Our students are highly academically motivated, which can mean that they are often very focused in their learning of academic content. In the drama room, I have the pleasure of seeing students truly enjoy the learning process in a non-traditional way. While we incorporate valuable skills, it is also a time for them to laugh, be silly, and bring levity into their day. It’s so important for our students to have these moments of ownership over their creativity, while having a lot of fun.” – Mr. Mullens

Each night kicked off with a visual arts showcase, highlighting art made by students in grades 2 – 8 throughout the course of this year in their classes with Subject Expert Teachers Ms. Carter and Ms. Dreskin. Families were able to enjoy refreshments and begin the evening by appreciating the work of our students.

The gallery of student artwork was on display for all four days of the festival!

Night One – The Spring Showcase

Students in grades 2 – 4 came together to present a musical performance. In grades 2 and 3, students were mice and princesses, while our grade 4 students each dressed up as a fairy tale character of their choice. The theme of the musical focused on building character and kindness.

Night Two – The New Works Festival

On Night Two, Grade 5 Oxygen students performed three adaptations from their chosen works with musical accompaniments, highlighting the flute, piano and vocals!  Student performers stayed in their performance spaces, while the audience was rotated throughout the campus to see each of the shows in the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

Night Three – The New Works Festival

On Night Three, the Chamber Music Club hosted a pre-show while families enjoyed refreshments and viewed the gallery of art that surrounded them. Then, Grade 5 Nitrogen students performed their three adaptations while the audience rotated through each show in the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

Night Four – The New Works Festival

On the final night of the event, our grade 6 – 8 students enrolled in the drama elective courses performed their adaptations of literary works. These students collaborated with the grade 8 Creative Writing class for peer mentorship and support in their writing. The results were resounding. They even had a special guest appearance by our Social Studies SET and basketball coach, Mr. De Monnin! The middle school students performed their three adaptations while the audience rotated through the theater room, amphitheater and music room.

From start to finish, this event was almost completely student-led, from the writing of the productions, to acting and performing their words. Even our stage crew each night were student volunteers from the National Junior Honor Society!

“I love that the adults are standing back and letting this be as student-led as possible. It’s a pleasure to watch them taking agency over their work and see the months of effort finally coming to fruition. “– Mr. Mullens

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of those involved in making this even a success, specifically our Operations Team, Ms. Dreskin, Mr. Mullens, and Ms. Carter. The work that was required to pull off this event was immense and it is greatly appreciated by our students and community!

Spring Visual Art Exhibit: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Art, Robotics, and Music

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At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, innovation and exploration are at the heart of student learning, encouraging creativity across disciplines. This year, the Spring Visual Art Exhibit highlights an exciting collaboration between the Visual Arts, Music, and Robotics programs, showcasing how technology and artistic expression can intersect in meaningful ways.

The theme for this year’s exhibit, Carnival of the Animals, is inspired by the compositions of Saint-Saëns. Subject Expert Art Teachers Ms. Nichols and Ms. Shi selected the music first before assigning each grade level two pieces as inspiration for their artwork. This theme provided students with an opportunity to explore both the musical and visual aspects of the animals, blending their creativity with themes of nature and sound.

The new Robotics program, introduced this year by Subject Expert Engineering Teacher Ms. Bhatnagar, played a key role in this interdisciplinary effort. It is the first robotics program at any BASIS Independent campus in the Bay Area to be integrated into the curriculum rather than offered solely as an after-school program. Through this program, students in Grades 1-4 have been introduced to the fundamentals of robotics and computer science. Using the Finch Robot by BirdBrain Technologies, students developed computational thinking skills and applied coding concepts in tangible ways. With features such as a micro:bit, sensors, LEDs, motors, and a pen holder, the Finch Robot became an invaluable tool for incorporating robotics into various subjects, including art.

Once the exhibit theme was established, Grade 4 Engineering students collaborated with the Art department, using robots to create animal-themed artwork for the show. They first learned how the robots functioned, explored new coding environments, and applied mathematical concepts such as angles, shapes, and coordinates to program them. As a final challenge, they coded the robots to create circular patterns—an advanced function that required precise speed adjustments. Through this process, students reinforced their understanding of geometry and coding and discovered how technology can enhance creative expression.

Music was also an integral part of the learning experience. Students listened to the musical movements corresponding to the animals in their artwork. For example, students who worked on lions studied “The Royal March of the Lion” from Carnival of the Animals. They followed a listening map to identify which instruments were featured, answered questions about the composition, and learned about Saint-Saëns. These activities were woven into lesson plans across grade levels, allowing students to make deeper connections between music and visual storytelling. Subject Expert Music Teachers, Ms. Gao, Ms. Zhang, and Mr. Robbins, guided students through these exercises, enriching their artistic interpretations through sound.

Across all grades, students explored a diverse range of mediums and techniques to bring their artwork to life. These included making playdoh molds for plaster, wax resist techniques with watercolor, oil pastel drawings, negative space painting, metal tooling, and paper quilling. By experimenting with different materials, students were able to capture texture, movement, and emotion in their representations of the animals from Carnival of the Animals.

Throughout the exhibit, Carnival of the Animals will play on a continuous loop, enhancing the immersive experience and bringing the artwork to life. It is hoped that the musical backdrop enhances the experience, allowing viewers to engage more deeply with the pieces and develop a greater appreciation for the interdisciplinary connections between sound, art, and technology.

Reflecting on the experience leading up to the show, Ms. Nichols shared, “One of my favorite parts of being an art teacher is watching my students experience awe. Awe in not just great works of art, but also in the potential they see in their own creativity as their knowledge expands. The wonderful thing about the art showcase is that parents get to be part of that experience.”

We look forward to welcoming parents to the Spring Visual Art Exhibit on Friday, April 11, as we celebrate the creativity and dedication of our students. We encourage families to listen to Carnival of the Animals beforehand to extend the learning experience at home and gain a deeper appreciation for the inspiration behind the exhibit.

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.