Middle School

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

September 18, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

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

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

Cultivating Independence and Agency Through BOSS

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

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

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

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

Building Community: From Marshmallows to Rooftop Carnivals

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

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

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

The Power of Shared Purpose

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

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

Join Our Community of Fearless Thinkers

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

Leadership Spotlight: Dean Repetto, Middle School Program

September 4, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

This summer, our Middle School Student Affairs Team welcomed Ms. Repetto as a Dean, joining Director Cameron and Dean Russell. Ms. Repetto first came to BASIS Independent Brooklyn three years ago from our sister campus in Manhattan, where she served as Auxiliary Manager. During her tenure leading our Auxiliary Team in Brooklyn, she helped expand our club offerings to include such wonderful new programs like Robotics Teams, Quiz Bowl, DECA, and several sports teams.

Ms. Repetto brings a rich and varied background to her new role. She spent six years as the Dean of Visual Arts with Achievement First School in Brooklyn, and before that, taught visual arts at Uncommon Schools Charter High School and Success Academy. For eight years, she also worked as a freelance illustrator and art director for Vogue Magazine. She studied at both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Milan at Politecnico di Milano in Italy, and she earned her master’s degree from the Relay Graduate School of Education.

Now stepping into her new role as Dean of Students for our Middle School, Ms. Repetto sat down with us to answer a few questions and help our families get to know her better. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

In your past role leading our Auxiliary Team, you were a big proponent of building a strong school culture. What are your plans for continuing to build our Middle School community in the year ahead?

One of the core beliefs I bring to this role is that a strong school culture is not something we simply define or put on a poster—it is something we build together through the everyday experiences students have with one another and with the adults around them. To me, culture is about continually expanding our understanding of ourselves, of one another, and of the world around us. It grows when we are curious, when we encounter perspectives and experiences different from our own, and when we have opportunities to contribute meaningfully to our community.

That philosophy was central to my work in the Auxiliary Programs department. I focused on creating opportunities for students to explore new interests, form meaningful connections, discover new passions, and step into leadership roles. I look forward to bringing that same spirit to Middle School, while thinking intentionally about how we can create a community where students are not only participating in school life, but actively helping to shape it.

Dean Repetto with our Student Affairs and Admin Team on the First Day of School 2025-26

I also believe that a strong community should support the whole student. Middle School is such a formative period of academic, social, and personal growth, and I want to be a trusted resource for both students and their families throughout that journey. I want students to know that they can come to me when they need guidance, support, or simply someone to listen. That sense of trust takes time to build, and it comes from being consistent, present, and genuinely invested in students as individuals.

I am particularly committed to student agency and social-emotional growth. Students need opportunities to make decisions, take healthy risks, navigate challenges, learn from mistakes, and advocate for themselves. They also need opportunities to understand how their choices affect the larger community. I hope to help create an environment where students feel both a sense of belonging and a sense of responsibility, where they understand that they are not simply members of a community, but contributors to it.

Most importantly, I want to be steadily present in the daily life of Middle School. I plan to be intentional about spending time with students during lunch, Academic Enrichment time, clubs, sports, field trips, extracurricular activities, and community events. Some of the most meaningful conversations and connections happen outside of formal settings, and those moments often provide the strongest foundation for trust.

Ultimately, my goal is to help cultivate a Middle School community that is intellectually curious, welcoming, creative, and connected—a place where students feel known and supported, but also challenged to see beyond themselves.

Dean Repetto leading a Middle School New Student Orientation discussion

Your professional experience spans both education and the arts. Can you tell us more about your experience before joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn?

My professional journey has always lived at the intersection of creativity, education, and a lifelong curiosity about learning. Each chapter of my career has shaped the way I think about supporting students and building meaningful school communities.

I came to New York to study Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and later continued my studies in Milan at Politecnico di Milano. While I was still a student at FIT, I began working professionally as a fashion illustrator and art director. Over the following fifteen years, I had the opportunity to contribute to publications including Vogue Italia, Vogue Japan, L’Uomo Vogue, and Vogue USA, as well as to collaborate with clients across the fashion, design, and hospitality industries. I am incredibly grateful for those experiences, which taught me to approach creative work with curiosity, discipline, collaboration, and an openness to new ideas.

A particularly meaningful turning point came when I was invited to serve as a critic for FIT’s BFA senior thesis presentations. I realized that what I found most rewarding was not simply creating my own work, but helping others develop theirs—asking questions, offering perspective, encouraging new possibilities, and watching someone gain confidence in an idea they had once been uncertain about. That experience helped me recognize how much I loved teaching and mentoring.

When I joined BASIS Independent Brooklyn as the Auxiliary Programs Manager, I discovered another dimension of education that I loved: creating opportunities for students and families to connect beyond the traditional classroom. I had the privilege of developing programs, supporting clubs and enrichment opportunities, planning community events, and creating experiences that encouraged students to explore their interests and discover new passions. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring together my creative background and my commitment to education in a very practical and community-centered way.

Looking back, I think the common thread throughout my career has been a genuine love of learning and a belief in the importance of meaningful experiences. Whether I was working in the arts, teaching, developing programs, or supporting students and families, I have always been drawn to opportunities to help people feel curious, capable, and inspired.

Dean Repetto hosting our 2026 Talent Show

Middle School can be a tricky transition for kids. How do you plan to support students as they navigate both social and academic shifts?

Middle School is such a formative time because students are becoming more independent while navigating significant academic, social, and personal changes. My goal is to help students see those changes not simply as challenges, but as opportunities to discover who they are, build confidence, and develop the skills to navigate the world around them.

I believe students thrive when they have both clear expectations and a strong sense of support. They should know what is expected of them, understand where to turn when they need help, and feel confident that the adults around them are invested in their success. At the same time, I want to give students the space to develop their own voice—to make decisions, work through challenges, learn from mistakes, and gradually take greater ownership of their academic and personal growth.

Supporting students through this transition also requires strong partnership among the adults in their lives. I look forward to working closely with teachers and families so that we can share perspectives, communicate thoughtfully, and provide students with a consistent support system. When students know that the important adults in their lives are working together, they are more likely to feel secure, understood, and empowered to take on the challenges of Middle School.

What do you hope students say about their middle school experience once they step up to high school?

More than anything, I hope students say they felt seen—as whole people, not just as students.

I want them to know they were part of a community that encouraged them to be curious, pursue their passions, ask thoughtful questions, and grow into confident, critical thinkers. I hope they remember a school where they felt comfortable taking intellectual risks, trying new things, and discovering strengths they didn’t know they had.

In addition to benefiting from an incredibly thoughtfully designed academic experience, I hope they leave feeling that their middle school experience helped them grow in a balanced way—that their intellect, their character, and their independence were all nurtured. I want them to say they developed not only strong scholarly abilities, but also a sense of moral purpose, empathy, and responsibility toward others. When students feel connected to their community and understand that their choices have an impact, they become more thoughtful, compassionate, and resilient individuals.

Ultimately, I hope they look back and say that Middle School prepared them not only for high school, but for life. That it gave them the courage to lead with integrity, and the autonomy to navigate an ever-changing world with curiosity, compassion, and a genuine respect for the people and communities around them.

If students leave feeling challenged, valued, inspired, and empowered to make a positive difference, then I believe we’ve accomplished something truly meaningful.

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

August 26, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

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

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

BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first Kindergarten class!

Orientation

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

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

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

The First Day of School

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

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

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

Campus Tours

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

Communication Journals

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

Community Building

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

Lockers and Procedures

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

Dr. Thies helping students with their locks.

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

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

June 25, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

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

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

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

Wearable Art Studio: Become a Fashion Designer

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

Chinese Cooking Camp

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

Splish Splash

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

Rome 3-D Model Lab

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

Fiber Arts

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

Erupting History: Build a Volcano and Discover Pompeii

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

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

Meet Our New Subject Expert Teacher, Ms. Prachi Agarwal

June 11, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

With over 19 years of experience in education, Ms. Prachi is a dedicated educator and lifelong learner committed to fostering engaging, meaningful, and student-centered learning experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and academic growth. Ms. Prachi has worked across diverse educational settings in India and the United States as a classroom teacher.

Ms. Prachi holds the following degrees: Master of Education, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Bachelor of Law and postgraduate diplomas in Personnel Management.

Ms. Prachi believes learning is most powerful when it is inquiry-driven, engaging, and meaningful, and strives to create inclusive classrooms where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to think critically, collaborate, and grow in confidence.

Ms. Prachi views education as a continuous journey of growth for both students and educators, and she is committed to fostering a positive learning environment where every child feels valued and empowered. She believes that education is a transformative tool that fosters meaningful change and growth in society as well as within the community.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Prachi enjoys music, reading, and cooking.

What drew you to join our school community?
I was drawn to BASIS Independent Dublin because of its unique academic model that blends rigor, depth of understanding, and a culture of inquiry. I deeply connect with the idea of challenging students not just to learn content, but to think critically, question deeply, and engage meaningfully with their learning.

What are you most excited about in your first year at BASIS Independent Dublin?
I am most excited about building strong relationships with my students and creating a classroom environment where curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking can thrive. I look forward to designing engaging learning experiences that connect classroom learning to the real world, and to contributing positively to the school community.

What advice do you give to students who want to succeed in your class?
My advice to students is to approach learning with curiosity and enthusiasm, and to truly enjoy the process of discovering new ideas. Learning becomes most meaningful when you are actively involved—asking questions, exploring concepts deeply, and connecting what you learn to the world around you.

What do you hope students will remember most about your class in the future?
I hope students remember my classroom as a very happy place where they felt safe, supported, and encouraged to grow both academically and personally. Beyond that, I hope they leave with a strong conceptual understanding of what they learned and the confidence to use that knowledge in new and real-world situations.

BASIS Independent Dublin is a Grades 5 – 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the BASIS Independent Dublin community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

Congratulations to Teacher Danae, Recently Named Subject Advisor for BASIS Independent Schools!

June 8, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Dublin, our academic excellence will be built upon the expertise, passion, and dedication of our Subject Expert Teachers. Today, we are proud to celebrate an exciting achievement within our faculty community: one of our Subject Expert Teachers, Teacher Danae, has been selected to serve as a Subject Advisor (SAD) for the BASIS Curriculum Schools network!

This appointment is not only a recognition of their exceptional teaching and subject-matter expertise – it also highlights the caliber of educators who make BASIS Independent Dublin such a distinctive learning community.

“I’m honored to serve as the Visual Arts Subject Advisor,” said Teacher Danae. “As SAD, I hope to foster strong connections between the Visual Arts Subject Expert Teachers in our network and to help incorporate more cross-curricular learning opportunities at every grade level. Having taught art to BASIS Independent Schools students across all grades, I have worked to connect the techniques, mediums, and styles that we apply in art class to what is being taught in their other classes, such as time periods covered in history and languages, or the chemistry of chemical reactions when firing clay and glazes. Ultimately, I hope to enrich learning for our students through both art-appreciation and as a means of self-expression.”

What Is a Subject Advisor?
Across the BASIS Curriculum Schools network, every required course, and many electives, are supported by a dedicated Subject Advisor. These educators are experienced classroom teachers who take on an expanded leadership role as extensions of the BASIS Curriculum Team.

Subject Advisors, or SADs as they are affectionately called, are responsible for continuously refining and strengthening curriculum content, ensuring that courses remain rigorous, engaging, and aligned from one grade level to the next. They collaborate with other Subject Expert Teachers across the network, analyze student performance data, incorporate emerging developments within their fields, and help shape the educational experiences of thousands of students worldwide.

Most importantly, Subject Advisors remain active classroom teachers, bringing real-world teaching experience directly into curriculum development.

The Power of Subject Expert Teachers
One of the defining features of a BASIS Independent Dublin education is the Subject Expert Teacher model. Rather than teaching across multiple disciplines, our teachers specialize in the subjects they know and love most.

The appointment of a faculty member as a Subject Advisor further demonstrates the depth of expertise within BASIS Independent Dublin’s academic program. These educators are not only teaching students each day, they are helping shape the BASIS Curriculum and instructional practices across our network of schools.

For families considering BASIS Independent Dublin, this distinction offers a meaningful glimpse into the quality of instruction students will receive. Our classrooms will be led by educators who are recognized as leaders in their fields and trusted to guide curriculum development for their peers.

Building Community Through Collaboration
The impact of a Subject Advisor extends far beyond curriculum updates. Throughout the year, Subject Advisors foster professional learning communities by facilitating discussions, sharing instructional resources, leading network-wide meetings, and connecting teachers across campuses. Through newsletters, collaborative forums, and professional development opportunities, they help create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

This network of collaboration benefits not only teachers but also students, who gain from the collective knowledge and best practices of educators across BASIS Independent and International Schools.

A Reflection of Our Growing Community
As BASIS Independent Dublin continues to grow, accomplishments like this reinforce what makes our school community special. We are building more than a campus – we are cultivating a community of exceptional educators, ambitious students, and engaged families who value academic excellence.

The appointment of a new Subject Advisor serves as a reminder that our Subject Expert Teachers are not only experts in their classrooms but also contributors to a broader educational mission that impacts students across the network.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to the many ways our newest Subject Advisor will continue to enrich the educational experience at BASIS Independent Dublin and beyond.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Teacher Danae! Your leadership, expertise, and commitment to academic excellence help make our community stronger every day.

Spring Sports Recap: Continuing to Build a Strong Tradition of Mountaineer Athletics

June 4, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

The Mountaineers wrapped up another successful spring season filled with hard work, growth, and outstanding performances. From an undefeated tennis season to record breaking results on the track, our student athletes gave us plenty to celebrate.

Tennis Continues Its Winning Tradition

The Mountaineers Tennis Team enjoyed an excellent season under the leadership of Coach McGrain. The team of 11 athletes worked hard throughout the spring, sharpening their skills and challenging one another to improve each day.

After finishing undefeated during the program’s inaugural season, the team continued that tradition by completing its second consecutive undefeated season with a perfect 7-0 record.

The team earned victories over Bear Creek, Brighton, Eastside Prep, and Eastside Christian. While many matches were decided comfortably in the Mountaineers’ favor, Eastside Prep provided some of the toughest competition of the season and pushed our athletes to play their best tennis.

Special recognition goes to Lydia Z. (5Rh) and Jonathan P. (5Cr), who both completed the season without losing a match. In addition to their success on the court, they consistently demonstrated exceptional effort in practice and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the season.

Congratulations to Coach McGrain and the entire tennis team on another undefeated season.

Track and Field Athletes Reach New Heights

The Mountaineers Track & Field team competed in five meets this spring and produced several memorable performances.

One of the season’s biggest highlights came from Brian Z. in grade 8, who set a new school record in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 2 inches. Brian finished his season by earning second place in the long jump at the CMSL (Cascade Middle School League) Final Meet.

Another standout performer was Jason Z. in grade 6. Competing against older athletes throughout the season, Jason showed tremendous improvement across all of his events. His hard work paid off with an impressive third place finish in the 100-meter dash at the CMSL Final Meet, despite competing primarily against grade 7 and 8 students.

Ivy Z. in grade 8, once again delivered an outstanding season in the middle and long distance events. At the CMSL Final Meet, she earned second place in the 400-meter run and first place in the 800-meter run. Ivy currently holds school records in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m, cementing her place among the most accomplished track athletes in program history.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and perseverance shown by our student athletes throughout the season.

Congratulations to all of our spring athletes and coaches on another successful season. Whether setting records, earning victories, or supporting teammates, our Mountaineers represented BASIS Independent Bellevue with pride throughout the spring.

Looking Ahead

As we turn the page to a new school year, we are excited for the return of Girls Volleyball, Co-ed Soccer, and Swim this fall. We look forward to welcoming both returning and new athletes as we continue building a strong tradition of Mountaineer Athletics. More information regarding fall athletics will be shared later this summer. Until then, have a wonderful summer and “Go Mountaineers!”

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Quiz Bowl Earns National Recognition at Middle School National Championship

May 28, 2026 by ezekielbracamonte Leave a Comment

The BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Quiz Bowl team earned an impressive 8th-place finish at the 2026 NAQT Middle School National Championship Tournament, held May 8–10, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Competing against 192 teams from across the country, the result marks the program’s first national-level trophy since 2018. The tournament is widely regarded as the pinnacle of middle school academic competition in the United States.

Qualifying for the national championship alone is considered a major accomplishment, particularly within the highly competitive Northern California Quiz Bowl circuit. BISV entered the tournament as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation after winning multiple regional tournaments throughout the season, carrying that momentum into one of the strongest national fields in recent years.

Team members from left, Andrew F., Ishani D., Ishaan D., and Aditya H.

What makes the team’s achievement especially remarkable is the composition of the roster. Despite being one of the younger teams competing at the tournament, the group worked together to secure a top-10 national finish and establish BISV among the country’s elite middle school Quiz Bowl programs.

The National Championship result also capped an exceptional season for Ishaan D. Earlier this year, he was named NAQT Middle School Player of the Week by the National Academic Quiz Tournaments organization, a national recognition awarded to standout players during the regular season. At the national championship tournament, he also earned an All-Star Award, an honor reserved for the top 30 highest-scoring individual competitors across the entire field. These accomplishments follow his Rising Star Award earned at the 2025 National Championship, further establishing him as one of the nation’s most accomplished middle school Quiz Bowl competitors.

The 2026 National Championship team included Ishaan D. (Grade 8) as captain, along with Grade 6 students Aditya H., Andrew F., and Ishani D. as team members. The team’s achievement was also featured in the Mercury News, highlighting this exciting milestone on a broader stage.

Congratulations to the BISV Quiz Bowl team on an outstanding season and a historic national finish.

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.

Meet Our New Dean of Students: Mr. Alexander Seto

May 27, 2026 by nathanielyinger Leave a Comment

Mr. Seto holds an MA in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University and BA from The University of Western Ontario. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he is a Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counselor. He has spent the past six years at St. Andrew’s College, a leading independent boarding school, where he served as the school’s first full-time counselor and a student and staff wellness leader, working with students across grades 5 through 12.

Mr. Seto believes effective student support is holistic and relationship-driven. Students thrive in communities that foster a genuine sense of belonging and are provided the structures, resources, and opportunities that support their growth. At St. Andrew’s, he worked across all of these areas, providing direct individual support, building programs, coaching teams, and organizing student and staff events.

Mr. Seto joins BASIS Independent Dublin as a founding member and looks forward to being part of a community that is just beginning to take shape. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, competing in squash, playing chess, and staying active.

What inspired you to work in schools, and what drew you to the BASIS Independent Dublin community?

I have spent the past six years at St. Andrew’s College, a leading independent boarding school in Canada, and have come to appreciate the impact a positive school environment can have. Beyond academics, schools are a place where students figure out what they are good at, where friendships form, and where they are exposed to opportunities they might not have found anywhere else. Supporting students through that and being part of the programming and planning behind it is work I find genuinely meaningful.

With BASIS Independent Dublin being in its founding year, I look at this as an opportunity to create a supportive, student-centered culture. I am looking forward to being part of building a school where students have a strong sense of belonging and can thrive.

How would you describe your approach to student support and engagement?

Approachability and consistency are two things I prioritize when working with students. Students should know they can come to you regardless of what they are dealing with, and this involves having the right structures and resources in place so that when they do, there is something meaningful to offer. Support works best when it is accessible for a variety of needs.

My background as a counselor and clinician shapes a lot of how I work with students. I approach conversations with patience and without judgment, and I try to understand what is going on underneath the surface rather than responding only to what is immediately visible. From there the focus becomes identifying what supports and resources can genuinely help, and making sure students and families know what is available to them.

What aspect(s) of your new role are you most excited about?

I am looking forward to establishing relationships with students and families at BASIS Independent Dublin as we all head into its founding year, understanding what this community needs, and building the kind of support structures that can grow with the school over time.

The Evolution of Lab Sciences: From Exploration in Primary Years to Advanced Laboratory Experiences in High School

May 22, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Bellevue, science comes to life through hands-on experiments, collaborative projects, and engaging investigations that encourage students to think critically and creatively. Across every division, from Primary School to High School, students are actively exploring the world around them in a variety of capacities.

Primary School: Building Curiosity Through Exploration

In Primary School, students are introduced to the wonders of science and engineering through engaging, project-based learning experiences. Throughout the primary years students deepen their knowledge of essential science concepts while teachers inspire a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world, encouraging them to see themselves as young scientists ready to explore and discover.

In engineering classes, students explored various aspects of STEAM through units on civil and aerospace engineering. During the civil engineering unit, students worked collaboratively to design free-standing paper skyscrapers and environmentally informed cities centered around green spaces. In aerospace engineering, students designed rockets inspired by the Artemis II launch. During presentations, the BASIS Aeronautics Space Administration (B.A.S.A.) voted on the most innovative rocket design, with one winning all-girls team, impressing classmates by designing a rocket capable of cooking s’mores for astronauts during takeoff.

Students also participated in several exciting scientific investigations throughout the year. During a month-long moon phase project, students observed and documented the moon each night in moon journals before reenacting the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun to better understand lunar phases. Students also explored light energy through learning centers focused on how light travels and reflects off surfaces. Another favorite activity came during the measurement unit, where students practiced measuring liquids and following detailed lab instructions. If completed correctly, the experiment resulted in a colorful rainbow, making science both educational and exciting.

Middle School: Applying Science Through Hands-on Learning

Middle School students take scientific exploration to the next level through challenging labs, engineering projects, and interactive investigations. From grade 6–grade 8 students take three separate, concurrent science classes, biology, chemistry, and physics.

In physics classes, students participated in the “Egg War,” where they applied concepts such as Newton’s Laws, momentum, impulse, and kinematics to design vehicles capable of protecting an egg during a head-on collision. Students also explored electricity by building a variety of circuits using batteries, wires, and light bulbs, gaining firsthand experience with electrical systems and experimentation.

Engineering electives have also provided students with opportunities to collaborate and innovate. In grade 6 Introduction to Engineering, students worked together to build and code robots capable of competing in friendly robot battles. Through this project, students strengthened their skills in coding, construction, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Middle School chemistry students recently completed a stoichiometry lab involving a single replacement reaction between Copper (II) Sulfate and Aluminum. Students calculated theoretical yields, conducted the reaction, and analyzed their percent yield based on the copper produced. Biology students have also immersed themselves in the study of anatomy and life sciences through a variety of dissections, including cow hearts, cow eyes, frogs, and owl pellets. In addition, students explored the microscopic world by using microscopes to observe tissues, organisms, and cellular structures.

High School: Connecting Theory to Real-World Science

In high school science courses, students deepen their understanding of scientific concepts through advanced laboratory experiences and independent inquiry. In AP Physics 2, students conducted a capacitance lab in which they built parallel-plate capacitors using aluminum foil and textbooks. By testing how effectively paper functioned as a dielectric material, students were able to apply classroom equations to real-world experimentation and engineering design. In AP Physics 1, students got to build model trebuchets, a medieval siege engine powered by a counterweight. They explored the forces and torques acting on the system and how their design choices affected the range and accuracy of their models.

Honors and AP Chemistry students have also engaged in a wide variety of labs throughout the year, including titrations, acids and bases investigations, and experimental procedure design. Students are often challenged to create their own methods for achieving a scientific goal using only a provided set of materials, encouraging creativity and critical thinking in the lab. But what is the fun in chemistry without some fire? One particularly memorable experiment involved testing metals in flames to demonstrate properties of matter. By combining alcohol with different salts, students produced brilliantly colored flames that brought chemistry concepts vividly to life!

From designing rockets and building robots to conducting advanced chemistry and physics experiments, students across all grade levels are discovering that science is more than just a subject. It is an opportunity to explore, create, and innovate. Through these engaging lab experiences, our students continue to develop the problem-solving skills that will assist them in their future endeavors.