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Student Achievement

More than a Photo Op: BIM Stduents Meet with Former Indian Ambassador

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This August, BIM senior Aarya Vaghela and junior Rishik Pulli had the privilege of meeting Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary and Indian Ambassador to the United States and current member of the upper house in Parliament, at a reception hosted by the Indian American Business Impact Group.

Rishik says that Mr. Shringla MP spoke eloquently about US-India relations and expressed optimism about reaching trade agreements. Afterwards, Rishik and Aarya were able to get a photo with Mr. Shringla, MP.

But this wasn’t just a photo op! Some quick thinking gave Aarya and Rishik the opportunity to have a lengthy conversation with the former ambassador. When the venue ran out of food, Aarya suggested heading to a nearby restaurant. He and Rishik not only ended up in the same car as Mr. Shringla MP, but they also sat next to the former ambassador in the restaurant.

Your typical teenager might be tongue-tied in such a situation, but Aarya and Rishik are BIM students! They discussed the state of health care in India and, in particular, efforts to integrate digital technology, before the conversation turned to the non-profit Aarya and Rishik are involved with: Jaipur Foot. Jaipur Foot uses digital printing to quickly produce below-the-knee prosthetics, which they have provided for free to nearly a million people worldwide. Aarya and Rishik are helping to coordinate and publicize Jaipur Foot’s upcoming camp in Trinidad and Tobago, and Mr. Shringla MP agreed to be there. 

That’s what we call taking a photo op and seizing the opportunity. For more on Jaipur Foot, or to donate online, go to https://www.jaipurfoot.org

Celebrating a Record-Breaking Year for Academic Excellence

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We are thrilled to celebrate a truly outstanding year of academic achievement at BASIS Independent Manhattan, as our students have once again surpassed expectations on their Advanced Placement (AP) exams and earned significant recognition from the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

This year’s results are a testament to our students’ dedication and our teachers’ commitment to fostering a culture of excellence. We are incredibly proud to announce that 69% of our AP test-taking students received AP Scholar Awards, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates consistent growth since our first AP exam administration.

By the Numbers: Our Students Continue to Excel

The achievements of our students speak for themselves:

  • 35 students have earned AP Scholar Awards across various categories.
  • 4 juniors have received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.
  • Our students’ average AP score was an impressive 4.28 out of 5, significantly higher than the overall average for the rest of the country and abroad, which was 3.12.
graphic showing average ap score and number of ap scholars

A Track Record of Growth and Success

Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in the steady growth of our AP Scholar recognition year after year. The number of students receiving these prestigious awards has consistently grown since our first AP exam administration.

  • 2022-2023: 47% of test-takers were recognized as AP Scholars
  • 2023-2024: 51% of test-takers were recognized
  • 2024-2025: 69% of test-takers were recognized

“The year-over-year increase in how many of our students are honored as AP Scholars is a fantastic representation of the BASIS Independent Manhattan program and the teachers who deliver our curriculum,” said Ms. Cyndriel Meimban, Director of Academic Programs. “Hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity have enabled them to excel at the highest levels of academic achievement, and we are incredibly proud of their outstanding accomplishments on the AP Exams.”

This upward trend is a clear indicator of our students’ rising potential and the strength of our rigorous academic program.

Recognizing Our Scholars

We would like to celebrate every one of our students who worked tirelessly to achieve these results. Their hard work and determination are truly inspiring.

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

  • Maxfield S.
  • Sean F.
  • Symir T.
  • Zixi Y.
national merit scholarship commended students
AP ScholarAP Scholar with HonorAP Scholar with Distinction
Daniel C. (Gr. 10)Joshua Ag. (Gr. 10)Finn B. (Gr. 10)
Anderson C. (Gr. 10)Aidan B. (Gr. 10)Stella C. (Gr. 11)
Isabella D. (Gr. 10)Yujia (Zoe) G. (Gr. 10)Charles D. (Gr. 11)
Or H-U. (Gr. 10)Saira K. (Gr. 10)Sean F. (Gr. 11)
Julia N. (Gr. 11)Lucia M. (Gr. 10)Eli F. (Gr. 11)
Evan N. (Gr. 10)Apostolos R. (Gr. 10)Felix H. (Gr. 10)
Julien N. (Gr. 10)Charles S. (Gr. 10)Kaylee H. (Gr. 10)
Uliana T. (Gr. 10)Andrew S. (Gr. 11)Arry J. (Gr. 12) + AP Capstone Diploma
Lola O. (Gr. 11)
Marcus P. (Gr. 12) + AP Capstone Diploma
Maximilian R-J. (Gr. 11)
Dashiell S. (Gr. 11)
Maxfield S. (Gr. 11)
Alex S. (Gr. 10)
Joshua (J.J.) S. (Gr. 10)
Symir T. (Gr. 11)
Amelie W. (Gr. 10)
Zixi Y. (Gr. 11)
Isabella (Izzy) Z. (Gr. 10)

Congratulations once more to these bright minds and the supportive teachers and families who have helped them along the way. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success!

Interested in learning more about our program? We invite you to visit our school at an upcoming Fall Open House on October 25 (PreK–5) and October 26 (Gr. 6–12) or contact our Admissions team to see if BASIS Independent Manhattan is the right fit for you.

BASIS Independent Manhattan, a private school offering PreK through Grade 12, is based in Manhattan, New York. Students thrive alongside Subject Expert Teachers as they engage in a liberal arts program with STEM offerings. 

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Seniors Achieve Record 80% National Merit Honors

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On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program — including 40 students from BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. Alongside our 40 Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated 51 Commended Scholars, meaning that 80% of the Class of 2026 received National Merit recognition, setting a new record for our school community. These academically talented high school seniors now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

More than 1.3 million juniors from roughly 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, which served as the initial screening test for program entrants. From this group, the nationwide pool of Semifinalists — representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors — includes the highest-scoring students in each state. The number of Semifinalists from each state is based on its share of the nation’s graduating seniors.

Reflecting on this achievement, Associate Head of School Josh Henriquez shared, “These students represent the heart of BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: determination, curiosity, and a drive to excel. As a community, we are thrilled to celebrate their journey and the hard work that has led to this well-deserved recognition.”

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. The scholarship winners of 2026 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. All Merit Scholar recipients are selected based on their abilities, achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

We are incredibly proud of these students — and of all our Bobcats — for their continual academic achievements, both big and small. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone for the Class of 2026!

Aaditya Bharadwaj
Peter Chow
Xiangtuo Cui
Anna Deng
Eileen Gong
Maximilian Guo
Aanya Gupta
Ellen Hao
Chloe Ho
Grace Huang
Nishka Jain
Arshiya Kalra
Manant Kochar
Aaron Li
Albert P Li
Albert S Li
Angela Li
Jessica Li
Junren Li
Leo Li
Maggie Liu
Alexander Ma
Arjun Maganti
Nikola Mazzola
Nelson Nishio
Helen Peng
Xinyue Ren
Archita Satapathy
Manasi Sharma
Yifan Sheng
Lily Tao
Caroline Tian
Aryan Tummala
Richard Wang
Yujie Wu
Maggie Xu
Maximillian Yang
Catherine Yue
Yiyang Zheng
Lawrence Zhou

Congratulations, Bobcats!

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.

A Legacy of Excellence: 1 out of 4 Seniors Honored as 2025 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

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One out of every four of our seniors across the BASIS Independent Schools network have been named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists! The impressive achievements across our high school campuses in California, New York, and Virginia underscore our institution’s academic standards, comprehensive approach to education, and excellence in student outcomes.

Four students from BASIS Independent in McLean, Natasha A., Ian P., Vincenzo T., and Gavin W. were selected as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognized a total of 46 students from BASIS Independent Schools as semifinals! These exceptionally talented high school seniors now have the chance to advance in the competition for approximately 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, collectively worth nearly $26 million, which will be awarded next spring.

At BASIS Independent Schools, we ignite student potential with an internationally inspired curriculum, passionate educators, and countless opportunities for growth both inside and outside the classroom. Our students’ success not only highlights their exceptional talent and hard work but also serves as a testament to the supportive and enriching academic environment we cultivate. Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools expressed, “These outstanding results are a reflection of the incredibly talented student body at BASIS Independent Schools as well as the planning, instruction, and inspiration provided by their Subject Expert Teachers each and every day.”

As we celebrate this incredible accomplishment, we remain committed to shaping the leaders, innovators, and thinkers of tomorrow. Congratulations to our National Merit Scholar Semifinalists — your achievements inspire us all!

Learn more about BASIS Independent Schools by joining our interest list today!

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

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.  

Alexander D. ’31 Brings Back Gold from the International History Olympiad

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In July of this summer, Grade 7 student Alexander D. ’31 took part in the International History Olympiad in Paris, France, where he won a gold medal in the Hextathlon team event, finished 7th in the History Bee, and came in 19th overall individually! He was also selected to carry the Virginia flag during the opening ceremony.

The Olympiad took place at the École Jeannine Manuel, a high school not far from the Eiffel Tower. It featured 432 contestants from all over the world, competing in a mix of individual tests and buzzer events similar to Quiz Bowl. It was a friendly competition, with contestants exchanging pins and chatting before matches. “We liked to talk about politics,” Alexander says, “but the adults kept telling us not to.”

This is Alexander’s second Olympiad, after competing in last year’s International Geography Olympiad in Vienna, Austria. He reached Paris by coming in second at regionals and making the quarterfinals of the national competition in Orlando. Alexander says he first became interested in history during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he spent a lot of time watching documentaries. He thought Grade 4 history was fun, and in Grade 5, he joined the Quiz Bowl team at BASIS Independent McLean and specialized in history. One of the parent coaches suggested he try out for the international competition.

His time in Europe was not all about competing. Alexander took advantage of the chance to visit historical sites: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Black Forest in Germany, and the castles of “Mad” King Ludwig II in Bavaria. A special highlight was seeing Albert Einstein’s PhD thesis paper in Zurich. He also loved the food, saying, “I enjoyed eating at French restaurants, especially the duck confit and steak frites. I also tried my mom’s escargot, which didn’t taste as bad as I thought it would.”

Congratulations to Alexander from everyone here at BIM!

Class of 2025: Graduation Reflections

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On June 18th, family, faculty, and students of BASIS Independent Brooklyn gathered together at the Palm House in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to celebrate the accomplishments of our Class of 2025. Our twenty-four graduates are now poised to continue their academic careers in top colleges and universities across the country.

During the ceremony, Valedictorian Maxim S. expertly captured their time together as a class and inspired his fellow graduates to look ahead to all that is in store for them. We wanted to share his speech with our community since his words reflected the joy and honor at the heart of the celebration.

Address by Class of 2025 Valedictorian Maxim S.

Hello everyone, and thank you all for coming to celebrate this long-awaited achievement. It is an honor to stand on this stage as valedictorian—an honor I couldn’t have achieved without the unwavering support of my teachers, administrators, and, of course, my family.

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt—thank you for not only giving me the opportunities to succeed, but for being there through all my highs and lows. And a special thank you to my brother as well—although he’s not here today, I truly cannot imagine how dull life would have been without your company, snarky humor, and competitiveness.

For most of us, today marks the long-awaited moment of liberation. The words AP, College Board, and Advisory are finally behind us. No more watching AP Classroom videos at 2x speed, hiding from Advisory teachers in the Senior Lounge, or complaining to our teachers about unnecessary post-AP assignments. I’ll admit, I certainly felt that sense of freedom at Senior Send-Off—more excited about what’s to come than nostalgic for what had passed.

But over the course of this last trimester—with more free time and fewer deadlines—I’ve had space to reflect and genuinely appreciate what BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] as given us.

Like many of you, I joined this school in its early days. When my family moved to the United States in the middle of my 2nd-grade year, I was nervous. I didn’t know how I’d fit in, or whether my differences would set me apart. But BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] did something remarkable—it welcomed me with open arms. It embraced the things that made me unique and gave me the space to grow into who I am today.

This small community—quirky, intense, tight-knit—has encouraged us to be ourselves. Class presentations and projects gave us the creative liberty to explore our topics of interest deeper. And because our class was so small, we had no choice but to listen to each other—to hear perspectives we might have tuned out in a more traditional high school. That closeness made us not just classmates, but collaborators, confidants, and, in many cases, lifelong friends.

We felt this school was small enough to create the changes we wanted—and so we did. We argued our case for better grades after tests we thought were unfair, started clubs where we saw gaps in the extracurricular catalog, and pitched in to support both the BASIS [Independent] and Red Hook communities. Sure, some of our efforts didn’t succeed—like the infamous Puerto Rico trip—but every attempt taught us how to advocate for ourselves, speak up, and shape the environment around us.

Through these four years, there were obviously moments when I wasn’t always the most prideful about our school. I sometimes compared our experience to the more “traditional” high schools we see in movies, and wondered what we were missing. But now, I see just how special our journey has been. We weren’t just students here. We were contributors to something still being built, persevering through academic rigor to help leave a mark on the expanding BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] community. And because of that, we didn’t just grow—we helped shape the school that shaped us.

So to the Class of 2025: As we turn the page and begin the next chapter, let’s not forget the laughter, the lessons, and the late nights that brought us to this stage. Let’s carry forward the values BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] has instilled in us—the courage to be ourselves, the willingness to listen, and the strength to grow. So let’s not wait for the world to change—let us be the ones who change it.

Congratulations, Class of 2025.  And in the words of Fabrizio Romano: Here we go!

Thank you to Maxim and our entire Class of 2025 for leaving their mark on our school community! We will be cheering you on these next few months during the transition to college.

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. 

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.

Senior Project Spotlight: Arry J. – Horizontal Gene Transfer in Microalgae for Wastewater Treatment

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At BASIS Independent Manhattan, senior year culminates in a transformative experience that prepares students for the independence and rigor of college academics. Seniors benefit from a daily college counseling class that supports every aspect of the application process—from building college lists to making final decisions. Throughout the year, students take a range of advanced courses, including AP classes and Capstone courses that allow them to explore subjects in greater depth. In the final trimester, students shift their focus to either the Senior Project or AP Research track—immersive, student-driven experiences that reflect their passions and equip them for success beyond high school.

The Senior Project Experience 

The BASIS Independent Manhattan Senior Project challenges students to move beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge to real-world topics. In their final trimester, students conduct independent research, collaborating with an internal faculty advisor and an external mentor. They develop a unique project that reflects their interests and career aspirations. Students blog regularly about their progress and conclude with a presentation to the school community. 

Alternatively, students enrolled in the AP Capstone program take on a two-year research commitment, starting with AP Seminar in Grade 11 and culminating in AP Research in Grade 12. These students conduct original investigations, collect and analyze data, and present their findings in a format similar to a university thesis. This pathway hones advanced research skills, critical thinking, effective communication, and scholarly inquiry. 

Senior Spotlight: Arry J. 

Arry J. (Class of 2025) embodies the spirit of independent inquiry. His AP Research project, “Exploring the Potential for Horizontal Gene Transfer to Enhance Microalgal Efficiency in Wastewater Treatment,” dove into the world of environmental biotechnology. Arry’s work focused on increasing microalgal cell wall permeability to improve gene transfer from bacteria, potentially leading to breakthroughs in sustainable wastewater treatment. 

Despite limited lab access, Arry demonstrated creativity and determination. He transformed his kitchen into a functional workspace and improvised with household tools to conduct microbiological experiments. His project reflects not only scientific ambition but also the core outcomes of our program: resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving. 

Reflecting on the experience, Arry shared, “The biggest surprise for me was realizing how little I knew about the topic. I always thought of myself as pretty biology-oriented. I chose my topic based on biology; however, as I conducted more research, I realized that every subject has numerous small niches, and you have to dive deep to understand most aspects. This is what surprised me because I didn’t realize just how complicated every little thing is.” 

He also recalled the satisfaction of scientific success after initial setbacks: “When doing my project, I ordered everything to my house, and was growing a safe strain of E. coli in my bedroom. My first trial didn’t work. There was no growth on any of the plates. However, I then repeated the entire process, refining some steps and conducting additional research. The second time, it worked! By work, I mean I genetically engineered E. coli to glow in the dark, and it glowed in the dark. I thought that was cool and pretty incredible… and I’m proud of my work.” 

Real Science, Real Impact 

Arry’s project is a powerful example of what BASIS Independent Manhattan students are capable of: research that combines intellectual passion with real-world relevance.  His weeks of late-night incubation checks, improvised lab equipment, and glowing bacterial colonies prove him to be a capable student and a budding scientist. Through the AP Research program, Arry developed a deeper understanding of microbiology along with resilience, resourcefulness, and the analytical skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. 

Preparing Students for the Future 

Whether through an AP Research or Senior Project, our students take ownership of their learning, preparing them for higher education and real-world impact. These projects foster academic independence, deepen subject matter expertise, and give students a platform to explore professional interests before graduation. 

Arry’s work—like that of his peers—reinforces how the high school at BASIS Independent Manhattan can be a launching point for meaningful, original contributions to today’s most pressing challenges. This fall, after being accepted into 11 of the nation’s top 25 universities, Arry will bring that same spirit of inquiry and impact to the University of California, Berkeley.

Curious to Learn More? 

Explore Arry’s full blog and follow the work of other BASIS Independent Manhattan seniors here: Senior Projects at BASIS Independent Manhattan. 

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Class of 2025 College Acceptances

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We are thrilled to share the college acceptances of BASIS Independent Fremont’s Class of 2025! Our seniors reached an exciting milestone, receiving offers from a wide range of exceptional colleges and universities across the country and beyond. These acceptances reflect not only their academic excellence but also their growth as leaders, thinkers, and individuals over the years. As they prepare for the next chapter, we celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and passion that brought them to this point—and we look forward to all they’ll achieve in the future.

Head of School Mariam Abodouma captured the spirit of this class, sharing that, “The Class of 2025, as our second graduating class, has accomplished impressive academic and personal growth. Over the years, they’ve built a close-knit community grounded in kindness, resilience, perseverance, and a strong work ethic. They have never been afraid of hard work or shied away from challenges. Their outstanding college acceptances reflect the dedication they’ve shown throughout their time here. I’m confident they will continue to make a positive impact wherever their paths lead.”

College admissions have grown increasingly competitive in recent years, and the Class of 2025 met that challenge with focus, ambition, and intention. Their outcomes reflect not only their academic strength but also the thoughtful and personalized way they approached the process.

We’re proud to share the impressive college acceptance results from BASIS Independent Fremont’s Class of 2025:

• 35% of students were accepted to their first-choice school
• 29% of students were accepted to Top 15 Schools
• 39% of students were accepted to Top 20 Global Schools
• 92% of students were accepted to Top 50 Schools
• 100% of students were accepted to Top 100 Schools
*Based on U.S. News & World Report rankings of National and Global Universities

In addition, five students were accepted into prestigious Scholarship or Honors College programs, and three were recognized as National Merit Finalists.

Speaking on behalf of the college counseling team, College Counselor Niyati Shah highlighted the dedication this group brought to their journey, saying, “The Class of 2025 was truly exceptional. Each student brought clarity, purpose, and ambition to their college journey, demonstrating a strong sense of direction and determination. It has been a privilege to work with such bright, motivated individuals and witness their growth throughout the process. We are incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make as they begin this exciting new chapter.”

As only our second graduating class, these seniors have helped shape what it means to be a BASIS Independent Fremont graduate, and they’ve set a remarkable standard for future trailblazers to follow. The individuality, purpose, and persistence they brought to their college journey mirror the same qualities they brought to our school community.

As they begin the next chapter of their academic journeys, we offer our heartfelt congratulations. We are proud of everything they’ve accomplished and even more excited about what’s ahead.

Please find the full list of college acceptances for this extraordinary group of students below.

CLASS OF 2025 ACCEPTANCES
Arizona State University (Downtown Phoenix)
Arizona State University (Tempe)
Binghamton University
Boise State University
Boston University
Cal Poly Humboldt
California Institute of Technology
California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo)
California State Polytechnic University (Pomona)
California State University (Fresno)
California State University (Sacramento)
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Cornell University
Drexel University
Duke University
Emory University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Harvey Mudd College
Indiana University (Bloomington)
Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan State University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University
Occidental College
Penn State University (Abington)
Penn State University (University Park)
Penn State University (World Campus)
Purdue University (Main Campus)
Reed College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rice University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers University (Camden)
Rutgers University (New Brunswick)
Rutgers University (Newark)
Saint Louis University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Stanford University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stony Brook University
SUNY University at Buffalo
Texas A&M University
The Ohio State University
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Dallas
University College London
University of Arizona
University of California (Berkeley)
University of California (Davis)
University of California (Irvine)
University of California (Los Angeles)
University of California (Merced)
University of California (Riverside)
University of California (San Diego)
University of California (Santa Barbara)
University of California (Santa Cruz)
University of Cambridge
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Maryland (College Park)
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
University of Utah
University of Washington (Seattle Campus)
University of Wisconsin (Madison)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Westmont College
William & Mary

Interested in learning more about our High School Program?

Connect with our Admissions Team to discover how BASIS Independent Fremont empowers students to
thrive in high school, college, and wherever their ambitions take them.

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.