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BASIS Independent Manhattan Debate Team: 2-Time Champions of the New York Debate League

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by Samantha Corsello (Auxiliary Programs Coordinator, Upper School)

We are thrilled and proud to announce that our BASIS Independent Manhattan Debate Team has once again claimed victory at the ESU New York Debate League Championship!

This is the second consecutive year that our Wildcats have earned this prestigious Middle School Parliamentary Debate title, and it is entirely thanks to their relentless dedication, tireless preparation, and deep passion for Speech and Debate.

On Saturday, April 26, the ESU NYDL Middle School Parliamentary Debate Championship took place at Tuckahoe Middle School, where our BASIS Independent Manhattan Debate Team competed. These remarkable students poured hours of time and energy into building compelling cases, refining rhetorical techniques, and sharpening their critical thinking.

A special shout-out goes to Itamar K. (grade 8), who was named Top Speaker of the Tournament at the New York Debate League Championship. His powerful and eloquent closing argument on the topic of Facial Recognition Technology in Public Spaces brought the auditorium at Tuckahoe School to its feet. Which helped carry our team to a 4-1 victory overall in the Championship round.

“It was a matter of practice and predicting what our opponents would say. Speaking on the fly and knowing myself and believing in what I had to say. Making something memorable for the last year of middle school was important. It made me feel really great, like all of our efforts paid off.” – Itamar K., Debate Team Member

speech and debate championship 1st place award middle school

His teammates, Cosmo K. (grade 8) and Rhea Y. (grade 8), key members of the BASIS Independent Manhattan Debate Team, also delivered incredible speeches that impressed both the judges and the crowd at the debate tournament. Their poignant arguments, precise rebuttals, and clear articulation of policy impact helped secure the top team ranking. I asked them how they felt toward the end of the day in the Championship round after arguing all day against various opponents all day.

“We were all running on adrenaline at that point; there was a coin toss that decided the topic choice, and we lost the coin toss. But we were confident with both sides of the argument (Facial Recognition Technology in Public Spaces) and went with what we knew.” — Cosmo, Debate Team Member

Behind Every Champion is a Support Team

This debate tournament victory is not just a win for our debate team—it’s a testament to the power of teamwork, educational debate, and community. Our Wildcats were incredibly fortunate to have their families, other debate team peers, and coaches Mr. Lucas Iverson and Mr. Seth Spiegel. We extend our sincere gratitude for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to the students’ growth and progress.

“Familiarizing yourself and practicing debating the topics at hand is what helps the most with preparedness. Every class, we did tons of research, and we even dedicated time outside of class to make sure we were ready for Saturday.” — Rhea, Debate Team Member

middle school debate team tournament championship 1st place award

As we wrap up this exciting chapter, we couldn’t be prouder of our Wildcats and everything they’ve accomplished. This win is a direct reflection of the countless hours of preparation, the courage to speak up, and the teamwork that brought it all together. Our BASIS Independent Manhattan Debate Team has once again shown what’s possible when passion meets perseverance in student debate competition. Congratulations to Itamar, Cosmo, Rhea, and the entire support network behind them. The future is bright, and we’re already looking forward to what’s next!

The future is bright, and we’re already looking forward to what’s next! As these talented middle school debaters prepare to transition to high school, we are incredibly excited to see their continued development and the impact they will undoubtedly make in a growing BASIS Independent Manhattan upper school debate program.

Want to be part of a successful team?

Learn more about our BASIS Independent Manhattan program, curriculum, and extracurricular activities.

Contact Admissions

BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025: Celebrating Outstanding College Acceptances

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Join us in celebrating the BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025 and their outstanding college acceptances! Our second graduating cohort reached a significant milestone with the commitment of their stellar college enrollment decisions, and we are overjoyed to share the results. Coming from a challenging high school program at a New York City private school, we are incredibly proud of and inspired by their success.

College Enrollment Reflects Exceptional Achievements

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on their enrollment at the following colleges and universities (in alphabetical order):

  • Amherst College
  • Babson College
  • Boston University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University (Two students)
  • Lehigh University
  • Penn State University (University Park) – Schreyer Honors College
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of Connecticut

Head of School Ms. LaNette Hodge reflected on the list, saying,

“The Class of 2025, our remarkable second set of graduating seniors, truly embodies the spirit of BASIS Independent Manhattan. Building upon the high standard set by our pioneering seniors last year, they have faced the highly challenging college admissions process with exceptional hard work, dedication, courage, and resilience. We are brimming with pride for our current seniors because their impressive college acceptances are a powerful testament not only to their incredible talent and academic achievement, but also to the lasting legacy they are creating – one that will undoubtedly continue to inspire the Wildcat students who follow in their footsteps.”

To provide perspective on these results, these statistics speak volumes about the caliber of this graduating class:

  • 40% of students secured spots at top-15 universities and liberal arts colleges, ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
  • 50% received offers from institutions within the top 25 nationally, including prestigious names like Amherst, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Virginia.
  • An impressive 70% gained acceptance to schools ranked in the top 50.
  • Remarkably, 90% were accepted to colleges within the top 75.

Note: Due to Babson’s academic specialization, it isn’t ranked in U.S. News and World Report’s overall rankings, but it is ranked #1 in Entrepreneurship.

A Class to Be Remembered and Truly Missed

college prep with college counselor in college counseling meeting with senior

Reflecting on his experience with the Class of 2025 and their participation in BASIS Independent Manhattan’s college preparation program, College Counselor Mr. Danny Tejada shared, “This senior class stands out as the most impressive and ambitious group of students I have had the privilege to work with. In addition to daily college counseling classes and weekly individual meetings, they successfully achieved their college application objectives while maintaining their commitment to rigorous senior-year coursework. I am very proud of the adaptability and growth mindset instilled in these seniors that helped them navigate the complexities of the college application process.”

The impressive college acceptances achieved by the BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025 underscore the success of our curriculum and supportive learning environment that unlocks the remarkable potential of our students. This second graduating class has truly set a high bar for future college enrollment, building upon the legacy of our pioneers. We are immensely proud of their hard work, resilience, and the bright futures ahead of them.

senior class of 2025 college acceptances college decisions at high school

Please find the Full List of College Acceptances below for a comprehensive look at all their achievements in the college admissions process.

seniors class of 2025 graduation swag basis independent manhattan

American University

Amherst College

Babson College

Binghamton University

Boston College

Boston University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Drexel University

Ferris State University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Imperial College London

Indiana University (Bloomington)

Lehigh University

McGill University

New York University

Penn State University (University Park)

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

SUNY University at Buffalo

Syracuse University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Nottingham

Tufts University

University College London

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Connecticut

University of Nevada (Las Vegas)

University of Southern California

University of Virginia (Main Campus)

Want to learn more about our High School Program?

Discover how BASIS Independent Manhattan prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Engage with our Admissions Team

Nine BASIS Independent Schools Seniors Named Presidential Scholar Candidates

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External recognition reinforces the accomplishments BASIS Independent School educators see each day inside their classrooms. Today, we are incredibly proud to share the news that nine seniors across our network of schools have been recognized as 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates. The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. 

Each year approximately 4,000 candidates across the country are selected based on outstanding performance on the SAT and ACT assessments. This distinction not only showcases students’ exceptional abilities but also highlights the advanced, globally benchmarked BASIS Curriculum that helped foster their critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep content mastery. 

Presidential Scholar Candidates Named Across BASIS Independent Schools:

BASIS Independent Brooklyn – Gustavo P. 

BASIS Independent Fremont – Atharv D., Aditi K., Luoxi W.

BASIS Independent McLean – Caden Z.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley – Nicole L., Andrew L., Antony W., Olivia Z.

All candidates will now be reviewed based on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership, and service activities. Candidate essays are also reviewed and factor into the selection. Approximately 650 candidates are named semifinalists and forwarded to the Commission for further review. In April, up to 161 U.S Presidential Scholars are selected and honored for their accomplishments.

In the more than 60 years since the United States Presidential Scholars Program was established, approximately 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars have been named based on demonstrated leadership, scholarship, and contribution to school and community.

The BASIS Independent Schools Legacy

At BASIS Independent Schools, we empower students to push boundaries and achieve their highest potential. Our challenging curriculum, expert educators, and dynamic learning culture ensure that students cultivate their interests and are set up for success in college and beyond.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Presidential Scholar Candidates! You are an inspiration to us. We look forward to celebrating your continued success as you move ahead to the next stage of your academic journey.

Stay tuned for more updates as we celebrate these exceptional scholars and their accomplishments!

See what sets our students apart—explore our High School Program today!

BASIS Independent Schools provides students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here. 

2024 – 2025 Startups at Spring Competition: Wellness in the Workplace

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Thinking of a creative and unique business idea is a challenge for even the globe’s most talented and proven business professionals. Give that same challenge to a group of high school students all attending exceptional schools, and the results are sure to impress. How could students in grades 9 – 12 create a start-up idea, product, or service from inception to implementation? One that would also impress a panel of judges made up of industry professionals? That’s what a group of educators seek to discover at the yearly Startups at Spring Competition.  

The competition is open to high school students attending a Spring Education Group school and focuses on a specific type of business start-up. This year’s theme was “Wellness in the Workplace” and it allowed the students to think outside of the box and present their ideas, first to their local school, and then one team from each school was selected and invited to attend a network-wide competition. Students then made the same presentation but, instead of it being in front of their peers and school administration, it was in front of industry professionals.  

The professionals judge the competition on the feasibility and profitability of each idea presented. Judges listened to see if the teams explained their business idea clearly, was it unique, and implemented the year’s theme. Beyond those basic judging expectations, they also sought to see if the team understood and addressed the financial challenges of starting a business, did they effectively present their market strategy, and could they answer confidently improvisational questions regarding their “pitch”.  

Ms. Jaymie Silva, BASIS Independent Schools Subject Expert Teacher and organizer of the competition said, “I was so impressed with the level of maturity in this year’s presentations. Our theme was wellness, and we had students speaking on subjects related to health, safety, and well-being at levels far beyond their teenage years. It really makes me hopeful that they will be able to bring some of these ideas to fruition in the future.” 

The top three teams are awarded prize money to be donated to a charity of their choice.  

Third Place: Team Wanderphyll
(awarded $2,000)

Team Members: Akhil G. (Grade 9) and Jacob L. (Grade 9) 

School: BASIS Independent Silicon Valley 

Startup: Wanderphyll: Explore the Wanderphyll World of Nature 

Selected Charity: World Wildlife Fund  

Pitch: Stress and laziness from schools and offices have caused people to stop going outside. People would rather spend their free time on their phones or watching TV.  Mental health issues like depression increase alongside with pressure and stress from work and constant screen time and lack of exercise. Going outside to nature restores people’s mental well-being and reduces depression and anxiety in most people. 

Wanderphyll is a mobile app that incentivizes going outdoors by turning it into a passive game. 

Team Take Away 
“The entire Startups at Spring experience has been a wonderful learning opportunity; allowing us to experience the full process of fleshing out an idea into a detailed framework for a startup. It was a fun experience and we enjoyed watching the other presentations and we’re glad that it was also able to make a positive impact in the form of a donation to a charity. Additionally, we’d like to thank the organizers, especially Ms. Silva, and the judges for making the whole competition possible.”

To view their entire presentation, click here.  

Second Place: Team SipSense
(awarded $3,000)

Team Members: Rishik P. (Grade 10) and Aarya V. (Grade 11) 

School: BASIS Independent McLean 

Startup: SipSense: Have a Sense of What You’re Sipping 

Selected Charity: US-India Solidarity Mission 

Pitch: 11 million women in the U.S. have been assaulted or worse as a result of involuntary consumption of drugs through drinks. More than 80% of women have reported an imminent need for safer pubs, bars, and restaurants.

The solution? A drug sensor system that is accurate, reuseable, discrete, and is connected to a multi-functional app.

Team Take Away 
“Developing our startup idea and building a prototype was a truly unique and inspiring journey. It expanded our vision of what’s possible—from further product development and manufacturing to real-world application. Throughout this competition, we discovered our ability to create innovative solutions that address genuine needs in modern society. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Wright and Mr. Biemesderfer for helping refine our pitch deck to its best possible version. Above all, this experience taught us that many of today’s societal challenges remain inadequately addressed, and there is a critical demand for creative, effective solutions.”

To view their entire presentation, click here. 

First Place: Team OurIBD
(awarded $5,000)

Team Members: Zoe A. (Grade 9) 

School: Laurel Springs 

Startup: Our IBD: AI Powered Gut Health Tracking – From Toilet to Data, Instantly 

Selected Charity: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation 

Pitch: 10 million plus are diagnosed with inflammatory (IBD) globally. 80% struggle with tracking symptoms accurately and current solutions are invasive, expensive, and unreliable. Patients are forced to guess, leading to frequent ER visits and worsening health.  

The solution is an AI-powered, non-invasive stool monitoring device.   

Team Take Away 
“Winning 1st place at the Startups at Spring Competition isn’t just an award—it’s validation that an idea born from my own struggles has the power to help others. I started OurIBD because I knew firsthand how frustrating and exhausting it is to manage IBD with delayed test results, invasive procedures, and unreliable tracking methods. What began as a personal project—a way to automate symptom tracking and detect inflammation through AI—has grown into something real, impactful, and now, recognized.

Pitching my startup, seeing industry leaders believe in what I’m building was a moment I’ll never forget. It reinforced that this isn’t just a personal solution—it’s something that can truly change lives. I’m incredibly honored, not just for the recognition, but for the chance to take this further, refine my prototype, and push toward making this available to real patients. And to give back, I’m honored to be donating my $5,000 prize to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation—an organization that has supported my family and I since diagnosis, and helps millions of others just like myself.”

To view their entire presentation, click here. 

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Expert Judging Panel

Mr. John Forte is the CEO and President of VT-ARC, responsible for guiding strategic growth in applied research and development with the intent of strengthening national security, driving societal impact, and improving the human condition. In this capacity he also oversees 5 Innovation Centers for the Air and Space Force, drawing together government, industry and academia to advance research and accelerate innovation. 

Prior to VT-ARC, Mr. Forte served as one of the US Air and Space Force’s 5 science and technology executives (EPAs), responsible for advising the command, control, communications and networking needs of the warfighter and the Department of Defense. He was charged with creating forward leaning and innovative ecosystems focusing upon the toughest challenges across multiple operating domains. During this time Mr. Forte also served as an advisor on the Defense Science Board for critical infrastructure resilience. 

Mr. Forte served nearly 10 years as a senior leader within the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). His culminating assignment was as the Executive for the Homeland Protection Mission Area, directing the development and implementation of technologies and solutions to protect the United States against a variety of asymmetric threats. While at JHU, he founded and served as the Interim Director of JHU’s Institute for Assured Autonomy, a center of excellence charged with driving safety, security, and reliability into the future autonomous world. 

Mr. Forte served in numerous senior leadership positions within the public and private sectors, including the Morgan Franklin Corporation, MITRE, and as the Chief Scientist for the White House Communications Agency. He also served as a communications officer in the US Army, assigned to multiple airborne and special operations units and deploying in support of operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. 

Mr. Forte earned a BSEE from the University of Tulsa and an MSEE from George Washington University with a focus in Communications and Networks. He also completed Executive Programs at the Harvard Kennedy School on Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology; as well as on National and International Security. 

Mr. Amrit Saxena is the Founder & CEO of SaxeCap, an AI transformation and private equity investment firm, that conducts AI-levered buyouts and transforms enterprises with AI & automation technology.  Additionally, he has successfully founded & sold two AI companies (Stella.ai, Fancy That) and is an active angel investor in data, AI, and enterprise software companies in the Silicon Valley, investing in 300+ early stage technology companies (including being an early investor in companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Figure, Perplexity, SpaceX, Palantir, etc.).  

Prior to SaxeCap, Amrit founded and scaled Stella, a talent sourcing AI company, to over 150 large enterprise clients (including 10% of the Fortune 500), leading technology (data science, product, engineering, etc.) and operations (pre-sales, client integrations, etc.). Stella was sold to Cornell Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners in a $1B+ private equity transaction in 2021. Additionally, Amrit founded, scaled, and sold Fancy That, a retail AI company, to Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) in 2015.  Between his two AI startups, Amrit has experience buying a company, selling two companies, and scaling teams from 0 to 50+ people. Amrit previously worked at Bain & Company, Groupon, AmEx, and e2e Analytics and taught and researched AI at Stanford & MIT.

He received his B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a concentration in Operations Research, both from Stanford University with Distinction. Additionally, he has garnered numerous accolades, including being awarded 7 U.S. patents (relating to AI and optimization), a three time finalist in the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), winner of the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), finalist in the United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar, American Regions Math League (ARML) winner, and was selected for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society while at Stanford. 

Mr. Ken Snyder serves as the Executive Director of the Shingo Institute and as a Senior Lecturer in the department of Marketing, Strategy, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship (MSLE) of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. He has regularly taught the business planning course in the Entrepreneurship program. 

Mr. Snyder earned an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1980 with an emphasis in international business. Immediately after graduation, Mr. Snyder joined a Japanese electronics manufacturing company and led the startup of its U.S. affiliate company as plant manager, CFO, and later president of that company. 

Mr. Snyder then raised money to launch a venture startup company which ultimately was unsuccessful. Mr. Snyder then led a corporate-backed startup company, Progressive Impressions International (PII) in Bloomington, Illinois. Following this successful startup, Mr. Snyder then led a corporate venture capital fund within Taylor Corporation. 

Before joining the Huntsman School, Mr. Snyder was president of Marketing Communication Inc., an operating division of Taylor Corporation, where he directed a group of six companies while growing revenues from $25 million to over $80 million. He joined the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in 2008. 

A Celebration of Excellence: Class of 2025 College Acceptances Announced

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BASIS Independent Schools continues to set the standard nationally for academic excellence. The Class of 2025 represents 206 graduates across five high schools—BASIS Independent Brooklyn, Fremont, Manhattan, McLean, and Silicon Valley. From coast to coast, our graduates have earned admission to the world’s top colleges and universities, demonstrating that they are ready to lead, excel, and contribute.

College preparation at BASIS Independent Schools starts in grade 9 introducing students early to the foundational concepts and expectations of the college admission journey. In their senior year, students take a dedicated, daily college counseling class for two trimesters, taught by our College Counselors. This class builds upon the preparation that they have received since freshman year. It provides students with the resources, tools, and confidence to successfully navigate the college admission process.

“Everyone involved with supporting the students in this graduating class is equal parts inspired and impressed by everything that they have achieved,” expressed Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “Students in the BASIS Independent Schools Class of 2025 have shown themselves to be real innovators, diligent scholars, and positive contributors. We look forward to hearing more about their undoubted future successes.”

College Acceptances by the Numbers

We are proud to present a summary of the acceptances to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Top National Colleges and Universities, including graduates from all five of our high schools. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

The following is a comprehensive list of acceptances both within the United States and internationally.

Class of 2025 Acceptances – United States
Albright College
American University
Amherst College
Arizona State University
Babson College
Bard College
Baylor University
Bentley University
Binghamton University
Boise State University
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brown University
Bucknell University
Cal Poly Humboldt
California Institute of Technology
California Polytechnic State University
California State Polytechnic University
California State University
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Claremont McKenna College
Clark University
Colgate University
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Cornell University
CUNY
Denison University
Drake University
Drexel University
Duke University
Duquesne University
Elon University
Emory University
Ferris State University
Fordham University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Goucher College
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Harvey Mudd College
Haverford College
Hofstra University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Indiana University
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Kenyon College
Las Positas College
Lehigh University
Lesley University
Loyola Marymount University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Miami University
Michigan State University
Middlebury College
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University
Nova Southeastern University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Olin College of Engineering
Oregon State University
Oxford College of Emory University
Penn State University
Pepperdine University
Pomona College
Princeton University
Providence College
Purdue University
Reed College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhode Island School of Design
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Saint Louis University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Skidmore College
Smith College
Stanford University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stony Brook University
SUNY
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas A&M University
The Ohio State University
The University of Alabama
The University of Texas
Trinity College
Tufts University
Union College
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 Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
University of Nevada
University of North Carolina
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Vassar College
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Western University
Westmont College
Wheaton College
William & Mary
Yale University

Class of 2025 Acceptances – International
Duke Kunshan University
IE University
Imperial College London
King’s College London
McGill University
McMaster University
The American University of Paris
The London School of Economics and Political Science
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Nottingham
The University of Warwick
University College London
University of Bristol
University of British Columbia
University of Cambridge
University of Glasgow
University of Oxford
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
Wilfrid Laurier University

Amanda McCollum, a member of the team of college counselors from BASIS Independent Schools, remarked, “We are incredibly proud of our seniors and all that they have accomplished. Over the past years, they have worked hard, grown in confidence, and planted the seeds for a bright future. As they prepare to take this next step, we know they are more than ready—and while it is bittersweet to see them go, we send them off with heartfelt congratulations and excitement for all that lies ahead. I can’t wait to see what they do next!”

BASIS Independent Schools serves students PreK-Grade 12 across the United States with private schools in Bellevue and Bothell, WA; Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY; Fremont and San Jose, CA; McLean, VA; and a new school opening in Dublin, CA in fall 2026.

A Day in the Life of a Grade 9 Student – Claire!

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Meet Claire, grade 9, class of 2028! Claire has been a student at our campus since our inaugural year in 2022. She has the unique privilege of being a member of BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first graduating class.

Claire is a pillar of this campus. Like many of our students, she is extremely dedicated to her studies, already taking three AP level classes and working diligently in each of them. But beyond academics, Claire is deeply involved in the fabric of our school community. She is a member of our Student Ambassador Program, Peer Advisory Council, National Junior Honor Society, Advanced Chamber Music Club, Biochemistry Club and will be a co-founding member of our upcoming Red Cross Club. Outside of school, Claire has been playing classical guitar for seven years and enjoys to read and play table tennis. We were delighted to spend the day with Claire to provide a glimpse into a Day in the Life of a grade 9 student at BASIS Independent Bellevue.

Claire begins her day with her World Language class. Beginning in grade 7, our students have the choice between four different World Languages – Latin, Spanish, Mandarin or French. Claire has opted to take French as her World Language and is currently taking French II. In more specialized classes, such as World Languages or Electives, our students begin to explore their individual interests. As a result, our students sometimes find themselves in classes with a very small teacher to student ratio. In Claire’s first period French II class, she is only one of three students! This allows each of the students to build meaningful connections with their teacher, Ms. Chaffee, while studying the language to advanced levels. During this class, we found that students are almost completely immersed in the language – we saw Claire and Ms. Chaffee having a conversation completely in French!

Second period, Claire heads to her Honors English Literature and Composition class, with Ms. Fischer. This is one of two English classes our grade 9 students have in their day, both of which are taught to the Honors level. Our Honors classes are designed to prepare students to take AP classes. Honors Literature and Composition is aimed at strengthening the foundational skill of textual analysis. In this course, students analyze various literary forms, including short stories, poetry, plays, novels and nonfiction. Ms. Fischer helps students dive into questions like “What makes literature meaningful?”, “How do we assign meaning to text?”, and “What messages are being conveyed by text?” Through these essential questions, students learn to develop their own voice as they construct arguments supported by textual evidence.

For third period, Claire is off to Pre-Calculus! By grade 9, all of our students have completed Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. Some students have even completed Pre-Calculus in grade 8 and take AP Calculus in grade 9. While we are very proud of our students who are on this advanced math track, it is so important to acknowledge that all of our students are working at advanced levels already. Claire is a great example of a student who is on our ‘standard’ math track which means taking Pre-Calculus in her first year of high school. This course provides an in-depth coverage of 12 major functions their graphs and applications, including Polynomial, Power, Rational, Exponential, Logistic, and Logarithmic functions. The detailed study of trigonometric functions and analytic Trigonometry are emphasized. The course also introduces Matrices, Discrete Mathematics, Statistics with Probability. Next year, Claire will go on to take Calculus at the AP level!

Fourth period, Claire attends AP Physics, her first AP class of the day. This course is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); momentum and systems; work, energy, and power; and simple harmonic motion. Students develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills through a hands-on approach. As is sometimes the case, today was a quiz day so our observers saw students working hard on a quiz. On non-assessment days, students in AP Physics can often be found engaging in experiments as this class spends 25% of class time on labs.

Next, Claire is off to lunch! Our grade 9 students have open campus privileges, which means they have the ability to choose where they would like to have lunch on campus. After the first trimester of the school year, our grade 9 students also have the opportunity to leave campus during lunch. These lunch privileges allow our high school students to develop their autonomy while learning to manage their time effectively. On this day, we found Claire hanging out with her friends in a Mandarin classroom having lunch and working on homework.

After lunch, Claire heads to Honors English Language and Composition. This class, taught by Ms. Ward, provides students with an introduction to rhetoric, research, and composition. While reading works drawn from a range of disciplines and historical periods, students acquire foundational knowledge and skills related to the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts. As writers, students gain practice in the development and revision of evidence-based analytical and argumentative writing, and learn to locate, evaluate, and cite a range of sources in support of their arguments. The course deepens students’ understanding of how and why communicators make choices based upon the rhetorical situation and audience. While observing, we saw Claire working on the first outline of an essay. Students had previously participated in a murder mystery game where they were presented with various clues and evidence about a “murder” that had taken place. Using the evidence provided, they began crafting thesis statements as the start of their essay. These thesis statements were then used to create the outline we saw Claire working on.

Next, Claire has a 20-minute Academic Enrichment period that we call AE. AE provides students with quiet time for them to work on homework or study. AE is also utilized by staff members to convey important announcements or work on Social Emotional Learning strategies. For example, every Monday, all students have Mountaineer Monday activities, which are developed by our School Counselor and focus on our Character Themes of the Month. On other days, our College Counselor uses the AE period as a touchpoint with high school students, sharing leadership opportunities with them and checking in about upcoming events.

Once AE is over, it is time for Claire to attend AP United States Government and Politics. This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States, and it includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. On the day prior to our observation, students had worked in groups to complete an activity called hexagonal thinking, which acted as a review for their most recent unit. Each group of students was asked to choose 25 terms, documents or quotations from the most recent unit and make connections between each of them. Of those 25 items, they needed to create a detailed explanation for six of their connections. During our observation, we were able to see Claire and her group present their six explanations to the class! This type of work is designed to prepare our students for their upcoming AP exams in May.

Finally, Claire is off to her last class of the day, AP Computer Science. This class is Claire’s elective class and is currently one of our most popular electives on campus. This course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics including problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data, approaches to processing data, analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. It includes the study of common algorithms and the use of some of Java’s built-in classes and interfaces for basic data structures, as well as a structured lab component with of a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on lab experiences integrated throughout the course. On this day, students were working on a project focused on creating a text-based adventure game!

After school, Claire heads home to practice her guitar and get some well-deserved rest! She is an excellent representative of BASIS Independent Bellevue and we are so proud to have had the opportunity to share a day of learning with Claire. We extend our thanks to Claire and her family for allowing us to highlight her!

Young Author Spotlight: Aashna S., Grade 12

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We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Aashna S., a grade 12 student from our Upper School, to learn more about her journey as an author and poet. Aashna recently published a book of poems titled “Reflections”, and we were captivated by her creativity, talent, and remarkable accomplishment. Join our Head of School, Ms. Abodouma, and Head of Operations, Ms. Apra as they explore her creative process and the story behind her work.

Tell us about your book of poems and what inspired you to write it?

I began writing “Reflections” over a year and a half ago. At first, I would jot down my thoughts in the Notes app on my phone, creating different tabs when I was commuting in the car, on the bus, or riding BART. The process took about eight months, after which I organized my work into a collection of poems. It was my dad who suggested reaching out to publishers, so I sent a few samples of my work, and that’s where the journey toward publishing began.

How did you figure out that you had a passion for writing?

I used to write a lot of short stories, primarily dystopian fiction, and even had one of my stories published in “Teen Ink” magazine. Dystopian fiction felt like an escape and allowed me the freedom of being untethered in my writing. “Reflections” is my first attempt at poetry, and the experience has really brought me back to my center. Poetry has re-centered me and led me to reexamine my own feelings in the context of my life as opposed to the dystopian futuristic society I was used to writing about. 

My first exposure to writing was actually taking the Creative Writing Elective here at BIF in grade 8 and my passion grew from there. One of my favorite achievements since then has been founding our school’s literary magazine which I have been working on for the past three years. 

What is your favorite piece in this book?

My favorite pieces are “candle” and “empathy.” A candle is a symbol that has always intrigued me; there are so many different ways to look at a candle. A candle can signify a journey or a way to measure time. For instance, high school is a journey where you are constantly timing yourself. On one hand, you want to stop, slow down, and appreciate this journey, but on the other hand, you are always looking ahead to the future and how much time you have left. 

Also, in the piece “candle” – I talk about how a journey is illuminated but the destination is shrouded in darkness. A candle dims over time but in the darkness, you have freedom. 

Did you face any challenges when writing this book?

I encountered a few challenges while writing “Reflections.”

The first was organizing my poems cohesively and identifying common themes—this was challenging but also enjoyable. The second challenge was the publishing process itself. The book went through multiple rounds of edits and revisions, and it was difficult to decide when to stop. I wanted to keep refining and improving, but eventually, I had to reach a point where I could say, “I’m satisfied,” and be ready to publish.

Do you have any special memories from your classes or teachers here at BIF about learning to write stories/poems?

In grade 7 English with Mr. Betcher, we were asked to write poetry, both original and emulate existing poems from “Brown Girl Dreaming.” That was my first exposure to poetry and is a really special memory for me. 

My book dedication includes Mr. Betcher. In it, I mention how he helped me become bold and courageous in my writing. My English classes here at BASIS Independent Fremont have challenged me to explore creative expression and introduced me to authors who have deeply inspired me.

Where do you hope to go from here in your journey as an author and poet?

Honestly, my goal is to read more novels and poetry to continue developing my own voice as an author and poet. I want to challenge myself by experimenting with form, structure and themes and see how I can make my messages more potent and powerful. I plan to stay involved in literary spaces throughout college.

I see this first book as just the beginning, and I hope to publish more in the future while continuing to grow as a writer.

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Humanities Program continues to cultivate a community of young, talented authors who are motivated to pursue their passions! Aashna’s journey and accomplishments inspire others to express their creativity and explore their own talents at BASIS Independent Fremont.

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

Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

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In September, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including Maxwell H. and Gustavo P. of BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025! These high school seniors can now continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. Alongside our two Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated three Commended Scholars: James R., Maxim S., and Ryan T. ’25.

High school juniors entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) 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. 

2025 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars-Front Row from left to right James R., Maxwell H., Ryan T., and Gustavo P. Not pictured Maxim S.

“The honored students exemplify the spirit of excellence seen throughout our school, ” said Josh Harmon, Head of School at BASIS Independent Brooklyn. “Their accomplishment reflects the level of achievement that we strive for, and I am sure that I speak for the entire community when I say that we couldn’t be more proud of these individuals and commend them on their hard work and dedication.”

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 2025 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.

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

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. 

4 BASIS Independent McLean Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists 

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On September 11, 2024, officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists, and we are thrilled to celebrate four of our BASIS seniors who have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists:  

  • Natasha A. ’25
  • Ian P. ’25
  • Vincenzo T. ’25
  • Gavin W. ’25

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 the initial screening of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants from about 21,000 high schools across the country. 

While they have outperformed the majority of over 1.3 million high school juniors who entered the Program by taking the 2023 PSAT test, these academically talented seniors’ quest is not over. To become a Finalist, they must also submit a detailed scholarship application showcasing their outstanding academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They will be competing for over 6,000 scholarships worth more than $26 million, which will be awarded next spring. 

“We are so incredibly proud of our hard-working students. This is an amazing accomplishment, and we wish them luck as the process continues to unfold. Congratulations again to our Semifinalists!” —Jason Shorbe, Head of School at BASIS Independent McLean.  

First row (from left to right):
Vincenzo T. ’25
Natasha A. ’25
Gavin W. ’25
Ian P. ’25

Second row (from left to right):
Jason Shorbe (Head of School)
Matt Ramsby (College Counselor)

Please join us in congratulating our four BIM Semifinalists! 

26 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

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On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program – including 26 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students. Alongside our 26 Semifinalists, we proudly celebrated 32 Commended Scholars, totaling around 64% of the senior class receiving recognition. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

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. 

“These students truly exemplify the spirit of excellence that we see throughout the hallways of this school. Their accomplishment reflects the level of achievement that we strive for at BISV, and I am sure that I speak for the entire community when I say that we couldn’t be more proud of these individuals and commend them on their hard work and dedication,” said Sara Kolb, Head of School at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley.

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 2025 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.

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

Shreyas Avula
Joshua Balmin
Rohan Das
Hamed Fazel-Rezai
Henry Jin
Yashas Khattar
Xiaoyue (Nicole) Lai
Andrew Li
Sophia Li
Cindy Liu
Samuel Liu
Stephanie Liu
Alex Luo
Ruinan (Sherry) Mao
Srilalitha Nair
Diya Pillai
Oliver Qi
Sonya Sar
Yourui Shao
Kenneth Sun
Aindra Tan
Antony Wang
Luofei (Angela) Wang
Allison Zhang
Brianna Zheng
Michael Zhu

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.