Student Life

BASIS Independent Manhattan Ranks #1 STEM High School in NY and #3 Private K–12 School in America

September 25, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

When walking through the doors of our Upper West Side and Chelsea campuses, one immediately encounters a distinct atmosphere: primary students exploring the aerodynamics of paper airplanes, upper schoolers engaged in meaningful literature discussions, and whiteboards filled with advanced multivariable calculus equations. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we believe that students are capable of far more than they can imagine when provided with high support, intellectual freedom, and expert guidance.

That belief lies at the heart of our latest milestone. In the newly released 2027 Niche Best Private Schools Rankings, BASIS Independent Manhattan has earned landmark national, state, and local recognitions:

#1 Best High School for STEM in New York State (up from #12 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in America (up from #228 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in NYC (up from #57 in 2026)
#3 Best Private K–12 School in NY State (up from #42 in 2026)
#3 Best Private High School in NYC (up from #71 in 2026)
#3 Best Private High School in New York State (up from #52 in 2026)
#4 Best High School for STEM in NYC (up from #17 in 2026)
#8 Best College Prep Private High School in NY State (up from #37 in 2026)
#9 Best College Prep Private High School in NYC (up from #55 in 2026)
#11 Best Private High School in America (up from #391 in 2026)
#21 Best High School for STEM in America (up from #57 in 2026)

While these honors confirm our position among the premier independent educational institutions in the nation, raw statistics only tell part of the story. Behind every ranking is a real story of individual student self-advocacy, faculty collaboration, or community involvement.

Nurturing Fearless Thinkers from the Upper West Side to Chelsea

Educational outcomes are built through intentional, step-by-step progress. From our youngest Wildcats exploring foundational concepts in PreK–grade 5 at our Upper West Side campus to grade 6–12 students engaging in post-AP coursework in Chelsea, the spiraling BASIS Curriculum introduces complex ideas early and revisits them with increasing depth.

This continuum encourages students to be inquisitive, embrace challenging coursework, and develop genuine intellectual agency. Securing the #3 Best Private K–12 School in America spot reflects the strength of this full educational journey, demonstrating how early curiosity develops into college-level mastery.

STEM Excellence Meets Strong Humanities

While being recognized as the #1 Best High School for STEM in New York State is a proud achievement, our academic program extends far beyond science, engineering, and mathematics. We place equal weight and focus on a rich, inquiry-driven humanities curriculum—ensuring that students develop critical analysis, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving skills alongside quantitative rigor.

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, you do not have to be a “STEM kid.” Whether a student’s passion lies in creative writing, historical research, performing arts, or robotics, our dual emphasis on STEM and the liberal arts gives every child the support and freedom to forge their own path. Read more about how we cultivate well-rounded, versatile thinkers in our feature, More Than a STEM School: Highlighting Our Humanities Curriculum.

Experts in the Classrooms

A key driver of our recognition across all disciplines is our Subject Expert Teacher model. Rather than teaching from pre-packaged scripts, our faculty members hold advanced degrees and industry experience in the disciplines they lead.

Whether breaking down complex physics concepts or guiding students through literary analysis, our teachers bring genuine scholarly passion into the classroom. They serve as mentors who show students that intellectual challenges are opportunities for growth, creating an environment where high academic expectations exist alongside social warmth and support.

Purposeful College Prep

The Niche rankings place significant weight on college outcomes, matriculation quality, and advanced coursework participation. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, college counseling is an individualized, reflective process. We work closely with families to ensure each graduate leaves equipped with the confidence, self-advocacy skills, and academic foundation needed to thrive at top-tier universities.

Our growth in national college prep metrics highlights the work of our recent graduating classes and faculty. Their achievements demonstrate that when students are encouraged to take intellectual risks within a supportive community, exceptional outcomes naturally follow.

A Collective Celebration for Our Community

“Receiving these prestigious rankings is a proud milestone for our community, but what inspires us most is the daily work happening across our classrooms,” shares Head of School LaNette Hodge. “These results validate the dedication of our Expert Teachers, the hard work of our students, and the trust of our families. Achieving this level of national and state recognition reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to raising independent thinkers.”

As our sister campuses across the BASIS Independent Schools network—including Brooklyn, McLean, Silicon Valley, and Fremont—continue to earn national honors, we remain focused on our mission in New York City: delivering an advanced education designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, integrity, and joy.

Head of School Address to Seniors

September 24, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Every new school year begins with a wave of excitement, and we always take time to celebrate our seniors at BASIS Independent Brooklyn as they prepare for the next chapter of their education. Our Head of School address is an annual tradition to recognize and inspire our senior class. Earlier this month, Mr. Harmon dropped by Mr. Brauch’s daily college counseling session to welcome our Class of 2027 and help orient them for the school year ahead.

Head of School Josh Harmon (far left) poses with our Class of 2027
and College Counselor Mr. Brauch (far right)

Below are selections from Mr. Harmon’s address:

There has never been a better time to be a senior here. We just finished our 12^th school year, and our school is well established and thriving. All our teachers and administrators are ready to support you. We are all committed to making your final year with us a great one. I just ask for three things in return:

Be a leader on campus. Other students look up to you and will follow you.
Make decisions that benefit you and your families.
Set the tone for the years to come and finish the year strong.

Have fun. Enjoy your senior year. You have worked hard, and we are so proud of you.

In senior year, our students take college-level seminar courses called Capstones. These are teacher-created, post-AP courses that are designed to challenge and engage. While AP courses typically cover a breadth of content, Capstones allow students to explore a topic’s depth. Our teachers’ talents shine as they develop these college-level original courses tied to their academic passions. This year, the Capstone classes at BASIS Independent Brooklyn are:

Astrophysics and Cosmology
Chinese Literature & Culture
Differential Equations
French Cinema
Linguistics
Molecular Genetics & Genomics
Monsters in the Mirror – Victorian Literature
Multivariable Calculus
Music and War in the Modern Age

Seniors also have a daily college counseling class with Mr. Brauch, who developed our college counseling program at our school more than ten years ago. Because seniors meet with our college counseor in a daily class, Mr. Brauch has the time to truly have the time to understand each student’s strengths and aspirations to help them present themselves compellingly in the college admissions and scholarship applications. He guides students as they explore their interests and long-term goals, and he provides steady support throughout what can be an intense application process.

Mr. Brauch is able to focus on each senior during his daily College Counseling Class

In the third and final trimester of senior year, our seniors embark on their Senior Projects. The Senior Project is an independent, student-led culmination of our high school experience. After three years of academic preparation, our seniors are ready to spend the last trimester of their high school careers applying the skills and knowledge they have gained to develop a project that is insightful, academically rigorous, and professional in nature.

Once we know what questions our seniors will set out to answer with their Senior Projects, we will share with our community in the hopes of parents and guardians helping connect our Class of 2027 with leaders in the field who can provide perspective and expert commentary to benefit their research.

Class of 2027: We could not be prouder of you. We will be rooting for you this year and in all the years to come. GO BEARS!

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK– Grade 12 private school, providing students with expert teachers, a globally recognized liberal arts and sciences curriculum, and a welcoming community. Interested in learning more? Attend an upcoming admissions event. To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

Fall 2026 Admissions Guide: Frequently Asked Questions During Admissions Season

September 22, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

At the start of August, we opened applications for the 2027-28 school year. Similar to many private schools, our admissions process is selective. We seek applicants who have an interest in a thoughtfully designed curriculum, a desire to make a contribution, and an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers and expert teachers. We are excited to meet the many wonderful families considering a BASIS Independent Brooklyn experience for their family!  

During each admissions season, we field a wide range of questions about our curriculum and various programs, student life, electives, extracurriculars, and so much more. We have observed topics that are commonly brought up and want to provide you with answers to frequently asked questions raised each year. 

What is the difference between your two Brooklyn campuses? 

BASIS Independent Brooklyn opened in the fall of 2014. We are one school with two campuses. The Lower School in Downtown Brooklyn educates approximately 165 students in PreK–Grade 2, while the Upper School in Red Hook supports about 510 students in Grades 3–12.    

What is the teacher model at your school?  

Our students in grades 1–4 benefit from our unique Co-Teaching Model. These students have one Subject Expert Teacher (SET) for each discipline. SETs either hold advanced degrees or are experts in their discipline. SETs use their subject-area passion to inspire students while purposefully challenging them to instill deep understanding, mastery, and confidence over time.  

Learning Expert Teachers (LETs) work with SETs to co-teach in all grades 1–4 classrooms. LETs accompany their students all day, from class to class, and are masters of the learning process and social-emotional growth in children. They are instrumental in ensuring that students are appropriately supported and challenged through differentiated learning. In grade 4, the LET shifts their focus to promoting student agency through independence, autonomy, and teaching them how to use their resources. This shift prepares students for grade 5 and beyond, where students have just one teacher, their SET, for each subject.   

Students in PreK-1, PreK-2, and Kindergarten are part of our Early Learning Program. These students also benefit from a two-teacher model for instruction throughout their day. Early Learning Teachers lead our PreK and Kindergarten classrooms and are responsible for delivering most of the content to students by bringing their own pedagogical expertise to the classroom, with the consistent support of an Early Learning Teaching Fellow. In contrast to the Primary, Middle, and High School programs, the Early Learning Program largely operates as a self-contained unit. Students remain in their vibrant classroom for most of the day, rotating classes only for their daily special (Art, Music, Drama, Engineering, Mandarin, or PE/Movement) in addition to engaging in multiple recess periods per day.

What are your elective offerings?  

In the Early Learning and Primary programs, students will take Art, Music, Drama, Engineering, and PE/Movement. In the Middle and High School programs, students can continue to take those courses or elect to take Band/Orchestra, Computer Science, Choir, Creative Writing, Introduction to Philosophy, Digital Photography, Introduction to Film Production, Sustainable Fashion, Topics in Economics, or many Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  

What are your athletic offerings?

We have 29 teams across ten sports. Offerings for our Middle and High School students include competitive basketball, baseball, cheer & dance, cross country, flag football, golf, soccer, tennis, track, and volleyball. For our Primary School students, we offer clinics for each competitive team we offer.

Through our extracurricular club programming, we offer additional athletics, including ballet, jiu-jitsu, and pickleball.

What are your club offerings?   

We offer more than 75 clubs at our Lower School and Upper School campuses! At our Lower School, we have wonderful offerings from Comic Book Club to Gardening Club, then sports like soccer and jiu-jItsu to musical instruction and dance club. Our Upper School students can participate in competition teams including: chess, debate, DECA, math, Quiz Bowl, and robotics. We offer affinity spaces such as our Black Student Union, East Asian Student Society, Jewish Affinity Group, Latino Affinity Group, and LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group. In High School, our students are able to create and join student-led clubs which range from Book Club to Golf Club and Digital Photography Club to Investing Club. They can also participate in school-wide projects such as The Grizzly, our digital school newspaper, and Yearbook. From arts programming such as Clayworld, Knitting, and the Spring Musical to STEM offerings like 3D printing, Coding, and Aeronautics Design and Engineering, we have it all!

Do you offer early or late care for students?  

At both campuses, we offer supervised early and late care. Early care, called Early Bird, is offered beginning at 7:00 a.m. at both campuses. We offer two types of late care. The first is a free service called Late Bird, which runs until around 4:00 p.m. at the Upper School, and sibling care at the Lower School for students to wait for older siblings to finish with classes. The second is a paid service called Cub Care (PreK-Grade 2)/Bear Care (Grades 3-8), and these begin following dismissal. Cub Care/Bear Care is more structured and involves a range of activities from science to sports to arts. After-school programs for High School students take place in the form of athletics and clubs. 

Why do you teach your students Mandarin?

The BASIS Curriculum was intentionally designed in our Early Learning and Primary programs to include the tonal language Mandarin, since younger children are easily attuned to tonal differences. Mandarin is a global language, and researchers found that learning the language develops new pathways in the brain and uses both the left and right temporal lobes simultaneously. Studies also show that Mandarin helps students grow their mathematical abilities due to the emphasis on ordering, grouping, and distinguishing between similarities and differences in character writing and intonation. While Mandarin is required in PreK-Grade 4, Latin is required in grades 5 and 6. Beginning in grade 7, students will select a world language from French, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish, which they will continue throughout High School.

Do your campuses have any outdoor spaces?   

Our Lower School has direct access to a beautiful, big park and playground right across our street, in addition to a large indoor play space we call the Bear’s Den, since our mascot is the bear. 

Our Upper School has three outdoor spaces. This includes one fully covered space, one partially covered space, and an uncovered playground. The Upper School campus is also located directly across the street from Red Hook Ball Fields, which include eight large fields for baseball, soccer, and football that are utilized for athletics and physical education classes as well as school events.

Do you offer financial aid?   

At this time, financial aid is not available. We offer families three types of tuition payment plans: one payment, two payments, or ten monthly payments. We award scholarships based on merit to a highly selective group of students entering Kindergarten, Grade 6, and Grade 9.

What is parent involvement like at your school?  

Parents have many opportunities to get involved! First, through School Committees, including Class Communicators (at least one per class), the Community Outreach Committee, and the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Committee. We also have a wonderful group called our Parent Ambassadors. These leaders work closely with our Admissions Team on events and connecting with new families through our Bear Buddies and Cub Connections program.

One of our favorite programs is the Future-Ready Mentor Program, where our parent community helps to share experiences with our oldest high school students through Interesting Careers events to mentorship. The focus is on opening doors and opportunities for students while raising awareness of how fields and industries are changing with AI.

Our school offers events for parents to get to know administration and spend time with other parents, including:

Monthly Coffee with Admin Meetings

Cultural Sharing Opportunities, particularly our annual, beloved World Fest

Parenting Workshops, including network-wide sessions as well as local events featuring our regular “Counselor’s Corner” lunch sessions via Zoom with Ms. Molly House

Art and Athletic Events

Fall and Spring Parent/Guardian Mixers

Fall Carnival, Sports Banquet, Grade Level Celebrations

Classroom Volunteering, including chaperoning for field trips and reading to students in our Lower School

What community opportunities will my student have if they join your program?  

We have very active National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society chapters at our school leading regular service initiatives. Moreover, our student leadership society, Leadership Club, has prioritized building both a culture of service and sustainability at the school. The students lead annual drives and regularly promote ways to volunteer with inspiring Red Hook and Downtown Brooklyn non-profit organizations throughout the school year. Our High School students participate in an Annual Day of Service before Thanksgiving Break. 

Our school community has worked to develop partnerships with impactful non-profits making a difference in the community. One great example is the Red Hook Art Project (RHAP), which provides tutoring and mentoring for underserved children and youth. The organization offers free classes and tutoring in visual art, music, and homework help. Our students have volunteered for the homework help program and are teaching guitar classes.

How can I visit your school?  

This admissions season, we are hosting a variety of events including Information Sessions, Campus Tours, Open Houses, and Shadow Days. Please click here to register for an upcoming event! 

Please feel free to reach out to our Admissions Team by calling (718) 643-6302 or emailing brooklyn-admissions@basisindependent.com.  

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

September 18, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

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

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

Cultivating Independence and Agency Through BOSS

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

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

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

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

Building Community: From Marshmallows to Rooftop Carnivals

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

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

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

The Power of Shared Purpose

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

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

Join Our Community of Fearless Thinkers

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

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

August 26, 2026 by emilyhughes Leave a Comment

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

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

BASIS Independent Bellevue’s first Kindergarten class!

Orientation

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

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

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

The First Day of School

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

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

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

Campus Tours

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

Communication Journals

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

Community Building

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

Lockers and Procedures

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

Dr. Thies helping students with their locks.

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

Costa Rica Term Project Trip 2026

June 26, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Somewhere between the roar of white-water rapids and the impossibly slow blink of a three-toed sloth, our students stopped rushing through life and started paying attention to it during our Term Project Trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has a way of doing that. For seven days, our group of BASIS Independent Brooklyn High School students and their teacher chaperones, Ms. Nalipinki and Mr. Bedes, traded classrooms and schedules for rainforest canopies, cacao groves, and rivers that had absolutely no intention of going easy on them. They harvested coffee beans, spotted baby crocodiles from a riverboat, and soaked their sore muscles in volcanic hot springs as the sun dipped below the mountains. They stood under waterfalls and found tiny tree frogs hiding in plain sight.

This is the story of that trip from the muddy boots to the many unforgettable moments in between.

Our wonderful trip leaders, Ms. Nalipinski and Mr. Bedes, posed with our high school travelers

Landing in San Jose and Jumping In

After the long flight to Costa Rica, our local guide helped revive our group for a walking tour of San Jose. He helped orient our students and chaperones to the culture of Costa Rica and prepared us for the busy day ahead!

Day two started with an early wake-up and a tour of a coffee farm. Guides spoke about the bean-to-cup journey and exactly how volcanic soil, high altitudes, and microclimates create the country’s special coffee.

Then our explorers took to the zip lines! Thanks to one brave soul with a GoPro, we have a video so you can experience it, too.

https://vimeo.com/1204930772?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Adventure Travel

On day three, our Bears got up early and went white water rafting. The amazing local guides helped spot local wildlife, including a sloth, macaw, and toucan! There were periods of adventure as well as very calm, scenic moments on the water.

Hiking to the Volcano

The next day, everyone drove to Arenal Volcano National Park and hiked for 3.5 miles to see the volcano. Along the way, our team saw colorful snakes, more toucans, and many interesting insects. The day ended with a tour of the small town of La Fortuna.

Waterfalls and Kayaking

On day 5, everyone began the day by driving to La Fortuna’s gorgeous waterfall. There were 502 stairs down to the river for some lovely swimming, and the 502 stairs back up! Consensus was that the trek was well worth it.

After lunch, it was time for kayaking. Then the day ended with a few hours of relaxing in the hot springs.

Vieja National Park

Another amazing stop for spotting animals and being immersed in nature was Vieja National Park, where our team saw white-faced monkeys, sulfur springs, and mud pots.

River Cruise and Snorkeling Adventure

On the last day, we relaxed together and enjoyed a river cruise, where we saw baby crocodiles and so many monkeys. Afterwards, we went snorkeling and saw beautiful wildlife, including pufferfish, turtles, eels, and incredibly colorful fish.

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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.

Class of 2026: Graduation Reflections

June 26, 2026 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

On June 16th, 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 2026. Our twenty-five graduates are now poised to continue their academic careers in top colleges and universities in both the U.S. and abroad.

During the ceremony, Co-valedictorians Gregory G. and Nate C. captured their time together as a class and inspired their fellow graduates to look ahead to all that is in store for them. We wanted to share their speeches with our community since their words reflected the joy, humor, and honor at the heart of the celebration.

Gregory S. ’26 Co-valedictorian
*Photo by Danny Dolan (www.dannydolan.com)*

Address by Class of 2026 Co-valedictorian Gregory S.

Hi everyone. I can’t believe our time in high school is coming to an end, so with that, I have some words to say.

There’s one question I get more than anything when people find out where I go to school. They say how is BASIS Independent Brooklyn? And my answer has always been the same: it’s small.

For a long time, I said that like it was a complaint. But now I realize it was a blessing and the best thing that ever happened to us.

It’s all about perspective.

When I got to BASIS, I noticed pretty quickly that a lot of things just didn’t exist yet. No club for this, no group for that. And at first, I thought that was a problem. But then I realized — that’s actually the opportunity.

Think about it. Amazon didn’t start because Jeff Bezos had everything handed to him. It started because there was no good way to buy books online, and he went and built it. Some of the greatest companies in the world exist because somebody looked at something that wasn’t there and decided to go build it themselves.

We did the same thing. If the East Asian Club didn’t exist, someone in this room would have built it. The Jewish Affinity Group, the Motorsport Engineering Club, and DECA — all started by people in this room. BASIS Independent Brooklyn, being small, meant the opportunity was wide open. We just had to be willing to step up and take it.

BASIS being small also meant there weren’t a lot of people in the class. You look around, you’ve got 25 kids in your grade, and you think: this is it? So, there were definitely some moments where we all felt like we were missing out. Brooklyn Tech has a thousand people in its class.

Meanwhile, we’ve got 25.

But those 25 people were in every single class with you. They were there stressing over the same deadlines, praying for the AP curve to save everyone’s grade, having fun in Spanish together, and chilling at lunch. You didn’t get a thousand acquaintances. You got a handful of people who actually know you.

I’ll take five people who know me completely over a hundred people who don’t know me at all. Every single time.

Before I close, I need to thank some people.

Mom, Dad — thank you. For everything. To my older brother —thank you for screaming at me when I needed it. To my younger brother — sorry for screaming at you. You probably needed it too.

To my teachers, thank you for all the care and effort you put into this school.

And to my class — you shaped me more than you know. I went through all of it with you, and I genuinely hope our paths keep crossing.

So, here’s what I actually want you to walk away with today. Not that BASIS is small. Not that we missed out on the massive homecoming. But that didn’t stop us from going out and being great. From building things, to showing up for each other, to becoming genuinely amazing people.

That’s perspective. Taking what you have, not using it as an excuse, and making something out of it anyway.

Don’t let the small stuff stop you. Don’t let what’s missing define you. Look at what’s in front of you and ask what you can build with it.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Go be great.

Nate C. ’26 Co-valedictorian
*Photo by Danny Dolan (www.dannydolan.com)*

Address by Class of 2026 Co-valedictorian Nate C.

Good morning, everyone. I want to thank everyone for attending this highly anticipated yet mandatory event. Whether you are excited to be here or one of the siblings who was dragged here against your will, I hope my words will resonate with you today.

Thank you to parents, teachers, administrators, family members, esteemed guests, average guests, and of course, the Class of 2026.

I am honored to serve as your co-valedictorian. So let me briefly introduce myself. People know me as Nate the Great, Nate Dogg, the old man, the guy who sleeps too much, the guy who doesn’t sleep enough, and, for a certain few teachers, the traitor who didn’t take their capstone course this year.

Regardless of how you know me, I want you to know that I entered BASIS [Independent Brooklyn] in 9th grade as someone who had never been in such a close-knit and supportive environment. I had never seen such dedicated teachers, flexible schedules, and clean restrooms in my life. To be honest, I was quite terrified and overwhelmed, but BASIS took me in without a second thought.

Of course, I wouldn’t have gotten here without the support of the people around me. As much as I hate to admit it, I wouldn’t be standing here without my family’s support. I specifically want to thank my parents for encouraging me to leave my room and be “more social”, my grandparents for bringing an absurd amount of food to increase my “brain power,” and my brother for keeping me up during late-night study sessions with his superb singing and guitar skills. I also want to thank my friends and classmates for putting up with my sarcasm and constant exhaustion.

We have all grown over the last four years at BASIS. We have all grown as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, and emerging scholars. While we have improved in many ways, we must acknowledge room for improvement, whether it’s only showing up late twice a week rather than four times or only falling asleep in class once rather than twice a day.

Throughout these past four years, we have truly gone through it all. We memorized countless literary devices, trig functions, the entire unit circle, the periodic table, and every major war between 1600 and 2000. And we couldn’t have done it without our supportive yet at times overly zealous teachers. Whether it was trying not to blow up the classroom during our chemistry labs, rewriting history in AP world, or channeling our inner acting talent during AP literature plays, our teachers supported and encouraged us.

Moving past academics, we have started so many clubs and greatly improved our local Red Hook community. I have honestly lost count of the number of awards we have earned over the years. We have become leaders and have shaped our school in just as many ways as it has shaped us.

Throughout our time together, we have created many fond yet, at times, embarrassing memories. From getting sunburnt and taking the wrong ferry to our high school retreat, to taking our local trash pickup too seriously by collecting an absurd amount of questionable items, we have done it all. I still remember stuffing my face with unknown delicacies during World Fest and being forced to take a photo with my four favorite teachers during Prom (you know who you are).

As we prepare for the next chapter ahead of us, we need to remember what we will be leaving behind. We will miss having a welcoming student lounge all to ourselves, accessible student hours, and of course, free food. These everyday moments, the ones we barely noticed at the time, are the ones we’ll miss the most. However, we will not be missing the numerous post-AP projects, college essays, or times the vending machine scammed us.

I also want to take the time to congratulate you all on your college acceptances. Whether you are attending your dream school or simply trying to get as far away from your parents as possible, I’m confident it will work out. We will carry the values BASIS instilled in us to college and beyond, including hard work, perseverance, and the courage to negotiate every and any assignment we find unfair.

I look into the crowd, and I see future doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and many other successful professionals. I hope we all stay in touch in the future, whether as friends or as simply colleagues, we call for investment advice.

I’m sure you’re waiting for a cliche ending or overused quote, but we’re innovators here, so you’re going to have to keep on waiting forever. I also know many of you have been impatiently waiting at the finish line for the past three months now. Well, guess what, we’re all caught up now, so are you ready to graduate?

Thank you, Class of 2026, and good luck.

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Thank you to Gregory, Nate, and our entire Class of 2026 for leaving their mark on our school community! We will be cheering you on these next few months during the transition to college, and remember, you will always have a home here.

Redefining Student Agency in the Financial World

May 1, 2026 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

Josh A. (Class of 2027) remembers watching the markets long before he had a portfolio of his own. Seeing the data move on a Bloomberg terminal at home sparked a curiosity about what it takes to “see the green” on a trade. During high school at BASIS Independent Manhattan, he found peers who shared that same drive. Along with fellow juniors Aidan B. and Finn B., they launched the Upper School Investment Club—a student-led initiative that has quickly become a standout example of high-level academic application and student initiative.

Recently, these student leaders met with Michael Collins, CEO of Spring Education Group (SEG), at the Upper School campus in Chelsea to discuss the future of financial literacy and their club’s unprecedented trajectory in the New York City education landscape.

The founding investors club students stand on the staircase inside the Upper School with CEO of Spring Education Group (SEG) Michael Collins and club advisor, Kirk Murphy. — From L to R: Mr. Murphy (Club Advisor), Josh A., Aidan B., Finn B., and Mr. Collins (CEO, SEG)

A Flight Simulator for Money Management

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, our students can begin taking economics in grade 8 and complete the AP level by the end of their junior year. What makes our students unique is how they engage with finance and the economy as active participants.

Like a pilot practicing in a “flight simulator,” our Investment Club leaders have created a space to implement practical skills in real-life situations without the immediate risk of real-world capital. They run mock trials, build separate portfolios, and rigorously analyze their performance every two weeks. This methodology has already yielded results: in the Trading Day Competition hosted by the Stevens Institute of Technology, Josh A. secured 1st place and Aidan B. took 3rd place among over 800 participants.

A classroom for economics class has a game set up with a Market Tally sheet on the board, worksheets on a desk, and buyer-trader cards laid out. — During their required economics course in high school, BASIS Independent Manhattan students get a taste of the real financial world when they act as buyers and sellers trying to make the highest profits by trading in an “In The Chips” activity.

The Path to a Real-World Endowment

However, for these students, simulations are only the beginning. The meeting with Mr. Collins represented a major milestone: presenting a “proof of concept” to secure SEG leadership’s support for an unprecedented high school model.

The club’s ultimate goal is to transition from mock portfolios to managing a real-money endowment that stays with the school’s Investment Club. By demonstrating their rigorous risk-management strategies and analytical mastery, the students are seeking the buy-in and investment necessary to trade with real capital—a level of responsibility not traditionally seen at the high school level.

**Mastery Through Winning and Losing**

To prepare for that responsibility, the students have developed a sophisticated understanding of risk. They have learned that true mastery often means learning what not to do through winning, and learning what to do through losing.

While their 1st and 3rd place finishes at Stevens brought returns of up to 400% in a month, the students reflected on the experience with a critical eye. “The Stevens competition actually taught us the wrong things,” the leaders shared during the roundtable. “You can go ‘all in’ every time and win in a simulation, but that is just not true in the real world.”

The club saw a different kind of value when they competed in the Wharton Global Youth Program Investment Competition. Though they didn’t take home the top prize, the experience was a catalyst for growth. “Here’s what we did wrong: we didn’t meet the client’s expectations. What we need to do is change our philosophy,” they noted. This ability to identify failure and pivot is exactly why their Investment Club has a strong future.

The 11 students in the 2025-26 Young Investors Club stand in a classroom taking a photo for the yearbook.

Redefining Student Agency in NYC

The conversation with Michael Collins highlighted a core belief at our school: that student agency has no age limit.

“You guys are a concrete example that any high schooler can do this,” shared Mr. Collins. “There’s no requirement to be an adult or a college graduate. At any point in your life, you can start managing money.”

Mr. Collins was particularly impressed by how the founders translated their personal success into a structured peer-to-peer mentorship program, demystifying complex financial systems for the rest of the student body.

The Wildcat Edge

For colleges and universities, Aidan, Finn, and Josh represent the gold standard of grit. They go beyond the BASIS Curriculum, applying the logic learned from their Subject Expert Teachers to identify market trends and manage real-world risk.
For NYC families, this club represents our mission in practice. Students take the techniques acquired in the classroom and apply them to their own inquiries, developing the resilience required for the world’s most competitive environments.

Join Our Wildcat Community

Are you curious about how the BASIS Independent Manhattan experience prepares each child for success? We invite prospective families to visit our campuses and speak with our leadership and students.

Middle School Program Tour (Grades 5-8): May 13
High School Program Tour (Grades 9-12): May 21

Register to Visit Our School Today

Related Links:

A Day in Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell

April 24, 2026 by abisoyetaylor Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Bothell, our earliest learners set the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Recently, our Head of School spent a full day immersed in a Kindergarten classroom. His experience offers a window into how curiosity, confidence, and community take root from the very beginning.

A reflection shared by our Head of School, Mr. Robert Runyon

On a typical Monday, I’m usually haunting our hallways, popping into classrooms, and catching up with our school’s administrators and teachers. This week, I got to take on an even more important mantle: I got to be a Kindergartener for a day. Ms. Lark, Ms. Pfeiffer, and all of the students in KH welcomed me into their room to be one of them. I, along with the students, had so much fun and learned so much.

Morning Meeting and Big Ideas

Morning Meeting at BASIS Independent Bothell Kindergarten Classroom

The day started with Morning Meeting, and we all got to sing our welcome song to each other in our circle, celebrating each and every member of the class. Ms. Lark had a big question for the group: what would you do if you were Head of School for the day? They really gave me a lot of food for thought – banning all cars from the parking lot to create an even bigger playground, having students be teachers and teachers be students, and the perennial favorite of no homework ever. I was so proud of their confidence and advocacy as they shared their ideas.

Learning Through Literacy, Movement, and Mindfulness

After that, we moved into our literacy practice in pairs, where we got to use dice to help us practice using different vowel sounds in whole sentences. Nova was so nice in showing me how to roll the dice and ensuring it stayed on the table.

After that academic focus, we were able to go out to recess and climb on the giant web in the middle playground before transitioning to a Mindful Monday in Movement class. Ms. Tello had us doing paired yoga, a perfect opportunity to break out my Tree and Dancer poses. My partners weren’t impressed with my inability to do the full splits, though. I’ll keep working on it.

Kindergarten Movement Class at BASIS Indendent Bothell

Language, Culture, and Community

Then, we got to work up an appetite in our Mandarin class, where Ms. Wang introduced us to fast food vocabulary. We were thinking about hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, soda, and juice through dancing, singing, drawing, and writing. At lunch, we were able to talk about what we were eating and some of our favorite activities inside and outside of school.

Math, Engineering, and Collaboration

When we came back to class for the second half of the day, Ms. Lark had all of us practice place value through using Skittles as manipulatives. The discipline that my classmates had with dozens of Skittles in front of them throughout the room was monklike. The candy all remained uneaten throughout the activity. Patience isn’t just the name of one of their teachers, it’s something inherent to our kids.

In our Engineering class, we got to expand on our aerodynamics knowledge by not just making paper airplanes, but also making circular gliders. I was grateful to Mihir for showing me how to be a good collaborator at my table and how to make sure we kept supplies organized for our friends to use them later on.

Science, Creativity, and Wonder

Back in the KH classroom, Ms. Pfeiffer led us through a lesson about the characteristics and biomes of dinosaurs. As we were talking, one of my classmates explained how the colors of dinosaurs can contribute to them being able to survive longer in different environments and not go extinct. It took me a second to get my jaw off the ground before I started drawing my own green stegosaurus. After a few pointers from Miya, I think I made something special.

After that, we closed out the day with Enrichment, where I got to work in our play kitchen. I was surprised when the kids told me spaghetti and meatballs isn’t a good sandwich topping.

Why Kindergarten Matters

Being part of Kindergarten for the day reminded me of another reason why I love being a Head of School: I get to contribute to the incredible journey these students are on. I remember their first day and how uncertain they were and how tentative they were both with their new friendships and with their academics. Now I see them praising and supporting each other as they read out sentences and paragraphs.

I strongly believe that while graduation rates and college placements are the evidence of success of school, the key to the long-term health of a school starts right in Kindergarten. If you are supporting and enabling the curiosity of these students and giving them the skills to flourish as people early on, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish. As I write this days later, I feel like my day as a Kindergartener helped me grow, too.

Experience Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell

Curious to see what Kindergarten looks like in action? We invite prospective families to join us for Kindergarten Preview Week, a series of opportunities designed to help you explore our program, meet our educators, and experience our campus community.

Kindergarten Preview Week Events:

Virtual Information Session | Tuesday, April 28 at 12:00 PM PT
A convenient way to learn about our program from home.

Head of School Kindergarten Campus Tour | Wednesday, April 29 at 12:15 PM PT
Get an inside look at our classrooms and meet school leadership.

After‑School Clubs Campus Tour | Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT
Explore the enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the school day.

Free Play & Meet the Teachers | Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 AM PT
A family‑friendly favorite! Your child can explore, play, and connect with our Kindergarten team.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus and sharing more about how learning begins in Kindergarten at BASIS Independent Bothell.

A Classroom Without Walls: BASIS Independent Fremont Seniors in the Galápagos

April 16, 2026 by sarahpeterson Leave a Comment

Some lessons can’t be taught in a classroom. In February, BASIS Independent Fremont’s Class of 2026 traveled to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands to find out what they look like in the real world. Over nine days, our seniors explored Quito’s colonial history, hiked the rim of an active volcano, snorkeled alongside sea turtles and mantarays, and planted trees in a conservation reserve. They bargained at a 500-year-old market, danced salsa, and stood on the equator. We sat down with four of them to hear about it in their own words.

Before we dive in, see this once-in-a-lifetime journey through the eyes of the students and teachers who experienced it firsthand.

Showing Up for Something Bigger Than Themselves

Most school trips ask students to observe. This one asked them to participate.

On their first full day in the Galápagos, the group traveled to Rancho Primicias on Santa Cruz Island — a private reserve home to giant tortoises and a hub for regional conservation. Before they had time to settle in, they were handed tools and put to work on a reforestation project, planting native species to help restore the islands’ fragile ecosystem. A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station later in the week brought the stakes into sharper focus — and for many students, it reframed what it means to travel somewhere as carefully protected as the Galápagos. The islands, it turns out, require a kind of vigilance most visitors never think about. Diya D. described a moment that stopped her mid-flight:

“When we got on the plane to the Galápagos, they released some kind of spray to make sure none of the bacteria you carry from Quito reaches the islands. That’s something I never would have considered — that people themselves, and everything they bring, can be a threat. They mentioned reef-safe sunscreens, restrictions on what you could bring — things I never would have thought of. And you can see the result: how clean everything is, how nice the beaches are, how free the animals are.” — Diya D.

It’s a perspective shift that’s easy to carry home. As Shayona P. put it, the Galápagos reframes what it means to be a visitor anywhere: “The locals are the animals. Being respectful to them and their home — that’s how I thought about conservation.” When you’ve seen what careful stewardship actually produces, it’s hard to think about any natural place the same way again.

Encountering the Unexpected

Students arrived in Ecuador with some idea of what they were getting into. The Galápagos, most of them knew, was special — a place they’d read about in textbooks, studied in biology class. What they didn’t fully anticipate was how different “knowing about” something would feel from actually being inside it.

At Las Tintoreras on Isabela Island, students geared up for a snorkeling tour and found themselves sharing the water with tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions, and — in a detail that surprises nearly everyone — Galápagos penguins, the only penguins found in the Northern Hemisphere. On land, the animals were equally unguarded; Paisli D. described arriving to find sea lions “lying on couches and being so immersed in our daily activities.” The Galápagos has a way of making you feel like the guest, not the other way around. Shayona P. noticed something beneath the surface that stayed with her long after she was back on dry land:

“In some of the other places I’ve snorkeled, there’s a lot of separation between species. But in the Galápagos, you’d swim from one end of an island to another and see a stingray, many different kinds of fish, a sea turtle — they all live in the same territory. Being able to share that space as a human makes you feel like you’re part of something so much bigger.” — Shayona P.

But the surprises weren’t limited to the islands. In Quito, while walking through the city center, the group stumbled into a local carnival celebration — complete with strangers spraying foam and paint at anyone who walked by, including a group of BIF seniors who had absolutely no idea what was coming. “We all walked back onto the bus covered in foam and paint,” laughed Diya D. “It was fun and a little scary because we didn’t know what to expect, but looking back, those were aspects of the culture that we got to see and experience.” It ended up being one of the most talked-about moments of the whole trip — which says something about what travel can do when it catches you off guard.

Stepping Outside Their Comfort Zone

There were plenty of moments on this trip that asked something of students — physically, emotionally, and socially. Most of them showed up anyway.

It started before the Galápagos even came into view. In Quito, at 9,350 feet above sea level, something as simple as walking uphill became a genuine challenge. Shayona P. credits the energy of the group for getting her through it: “The constant shift between Quito and the Galápagos at sea level was definitely something we had to work around. But coming back, I felt really proud of myself that I was able to push through and still enjoy it.” On Isabela Island, the group hiked to the rim of Sierra Negra — one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos, with a crater six miles wide and 300 feet deep — before winding down the day with a salsa lesson on the beach. The trip had a way of keeping students off balance, in the best sense.

Not every stretch came from a volcano or a dance floor. Some of the most affecting moments were the quieter ones — the kind that ask for patience rather than endurance. Paisli D. found hers on the water, early in the morning before the rest of the world was awake:

“I felt really at peace on those morning boat rides traveling from one island to the next. I remember waking up really early before the sunrise and being able to see all the stars in the sky. It was so beautiful — the most stars I have ever seen!” — Paisli D.

For Diya D., even the hardest moments — a power outage, restrictions on tap water, limited amenities — ended up in the win column. “There’s a fun to it,” she said. “When you’re with everybody, there’s this collective shared suffering, shared complaining. That’s kind of fun, honestly.” It’s the kind of thing you can only really feel when you’re far from home with people you trust.

What They’re Carrying Home

On the last evening in Quito, before the flight home, the group found a playground outside a pizza restaurant and spent an hour playing in the rain. It was the kind of moment that sneaks up on you — and for many students, it was when the weight of the trip finally landed. Nine days of volcanoes and sea turtles and strangers spraying foam in the street, and what broke through was a wet playground and the realization that these were the same people they’d been sitting next to in class for years, just seen differently.

That shift — from classmates to travel companions — turned out to be one of the trip’s quieter gifts. “When you’re in school, you see people from an academic standpoint,” reflected Diya D. “But when you go on a trip like this, you interact with people more broadly. It’s nice to have this before graduation, because you see people in a different light, and it gives you a more sentimental view when you graduate.” Shayona P. felt it too, standing on that playground in the rain: “It kind of hit me that I wasn’t going to see these people every day — people I’d seen for the last four years. Being outside of a school setting, spending that kind of time together — that was really cool.”

For anyone heading to the Senior Trip next year, Anuj P. has simple advice: “The trip is very fun and well worth it. Just make sure to have enthusiasm in all the activities.” It’s hard to argue with that.

Trips like this don’t happen by accident. At BASIS Independent Fremont, international travel is woven into the student experience — each journey designed to put students in unfamiliar places, ask something of them, and bring them home with a broader sense of the world and their place in it. The senior trip to the Galápagos is the culmination of that thread: the most ambitious, the most independent, and for many students, the most formative. What Diya, Shayona, Paisli, and Anuj described — the shifted perspectives, the deepened friendships, the quiet pride of having shown up for something hard — is exactly what we hope every BIF student carries with them long after graduation.

The Galápagos doesn’t let you stay a passive observer for long. Our seniors spent nine days there — not as tourists passing through, but as people who showed up, paid attention, and gave something back. Whether planting trees, swimming with sea turtles, or standing on the rim of an active volcano, BASIS Independent Fremont’s seniors left as participants — in the ecosystem, in the science, and in the story of one of the world’s most remarkable places. Some classrooms just don’t have walls.

Learn more about the senior experience at BASIS Independent Fremont here.

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.