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Class of 2025: A Yellow Jacket Send-Off

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What makes a BASIS Independent Fremont graduation special? It’s not just the academic achievements or college acceptances—though our Class of 2025 certainly excelled in both areas. It’s the authentic voice of our students and the unique community they’ve built together over the years.

When our forty-eight graduates walked across the stage at the Fremont Downtown Event Center on May 22, they carried with them years of shared experiences that can only happen at our close-knit Yellow Jacket campus. Now, several months later, as these graduates embark on their first semester at top universities nationwide, we’re reminded of what made their send-off so memorable.

A standout moment of our ceremony came from student speaker Soorya I., whose address was chosen by our faculty panel for its humor, honesty, and heart. His speech captured something essential about the BASIS Independent Fremont experience—and we wanted to share it with our community as a reminder of what makes our graduates so special.

Student Address by Soorya I., Class of 2025

For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Soorya I.: 5.0 GPA, varsity athlete, astronaut, devilishly handsome looks. For those of you that do know me: shhhhh.

I’m incredibly grateful to be up here, speaking to you all. We’ll remember today for the rest of our lives, and I have the privilege of framing that precious memory with this speech. You’ve made a very bold choice, letting me do this. It’s a bit like trusting Kevin Z. with cutlery, but… I promise I’ll wield my power responsibly. Maybe.

On paper, my job is to surface the good times—a collective walk down memory lane, congratulating our graduates, thanking our incredible teachers and staff (shoutout Dr. Araci!) — but Aashna already nailed that, and I’m not one to follow convention anyway.

Instead, I want to tell you about the time I tried leaving BIF.

Toward the end of freshman year, I began to feel restless at our little Fremont campus despite months of unrelenting connection, friendship, and support. I remember blasting reggaeton at lunch with Atharv and Arush almost every day, workshopping quirky bio presentations with Kristina and Olivia, playing Snake with James during Teacher Jasica’s work periods, but somehow, I’d convinced myself I was missing out on the real “high school experience”. I blame Disney movies.

In any case, I chose to take my future into my own hands. I applied to several awesome high schools in the area and even a boarding school down in Carmel, and luckily for me, admissions across the board meant I could have my pick. After giving it thought, I elected to attend Mission San Jose High School to really live that authentic television fairytale.

I only lasted two weeks without you guys.

Here’s the truth: BASIS Independent Fremont is a tiny STEM institution with a student body of 351 sharing a 60,000 square foot complex with a church. We’ve got sixth graders running around the halls, freshmen doing calculus, an average SAT score in the 1500s, and a majority of the student body taking part in some honor society or university-level research.

But everyone says hi in the halls. People will stop whatever they’re doing to give you a hand. We love our teachers because they love their fields, and we love our admin because we can actually talk to them like they’re people. And everyone loves the Munchie Meal lunch runs at Jack in the Box. Jalapeño poppers form the kind of deep-fried friendships that last till you’re eighty (if you survive all the grease).

See, I think I’m a Yellow Jacket at heart. We’re super territorial, and we sting anyone that comes by… I’m kidding. We’re a strange, close-knit bunch characterized by burning curiosity and unending drive. How could I stay away? From Sachit’s depth of meteorological expertise to Justin’s, well, everything, each of us has our place in this community. I don’t think there’s a single thing that’s conventional about us, and it took losing my footing for a moment to understand the beauty in that.

Let it hit you like it’s hitting me now. We’re done. We grew up together, and now we’re adults, now we’re diving into the world, scattered. Jobs, home ownership, marriage, children, midlife crises in a candy blue Corvette… real life is just a tomorrow away.

And yet, as much as things are about to change, one thing won’t: the clichéd American high school experience will never apply to me, or any of you. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now, for the final time, from the very bottom of my heart — thank you to our teachers, staff, families and loved ones, my dog Tony, and our weird, lovable graduating class of 2025.

Thank you to Soorya and our entire Class of 2025 for bringing such joy and authenticity to our Yellow Jacket community! As they now set out on their college journeys, we continue to cheer them on in this exciting new chapter.

Want to see where our graduates are headed? Click here to explore the outstanding college admissions achieved by our Class of 2025.

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.

Class of 2025: Graduation Reflections

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

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

Address by Class of 2025 Valedictorian Maxim S.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wildcat Voices: Grade 4 Student Shares Life at Top NYC Private School

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Meet Naiya, a Grade 4 Wildcat who joined BASIS Independent Manhattan this school year. Naiya is a fantastic example of our vibrant Lower School community and had so many wonderful things to share. Our Wildcats are eager to talk about their experiences at BASIS Independent Manhattan—from our inspiring teachers and engaging academic curriculum to the dynamic student life that makes our school so special.

Thank you for your time today, Naiya! Let’s start with some basics—what grade are you in and how long have been a BASIS Independent Manhattan Wildcat?

I am in grade 4 and this is my first year!

What was the transition like from your previous school to BASIS Independent Manhattan?

It was good. I did not feel that behind. I had a shadow day and that helped me get used to what was going to happen in my grade level. I transitioned well from a public to a private school. I kept my grades steady and I think I did a good job.

When I started, I had some trouble with math. Sometimes on Wednesdays, I would go to Student Hours where I worked on math problems with my math teacher so I can get better at math.

Now, I am getting better at math. I am not the top person in my math class, but I think I’m doing pretty good. I still go to student hours sometimes but not as much as I needed to.

Tell me about your favorite subject this school year?

Drama! We are doing a Playwright’s Festival where we are writing a scene in a play, and in class we reviewed and voted on which plays we want to produce. Then we were assigned to groups and had assignments from costume development to theater technology. Ms. Boscolo, the Drama teacher, is very nice and very funny.

Share with us the biggest differences between this school and your prior school?

What they are actually teaching us. In my old school I kept getting straight As, and I felt I wasn’t learning anything new. In this school, I am actually learning things that are new and things that I have not done before. I am learning a lot in many new subjects. I am getting to do science and history classes that I didn’t have often in my prior school.

The teachers at this school they help me with things like organization and responsibility, and they make the subject fun. Today in math class, we had a scavenger hunt. We did the hunt with other classmates together and it was fun way to help us understand the math topic. I really think this school has pushed me to reach my full potential. At my old school, I didn’t learn much or get challenged. At BASIS Independent Manhattan, I can try more challenging things that I didn’t think I could do, and I am doing it! I can be the best person in all subjects.

Families regularly ask about the school community. How would you describe the school community at the Lower School?

Amazing in academics and learning! The teachers are amazing because they are all very kind and helpful and they make classes fun. It’s a friendly community. We work with each other all the time. The entire class is actually a community and the entire school is an actual community. Pep rallies are fun and the events we have I like a lot. It is active here!

On a typical school night, how much time are you spending on homework?

Normally about 30 minutes. On Friday’s I do not have homework. Every single day we have a math homework except for a quiz or test day. English, if reading a book, we will get some homework. Science from time to time we get homework. For history, sometimes we have homework.

After school, what clubs do you participate in at BASIS Independent Manhattan?

Fashion and Photography Club. I love it!

We invite you to learn more about the BASIS Independent Manhattan Wildcat community at one of our upcoming admissions events or on a campus tour. Our Rolling Admissions application cycle is now open for the 2025-2026 school year.

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!

Bobcat Bytes: Isha T., Grade 12

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This blog series aims to offer a glimpse into the student life of our Student Ambassadors. The BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Student Ambassadors play an important role by representing BISV throughout the academic year in many ways. From cherished memories, to conquering challenges, from time management to immersing themselves in clubs and activities. 

Meet Isha T., Grade 12, class of 2024. Prior to attending BISV, Isha attended a private school. Since joining our school in Grade 5, she has been a fantastic member of our school community. Isha’s favorite soccer clubs are FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. She says, “I went to both home stadiums when I visited Spain for my 18th birthday!”

Isha loves to travel with her family and has been to several other countries as well. She is also a valuable member of our dynamic Bollywood Dance Team at BISV, where she embraces her heritage and nurtures her love for dance. One standout memory for her last year was attending the Taylor Swift Eras Tour with her best friend!

What have been some of your most memorable moments or experiences at BISV and why?

One of my favorite experiences at BISV was being selected to be a Student Ambassador! As a Student Ambassador, I got the wonderful opportunity to welcome prospective students to BISV and show them around our campus. I also got to speak to prospective students and parents during Open Houses and Information Sessions. I answered any questions that they had and shared all of my amazing experiences at BISV, including the joy I got from representing my school. I’m proud to say that I have been a Student Ambassador for all 7 years that I’ve been at BISV and have truly enjoyed being able to show families how warm and welcoming our community is.

This year we have over 90 clubs at BISV! What are the benefits of participating in our extracurriculars?

Everyone has a variety of interests, whether it be the arts, academics, or sports. One of the things I appreciate most about BISV is how they celebrate students’ individuality by offering a wide variety of clubs. With such a varied group of club topics, it really feels like there’s something for everyone. Participating in clubs and organizations at BISV not only allows you to pursue your passions, but also allows you to form close bonds with club members who have the same interests as you.

How do you manage your time and balance academic, extracurricular activities, and free-time?

One of the most effective ways that has helped me balance my academics, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments was using my Communication Journal, or CJ. I would write down all of my school reminders and events that I had outside of school in order to keep track of everything. Just like I used my CJ to help me manage my time and balance my academics, extracurriculars, and personal commitments, it also came in handy for staying organized. Writing things down in my CJ allowed everything to be in one place, so it became easy for me to keep track of assignments and deadlines.

What are some ideas you had about BISV that you found out to be true or false once you joined the school?

Since BISV is such an academically rigorous school full of high-achievers, I thought I would be surrounded by a competitive environment where I would feel insecure and less accomplished than my peers. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Everyone in BISV is so humble about their accomplishments and best of all, everyone here supports and lifts each other up. The students here are not afraid to ask for help or admit their weaknesses, creating a safe space for everyone to share their thoughts and feelings.

Finally, what advice would you give for incoming students to make the most of their year?

One piece of advice I would give to prospective students is that even though the curriculum at BISV is rigorous, just continue to work hard and seek the help of your friends, parents, and teachers. Also, make sure you use your CJ! It helps a lot when you have several upcoming assignments, tests, and events.

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. 

Bobcat Bytes: Ruhi M., Grade 9

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This blog series aims to offer a glimpse into the student life of our Student Ambassadors. The BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Student Ambassadors play an important role by representing BISV throughout the academic year in many ways. From cherished memories, to conquering challenges, from time management to immersing themselves in clubs and activities.

Meet Ruhi M., Grade 9, class of 2027. Prior to attending BISV, Ruhi attended a public school. Since joining our school in Grade 6, she has been a fantastic member of our school community. This year, she joined the BISV Rock Climbing Club. She says, “Nothing beats the feeling of successfully finishing a hard climb!”

Outside of school, Ruhi enjoys engaging in activities that bring her joy, such as playing competitive table tennis. She feels playing sports teaches her how to not give up even in the prospect of failure. She also loves singing and cats!

What have been some of your most memorable moments or experiences at BISV and why?

One of my most memorable school experiences was performing as a part of the BISV choir. I chose choir as my elective in Grade 8 as I have always enjoyed singing. I got to sing every day alongside the rest of the choir. During my time in choir, not only did I become a much better singer, I made some great friends as well. Over the school year, we worked incredibly hard in preparation for our choir performance. Prior to this event, I have performed onstage many times as I also play piano, but I found this performance to be rather different. There was still the anticipation, excitement, lights, and audience, but this time I was able to share this experience with my amazing friends. I am incredibly grateful to our music teacher, Ms. Jay!

This year we have over 90 clubs at BISV! What are the benefits of participating in our extracurriculars?

Joining a club at BISV has a lot of benefits. Clubs are an easy way to try something new. There are a lot of academic-related clubs such as Science Olympiad, Robotics Club, and DECA that compete in competitions. Last year, BISV hosted 40 teams for the Silicon Valley Robotics League Finals. There are also volunteering clubs such as Key Club, Paws, and the NJHS/NHS (National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society). Personally, as a member of the NJHS, I believe joining clubs like these can give you a very rewarding experience. Joining allowed me to give back to the community in fun ways that I might not have tried if I didn’t join the club. There are also a lot of clubs related to art or sports such as NJAHS (National Junior Art Honor Society), Digital Art, Rock Climbing, Cross Country, and many more. I enjoy these clubs because, after a long day of school, these can be a great part of the day to look forward to. For me, I am a co-secretary of the BISV Table Tennis Club and a coach. I’ve found that being a coach has given me a lot of confidence in myself and my ability to help others. Having these roles in the club has allowed me to find a community of people at BISV who also share an interest in table tennis.

How do you manage your time and balance academic, extracurricular activities, and free-time?

As the school day goes by, I make additions to my To-Do List. I make sure the list is easily accessible, so I can look at it and edit it anytime. After school, I reorganize the list in order of how long how they will take to complete. For me, this helps because I prefer to get smaller tasks out of the way first to clear my mind for bigger tasks. I also utilize my time at school the best that I can. At BISV, there are office hours in which teachers hold sessions after classes where students can go and ask their questions. I have met multiple teachers who have spent hours throughout the year helping me as best as they can to understand concepts and I am very grateful to them.

What are some ideas you had about BISV that you found out to be true or false once you joined the school?

Before I joined BISV, I had heard it would be much more challenging than my current school. However, I wanted to join BISV because I wanted a challenge and that is what I got. Initially, I had the idea that the rigor would lessen my love for learning, but this was not true at all. It is the most amazing feeling to reflect on how much I have learned and grown since joining the school three years ago. One of the biggest differences I saw between my old public school and BISV is the quality of teachers. Teachers here are not only passionate and knowledgeable in their field but also teach very well. I truly believe that BISV can help reveal to you your true capabilities.

Finally, what advice would you give for incoming students to make the most of their year?

For any newcomers with an idea to start a club, it is worth it to pitch in your ideas as running your own club can become a valuable part of your time here at BISV! In addition, it’s important to not get stuck on what you can’t change. If you messed up on a test, don’t let that failure affect the future. If you are taking a break to relax, don’t stress by thinking of past mistakes or possible future outcomes. Don’t take on more extracurricular activities than you can handle or you might find yourself getting burnt out during the year. Do what makes you truly happy and can give a boost to your day. This is also an important message for parents deciding what classes to put their students in. Remember, your time is precious, so choose what you do wisely. Last, it is important to stay in the present and focus on what is in front of you. Keep going and always have faith in yourself!

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. 

Young Author Spotlight: Seleema A., Grade 5

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In a testament to the flourishing Humanities Program at BASIS Independent Fremont, several students have recently achieved the remarkable feat of becoming published authors. This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Seleema A., a grade 5 student from our Lower School, to delve into her inaugural venture into the world of publishing. Join us as we explore her journey, creative process, and gather valuable insights for aspiring student authors.

Tell us about your story and what inspired you to write it.

My story is called “Tales of a 5th Grade Soccer Champion,” and it’s kind of based on a true story. It’s about a girl who was inspired by my experiences playing soccer. A girl in her class keeps saying that she is not good at soccer and teasing her, and she has an upcoming game against this classmate that is really important. So, she gets really nervous but goes through with it and plays her best because deep down, she has known all along that she really is good. She just had to dig down and bring up her confidence, and in the end, she won! I decided to write this story because it has a good message, and it happened to me, so it was quite natural to write about.

Do you have a favorite character? What makes them so special to you?

I like the main character – she’s based on me, but she’s also different in a lot of ways. She’s a little different from me in some ways and similar in others. The fact that she gained her confidence so quickly is something that it’s a little different from me. I can gain confidence, but it can take a while. I could use her journey to explore and not just write everything that happened to me. I could change it up a little.

It helped when I wrote about her. It helped me to realize in real life that what that person was saying about me was wrong. I was a good soccer player, and I tend to do really well. The main character is a very competitive person, and sometimes, that can bring out the best in you. You shouldn’t be afraid and always stand up for yourself with confidence.

Did you face any challenges while writing your story?

The word restriction was the main thing that I struggled with. Sometimes, if there’s a limit to the number of words that I can use, it’s hard for me to put everything that I have in my mind into words. This limit was 100 words, so it was a challenge. But I like being challenged, especially in writing. I was hesitant at first. I was like, ‘Oh, it’s only 100 words,’ but it was actually something that worked out, and I really enjoyed it in the end.

How did you think to submit your story for publishing? Did you get any special encouragement from mentors or teachers in your life to try to publish your story?

My mom is always encouraging me to find new competitions to submit to because I’m always up writing. When I found this competition, I decided to enter it. My parents are always very encouraging and supportive when I’m writing. A lot of my Humanities and English teachers at BIF also helped me to get into writing and really enjoy it.

How did you feel when you heard that your story had been selected to be published in a real-life book?!

I honestly didn’t think that I was going to be chosen, and I was really excited because I always wanted to be actually published. To see that it’s actually there in a real book that you can buy and people will read felt really nice. I felt like I could make a difference and actually publish my own books one day.

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

I think I started writing in first grade, but I really got serious when I had a great second grade teacher, Ms. Mishra. We were online for half the year because of COVID, but we had a historical fiction writing assignment that I really enjoyed. I think that’s where my passion for writing really started to come out. Ms. Mishra sure helped me a lot.

Mr. K Wagner has helped me a lot. We had a lot of writing in fourth and fifth grade with him as our teacher. He always helped with my writing, especially on things like our Native American and descriptive essays.

In third grade, Mr. Acevedo assigned us a great mythology unit where we got to write about Greek Gods, and I found that really exciting. I’ve always liked characters that are heroic or brave – I’ve always liked reading and writing about them. I got some ideas for some of my books and stories from them!

What would you say to other young students who aspire to be authors?

I would say, first and foremost, never give up. It’s good to have ideas and sometimes change those ideas into something that can be even better. But if you have an idea that you think is good, stick with it, and you can create something really nice out of it. I remember when my friend and I were in second grade. We started a book together. All of our friends who were writing together took a break, and we ended up stopping for a really long time. Then, this year, my friend picked up that book again, and she turned it into something so much better!

Even if you think your story isn’t perfect, don’t let that stop you. There are always more opportunities. One contest isn’t going to make or break how much you love writing. I think young authors out there have to keep on going and never give up. Always believe that you can do your best and be the change. I just want to say to all the authors out there: never give up, and always remember that your writing can change the world.

Seleema’s story serves as an inspiration for budding authors within the BASIS Independent Fremont community and beyond. Her advice for aspiring student authors is rooted in the encouragement she received from her teachers and peers. She emphasizes the importance of embracing creativity, persisting through challenges, and cherishing the guidance provided by mentors within the Humanities program.

BASIS Independent Fremont’s Humanities Program continues to foster a community of young, talented authors who dare to dream and achieve greatness. Seleema A.’s journey stands as a shining example of the program’s commitment to nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. As we celebrate her accomplishments, we eagerly anticipate the future literary endeavors that will undoubtedly emerge from the inspiring environment at BASIS Independent Fremont.

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

A Family Affair: Brother and Sister Elected Student Council President and Vice President at BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper School

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BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper School has elected a new student council president and vice president for the 2023-2024 school year: Hudson (Gr. 11) and Stella L. (Gr. 8). This brother-sister duo are passionate about making the Upper School a better place for all students.

During their lunch break, we had an opportunity to sit down and ask them a few questions. This interview provides a chance for the student body to get acquainted with their new leaders and learn about their plans for the upcoming year.

Goals for the 2023-24 School Year

Hudson and Stella L. mentioned that their primary goal is to improve the student experience. They have three areas of focus right now:
Improve the creature comforts in our campus building.

  1. Optimize lunchtime for enjoyment.
  2. Create a textbook swap or ways to reuse them among students.
  3. They also plan to continue growing the BASIS Green Committee, which focuses on eco-conscious decisions at school.

How To Achieve These Goals?

The duo intends to ensure that students follow the school rules, respect school resources, and do not take them for granted. They will work closely with the administrators to address any concerns raised by the students. They have already initiated a partnership with one of the facilities team members to make progress in this regard.

Now with a full school, they would like to implement simple adjustments to streamline lunch. These include rearranging tables and seating, making lines more efficient, and increasing the number of trash and recycling bins. The objective is to spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying meals with friends.

With textbooks, Hudson and Stella are aware of how expensive they can be and plan to create a system that spans grades – such as a book swap – so that textbooks can be passed on from year to year and reused. They will also work with the Wildcat Family Committee to create a full-scale effort that involves both students and parents.

Representing All Student Voices

At an Upper School with students in grades 6-12, Hudson and Stella L. explained that they are both high school and middle school students themselves, and they know their classmates and peers. They also have a representative from each element as part of the Student Council, who will talk to their class and bring their feedback to the meetings.

Lastly, they talked about not being just leaders but representatives of everyone. They would like to encourage all students to share their ideas, comments, and concerns with them.

Four Things I Love This Year About BASIS Independent Brooklyn

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by Fauve T., 7th grade Student Ambassador

Our Student Ambassadors Program is a way for students to help share their perspectives on our school and the broader community. One of our 7th Grade students volunteered to create a blog post featuring what she loves about this year so far. 

1 – Classes are challenging, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. Chemistry is one of my hardest subjects, yet my teacher Ms. Susanto finds ways to make it exciting too. One day we figured out how many fingernails we would need to cover the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Many of my teachers are approachable and make jokes during class to keep us focused. The teachers also have student hours where they can answer many of your questions in an informal setting.

2 – Through the school’s system of mixing up the classes every year, I’ve expanded my friendship group and got to know so many new and amazing people. I was still able to see some of my friends from last year, who I was worried I would never see again, through electives and school activities. Today I have so many friends with different backgrounds and interests who have also inspired me a lot.

3 – This year I’ve found that there have been so many more opportunities to get involved with the wider school. The student programs the school has provided to us, like the National Junior Honor Society, Math Club, and Student Ambassador, have all helped me to feel welcomed and a part of the bigger community. [By the way, I’m not part of the Math Club even though my parents wanted me to. I am presenting it as an example. Maybe next year :)]. I particularly like being a Student Ambassador because I get to answer some of the questions I had myself going into Middle School for other kids, and now that I can answer them too, I can support the School. I am looking forward to Shadow Days, which I didn’t do as a prospective student, but it’ll be really great for new students to show them around the School and let them know what an actual day in our community is like.

Middle school hallway

4 – Learning the more advanced curriculum gives me a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that I am better preparing myself for my future no matter where I take it. Right now, I’m considering going into animation, becoming a scientist, being an actor, developing games, or becoming an author. No matter what I will end up doing – the classes, the teachers, and the friendships at BASIS are setting me up for success, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here.

Thank you, Fauve for sharing your thoughts and experiences. If you want to learn more about our school, we have a series of admissions events throughout the year to consider.

  1. Classes are challenging, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. Chemistry is one of my hardest subjects, yet my teacher Ms. Susanto finds ways to make it exciting too. One day we figured out how many fingernails we would need to cover the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Many of my teachers are approachable and make jokes during class to keep us focused. The teachers also have student hours where they can answer many of your questions in an informal setting
  2. Classes are challenging, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. Chemistry is one of my hardest subjects, yet my teacher Ms. Susanto finds ways to make it exciting too. One day we figured out how many fingernails we would need to cover the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Many of my teachers are approachable and make jokes during class to keep us focused. The teachers also have student hours where they can answer many of your questions in an informal setting
  3. Classes are challenging, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. Chemistry is one of my hardest subjects, yet my teacher Ms. Susanto finds ways to make it exciting too. One day we figured out how many fingernails we would need to cover the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Many of my teachers are approachable and make jokes during class to keep us focused. The teachers also have student hours where they can answer many of your questions in an informal setting

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a private school serving students in PreK through Gr. 12. Please join our interest list for updates, event information, and more.Click here to join our interest list!

A Day in the Life: Grade 4 with Nitya S., Class of 2031

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Our Day in the Life series for this school year continues with Grade 4 student Nitya, Class of 2031!

Grade 4 students travel from classroom to classroom with their Learning Expert Teacher (LET). This is the last year they have an LET as their Grade 5 year helps prepare them for our Middle School Program. They have eight classes a day with their Subject Expert Teachers (SET), a mid-morning recess, along with their lunch and recess time. Their first class of the day begins at 8:00 AM and their last class ends at 3:35 PM.

Nitya begins her day in Morning Meeting with her Learning Expert Teacher,Nitya Meeting (LET) Ms. Kato. In Morning Meetings, students will receive school announcements, reminders about upcoming events, and review their social and emotional concepts for the day through the Second Step Curriculum.

Nitya’s first class of the day is English! She has English five times a week with her Subject Expert English Teacher (SET) Dr. Ubellacker. This course focuses on four major components: reading, writing, conventions, and scholarship. In reading,
students will be able to recognize basic genre differences and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of texts by
identifying the main idea. In writing, students will also be able to produce short fictional and nonfictional written works, demonstrate mastery of basic paragraph organization, and respond to text-dependent questions by providing specific textual evidence.

Next, Nitya heads to Performing Arts with her SET, Ms. Fisk. Nitya has all her Fine Arts courses – Performing Arts, Music, Engineering &Technology, and Visual Arts – twice a week. This course will encourage students to build upon their performance arts vocabulary as they engage in scene work, improvisation, and pantomime. Students will expand their knowledge of theatrical styles as they explore melodrama, commedia dell’arte, and shadow puppetry.

Subject Expert Drama Teacher, Ms. Fisk, works with students in a circle sit down

After Performing Arts, Nitya has a quick recess break. Grade 4 students have a mid-morning recess every day.

Nitya HistoryThen it’s on to History class with SET Ms. Mokhber Shahin! This course is held every day and is designed to introduce students to social studies and history as discrete subjects within the humanities. Students will begin developing important skills needed to understand and think critically about the past and present. These skills include analyzing primary sources, close-reading non-fiction material, connecting historical events through chronology and cause-and-effect relationships, and evidence-based writing. Students will practice and apply these skills while exploring historical topics such as state and local history and the history of the 20th century. Students will also survey different ways of investigating the human world through archaeology, geography, and government.

After History, Nitya heads to Math with SET, Dr. Xue. Dr. Xue’s goal is for students to gain knowledge of foundational mathematics by focusing on five key areas: operational thinking, number sense, measurement and data, geometry, and mathematical practices. Students have math class five times a week.

Dr. Xue (SET) and Ms. Kato (LET) work together to check student work

Finally, its lunch time! Grade 4 students eat their lunch in our multipurpose room before heading outside to the field for recess. Their lunch period is 40 minutes long.

When Nitya gets back from lunch, it’s PE time! Nitya has PE & Sports with SET, Coach Hicks four times a week. Today they are out on the baseball fields practicing hitting and catching. Nice swing Nitya!

Nitya cracks one past the pitcher’s mound while her classmates wait for their turn to bat

After being on the field for PE, it’s back to a classroom for Mandarin with SET, Ms. Han. Nitya is a new learner of Mandarin so she is in a non-heritage class three times a week. This course is designed to help our primary students learn Mandarin through lessons that are rich in oral language, interactive, and project-based.

SET Ms. Han reviews a quiz with students

For her last class of the day, Nitya has Science with SET, Ms. Martosoetjipto. This is her last class of the day every day of the week. This course is designed to teach essential science topics, as well as organizational and study skills. Science topics include ecology, biology, chemistry, and physics along with the scientific process. This course is taught with the use of hands-on approaches, investigations, and inquiry as much as possible.

Ms. Martosoetjipto, SET, review the lab guidelines before the groups can start their project

Thank you to Nitya and her family for allowing us to document a day in her life at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower School!

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.