• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

BASIS Independent Schools

BASIS Independent SchoolsBASIS Independent Schools
  • About
    • Why BASIS Independent Schools?
    • Mission & Philosophy
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • History
  • Academics
    • Curriculum
    • Early Learning Program
    • Primary Program
    • Middle School Program
    • High School Program
    • The Senior Year
    • Summer Programs
    • International Student Program
  • Achievements
    • International Performance
    • College Admissions
    • Advanced Placement
    • National Merit
  • Find Your School
Inquire

High School

Celebrating BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025 College Acceptances

May 2, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

We are incredibly proud to share news of college acceptances of BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025! Our seniors have spent the past weeks deciding among the top schools in the country, and they had many wonderful options to explore. Students took time to research and fully assess programs and universities offering resources that will build on their interests nurtured in high school, both in classes and activities outside of school, for years to come.

“Many of the students in this year’s class have been with our school since its founding,” said College Counselor Matt Brauch. “In our High School Program, all these students actively leaned into coursework, clubs, and extracurricular activities to identify and then explore their interests. They aggressively chased after these interests inside and outside of school, starting with course selection (choosing where available to pursue their interests on our campus) and through utilizing resources we created and updated throughout their tenure here to explore their interests off campus.”

“Our seniors embody the character, determination, and care for one another that all of our students should strive for each year,” commented Head of School Josh Harmon. “I know they will benefit the communities and schools they go on to join next year.”

This year was one of the most selective yet in college admissions. Many colleges that were highly selective last year were even more selective this year. We are proud to share the university and college acceptances received by our 24 students who applied to colleges this year:

  • 5/24 students (21%) were offered seats at one of the Top 10 National Universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report. If you extend that to include Cornell (currently the 11th-ranked National University), then the number grows to 7/24 (29%).
  • 67% of students (16/24) were accepted to schools in the Top 30 U.S. National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges, including Princeton University, Stanford University (2), Duke University, Northwestern University (2), the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University (3), University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, Washington University in St. Louis, Georgetown University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Southern California (3), Hamilton College, Haverford College, and University of Richmond. Students in this cohort also received offers from Top-20-ranked global universities, including the University College London, Imperial College London, and the University of Toronto (3).
  • Nearly every senior received an acceptance from a school ranked in the Top 50 National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. If we count Northeastern (#54), then this number jumps to 23/24 seniors (96%), since one of our students applied to Northeastern as their first-choice school via early decision this year. The remaining senior was accepted to an excellent program at their first-choice university through early decision.


“While I am thrilled that all our students have fantastic college options,” shared Mr. Brauch. “I am most proud of this class of seniors for applying to schools that fit what they want out of a college environment and experience. All of our seniors chose the path that fit them best at and outside of our school. They have driven this process, and the results show the effort and time spent focusing on fit for their unique interests and talents. That has served them well at our school and will help tremendously as they take their next steps towards college and beyond.”

CLASS OF 2025 ACCEPTANCES  

Albright College

American University

Bard College

Bentley University

Binghamton University

Boston University

Brandeis University

Bucknell University

Case Western Reserve University

Clark University

Colgate University

Cornell University

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Drexel University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Elon University

Emory University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Goucher College

Hamilton College

Haverford College

Hofstra University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Imperial College London

Indiana University (Bloomington)

Ithaca College

Kenyon College

King’s College London

Lesley University

Loyola Marymount University

McGill University

McMaster University

Miami University (Oxford)

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Oregon State University

Penn State University (University Park)

Pepperdine University

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Rutgers University (Newark)

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

Stanford University

Stony Brook University

SUNY at New Paltz

SUNY at Purchase College

SUNY College at Cortland

SUNY Geneseo

SUNY University at Buffalo

Syracuse University

The London School of Economics and Political Science

The Ohio State University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Warwick

University College London

University of Arizona

University of Bristol

University of British Columbia

University of California (Berkeley)

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Irvine)

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of California (Riverside)

University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of California (Santa Cruz)

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Maryland (College Park)

University of Massachusetts (Amherst)

University of Miami

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of Southern California

University of Toronto

University of Virginia

University of Washington (Seattle Campus)

University of Wisconsin (Madison)

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wesleyan University

Western University

Wilfrid Laurier University

William & Mary

Congratulations to our Bears! Our soon-to-be graduates have had a huge impact on our school, and we are confident they will develop further into the leaders our world needs in the years to come.

Filed Under: Academics, College Acceptances, College Counseling, College Preparation & The Senior Year, Featured, High School, Student Achievement Tagged With: BASIS Independent Brooklyn, college acceptances, College Preparation, High School

Nine BASIS Independent Schools Seniors Named Presidential Scholar Candidates

March 31, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

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

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

Presidential Scholar Candidates Named Across BASIS Independent Schools:

BASIS Independent Brooklyn – Gustavo P. 

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

BASIS Independent McLean – Caden Z.

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

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

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

The BASIS Independent Schools Legacy

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Academics, Awards & Recognition, High School, Honors, Uncategorized Tagged With: Academics, Awards & Recognition, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, High School

Redefining College Counseling at BASIS Independent Brooklyn

March 5, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

The college application process has grown more complicated each year, layering in a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety into an already complex process. That is why BASIS Independent Brooklyn offers individualized support and preparation for both students and their families. Matt Brauch established the College Counseling Program at BASIS Independent Brooklyn almost a decade ago, and he lives and breathes the very complicated world of college admissions with our Student Affairs Team at the High School Program. After working with seven graduating classes as well as serving as the College Counselor Advisor for our entire network of BASIS Independent Schools, we wanted to share how Mr. Brauch’s focused approach, informed by years of experience across our network, makes a difference.

Colleges and universities now offer many different application options to students—Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Rolling Admissions, and Regular Decision. Many of our students also consider universities abroad, and that is why we have found offering families more guidance and support leads directly to exceptional outcomes. An equally important factor is help navigating the whole world of financial aid, scholarships, and ancillary programs.

Currently, our seniors are balancing natural anxiety with the confidence gained from BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s college prep programs and supportive environment as we await Regular Decision outcomes later this month. With personalized guidance from our dedicated faculty, expert resources, and custom events, the Class of 2025 is not only applying to the finest educational institutions but also cultivating resilience and independence—qualities that will serve them well in their future academic journeys and beyond.  

Here’s a glimpse into the college counseling approach that distinguishes BASIS Independent Brooklyn. 

Personalized Preparation

Standing apart from almost every other high school in the U.S., our students begin their college preparation in grade 9. This early start allows our College Counselor, Mr. Brauch, to take the time to get to know students and uncover their interests and strengths. He meets with families and has an open-door policy for students to stop by and ask questions.

He says, “I ask students about their passions and interests and work with them on ways they can demonstrate them in meaningful ways. We talk about possible college and career options, but the conversations need to be deeply rooted in their personal interests and goals.” 

For Mr. Brauch, the goal is finding the right college fit. Students must understand the connection between their strengths and the varying opportunities that each university has to offer. 

To help students uncover this connection, in the senior year Mr. Brauch works with students in a daily 50-minute College Counseling class to provide group and individualized guidance, helping them learn practical skills, such as navigating the application process, resume building, and essay writing, while encouraging them to explore degree pathways that might be a good fit.

Photo: Mr. Brauch and Director Forde alongside our seniors who received the 2024 College Board National Recognition Awards.

A Focused Approach

At many other schools in New York City, college counseling is part of a general guidance counseling program where the onus is on the student to ask for support and meet application deadlines. At BASIS Independent Brooklyn there is a balance of independence and accountability. The College Counselor works one-on-one with juniors and seniors, challenging them to complete goals and following up on their progress.  

Another factor that has empowered the older students at BASIS Independent Brooklyn is our commitment to small class sizes and expert educators. This model has made it possible for our teachers to impart a deep understanding and mastery of content in the sciences, mathematics, literature, history, world languages, AP, and Capstone courses. Personalized teaching translates to proficient learning and is one of the contributors to our legacy of content mastery, including outstanding test scores. 

Bringing Experts to Families

At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, students are positioned to drive the college admissions process with parents as informed partners.

Grades 9 & 10Grade 11Grade 12
College Counseling NewsletterCollege Counseling NewsletterCollege Counseling Newsletter
Encouraged to Attend College Rep Visits  Required to Attend College Rep Visits  Encouraged to Attend College Rep Visits  
Open access to College Counselor  Open Access to College Counselor  Regularly Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor  
Getting Ready College Counseling NightCollege Planning Workshop for Parents/Guardians Financial Aid Night – How to Interpret Financial Aid Award Letters
Financial Aid WorkshopOne-on-one Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor (Fall and Spring)Regularly Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor  
Financial Aid WorkshopDaily College Counseling Class (for Two Trimesters)
SMART TRACK College Funding ResourcesSMART TRACK College Funding Resources
Life Skills Mentoring
Presentation Training for Senior Projects
Transition Tips: Getting off to the Right Foot in College
Managing Stress and Emotions of the Transition to College (with School Counselor)

Photo: One of our college representative visits held in the senior lounge.

Outstanding Results

The Class of 2025 has made us proud every year. Senior year has been no exception. Many of our seniors received Early Action or Early Decision acceptances, and we are thrilled to announce our students received acceptances from schools including:

  • Princeton University
  • Stanford University
  • Cornell University
  • Georgetown University
  • Washington University at St. Louis
  • University of Virginia
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • University of Southern California
  • New York University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Purdue University
  • Virginia Institute of Technology
  • Northeastern University 
  • American University
  • Oberlin College
  • Pepperdine College
  • McGill University
  • Imperial College London
  • King’s College London

Year after year, the effectiveness of the College Counseling approach at BASIS Independent Brooklyn truly stands out, showcasing the remarkable results we achieve together now with seven graduating classes this year.

Our students are well-equipped to overcome any setbacks with the right mindset. Our robust College Counseling Program plays a crucial role in this process. With personalized support, dedicated resources, and daily classes, our students confidently navigate obstacles and are empowered to make informed decisions about their future. 

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. 


Filed Under: College Acceptances, College Counseling, High School Tagged With: BASIS Independent Brooklyn, college counseling, College Preparation, High School

Leadership Spotlight: High School Dean of Students Olivia Robbins

December 9, 2024 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Whether meeting with BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Leadership Council as their faculty advisor or helping organize our 4th Annual Day of Service across the entire High School, Dean of Students Ms. Olivia Robbins is placing her great drive and focus squarely on shaping a wonderful high school experience for our oldest students. Just last semester, she coached students on how to organize their first homecoming dance, and she has only just begun! Given Dean Robbins is the newest member of our school’s administrative team, we thought families might be interested in learning more about her through our “Leadership Spotlight” series.

Ms. Robbins began her career at Milton Academy, a boarding school outside of Boston, where she started first as a teaching fellow and then as a full-time Upper School English faculty member. Afterward, Ms. Robbins transitioned to the Hewitt School, a girls’ school in Manhattan, where she simultaneously held roles as Grade Level Dean, Learning and Innovation Program Associate, and Upper School English Faculty member. Ms. Robbins also worked for two years at an educational technology start-up, where she designed humanities content and contributed to product development for a digital adaptive learning application used by thousands of children.

Dean Robbins

Dean Robbins graduated cum laude from Princeton University, where she won the Spirit of Princeton Award for her involvement in student organizations, community service, and the arts. Ms. Robbins went on to earn her master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education through the Independent School Teaching Residency program.

As the Dean of High School Students at BASIS Independent Brooklyn (BIB), Ms. Robbins helps foster community in the Upper School and supports students through their academic journeys. She loves working with high school students and is inspired by the myriad ways in which they want to shape the world.

Below is our interview with Dean Robbins edited slightly for clarity and flow.

What are the types of students you see thrive here at BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s High School Program?

I see a wide range of students thrive: students who are super passionate about a single subject (e.g. math, English) and those who love all subjects; athletes, entrepreneurs, and artists; introverts and extroverts… The list goes on! Overall, a few common traits that I think make students optimally successful and happy here include organization, focus, self-advocacy, intrinsic motivation, kindness, and a sense of humor.

What drew you to our school?

Honestly, the role! I was excited to work with students in the role of Dean. Helping students navigate challenges and chart out their high school careers are my passions. I also respected BIB’s curricular design and its range of course offerings. And I liked its size! I felt I’d be able to develop closer partnerships with more students, families, and faculty in a smaller environment.

Can you share your perspective given you have been in your role for a few months now?

I am impressed by our students. They are smart and motivated. I love the moments when I am able to see them shine academically since I often observe portions of classes. I also love seeing them enjoy one another’s company in the High School Lounge. They enjoy playing cards, ping-pong, and board games, and they laugh a lot.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I long imagined myself as an educator, whether as an academic or a teacher. After studying literature as an undergrad, I became an English teacher at Milton Academy, a boarding school outside of Boston, through a teaching fellowship and master’s program through UPenn. I loved starting my career at a boarding school because there were so many ways to get to know the students and get involved in the school community. In addition to teaching high school English, I choreographed for and helped organize our spring dance show, as well as ran the house council program in one of the girls’ dorms. Eventually, I took a joint teaching and administrative position at the Hewitt School (girls’ K-12 school) in Manhattan. I taught English, helped manage strategic school innovation projects (curricular improvements, professional development for teachers, new faculty and staff onboarding, etc.) and then eventually became the Dean of the senior class. Working with the students to help make their senior year as special as possible was a highlight for me. After Hewitt, I briefly worked at an educational technology start-up company because I’d become curious about ed tech and start-up culture after thinking about school innovation for several years. My former company is focused on providing accessible tutoring and enrichment to all students—a cause I am really passionate about. However, I missed working directly with students, so joining BASIS Independent Brooklyn as the High School Dean of Students was a wonderful reunion with the type of work I love most!

What are some of your priorities for making high school an engaging, memorable time for students?

I want to help students feel a deeper sense of community and connection. I enjoy planning events to make this possible! Our first-ever homecoming dance was held at the end of last year. I am grateful that members of our Student Leadership Council proposed this fabulous idea as a means of gathering and celebrating the high school community. I want all students to feel pride and ownership about what BIB is, such that students feel as though they can shape their BIB experience to be what they want it to be. Having conversations with students to get to know them and learn about their BIB experience, gathering data about student life, and thinking of new opportunities for students to get involved at the school or explore their passions outside of school are all ways I’m trying to do cultivate that spirit during my first year! 

What are the three questions you think every prospective high school family should be asking themselves?

  1. What motivates you? Our curriculum is wonderfully challenging. High school in general is a time that is so full. Knowing what one’s personal “north star” is can help students keep pushing during particularly challenging or busy moments.
  2. What is a student club you’d want to start or get involved in? We have so many neat clubs for students to join (for example—we have a rock band and a rock climbing club…both rock!). And we have an easy process to start a new club if the existing roster doesn’t suit one’s interests.
  3. Are you a morning person? This is an important question to think about since our unique schedule allows students to take either an AM or PM elective. AM electives are great choices for students who have after-school commitments or want their school day to end a bit earlier…but they have to be ready to go in the morning!

Ms. Robbins is excited to support BASIS Independent’s mission to educate students to the highest international levels, and she is energized by her colleagues’ commitment to supporting each individual student holistically.

Our Class of 2025 posed together with Director Forde, College Counselor Brauch, and Dean Robbins (on left) earlier in the school year.

# # #

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. 

Filed Under: College Preparation & The Senior Year, Community Values, Culture of Support, Faculty & Staff, High School, Leadership, Uncategorized Tagged With: High School, leadership

Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists

October 22, 2024 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. The scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. All Merit Scholar recipients are selected based on their abilities, achievements, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

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

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

Filed Under: Awards & Recognition, National Merit, Student Achievement Tagged With: Academics, Awards & Recognition, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, High School

Head of School Address to Class of 2025

September 25, 2024 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

Each new school year starts full of excitement, and we make it a point to salute our seniors at BASIS Independent Brooklyn standing on the cusp of the next phase of their academic journey. Our Head of School address is one annual tradition to recognize and inspire our senior class. Earlier this month, Mr. Harmon dropped by Mr. Brauch’s college counseling session to welcome our Class of 2025 and help orient the year.

Below are selections from Mr. Harmon’s address:

You are the last class on this campus I had the honor to teach before moving into school administration. I remember working to make a Latin class engaging and relevant to you. It is bittersweet for me now to realize you are seniors about to leave our school. You will always be a special class to me, and you will always have a home here.

It is a great time to be a senior at our school. We just finished our 10th school year, and our campus is established and strong. All our teachers and administrators are here to support you. We are all here to make your final year a success. I just ask for three things in return:

  1. Be a leader on campus. Other students look up to you and will follow you.
  2. Make decisions that benefit you and your families.
  3. 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. 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:

  • Chinese Literature & Culture
  • Differential Equations
  • Economics of Water Resources
  • French Cinema
  • Latin Composition
  • Monsters in the Mirror – Literature
  • Multivariable Calculus
  • Neuroscience
  • Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry
  • U.S. and Mid-Eastern History

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 2025 with leaders in the field who can provide perspective and expert commentary to benefit their research.

Class of 2025: 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 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. 

Filed Under: College Preparation & The Senior Year, Community Values, Culture of Support, High School, Senior Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: BASIS Independent Brooklyn, College Preparation, High School, school leadership

Nearly 70% of High School Students Awarded AP Scholar Distinction

September 16, 2024 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we prioritize celebrating our students’ accomplishments across many areas–from fine arts to community service, debate competitions, sports, and beyond. However, academic accomplishment remains a shared priority within our community. Today we can proudly share that based on the 2024 AP scores approximately 68% of our high school students qualified as Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars during their time in our program. Students move from AP Scholar to AP Scholar with Honor and then AP Scholar with Distinction. Approximately 75% of our students reach that highest level of AP Scholar with Distinction by the time they graduate.

“The AP Scholar distinctions our students earned this year are yet another measure of the success that’s earned here at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, ” said Josh Harmon, Head of School for BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Upper School. “Academically all of our high school students qualified as AP Scholars by the time they finished their junior year. When looking at all students in grades 9-12 nearly 70% of our high school was awarded the honor of AP Scholar or higher. Moreover, our students sat for more AP exams in 2024 than ever before with the growth of our high school.”

AP Scholar awards recognize students who have demonstrated both a depth and breadth of knowledge and whose work has shown college-level mastery across multiple disciplines. The College Board awards the following distinctions for AP exams, and we have students who have achieved all levels.

    • AP Scholar: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.
    • AP Scholar with Honors: students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more exams, and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken.
    • AP Scholar with Distinction: students who received a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken.

Nationwide, only about 10% of students earn the distinction of AP Scholar or higher by the time they graduate (based on historic data provided by the College Board). We are thrilled to share some of the top accomplishments here:

    • 75 students in our high school were named AP Scholar or higher distinctions, representing approximately 68% of our high school in May 2024 when the exams were taken.
    • 75% of our seniors received the AP Scholar with Distinction, the highest award offered by the College Board.

Our school has been recognized as a Platinum Member of the AP School Honor Roll. This is the highest recognition possible for a school on the Honor Roll, and it is based on our students’ outstanding results.

Congratulations to all our students who have earned an AP Scholar Award for their performance on the exams during their High School tenure. See the full lists of student recipients updated to include the 2024 results below:

AP Scholar: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.

Victor B. ’25

Matthias B. ’25

Leo B. ’25

Eden E. ’24

Abraham G. ’27

Joaquim H. ’26

Douglas H. ’27

Gabriel H. ’26

Charlotte J. ’24

Rachel K. ’25

Katherine K. ’26

Avi L. ’24

Hendrix N. ’25

Jason P. ’25

Saajan P. ’26

Sasha T. ’25

AP Scholar with Honors: Students who received a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more AP exams and have an average score of at least 3.25 across all exams taken. Nationwide, only about 6% of students will graduate high school with this degree of recognition or higher. Nearly all of these honorees have done so well before graduation.

Wyatt A. ’26

Laila G. ’24

Archie H. ’26

Laith J. ’25

Alexa L. ’24

Viola L. ’25

AP Scholar with Distinction: Students who have a score of 3 or higher on at least 5 exams, and an average score of 3.5 across all exams taken. These students have already completed at least a semester’s worth of college credit while still in high school. Only about 4% of graduating seniors receive this award, and less than 1/10th of 1% of students receive it after sophomore year.

Overall in our high school, the following 50 students received this honor:

Philip B. ’26

Radha B. ’26

Jack B. ’24

Zeke B. ’24

Jack C. ’25

Nathaniel C. ’26

Mia C. ’26

Nicolas D. ’25

Colin D. ’25

Axel F. ’25

Sofia G. ’24

Alexa G. ’26

Samantha G. ’24

Diego G. ’24

Angelina G. ’24

Maxwell H. ’25

Mateo K. ’25

Lianna L. ’26

Aidan L. ’25

Ye L. ’24

Thomas M. ’25

Sabrina M. ’26

Dilan M. ’24

Maddox M. ’25

Ben N. ’24

Sefir O. ’26

Oliver P. ’24

Talin P. ’26

Charles P. ’24

Gustavo P. ’25

Daniel P. ’24

Kanika R. ’26

Noah R. ’26

James R. ’25

Alexander R. ’24

Skye S. ’25

Nadia S. ’25

Xinyi S. ’26

Gregory S. ’26

Maxim S. ’25

Nadine S. ’24

Yuna S. ’24

Jasmine S. ’26

Jonah S. ’24

Lucas S. ’24

Ryan T. ’25

Beckham V. ’26

Isaac W. ’24

River W. ’26

Andre Z. ’24

Photo (above): Our Class of 2025 posing with Associate Head of School Leo Yoon, Head of School Josh Harmon, and College Counselor Matt Brauch.

Please join us in congratulating our Bears!

Filed Under: Academics, AP Scholars, Awards & Recognition, High School, Honors, Student Achievement, Student Learning, Student Spotlight Tagged With: Academics, Awards & Recognition, College Preparation, High School

© BASIS Independent Schools

  • Contact Us
  • Media Recognition
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • CA Privacy
  • Terms of Use

Spring Education Group is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, an investment firm (together with its affiliates) principally based in Hong Kong with operations in China, Singapore, and the United States, that is itself owned by Chinese persons residing in Hong Kong.

Sitemap