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 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.

# # #

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.