About BASIS Independent Manhattan
Welcome to BASIS Independent Manhattan.
Whether you are learning about our community for the first time or returning for another exciting year, welcome. What truly sets our school apart is what happens in our classrooms every day. When I ask our passionate teachers what academic excellence looks like, they never begin with perfect grades or memorized answers. They describe students who ask thoughtful questions, take intellectual risks, embrace challenges, and understand that growth often begins with making mistakes.
In an environment where students are taught how to think—not what to think—they develop the confidence to explore new ideas, solve complex problems, and discover they are capable of more than they imagined.
I warmly invite you to visit our campus, experience our classrooms firsthand, and discover what it means to be A School for Fearless Thinkers.
Warmly,
The School
BASIS Independent Manhattan is where curiosity becomes confidence and capability.
With the creativity and character that students develop, there’s no limit to what they can become. We believe in the power of authentic learning that connects classroom concepts to real-world applications. Inspired by enthusiastic teachers, our students grow through engaging, hands-on experiences that infuse their learning with discovery and delight.
A culture of excellence thrives in a warm, welcoming, and genuine community—a place where every child and every family belongs. Conveniently located on the family-friendly Upper West Side, our Lower School (PreK–Grade 5) features an 8,000-square-foot outdoor play deck, an unusual and meaningful space for fun and exploration in a Manhattan lower school. The vibrant neighborhood fuels discovery and connectivity between students, teachers, and ideas by affording them immediate access to museums, parks, galleries, and more. Our Upper School (Grades 6–12) is located in Chelsea near the Hudson River, where our older, more independent students can easily access the High Line and explore the cultural treasure trove of local art galleries. As the home for PE classes, sports classes, and community events, Chelsea Piers is more than a perk; it’s an extension of our campus and an integral part of daily student life.
Core Values
Our Values: The Five Cs
Our students are active participants in shaping the BASIS Independent Manhattan community, including collaborating with teachers and staff to develop shared values. These values empower students to explore their interests, reach their fullest potential, show responsibility and self-advocacy, remain kind, and develop necessary skills for their futures. Our students’ achievements and positive experiences at school will manifest most readily when we uphold
The Five Cs: Confidence • Creativity • Citizenship • Courage • Compassion.
Confidence
Confidence leads to success, drive, and happiness. When students learn to have confidence in their choices, actions, and goals, they thrive academically and personally, and they are better suited to reach for their ambitions.
Creativity
We believe tapping into student creativity will best prepare them for entering the global workforce. When their creativity is unlocked, nurtured, and applied to their schoolwork and more, students flourish.
Citizenship
Citizenship reflects our community ethos. We encourage students to be actively involved in school. Involvement motivates them into becoming thoughtful, active citizens who engage with peers, respect superiors, and participate in considerate, respectful discourse.
Courage
It is vital for students to understand that courage—doing what scares you, confronting uncertainty, taking appropriate risk, and making decisions responsibly—can co-exist with fear, mistakes, and difficulties. Amidst those challenges, students can push forward, learn, and grow.
Compassion
Compassion—sincere consideration and genuine care for those around you—links human beings together. Learning when and where to show compassion for others and yourself is crucial in developing minds and sculpting character.
