At BASIS Independent Fremont, we seek students who are curious, eager to learn, willing to work hard, and excited to contribute to a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers and expert teachers. Our students are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas, take on meaningful challenges, and grow in confidence and independence along the way. Learning is celebrated, academic curiosity is embraced, and students have plenty of opportunities to have fun while discovering what they are capable of.

To help ensure that students are well positioned to thrive in our program, our admissions process is selective and designed to thoughtfully assess each applicant’s readiness and fit.

What is the Play Date?

Our Play Date is a play-based assessment that gives our teachers, administrators, and Admissions Team an opportunity to get to know your child and learn more about their social-emotional and academic development.

Play Dates are held at our Lower School Campus, located at 3300 Kearney Street, Fremont, California 94538, and generally last up to 30 minutes.

During the Play Date, your child will participate in age-appropriate activities designed to help us understand how they approach learning, communicate, interact, and engage with new experiences. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where your child can feel comfortable being themselves.

What materials should be brought to the Play Date?

No materials are required. However, your child is welcome to bring a favorite book or small toy if it helps them feel more comfortable when arriving on campus.

When are Play Dates held?

Play Dates are offered Monday through Friday at various times throughout the day and can be scheduled through your application portal after you submit an application.

We recommend selecting a time when you feel your child will be at their best—well-rested, comfortable, and ready to engage.

Who is required to attend the Play Date?

One adult—a parent, guardian, caregiver, or family member—should accompany your child to campus and will wait in our reception area during the assessment.

A member of our Admissions Team will escort your child to the Play Date. Parents and guardians do not accompany children during the assessment, as we want to give your child an opportunity to interact independently with members of our school community.

What if we are applying for more than one child?

All students applying to TK–Grade 1 are required to complete a Play Date.

If you are applying for more than one child in a single grade, you can register both of them for the same Play Date.

When does the Play Date have to take place?

The Play Date must be completed by the applicable Application Completion Deadline.

Those applying in Early Admissions (TK only) must complete their Play Date by their Completion Deadline, November 18, 2026. Those applying to Regular Admissions must complete their Play Date by their Completion Deadline, February 12, 2027. 

How do we register for a Play Date?

After submitting your application, you will be prompted to schedule a Play Date through your application portal.

If you are not ready to select a date and time immediately, you can return to your application portal later to schedule one.

Please note: Appointment availability becomes more limited as the Application Completion Deadline approaches, so we recommend scheduling your Play Date as early as possible.

How long is the Play Date?

Play Dates generally last up to 30 minutes. Because our team may have appointments scheduled consecutively, we ask families to arrive on time so your child can take advantage of the full assessment period.

Whom will my child meet with?

Play Dates may be hosted by a member of our Student Affairs Team or one of our Expert Teachers. Regardless of who hosts your child’s Play Date, they will have an opportunity to meet and interact with a member of our BASIS Independent Fremont community.

What if my child doesn’t know all the answers?

That’s okay! We do not expect every child to know every answer.

The Play Date helps us learn more about where your child is socially, emotionally, and academically. We understand that children develop at different rates and may approach unfamiliar activities in different ways.

Where will the Play Date take place?

The Play Date will take place at our Lower School Campus, located at 3300 Kearney Street, Fremont, California 94538.

You will receive a reminder email approximately 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Please plan to arrive 5–10 minutes before your appointment time.

What if my child doesn’t do well due to unforeseen circumstances?

We understand that young children can have unpredictable days. They may be tired, shy, nervous, not feeling their best, or simply need some time to warm up to a new environment.

Because the Play Date is an admissions assessment, families generally receive one assessment opportunity. If our Admissions Team determines that circumstances prevented us from getting an appropriate understanding of your child, we may choose to offer another assessment at our discretion.

Will we know the results of the Play Date?

We do not provide individual assessment results or scores to applicants or families. The Play Date is one component of the overall admissions process and is reviewed alongside the other materials in your child’s application.

We look forward to meeting your student(s) soon at your Play Date!

If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions team by e-mail, or speak with an admissions representative at 510.775.5822.