What does a typical day look like for a BASIS Independent Fremont Bumblebee? This year, our Lower School leadership team isn’t just observing from the sidelines—they’re finding out firsthand.

In a new initiative launched this fall, members of our leadership team are spending full days immersed in student life across different grade levels. No phones. No laptops. No stepping out for meetings. Just the complete student experience of sitting at desks, participating in activities, and moving through the daily schedule alongside our Bumblebees.

Learning by Living It

Recently, Mr. K Wagoner, our Director of Academic Programs, joined our grade 4 Calcium cohort for an entire school day. From morning arrival through dismissal, Mr. K Wagoner experienced the rhythm and rigor of a BASIS Independent Fremont education from a student’s perspective—tackling problem sets, collaborating with classmates, and navigating the transitions that make up a student’s day.

The goal? To gain deeper insights into the classroom experience and curriculum our students navigate daily, ensuring we’re providing the optimal learning environment and support.

Beyond Observation

This initiative represents a departure from traditional classroom observations or walkthroughs. By truly stepping into student roles, even for just a day, our leadership team gains perspectives that can’t be captured from the back of the room or through data alone.

“We can look at data and observe classrooms, but there’s something irreplaceable about actually experiencing what our students experience,” explains Mr. J Wagoner, Head of Lower School. “This initiative is about ensuring our leadership decisions are grounded in the reality of student life, not just what we think happens in classrooms, but what actually happens. When you sit in a student’s seat, you understand their day in a whole new way.”

Over the coming weeks, different members of our leadership team will rotate through various grade levels, building a comprehensive picture of student life across our Lower School campus.

Fresh Perspectives

For Mr. K Wagoner, the experience proved eye-opening. “Spending the full day in a grade 4 classroom gave me a completely different perspective on the student experience,” he shares. “You notice things about pacing, transitions, and cognitive load that you simply can’t see from the back of the classroom. I came away with a deeper appreciation for both the rigor our students manage daily and the skill our teachers bring to creating engaging, purposeful learning environments.”

This commitment to truly understanding our students’ daily experiences reflects the heart of what makes BASIS Independent Fremont special—a willingness to learn, adapt, and always put students first.

Want to learn more about the BASIS Independent Fremont experience? Contact us to schedule a tour and see our vibrant learning community in action.

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.