At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, we seek applicants who have an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, a willingness to work hard, and an ambition to join a collaborative, supportive, and joyful community of peers, Learning Expert Teachers, and Subject Expert Teachers. Be ready to participate in a culture where academics are encouraged, learning is celebrated, and students have fun! In order to both ensure student success and manage the popularity of our program, admissions is a selective process.

We are excited to know you are considering BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, a TK – Grade 12 private school with both a Lower and Upper school campus!

TK – Grade 5: 1500 Partridge Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Grades 6 – 12: 1290 Parkmoor Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126

When applying, each family will work with members of the Admissions Team whose role is to welcome new families to our program and educate them on the benefits of a BASIS Independent Silicon Valley education. They are the guides through the application and admissions process. Read below to learn more about the admissions process. 

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event (Optional)

Though not required, we strongly recommend you attend one of our Admissions Events to learn about our program before applying. Our events are held from September – January traditionally.

To view our upcoming Admissions Events, click here. 

Step 2: Submit an Online Application

You will submit an application with general student information. This will officially start the application process! In your application, you will be able to request Teacher Recommendation Forms, send the Transcript Request Form, and schedule your student’s Play Date or Entrance Exam and Family Meeting. We also keep families up to date on their application through a dashboard in their account. 

Please note: Steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be done in any order but must be completed after the application is submitted and before the Deadline to Complete an Application.  

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (TK – Grade 9 Required*)

Students applying for TK – Grade 1 will have their current teacher fill out the Early Learning Program Teacher Recommendation. For Grades 2 – 9, your child’s current teacher will fill out the English Teacher Recommendation and the Math Teacher Recommendation.

You will be able to email the recommendations directly to your child’s current teacher. We do not accept recommendations from past teachers, only current ones. As listed in the instructions of the recommendations, we do not accept documents from parents. All recommendations must be sent from the teacher to the Admissions Office directly. 

*We understand some schools do not allow their teachers to write recommendations for students that are leaving their program. In these circumstances, the requirement can be waived. 

Step 4: Transcripts (Grades 2 – 9 Required*)

You will be able to send a Transcript Request Form in your application. This form requests your child’s current school to send us a current year report, along with the last two years. As listed in the instructions of the request form, we do not accept documents from parents. All transcripts must be sent from the school to the Admissions Office directly. 

*Depending on an applicant’s prior school attendance, we understand a Grade 2 applicant may only be able to provide transcripts for years they attended school. In these circumstances, the requirement of three years of transcripts can be waived. 

Step 5: Student Evaluation (TK – Grade 9 Required*)

Students applying for TK – Grade 1 will register for a one-on-one Virtual Play Date. Students applying for Grades 2 – 9 will register for a BASIS Independent Schools In-Person Entrance Exam. Both of these evaluations allow us to meet and interact with your child and determine if they are ready to join our program academically, socially, and emotionally in the grade they are applying for.

*Given the number of applicants for our Early Learning Program, Play Dates are only offered virtually.

Step 6: Virtual Family Meeting (TK – Grade 9 Required*)

At least one parent or guardian is required to attend this 30-minute Virtual Family Meeting. Students applying for TK – Grade 1 are not required to attend. Students applying to Grades 2 – 9 are required to attend. For families applying for multiple students, only one family meeting is required to be scheduled. This meeting is a chance for us to meet your family, ask your student(s) questions about their specific interests in school, and get to know them a bit more in a one-on-one setting.

Once all supplementary materials are received and required meetings are attended, your application is complete! If you complete your application by the completion deadline, you will receive an admissions decision on the notification day. See below for more details. 

Early Admissions (TK – K)

Deadline to submit an application: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Deadline to complete an application: Friday, November 21, 2025
Notification date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, by 5:00 PM PST
Commitment deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST

Regular Admissions (TK – Grade 9)

Deadline to submit an application: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Deadline to complete an application: Friday, February 13, 2026
Notification date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, by 5:00 PM PST
Commitment deadline: Friday, March 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can contact our Lower School (TK – Grade 5) at svl.admissions@basisindependent.com  and our Upper School (Grades 6 – 9) at sv.admissions@basisindependent.com.