Below are some of the most common questions about our program. We know that you are bound to have more questions—please contact us. We’re here to help.
For more information on our cut-off dates, please see our Admissions overview.
Student teacher ratio varies by grade. Each grade has multiple classrooms/sections. Classes are capped at the following ratios:
- PreK-1: 14:2
- PreK-2: 16:2
- Kindergarten: 20:2
- Grades 1-4: 25:2
- Grades 5 and above: 25:1
These are class size maximums, and elective and capstone courses often tend to be smaller.
- PreK: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Kindergarten: 7:55 AM to 3:05 PM
- Grades 1-3: 7:55 AM to 3:50 PM
- Grade 4: 7:55 AM to 3:40 PM
- Grades 5-7: 7:55 AM to 3:10 PM
- Grades 8+: 7:55 AM or 8:50 AM to 3:10 PM or 4:05 PM
From their very first day on our campuses, our students see and understand how seriously we take the responsibility of their education and their academic and social-emotional growth. We celebrate hard work and believe that all students can achieve amazing feats when they put their minds to it. Your child and family, along with our school administration, and faculty and staff, are all part of a team that works together to ensure the success and empowerment of each student. The support your student will receive is unmatched; the community that welcomes them to explore and learn is warm, nurturing, spontaneous, and alive with curiosity. Our results are only possible because of our culture of respect and support. Each teacher provides office hours throughout the school week for students, and students can attend our peer tutoring center Monday through Friday, as well.
We hire the country’s brightest and most promising minds: teachers who are committed to sharing their subject matter expertise with students. Our educators hold academic degrees in the disciplines they teach, spanning from Calculus to Mandarin, and have a passion for their subjects that no teacher training can provide. While many have been teaching for years in college preparatory or university settings, some are leaping into a new career, transferring from another BASIS Curriculum Schools campus, or leaving a research lab or corporate job to share their experience and applied knowledge with students.
At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, we take student feedback seriously during our teacher selection process. When prospective teachers are identified as top candidates, they are invited to participate in our regular Teacher Demo Days. During these events, our Heads of School arrange classes with our students, providing candidates with the opportunity to teach a lesson, engage students with challenging content, and showcase their expertise in the subject matter. We believe that effective communication and the ability to inspire young minds are essential qualities in our educators. Our students are actively involved in these sessions and understand that their feedback holds significant weight in influencing our hiring decisions.
It is a condition of employment that our teachers demonstrate a natural connection with students and a strong ability to learn and adjust quickly to new and demanding situations.
At this time we do not offer financial aid. We do offer tuition installment payment plans.
We do award a small number of academic merit scholarships to a highly select group of current students in grade 8, planning to stay for high school. Scholarship recipients are determined by the student’s academic record, teacher recommendations, and demonstration of leadership.
At most private and independent schools, financial aid and scholarships are funded through school fundraising, whether from parents, outside donors, alumni, or employees. BASIS Independent Brooklyn does not do any fundraising and does not expect or accept any monetary donations from our community.
Yes, we appreciate your help in building our school. Your family will receive a tuition credit for each new family referred to and enrolled at BASIS Independent Brooklyn. The new family will also receive a tuition credit. Learn more.
BASIS Independent will not have resources on campuses for many special needs, and we will also not maintain a school psychologist, though we do have a school counselor. Our teachers and administrators have a long and successful record of supporting, challenging, and inspiring students who require various learning accommodations.
For questions regarding your student’s specific situation, please contact the Admissions team.
Our students take the College Board’s AP® exams and PSAT®. The SAT® and ACT are optional but heartily recommended. We do not take the Common Core or the Regents or any other state-mandated tests.