The application for the 2024-25 school year is now available for PreK – Grade 10. Join our community!

At BASIS Independent Manhattan, we invite those with a passion for international learning, a drive to excel, and a commitment to contributing meaningfully to a dynamic, vibrant, and thriving community. Our supportive and encouraging learning environment, led by Learning and Subject Expert Teachers, fosters ambition and joy in learning, empowering our students to discover their potential. Along the way, we develop participants, not spectators.

Outside of the classroom, our students actively engage in a variety of athletic, club, and competitive offerings to explore their passions and interests and build lasting connections with their peers.

We invite you to learn more about the admissions process at BASIS Independent Manhattan, home of the Wildcats!

BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK – Grade 12 private school with Lower and Upper Manhattan, New York campuses.

PreK – Grade 5: Upper West Side
795 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10025

Grades 3 – 12: Chelsea
556 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011

Welcome, from the Admissions Team!
Each family will work with members of the Admissions team over the course of the admissions process, both before and after you submit an application. Our hope is that every family who comes to visit our school has a warm, personal experience, and leaves knowing what makes BASIS Independent Manhattan an exceptional place for their student to not only study and learn, but also to grow, build a community, and explore their passions.

Contact the Admissions Team

Step 1: Attend an Admissions Event (Optional)
Though not required, we strongly recommend you attend one of our Admissions Events to learn about our unparalleled program before applying, or before completing your application. We anticipate that events will be a combination of virtual and in-person for the 2024-25 application cycle. Events are held from August–January traditionally.

Step 2: Submit an Online Application
To officially start the application process, you will fill out an application on our website! After submitting your application, you will be able to email Teacher Recommendation Forms, download the Transcript Request Form, and schedule your student’s assessment and Family Meeting. Submit your application.

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations (Required for all Applicants*)
You will be able to email our recommendation forms directly to your child’s teacher through the application portal. You can also download fillable PDFs of the Teacher Recommendations (PreK and Kindergarten, Math and English). 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, or that some of our youngest applicants may not have a formal teacher. In these circumstances, the requirement can be waived. Please email our Admissions Team to discuss this in further detail.

Step 4: Transcripts (Grades 1 – 10 Required*)
You will be able to download a Transcript Request Form in your application. This form requests your child’s current school send us a current-year report, along with the last two years. As listed in the instructions on 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 1 – 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 Assessment (Required for all Applicants)
Students applying to PreK – Grade 1 will register for a play-based assessment. Students applying to Grades 2 – 10 will register for a BASIS Independent Schools Entrance Exam. Both of these evaluations allow us to meet and interact with your child and determine if they are ready–academically, socially, and emotionally–to join our program in the grade for which they are applying. You will receive more information and a detailed what to expect document before your student’s assessment.

Step 6: Family Meeting (Required for all Applicants)
At least one parent or guardian is required to attend a Family Meeting. Students are required to attend. This meeting is an opportunity for us to get to meet your family, and your student, and learn a bit more about them in a one-on-one setting.

Step 7: Supplemental Materials (Optional)
In addition to the above-required steps, we are happy to consider any supplemental material you would like to submit on behalf of your student. Examples include but are not limited to, additional letters of recommendation from coaches or teachers, recordings from recitals, copies of certificates or awards won, art portfolios, and athletics achievements or highlight reels.

During the admissions process, if you elect not to submit additional materials it will not have a negative impact on your student’s application.

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 Completed Application Deadline.

Once all required 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.

Application Available: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 11, 2024

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Admissions Team at (347) 305-4960 (lower) / (917) 383-2600 (upper) or email us at manhattan-admissions@basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK – Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings.