Day Camp Week 5 was packed with wild adventures! From learning about our four-legged friends to meeting some fascinating crawly creatures during Friday’s visit from the Seattle Reptile Guy, our campers had an unforgettable week. Between exploring the park, getting creative with plenty of paint and glue, and making memories with friends, it is hard to believe we are already halfway through day camp. But the fun is far from over. This week, campers are stepping into the world of folktales, becoming kings, queens, knights, and heroes as they battle dragons, encounter magical creatures, and bring folktales to life. We cannot wait to see where their imaginations take them next.  #BellevueSummerCamp #BellevueWA #BASISIndependentBellevue #summer

Congratulations to Youran (Kevin) W., rising grade 11, for his extraordinary achievement on the world stage!   Out of the more than 12,800 students who entered this year’s USA Biolympiad (USABO) competition, Kevin not only earned a place at the National Finals at Harvard University; he also earned a Gold Medal and was selected as one of only four students to represent Team USA at the 37th International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius, Lithuania.   At this prestigious competition, every member of Team USA earned a Gold Medal, placing the United States among the world’s top biology teams. Kevin’s individual accomplishments were equally remarkable: He finished No. 1 in the world on the theoretical section and No. 9 overall globally, competing against the very best young biologists from 78 countries.   Kevin’s success reflects years of dedication, curiosity, and perseverance, as well as the support of his family, teachers, mentors, and the outstanding academic community at BASIS Independent Bellevue. We are especially grateful to the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), the USA Biolympiad program, and Harvard University for their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity throughout this year’s competition season.   We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate Kevin’s achievements. Congratulations, Kevin, on representing both BASIS Independent Bellevue and the United States with such distinction. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!   Read more about Kevin’s achievement in the Bellevue Reporter. You can also watch the IBO award ceremony on YouTube! Both links can be found in our bio. #USABO #IBO #gold #BASISIndependentBellevue @cee_excellence @ibo2026_lt

☀️ Summer camp is off to a super start! Our campers had an amazing time during Superhero Week, creating their own superhero identities, exploring campus, and making new friends. A huge thank you to our summer camp counselors for making every day so much fun! We wrapped up the week with a visit from the snow cone truck, and we cannot wait for all the adventures still to come this summer. #summer #camp #bellevuewa

We are thrilled to be welcoming our first cohort of Kindergarten students this August! We cannot wait to see the classroom come to life with curiosity, joy, and growth as our wonderful Kindergarten teaching team, Ms. Metrick and Ms. Armitage, nurture a love of learning with their students. Our Early Learning Teacher, Ms. Metrick, earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oakland University and then went on to earn her Master’s in Education at Antioch University. She joins us with 19 years of teaching experience, spanning from preschool to second grade. However, her favorite grade to teach is Kindergarten! She shares, “I love using project-based learning, art, songs, stories, jokes, and movement to help kindergarten students have a magical introduction to primary school.” Our Early Learning Teaching Fellow, Ms. Armitage, previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Boise State University, which fuels her passion for understanding how our youngest learners thrive, connect, and grow. Ms. Armitage’s teaching philosophy is rooted in fostering curiosity and a safe community to learn in. “I place immense value on the relationships students build with learning early on, and I make it my mission to ensure those first experiences are rooted in joy, confidence, and safety.”   We extend a warm Mountaineer welcome to Ms. Metrick and Ms. Armitage!