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Comprehensive Exams: Supporting Students on Campus 

June 20, 2025

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BASIS Independent Schools administer Comprehensive Examinations in January and June across our network for grades 6–8 as an assessment measure for students. The goal is to assess students competency and skills at each level of middle school, focusing on our spiraling curriculum in their core academic courses. Although these exams are a useful benchmark in making sure students are excelling, having such a strong emphasis on testing can create stress for our high-achieving students. As we aim to cultivate a culture of support, our community at BASIS Independent Bellevue has invested in championing student wellness and success during “Comps” season.  

Held the second week of June, this year our Mountaineers rallied to support students taking Comps in a number of ways. While learning how to navigate exams is essential for our students’ future academic success, it is also important that they feel supported by a community that responds to academic challenges with guidance and care, rather than leaving students to manage the pressure on their own.  

Support Across Campus 

School leaders, families, teachers, and other students of all ages have found ways to support those students who tackled these exams. 

“We are excited to be offering a variety of De-Stress events for our students who are working hard to prepare for their Comprehensive Exams. We recognize the importance of slowing down to taking meaningful breaks from their studying, while also gaining tools for holistic success. From mindful relaxation, to calm coloring, and even test-taking tips, our middle school students will have an opportunity to pause during their school day to unwind. We are so proud of all of their hard work!” – Ms. Olivia, School Counselor

Support strategies focusing on getting our students into a calm and clear headspace has been key this year. For example, our School Counselor Ms. Olivia has made sure to do her part to make our students feel prepared to face the stresses of this examination period. One way she has been doing this is by going into each class to talk about study strategies and stress management. These sessions were designed as part of our Social and Emotional Learning initiatives to equip students with practical tools for approaching their Comprehensive Exams while also emphasizing wellness. Similarly, Head of School, Dr. Thies, also hosted a break for students during a recent Academic Enrichment session that allowed them to practice mindfulness through coloring. This kind of programming helps foster a healthier academic environment, reduces test-related anxiety, and encourages students to develop lifelong habits around time management, self-care, self-awareness, and resilience—skills that benefit them well beyond their examinations in our learning community.  

Our Student Affairs Office has made sure to offer support as well. As the central point of contact for managing student success and grades on our campus, the Student Affairs Office has made sure that they are doing their part to make sure students have had the chance to prepare for exams. For example, our Director of Student Affairs has helped put on a number of workshops to make sure students have a clear understanding of what they are getting into with these exams. Moreover, they have made sure to connect students with office hours and teachers to help coach them for exams.  

Led by our Dean of Students, our grade 9 students in National Junior Honors Society have also volunteered to offer tutoring services ahead of time in various study sessions. Students in NJHS have also been partnering with teachers across various levels to provide resources that will help students overview useful materials as they study for the test. Their involvement not only reinforces key academic concepts but also models leadership, service, and collaboration which are core values we hope to instill in all our students. 

As many of our students in NJHS have gone through Comp Exams at BASIS Independent Bellevue themselves, they know how important this time of the year can be, how stress comes into play, and how well our students are prepared to get to the other side of this testing season. Thus, several of our students have aimed to add some pep and cheer to what is often seen by students as a more laborious time on our campus. Notably, this year, several NJHS students banded together to make an encouraging banner to remind our students of the mindset and positivity they need to bring to tackle the challenge of a big test.  Pictured above, students were able to get many of the faculty and staff to sign the banner which greeted the students as they came in to take their tests.

Even our younger students, who have yet to face comprehensive exams, made efforts to support their peers. For example, grade 2 LET Mx. Sievers’ students came up with an encouraging activity by creating bookmarks for our students to remind them of their success and their resilience to get to the other side of long weeks like Comps. The bookmarks were delivered to students along with a sweet treat ahead of the exams serving as small, adorable tokens of solidarity.

Offering encouragement and reminding our students of how capable and valued a key part of this season was. Our school distributed hundreds of handwritten notes of encouragement to middle school students. During our State of the School Address, and in the week leading up to Comprehensive Exams, parents were also invited to write personal messages of support, which students received during the testing period. While academic reminders help boost confidence, knowing they are surrounded by care and encouragement adds a meaningful layer of emotional support that can make a real difference during times of increased pressure. 

Another Year of Taking on Comps!   

Comprehensive Exams are designed to challenge our students and help them grow academically, but also in their ability to manage time, persevere, and lean into support when it is needed. As a school, we are intentional about guiding students through this process with care, structure, and encouragement. Whether through classroom visits focused on stress management, handwritten notes of support, or acts of kindness from younger peers, we aim to remind our students that they are not alone. Support for comps shows how BASIS Independent Bellevue aims to build a culture where academic rigor is matched by compassion. 

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BASIS Independent Bellevue
Kindergarten—Grade 12
15749 NE 4th Street
Bellevue, WA 98008
(425) 728-6019

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