Dear Families,

I am excited to announce that Mr. Robert Runyon has been named the Head of School of BASIS Independent Bothell. Mr. Runyon is an experienced school leader and respected educator within BASIS Independent Schools, and he has shaped the trajectory of both new and established schools since joining the network eight years ago. Mr. Runyon will be the inaugural Head of School at BASIS Independent Bothell after serving as the Associate Head of School at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, a Preschool-Grade 12 private school with a lower and upper school campus. While in Brooklyn, Mr. Runyon was critical to rolling out a school culture and community assessment, leading professional development for faculty, and introducing a new social-emotional learning program celebrated by teachers. His time at BASIS Independent Brooklyn coincided with the school’s recognition as the Best K-12 Private School in Brooklyn according to Niche.

Previously, Mr. Runyon was the Director of Admissions at BASIS Independent Fremont and oversaw Academic Programs for both BASIS Independent Brooklyn and Manhattan. Mr. Runyon has been instrumental in the growth of both new and established schools within our network across departments, so he is uniquely well-equipped to open and build our BASIS Independent Bothell school community.

Mr. Runyon was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and is excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and young son. I am confident that Mr. Runyon will establish and lead a successful school community where learning is celebrated and students thrive.

Regards,

Mr. Toby Walker
Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools

Letter from Mr. Runyon, Head of School

Hello Families,

When I first browsed the BASIS Independent Brooklyn website in 2016, I remember thinking, “This is how schools should be.” The combination of academic rigor, social and emotional support, and Subject Expert Teachers offering a wide variety of courses showcased to me the ample opportunities students had at BASIS Independent Schools. Not only could they develop proficiency in many different disciplines, but also pursue their unique interests.

In each school I have been a part of, I have had the privilege to build a community alongside passionate families and dedicated administrators that have prepared students to be participants, not spectators, in the 21st century world. Through the growth mindset that the BASIS Curriculum requires and the purposeful community that we build, we shaped and defined the culture of a brand new school together. This is what I am excited to build in Bothell: a culture that will include not only academic pursuits such as an annual spelling bee, Science Olympiad, and APs, but also school traditions such as carnivals, drama productions, sporting events, and prom!

What I describe is everything that I would have wanted from a school when I was a student and ultimately is my vision for BASIS Independent Bothell.

Even though my family and I do not move to Bothell until July, my days are already consumed with planning. While we search for a home, hopefully within biking distance of the school, I am already working with our construction teams to ensure we deliver a campus that excites our community as much as the beautiful renderings that have already been shared. As my wife and I make plans for our son, who is a future member of the Class of 2040, I can’t help but think of the other faculty members and their families who will join our team. BASIS Independent Schools is fortunate to draw from not only a nationwide talent pool but also an international one. Recruitment and faculty building will be one of my most important tasks, and I can’t wait to see if anyone relocates from farther than me!

I also can’t wait to meet you. The interest already gathered and the amount of families that have toured and inquired how to apply excites me. I look forward to meeting you at future admissions events and, once applied, in your family meetings.

As our sister schools in Brooklyn, McLean, and Silicon Valley have done, I want BASIS Independent Bothell to become one of the top-ranked schools in the Seattle area and a pillar of the Bothell community. We have a lot of work to do and I am looking forward to accomplishing it with you.

In partnership,

Mr. Robert Runyon
Head of School