Draft:BASIS Independent Schools

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BASIS Independent Schools
Information
TypePrivate School
Established2014
FounderMichael and Olga Block
GradesPreschool–12th Grade
AccreditationCognia (education)
LocationsMultiple (CA, NY, VA, WA)
ParentSpring Education Group
Websitebasisindependent.com

BASIS Independent Schools is a group of private preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. BASIS Independent Schools are accredited by Cognia.[1]

History

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BASIS Independent is a division of BASIS Curriculum Schools, which was founded by Michael and Olga Block.[2][3] In 2014, the first BASIS Independent Schools opened in Brooklyn, NY[4][5] and in Silicon Valley, CA.[3] In 2016, a lower campus in Fremont, CA opened,[6] as well as a campus in McLean, VA.[7] In 2017, BASIS Independent opened its Manhattan, NY lower campus.[8][9]

In 2019, the organization opened an upper campus in Fremont, CA.[10] That same year, BASIS Independent schools and the BASIS Curriculum were purchased by Spring Education Group.[11] In 2021, BASIS Independent opened its Brooklyn, NY lower campus and Manhattan, NY upper campus.[12] In 2022, the organization opened BASIS Independent Bellevue in Bellevue, WA[13] and expanded its Silicon Valley, CA campus to include a lower school.[14]

New campuses are slated to open in Bothell, WA in 2025[15] and Dublin, CA in 2026.[16]

Academics

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Curriculum

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BASIS Independent Schools follow the BASIS Curriculum, which emphasizes science and is intended to prepare students for global academic and professional competitiveness.[17] According to a 2017 New York Post article, the schools adopt a traditional academic structure, with a focus on content mastery, minimal use of technology in early grades, and instruction delivered by subject-matter experts.[18] The curriculum features extended study hours, lecture-based instruction, a focus on high achievement on standardized tests such as Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and provides students the option to graduate early or complete a senior project.[3][19]

Academic competitions

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In the 2024 National Merit Scholar program, 15 BASIS Independent Fremont students and 4 BASIS Independent McLean students were named as semifinalists.[20][21] Two students from the New York campuses were selected as $2,500 scholarship winners.[22]

In 2024 and 2025, two BASIS Independent students were named Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars each year.[23][24] The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest science and math competition for high school seniors.

BASIS Independent Bellevue middle school team won the 2024 U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 34th National Science Bowl.[25]

That same year, a student from BASIS Independent McLean was named by The74, an education-focused news outlet, as one of the “16 Under 16 in STEM.” The student was the sole representative from the state of Virginia to be included on the list.[26]

Nine seniors across the BASIS Independent Schools network were selected as 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates. Students are selected based on standardized test performance, academic achievement, leadership, service activities, and personal essay.[27]

Standardized testing

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In 2021, a student at BASIS Independent McLean earned a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology exam, an achievement attained by only six of more than 262,000 test-takers worldwide that year.[28]

Service learning

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BASIS Independent students participate in international service and cultural exchange initiatives as part of their broader educational experience. In 2023, members of the BASIS Independent McLean’s Société Honoraire de Français partnered with a school in Khombole, Senegal, to support the construction of a permanent schoolhouse. Students delivered school supplies, clothing, laptops, and a monetary donation.[29]

In 2024, a group of BASIS Independent McLean students traveled to Madagascar for a conservation-focused learning experience. The program included field research and environmental education.[30]

References

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  1. ^ "Cognia". home.cognia.org. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  2. ^ Whitmire, Richard (April 7, 2014). "BASIS Adding Private Schools". Huffington Post.
  3. ^ a b c Robinson, Melia. "Inside the $28,000-a-year private school where children of tech workers learn to become the next Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  4. ^ Stringer, Kate (2017-05-17). "BASIS: Inside the Acclaimed School Network That's Blended Together the World's Best Education Practices". Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  5. ^ Hollander, Sophia (2014-03-18). "New Basis School Arrives in Brooklyn, Loudly". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  6. ^ Fremont, BASIS Independent; Neighbor (2016-08-10). "BASIS Independent Fremont School Opens to Inaugural Classes". Fremont, CA Patch. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  7. ^ suzanne@highmarkschools.com (2016-09-26). "BASIS Independent McLean School Opens in Tysons". Highmark School Development. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  8. ^ "BASIS Independent Manhattan to Open in Fall 2017". Mommy Poppins. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  9. ^ abacusmom (2017-11-20). "Why BASIS Independent Schools Should Be On Your List". ABACUS GUIDE. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  10. ^ Schools, BASIS Independent. "Bay Area BASIS Independent School Expanding in Fall, 2019". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  11. ^ Brody, Leslie (2019-04-30). "Parents Voice Concern Over Sale of Basis Independent Schools". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  12. ^ "BASIS Independent Schools Expand to Four Campuses in NYC". www.rocklandparent.com. 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  13. ^ "BASIS Independent School opens in Bellevue for 2022-23 school year". Bellevue Reporter. 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  14. ^ "BASIS Independent Silicon Valley To Open New Lower Campus". May 14, 2021.
  15. ^ creative, efelle. "BASIS Independent Schools - Bothell Canyon Park". Cornerstone GCI. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  16. ^ Strzemp, Jude (2025-05-20). "BASIS Independent names head of school for new Dublin campus". Pleasanton Weekly. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  17. ^ "Disrupting the World of Private School With Tech and Guinea Pigs (Published 2017)". 2017-11-20. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  18. ^ "A revolutionary school 'turns back the clock' in Brooklyn" (in New York Post). 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2025-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  19. ^ Klavon, Dawn (2022-11-23). "How NoVA's Private Schools Are Crafting Priceless Opportunities for Students". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  20. ^ Karnes, Bea (2024-09-12). "118 Fremont Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists". Fremont, CA Patch. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  21. ^ "People and Places - Week of October 4, 2024". Fairfax County Times. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  22. ^ "National Merit® Scholarship Winners" (PDF). Huntington Now. May 8, 2024.
  23. ^ "2024 Regeneron STS Scholars". Society for Science. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  24. ^ "2025 Regeneron STS Scholars". Society for Science. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  25. ^ "DOE Announces Winners of 34th Annual National Science Bowl®". Energy.gov. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  26. ^ NEWSPAPERS, SUN GAZETTE (2022-08-15). "McLean student named one of the nation's top teens in STEM". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  27. ^ "Candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program" (PDF). January 1, 2025.
  28. ^ NEWSPAPERS, SUN GAZETTE (2021-11-13). "BASIS Independent McLean student perfect on AP psychology exam". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  29. ^ Hobson, Mercia. "Learning Outside the Classroom". www.mountvernongazette.com. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  30. ^ Times, Kristin Johnson / Fairfax County (2024-08-02). "Students travel to Madagascar". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved 2025-08-08.