BASIS Independent Schools

BASIS Independent Schools is a group of private preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States.

BASIS Independent Schools
Information
Type	Private School
Established	2014
Founder	Michael and Olga Block
Grades	Preschool–12th Grade
Accreditation	Cognia (education)[1]
Locations	Multiple (CA, NY, VA, WA)
Parent	Spring Education Group
Website	basisindependent.com

History

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, the organization opened a lower campus in Fremont, CA,^[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] That same year, 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.^[13]

In 2022, the organization opened BASIS Independent Bellevue in Bellevue, WA^[14] and expanded its Silicon Valley, CA campus to include a lower school.^[15]

New campuses are slated to open in Bothell, WA in 2025^[16] and Dublin, CA in 2026.^[17]

Academics

Curriculum

BASIS Independent Schools follow the BASIS Curriculum, which emphasizes science and global preparedness.^[18] The school's curriculum contains extended study hours, lecture-based instruction, 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

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]

Service learning

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.^[28]

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.^[29]