Since BASIS Independent Brooklyn is now in its fourth academic year, we thought it would be interesting to see how the school is living up to its mission. We interviewed the Associate Director of Admissions, Caroline Scott, to dig a little deeper into what’s making BASIS Independent Brooklyn stand out from the crowd. If you want to learn more about BASIS Independent Brooklyn make sure to attend one of their upcoming events or schedule a tour.

MP: Why choose BASIS Independent Schools?

Ms. Scott: Our mission is to teach students at the highest international levels in a program rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. BASIS Independent Brooklyn inspires students to uncover their potential and learn how to tackle whatever challenges come their way through a well-rounded, globally inspired curriculum that prioritizes foundational knowledge, encourages independent learning, and grows critical thinking and problem solving skills.

MP: Curriculum is one thing, but doesn’t it really come down to the teachers?

Ms. Scott: Our Subject Expert Teachers are literal experts—they hold advanced degrees in their chosen fields and use their expertise to craft engaging, thought-provoking lessons that allow students to take risks while remaining supported every step of the way. Our Learning Expert Teachers work in unison with Subject Expert Teachers until grade 4. They are proactive in helping students learn to advocate for themselves and work to foster a culture of social-emotional wellness in addition to academic support.

MP: Now that BASIS Independent Brooklyn is in its fourth year, and a second campus has opened in Manhattan, what are the results that show the success of the school?

Ms. Scott: We don’t yet have a graduating class at BASIS Independent Brooklyn (our oldest kids are in grade 11), but we’re so impressed by what our students have accomplished in just a few short years—our MATHCOUNTS team just won the regional championship and our students have been recognized nationally on the AMC 8 and AMC 10 exams. In extracurriculars: students have won regional awards in photography, mixed media, and painting, and they have had numerous sports milestones and victories in volleyball, soccer, and more. Perhaps most importantly, they have come together as a growing school to build our unique culture and traditions. There is no better indicator of a school meeting (and exceeding) the needs of families than enrollment. It was hard to imagine when we laid the first brick in 2014 that we would be bursting at the seams as we are today, just a few years later.

MP: What is driving families to seek out BASIS Independent Brooklyn?

Ms. Scott: Our families want their children to be challenged and motivated to succeed in the classroom—not necessarily breeze through their education. An increasing number of parents are looking for a program that is paying attention to what the global “intellectual elite” is doing and what skills are needed to stay relevant. Parents also have a hard time finding a school that strikes the right balance between rigor and joy. Our families are often drawn in by our school’s ability to balance strong academia within a nurturing, supportive environment. They want their children to learn to think critically, to develop their creativity, and to become autonomous learners. They also want their children to be heard and understood. They quickly discover that at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, all of this is possible.

MP: Is there a typical BASIS Independent family?

Ms. Scott: We are incredibly proud of the diversity across our campuses. We have families with roots in every continent, and it facilitates a beautiful melding of ideas and traditions on our campus. The one key unifying factor is that they are really just looking for “more” out of their children’s education. They don’t believe in upper limits on what students can accomplish if they put their hearts and minds to it and are put in an environment that facilitates their success, with supportive, expert teachers guiding them at each pass. They have children who are curious, eager to learn, and are often not getting the challenge or inspiration they need at their current school.

MP: How do families discover if BASIS Independent Brooklyn is right for them?

Ms. Scott: Ultimately, no amount of reading or research can replace actually going to the school to get a feel for the culture. There is so much to be learned by just walking a school’s halls and meeting the people who make it happen. Information sessions, like many of our admissions events, offer an overview of our curriculum and allow families to hear from our Head of School, meet our teachers, and get to know other enrolled families. The main goal of our events is to help families get a real taste of our program as they discover how we can help unlock their child’s fullest potential.

There are upcoming info sessions on March 17 and April 14. Interested families can also schedule a tour or sign up to the interest list to get more information.