Top 5 BASIS Independent Schools

BASIS Independent Schools are not your average private schools. These campuses are academic powerhouses known for launching kids into the Ivy League, lighting a fire for STEM, and challenging students in ways that make regular schools look like recess. But even in this elite network, some campuses rise to the top like cream in a chemistry beaker. We’ve done the homework for you and rounded up the top five BASIS Independent Schools in the United States based on real-world results, strong programs, and campus culture.

What are Basis Independent Schools?

Think of BASIS Independent Schools as the overachievers of the private school world—but in the best way possible. This network of academically ambitious campuses was born from a simple idea back in 1998: what if American students could compete with the best in the world? Founders Dr. Michael Block and Olga Block weren’t interested in just good enough. They launched a network of public charter schools in Arizona that quickly gained a reputation for top-notch academics and jaw-dropping student outcomes. Fast forward to 2014, and BASIS took things up a notch by opening private schools in Brooklyn and Silicon Valley. Spoiler alert: it worked. Big time.

The mission? To give students a globally competitive education with a curriculum that’s deep, fast-paced, and seriously impressive. These schools are packed with expert teachers, math-loving kids, budding scientists, and future philosophers. BASIS doesn’t just teach students to memorize—they teach them to think, ask questions, and tackle college-level content before most students even start thinking about prom.

Bottom line: BASIS Independent Schools aren’t for the faint of heart, but for curious minds who love a challenge, it’s the perfect launchpad.

BASIS Independent Schools: Ranked

1. BASIS Independent McLean (Virginia)

This one’s the undisputed valedictorian of the BASIS world. BASIS Independent McLean isn’t just good, it’s elite in every sense. Tucked away in the suburbs of DC, this campus has mastered the art of producing brilliant, well-rounded, college-bound students without turning them into study robots.

  • Why it’s #1: Their Class of 2024 racked up Ivy League acceptances like it was a game of academic bingo. We’re talking Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Yale. Also, their average SAT score? A jaw-dropping 1487. ACT? A clean 33.
  • What makes it special: It balances high academic expectations with a culture that actually supports kids as human beings. The teachers are experts, the campus is gorgeous, and the energy feels just the right mix of ambition and encouragement.

If you’re looking for a place where brains and balance coexist, McLean is your front-runner.

2. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (California)

If BASIS McLean is the classic scholar, BASIS Silicon Valley is the tech wizard wearing sneakers and coding in Python before lunch. Located in the innovation capital of the world, this school practically hums with STEM energy.

  • Why it’s here: These kids don’t just take APs, they dominate them. With a 97 percent pass rate and an average score of 4.45, they make the College Board blush. And don’t be surprised if their college list looks like a computer science hall of fame.
  • What makes it special: This place is unapologetically academic, and the students wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether it’s multivariable calculus or debate club, they’re here for the challenge.

If your child dreams in algorithms and thrives in fast-paced intellectual environments, Silicon Valley may just be their natural habitat.

3. BASIS Independent Brooklyn (New York)

This campus is proof that you can have elite academics and still be cool. BASIS Brooklyn brings an urban vibe to the BASIS brand, and it does it with style. The students are sharp, socially aware, and genuinely curious — not just about grades but about the world.

  • Why it’s here: While it doesn’t brag about test scores, make no mistake — the academics are top-notch. But Brooklyn shines because it doesn’t feel like an academic boot camp. There’s music, there’s theater, there’s a thriving extracurricular scene.
  • What makes it special: This is the campus for kids who want to ace their APs and still have time for a jazz ensemble or philosophy club. Plus, it’s smack in the middle of a city full of museums, theaters, and bagels. Hard to beat that.

Think of Brooklyn as the intellectual with great taste — a campus that values rigor and creativity in equal measure.

4. BASIS Independent Fremont (California)

Fremont might be the youngest sibling in the BASIS family, but don’t underestimate it. This school is like a gifted prodigy — growing fast, setting the bar high, and surprising everyone with how much it’s already accomplished.

  • Why it’s here: Students here are outperforming grade-level expectations early on, especially in math and science. It’s not unusual to find middle-schoolers mastering algebra or diving into biology labs.
  • What makes it special: It’s got that fresh energy you only get in an ambitious, fast-developing school. Teachers are passionate, the community is tight-knit, and there’s a real sense of excitement about what’s coming next.

If you’re looking for a school that’s academically bold but also feels like a team effort, Fremont could be the underdog you didn’t know you needed.

5. BASIS Independent Manhattan (New York)

This is the stylish newcomer on the Upper West Side — and it’s already making waves. BASIS Manhattan might not have a long track record yet, but it’s got the chops. And the ambition. And, let’s be honest, the view doesn’t hurt.

  • Why it’s here: The academic structure is classic BASIS — accelerated coursework, subject experts, and early access to APs. The students are already showing strong results, and college admissions are keeping pace.
  • What makes it special: It’s distinctly urban and full of energy. Students can walk to Lincoln Center, take part in museum-led classes, or explore Central Park during science lessons. Education here doesn’t just happen in the classroom.

Manhattan’s still growing into its full potential, but it’s already one of the most exciting BASIS campuses on the map.

Need a Hand? Cardinal Education Can Strengthen Your Admission!

Interested in applying to one of the top BASIS Independent Schools? The independent admissions consultants at Cardinal Education can offer expert guidance on private school admissions, helping students apply to top private schools like BASIS Independent Schools. With academic coaching, test prep, and private school admissions support, we ensure students present themselves as top candidates!

For expert insights on maximizing your child’s chances at BASIS Independent School, contact us today and let our experts guide you through the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • They follow the same playbook, but each campus adds its own flair. The BASIS Curriculum is the core across the board: accelerated content, early AP courses, and a serious emphasis on math, science, and critical thinking. But the pace can feel a little different depending on the school. Some campuses are more fast-tracked, especially the older, more established ones like McLean or Silicon Valley. Others might ease students into the rigor with a bit more cushioning. Think of it like ordering your favorite dish at different restaurants. It’s the same recipe, but the flavor might vary just enough to surprise you.

  • Cousins, not twins. They come from the same family and share the same high-powered curriculum, complete with accelerated academics, early APs, and those brilliant Subject Expert Teachers. But BASIS Independent Schools are private, which means they offer smaller class sizes, more campus resources, and a bit more room to personalize the student experience. The vibe is also different. Independent campuses tend to have more extracurricular options, stronger college counseling, and a campus culture that feels a little more flexible. BASIS Charter schools are tuition-free and open enrollment, while BASIS Independent is the premium, private version of the same academic DNA. Same foundation, slightly different experience.

  • It depends on the campus, but most BASIS Independent Schools cover a wide span, often from early childhood through high school. BASIS Independent McLean takes the cake with programs starting at age 2 and going all the way through grade 12. Brooklyn splits things between two campuses, with PreK to grade 1 at the Lower School and grades 2 through 12 at the Upper School. Silicon Valley started with grades 6 to 12 but now has a Lower School for TK to grade 5. Fremont also runs TK through grade 12. Dublin is joining the party soon, opening in 2026 for grades 6 to 12. Always double-check, though—each campus is unique.

  • Not really. Most BASIS Independent campuses prefer to keep things polished but not too strict. They follow a dress code rather than requiring a full-on uniform. So, no daily ties or plaid skirts unless your child is into that kind of thing. Many campuses offer branded polos or school-approved options if you want to keep mornings simple, but you won’t find any head-to-toe uniform mandates. The focus is on neat, appropriate, and distraction-free outfits, not enforcing a fashion dictatorship. It strikes a nice balance between structure and freedom, letting students show a little personality while still looking sharp in the classroom.