How to Get Into BASIS Independent Silicon Valley: A South Bay Family’s Guide to Admission

Admissions, testing, outcomes, and student life at the BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Upper School

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley’s Upper School (Grades 6–12) in San José is a private, secular day school founded in 2014. For Fall 2027, Regular Admissions opens August 1, 2026, closes for submissions January 27, 2027, and must be complete by February 12. Applicants need school-sent transcripts, math and English teacher recommendations, an ISEE or SSAT score, and a Family Meeting. The Class of 2026 averaged a 1507 SAT, and 95% placed at top-50 universities.

Why Do Families Choose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley?

“We believe students are capable of more than they can imagine.” BASIS Independent Silicon Valley provides an advanced, thoughtfully designed TK–12 education grounded in a globally recognized, spiraled curriculum, where expert teachers spark curiosity, build knowledge and confidence, and challenge students to think independently and pursue excellence. As one of the first two BASIS Independent campuses, founded in 2014 alongside Brooklyn, Silicon Valley has the network’s longest Bay Area track record; its first class graduated in spring 2016. Families come for early, rigorous science, with biology, chemistry, and physics from Grade 6, and for outcomes: in the Class of 2026, 19% placed at top-10 universities and 55% at top-20 universities, per U.S. News rankings.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Fast Facts

Test Scores and College Placement

Enrollment and Demographics

Third-party data from Niche reports 46% female and 54% male students, with this ethnic makeup:

How Hard Is It to Get Into BASIS Independent Silicon Valley?

BASIS Silicon Valley doesn’t publish an acceptance rate or a number of open seats, but it calls admissions a selective process. It seeks students with an interest in learning at an international level, a desire to make a contribution, a willingness to work hard, and an ambition to join a collaborative community. With strong outcomes and a competitive South Bay applicant pool, readiness matters: grades from the past two to three years, teacher recommendations, and the ISEE or SSAT all count. Families often weigh it alongside its sister campus, BASIS Independent Fremont.

Top Tips for Applying

• Ask the current school for transcripts early; BASIS won’t accept them from parents.
• Request math and English teacher recommendations well before February 12.
• Schedule the in-person ISEE on campus or an SSAT date early.
• Prepare your child to talk about what they love to learn.

Best Practices for Families

• Attend an informational event before applying.
• Talk honestly with your child about the workload.
• Track your Ravenna checklist after submitting.
• Ask about Rolling Admissions if Regular Admissions seats fill.

Can Parents Send Transcripts to BASIS Silicon Valley?

No. BASIS accepts required materials, including transcripts and teacher recommendations, only from the school and teachers.

The BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Admissions Process

1. Attend an informational event (optional).
2. Submit the application in Ravenna; it opens August 1, 2026, and is due January 27, 2027.
3. Have the current school send transcripts and math and English teacher recommendations.
4. Take the ISEE (in person on campus) or SSAT.
5. Complete a Family Meeting.
6. Receive your decision on March 17, 2027, and commit by March 26.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Admissions Calendar

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Application Requirements

School-Sent Materials

BASIS accepts transcripts and recommendations only from your child’s current school and teachers.

Entrance Exam

Applicants complete the ISEE or SSAT; the ISEE is offered in person at the Upper and Lower campuses.

Family Meeting

The Family Meeting helps the admissions team understand your child and family.

Preparing for the ISEE and Family Meeting?

We help students build test confidence and show genuine curiosity.

Schedule a Consultation

Does BASIS Silicon Valley Have Rolling Admissions?

Yes. Applicants in the Rolling Admissions cycle are notified after the Regular Admissions commitment deadline, if seats remain.

Student Life at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

Academics

Students study humanities, math and science (with biology, chemistry, and physics from Grade 6), interdisciplinary studies, world languages (Mandarin, Latin, French, and Spanish), the arts, physical education, enrichment and electives, and senior-year Capstone courses. It’s a demanding schedule that rewards strong habits.

Activities

Enrichment and electives broaden the program beyond core subjects.

Athletics

The Bobcats offer participation-based sports that rotate by season: fall badminton, cross country, table tennis, and volleyball; winter badminton, basketball, table tennis, and wrestling; and spring badminton, golf club, table tennis, and volleyball. Students who love badminton or table tennis can play all year.

Arts

The arts are part of the core BASIS curriculum.

Summer Programs

Ask the admissions team about current summer offerings for Upper School students.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Alumni

Graduating classes since 2016 have gone on to top universities; in the Class of 2026, 95% placed at top-50 schools. We haven’t been able to verify individually notable alumni, so we don’t list names here.

Is BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Right for Your Child?

BASIS Silicon Valley suits students who thrive on early, rigorous academics. We help families decide whether that fits and build a complete, well-timed application.

Let’s Talk About BASIS Silicon Valley

From the ISEE to the Family Meeting, we’ll help your family plan with confidence.

Schedule a Consultation

Related Articles:
Where BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Graduates Go: College Outcomes Explained
Science From Grade 6: Inside BASIS Silicon Valley’s Early Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

Frequently Asked Questions