Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you offer financial aid?
At this time we do not offer any financial aid. We do offer tuition payment plans in one, two, or ten installations.
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What is your cut-off date?
The vast majority of our kindergarten students will be age 5 by September 1, 2023, however, we accept applications for students turning 5 up through December 1, 2023. For PreK 2 (preschool), students must turn 4 by September 1, 2023.
We evaluate each student based on their academic preparedness and potential. Generally, this is the pattern we see for admissions across all grades. If, however, during the application process we deem a student more suitable for a grade that doesn’t align with his or her birthdate, we will make that grade placement recommendation.
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What is the application process?
Read about our application process here.
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The curriculum is challenging; how do I know my child will succeed?
From their very first day as a BASIS Independent student, children see and understand how incredibly serious we take their education and academic growth. Ours is an environment that champions hard work and the belief that all students can achieve amazing feats when they put their minds to it. We are all a team—your child, other students, teachers, managers alike—and the team works together to ensure the success and empowerment of each student. The support your child will receive is unmatched, and the culture that welcomes them each day to explore and learn is warm, spontaneous, alive with curiosity, and always nurturing. Our results are only possible because of our culture of learning. Teachers provide office hours throughout the school week for students, and students can go to our peer tutoring center Monday through Friday.
Read more about student services.
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What kind of transportation is offered?
We offer various bus routes throughout Manhattan for a supplemental fee. Specific pick-up and drop-off locations are determined based on demand. Final routes are adjusted annually and are distributed in the summer.
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Why don't you allow fundraising at BASIS Independent Schools?
It requires tremendous administrative support and overhead, which distracts the Head of School and detracts from the academic environment. We also do not want parents to be continually solicited for funding or hope that extra financial contributions will sway influence in the school. However, we welcome parent involvement in other ways such as the Parent Volunteer Committee.
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What type of extracurricular activities do you offer?
We offer a tremendous variety of extracurricular clubs and athletic activities, always based on the school’s student and teacher interests.
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Do you offer a referral program?
Yes, the referring family will receive a tuition credit of $1,000 for each new family referred to and attending a BASIS Independent School. The new family will also receive a $250 credit. In order to be eligible as a referring family, your child must be currently enrolled in a BASIS Independent School, or, apply before the new family and the new family must name your family on their child’s application for admission. Learn more.
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What resources will you have in your school for students with special needs?
BASIS Independent will not have resources on campuses for many special needs, and we will also not maintain a school psychologist; however, our teachers and administrators have a long and successful record of supporting, challenging and inspiring students who require various learning accommodations.
Ask any experienced BASIS Independent teacher what a BASIS Independent student looks like and they will give you this very straightforward answer: a BASIS Independent student works hard, asks questions, and helps other people. All we ask is that the student is willing to work. At BASIS Independent Schools, we build on that educational competency. Above all, our strong and results-oriented support team of teachers and administrators never gives up on a student.
For questions regarding your student’s specific situation, please contact your Head of School.
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What distinguishes BASIS Independent Schools from BASIS Charter Schools?
All BASIS Independent Schools feature the tested, refined, and proven educational philosophy and learning approach that has been developed since 1998 and now have six schools across the United States.
However, BASIS Independent Schools are distinctive in our lower student-to-teacher ratio, cutting-edge academic facilities and our significantly enhanced athletic, fine arts, theater, dance, and music facilities. A part of the mission of the educators at BASIS Independent Schools is to “do as we say”—we always state that the relationship between teachers and students is the heart of our schools.