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July 18, 2023
The Story Behind the Elements: Unveiling the Origins of Our Grade Level Names
BASIS Curriculum Schools have always associated their classes with elements from the periodic table. At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower, we have thoughtfully organized our grade bands into distinct elemental characteristics to provide a structured and inclusive educational experience for each student that creates a sense of belonging and pride. Our chosen elements include transition metals, the lightest elements, alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, expensive transition metals, and radioactive elements created in California. Each grade level has unique characteristics, and we assign them diverse and meaningful names to reflect their individuality.
June 30, 2023
Seven BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Students Named National Merit Scholarship Winners in 2023!
From approximately 1.5 million students who entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program, only about 16,000 were named Semifinalists - 31 of them were BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students. Of those 16,000 Semifinalists, just over 15,000 were named Finalists - all 31 of our Semifinalists were named Finalists.
Of the 31 Finalists, seven of our students have now been named Winners!
Congratulations to Annie C., Dhanvi G., Sayuri G., Alyson J., Trisha R., Meha S., and Rohit V. who have been announced as National Merit Scholarship Winners! We are so proud of our Bobcats!
June 22, 2023
2023 Senior Projects: AP Research Spotlight
AP Research, taken in Grade 12, is an extension of AP Seminar, taken in Grade 11, and the second half of AP Capstone. Students who pass AP Capstone and four additional AP courses in their high school careers will qualify for the AP Diploma, awarded by the College Board. As in AP Seminar, students investigate issues of their choice, develop research methodologies, review and evaluate sources, articulate original arguments in paper and presentation formats, and define themselves as interdisciplinary scholars.
Whereas AP seminar is primarily skill-focused and ends with performance tasks and an AP exam to measure students' mastery of skills, AP Research is product oriented and ends with a mini-dissertation based on data and research students have collected independently.
Students define themselves in AP Capstone not by the content or skill sets they have acquired, as in many other AP courses, but by the outcomes and articulation of their own research.
To view a sample of this year's AP Research Projects, keep reading below.
June 8, 2023
2023 Senior Projects: STEM Spotlight
The Senior Project, the pinnacle of the BASIS Curriculum, is a selective program that involves an off-campus research project or internship of the student's choice and design for the last trimester of their senior year.
Seniors select a BASIS Independent Schools faculty member as their advisor and work with a mentor at their research site. These students create detailed project plans, bibliographies of resources, and a personal syllabus for their projects, all of which are approved by a committee of teachers and administrators.
At the end of the trimester, students return to campus and present an analysis of their findings to peers, staff, and parents. To remain connected to their school community while in the field, students are required to blog throughout their experience.
To view a sample of this year's Senior Projects, keep reading below.
May 31, 2023
2023 Senior Projects: Humanities Spotlight
The Senior Project, the pinnacle of the BASIS Curriculum, is a selective program that involves an off-campus research project or internship of the student's choice and design for the last trimester of their senior year.
Seniors select a BASIS Independent Schools faculty member as their advisor and work with a mentor at their research site. These students create detailed project plans, bibliographies of resources, and a personal syllabus for their projects, all of which are approved by a committee of teachers and administrators.
At the end of the trimester, students return to campus and present an analysis of their findings to peers, staff, and parents. To remain connected to their school community while in the field, students are required to blog throughout their experience.
To view a sample of this year's Senior Projects, keep reading below.
May 9, 2023
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley's Class of 2023 College Acceptances
The Class of 2023 at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is an exceptional group of students with a diverse range of talents and interests. These students have consistently demonstrated a passion for learning and a strong work ethic, both inside and outside the classroom. By completing our rigorous curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, our students have developed a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will serve them well as they pursue their post-secondary goals.
May 5, 2023
Congratulations Class of 2023: Raising the Bar for College Acceptances
Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
We are exceptionally proud of their achievements as they move forward to the next phase of their exciting academic journey. As they are about to step into the world’s top colleges and universities this fall, we know they are prepared to excel, determined to stand apart, and ready to prove the success of the BASIS Curriculum.
The Class of 2023 from our three high schools including, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, McLean, and Silicon Valley have yet again set the standard in national and international college acceptances. For the Class of 2023, the past school years has been filled with countless hours of test preparation, essay writing, campus visits, and more. The hard work and determination over this and prior years has shown as our graduates are now well-prepared to enter world-renowned higher education institutions and thrive.
May 4, 2023
The Communication Journal: How our Students Use Their CJ to Be Successful
Helping students manage their time and schoolwork effectively is core to the BASIS Curriculum. One of our most important tools in developing students with life-long habits of self-direction and disciplined, critical enquiry is the Communication Journal (CJ).
March 31, 2023
The Alumni Voice: Griffin T., Class of 2019
This month we had the chance to interview Griffin T., a BASIS Independent Silicon Valley graduate from the class of 2019. While attending BISV, Griffin found interest in Theater and Drama, starring in many school musical productions. He enjoyed dancing hip-hop and had a passion for rock climbing. Griffin is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. He still finds joy in rock climbing and has joined the Hoofers Mountaineering Organization at UW-Madison. He plans to compete in the USA Climbing Collegiate Series this summer! Since attending UW-Madison, Griffin has received admittance to a few Ph.D. programs for Materials Science and Engineering- including UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Penn State, University of Chicago, and Cornell. Here's what he had to say about college life after high school:
March 25, 2023
A Day in the Life: Kindergarten with Maidhili U., Class of 2035
Our Day in the Life series for this school year continues in Kindergarten with Maidhili U., Class of 2035!
Unlike our older students, Kindergarten students don’t move classrooms for every subject and primarily remain with their two Early Learning Teachers (ELT) throughout the day. Some subjects, such as Mandarin, are taught by a separate Subject Expert Teacher (SET) in the Mandarin classroom. Depending on the day, they may have six to seven courses. They also have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon recess, along with their lunch and recess time. They begin their day at 8:15 AM and end their last instruction at 3:10 PM.
Welcome!
Inspired by the blissful feeling of uncovering connections, our blog Eureka! Silicon Valley is about sharing moments that capture the essence of what it is to be a BASIS Independent student, teacher, administrator, or family.