Posts about Culture Of Support
February 23, 2016
The Art & Science of Teaching: The BASIS Independent Faculty Video
We are excited to unveil to you the fruits of a couple of non-stop days in October - our BASIS Independent videos! Back in December, we shared with you our first video in the series, our BASIS Independent Parent Video. Check out the BASIS Independent Parent Video here.
Here's a refresher on the project: Over the course of three days, we filmed three separate videos: one about the family experience with our school, the teacher perspective on what it's like to work here, and the student perspective on what it is like to learn here. We love these videos and hope you do, too.
They are raw, spur of the moment, unscripted reflections of what it's like to be a part of the BASIS Independent community.
They breathe life into Education Redefined and demonstrate what happens when you combine an accelerated, rigorous curriculum with exceptional, expert educators in an environment of support and deep respect for the art and science of learning.
June 4, 2015
The Reality of Helicopter Parenting
Recently, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT published a candid article
broaching the curious subject of "helicopter parenting" and the lasting affect it can have on students. In addition to contributing his expert pedagogical opinion to the U.S. NEWS article, BASIS Independent vice chairman Mark Reford shared his thoughts further with us.
March 26, 2015
What’s the difference between a good school and a great school?
During Prospective Parent Information Sessions, we are often confronted with a variety of questions that range from the more operational “easy to answer” questions, such as class size, to those philosophical questions that give us pause, that stick in the back of our minds long after we’ve said goodbye to the last lingering few guests.
January 30, 2015
Our Very Own 9th Grade Environmental Entrepreneur
Growing Up Green
What better place than Silicon Valley for a green movement with a big vision to take 
root.
root. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley 9th grader Pavan Raj Gowda has passionately pursued his vision of creating a healthier, greener planet. He’s committed to having the next generation make a substantive impact by raising awareness early on about environmental issues and inspiring young students to take the path of BASIS Independent Silicon Valley's STEM education in helping create a greener world.
Pavan launched Green Kids Now when he was just eight years old. When he was in 2nd grade, he wrote a story called The Two Lakes in order to show the consequences of our actions and how the entire community should join together and care for the environment. That was just his first book. He wrote (and published!) a second book, GeckoBoy: The Battle of Fracking, which even impressed Amazon.com:
December 17, 2014
“The Child is Father of the Man”: The Learning Culture of High Expectations and High Support
Mark Reford is the CEO of BASIS Independent Schools. He was formerly a Dean and English teacher at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C.
Because of the reputation of our program and the national results and international recognition we have attained, it is only natural that families are curious for our take on balancing high expectations and support at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. Read on for my take below:Schools with very high academic expectations can easily become dystopian, highly engineered obstacle courses that lay waste to childhood. “Childhood” can signify quite different meanings to us all depending upon culture and personal experience. For me, when I think about “childhood,” I do not dwell too long on notions of innocence, but more on a hungry openness to new experiences and a capacity to feel and think with an intensity that weakens with the passing of the years.
One of my favorite statements about learning was made by the Russian writer, Alexander Herzen: “We think the purpose of a child is to grow up because it does grow up. But its purpose is to play, to enjoy itself, to be a child. If we merely look at the end of the process, the purpose of life is death.”
December 16, 2014
Celebrating Success: Acknowledging Students for Academic Achievement
It’s celebration time at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley!
Our Academic Recognition awards ceremony was recently held for students in grades 5, 6 and 7. We love any opportunity to bring together the BASIS Independent community of students, teachers, administrators and family…and this was no exception!
Students accepted awards in the following categories:
- Most Improved: Students who have shown significant progress across their classes
- 90’s Club: Those who have achieved a grade of 90% or higher
- Honor Role: Awarded to students who are in the top 15% of their class
Reed, a 6th grader, received a Most Improved award and what he had to say is something that resonates across any grade and age level:
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.