Posts about Middle School Program
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).
December 23, 2022
Why Latin? A Conversation with Teacher Mentor, Ms. Odell
"Why Latin?" is a common question we receive every year when families look at our curriculum. The study of Latin as a World Language course starts in Grade 5 and continues through Grade 6. Beginning in Grade 7, our students choose their own World Language course and those interested in advancing their Latin understanding can continue to take it from Grade 7 to their senior year of high school.
There is no one better equipped to answer the question, "Why Latin?" than one of our own Subject Expect Latin Teachers, and Teacher Mentor, Ms. Odell.
October 30, 2020
The November Event to Remember is Here: Our Fall Open House!
When students and Subject Expert Teachers engage in a spiraling liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked to the best education systems in the world, they excel. One of our recent graduates says it best.
“I love the BASIS Curriculum because it challenges how far a student can go academically but also instills in them qualities of determination, resilience, and exploration. Most importantly, the program instills in students the ability to ask for help and support their peers.” – BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Graduate
Join us at our Virtual Fall Open House on Saturday, November 7! Attending an Open House is the best way for prospective families to discover our middle and high school Subject Expert Teachers, classroom difference, learn about our advanced liberal arts and sciences curriculum, tour our campus virtually, and meet current Bobcat Students!
October 1, 2020
The Middle School Program through a Parent's Eyes
We know no one can express what it is like to be a BASIS Independent Silicon Valley student better than our Bobcats. We also know, for prospective parents, there's nothing like hearing your top questions answered by, none other than, an experienced parent! Read below to hear from one of our current parents and what she had to say about her school selection process, why her family chose BASIS Independent Silicon Valley for middle school, and what changes she has seen in her two students since starting in our program in grades 5 and 6.
Tell us a little about your background, your children, and what you looked for in a school.
"We began our BASIS Independent Silicon Valley journey when our eldest child was looking for a middle school. We looked around the Bay Area for a school that would provide more of a daily challenge in the classroom. My eldest is an avid book reader, but he would often end up reading in his classes because he felt they were so basic. We discovered they were teaching just enough to pass the state standardized test. He would self learn via Khan Academy after school. It was completely backwards of how it should be! He would say “I’m so bored, Mum!”, about his school day.
September 23, 2020
Wondering What Virtual Admissions Event to Attend? Let Us Help!
The Admissions Team offers a number of virtual events throughout the admissions season. We provide a variety of opportunities, different in scope, so that families can experience a broad overview of the BASIS Independent Silicon Valley experience and difference.
August 1, 2020
Your Fall 2021 Admissions Guide: Applying for Grades 5-9
We are excited to launch Fall 2021 admissions for grades 5-9!
Admissions is now open and you may click here to submit your application for either our Early or Regular Admissions cycles.
At BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, students and subject expert teachers engage in a spiraling liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked to the best education systems in the world. We believe in setting a higher standard for students and promoting self-reliance and accountability in an environment where learning is encouraged and celebrated.
Outside of the classroom, students explore their interests in nearly 60 club, athletic, and competitive offerings.
Early and Regular Admissions
This year, we have two admissions cycles: Early and Regular Admissions. Early Admissions is only open for Grades 5-7 while Regular Admissions is for grades 5-9.
March 6, 2020
The Middle School Program Pt 3: Student Autonomy
What does it take to build life-long skills of self-advocacy and independence?
At BASIS Independent Schools, our educational philosophy is centered around student autonomy and self-advocacy. We want to empower our students when they come to school each day; to do so, we believe students need to learn to exercise their autonomy, which allows them to take greater control of their education.
December 11, 2019
The Middle School Program Pt 2: World-Class Teachers
“It makes a huge difference to have teachers who are passionate about the subjects they are teaching in every class. It makes you more excited to learn!” –Sophie, BASIS Independent McLean
BASIS Independent Schools raises the standards of student learning to the highest international levels through our advanced, globally benchmarked curriculum. However, our schools are only able to achieve such incredible outcomes thanks to our passionate expert teachers—not just because they teach with expertise, but because each one inspires students to truly love learning. Good luck asking any of our students who their favorite teacher or class is; they will usually answer, “all of them!”
When our students enter the Middle School Program in grade 5 at BASIS Independent Schools, they leave behind the two-teacher model that defines grades 1–4 and are solely led by Subject Expert Teachers (SETs). Focused on high-level mastery, SETs are the shepherds of academic content; they have real-life experience in the discipline they teach, and often even hold advanced degrees in the field.
November 8, 2019
The Middle School Program Pt 1: Accelerated, Interconnected Curriculum
Middle school is a time of substantial transition—academically and emotionally—for students as they leave the more nurturing elementary years and begin their preparation for high school and beyond. Because these years are filled with increasingly complex content, it is critical for students to build and fortify their foundational knowledge across a wide variety of disciplines.
This is the first in a three-part blog series that will provide an in-depth look into the BASIS Independent Middle School Program, which is designed to ready students with the knowledge, confidence, and independence needed to excel inside and outside the classroom, as well as provide them ample opportunity to discover their passions. This first blog post will focus specifically on the BASIS Curriculum in the middle school years, which has been honed and optimized to reflect today’s growing expectations in education.
October 22, 2019
Art Spotlight: A Canvas of Exploration and Creativity
Walk down any of our campus hallways and you will experience wonderful views of student artwork, rich in creativity and passion. This fall, students across all grade levels have brought their exploration of the arts to life, with support and guidance from our two Subject Expert Art Teachers, Dr. Charuhas and Ms. Jones.
We invite you take a virtual walk-through of just a sampling of some Bobcat creations.
Grade 5 Studio
Students in grade 5 began the year with inspiration from Aboriginal dot paintings to practice the use of color schemes. They used watercolor, acrylic paint, and q-tips to form their Australian animal of choice.
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.