Being a BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Bobcat means actively participating in a vibrant learning community, enjoying endless opportunities to connect studies with the real world, discovering new talents and skills, and building lasting bonds of friendship and camaraderie.
For our Middle School students, all of these are achievable through our Enrichment Programs, Sports & Athletics, and Term Project Trips.
For the 2019 - 20 school year, we have 55 different offerings between after-school clubs and athletics. Over 80% of our students participate in these activities.
Below is just a highlight of some of the things we offer to our Middle School Community.
Enrichment Program Highlights
Board Game Club
Members of Board Game Club gather every week to play all different types of games. They've got a few of the classics in their collection, as well as lots of new games to play. Worried about knowing the rules? No problem - they have club members ready to teach you! BISV Board Game Club provides a setting for students to get together, relax, have fun, and learn new games!
Comic Book Club
Superheroes have taken over pop culture, between movies, TV shows, and video games! However, most students haven’t had the opportunity to get into the source material: Comic books. Comic Book Club allows students, once a week, to take a break from the stresses of school and spend an hour reading for fun. Students have access to the club organizers hundreds of comics, and are encouraged to join one of several major digital comic subscription services.
In addition, students will receive their own copies of the Graphic Novel of the Month to keep, which will lead to a full-group discussion of what they read.
Film Production Club - Bobcuts
Bobcuts serves as a creative environment for artists to come together to work on short film projects. Those with a passion for filmmaking, acting, animating, screenwriting, or other visual arts are encouraged to join. With the idea of a film festival in mind, members will be able to branch off to work on their own special projects towards the end of the school year.
Math Circle
Middle School Math Circle is a Math Competition Prep program led by a professional Math Competition Coach, and is focused on competitions such as the AMC 8. Challenge problems are assigned every week and must be turned in the following week. Members of the club will participate individually and/or in teams, representing the school at various Math competitions. Last year the team participated in and did very well at BmMT and BMT at UC Berkeley. The club also organized many onsite competitions including COMC, BAMO, Purple Comet, Mandelbrot, and Math Madness.
Public Speaking
Transform your speaking skills in a thrilling club environment. This
course serves as a great primer for those who want to participate in speech and debate in high school or those who simply want to improve their public speaking. The course includes: Confidence building, platform speaking, interpretive speaking, interpersonal skills, drama, inter-school competitions (optional), and much more.
Sports & Athletics Highlights
Basketball
We offer Middle School Basketball for both girls and boys teams. Learn how to dribble, pass, shoot, block, box out and more in the exciting game of basketball! Home games are hosted on campus, while students also have the chance to travel locally to compete at other schools.
Cross Country
Cross country is very demanding mentally and physically. Practice and training is a vital part of the program which consists of general exercise drills. There are also drills with agility equipment such as ladders, hurdles and cones. Students run on different surfaces such as dirt, sidewalk, grass and hill training. All training is done on campus in our gym, or at nearby park.
Term Project Trip Highlights
The last week of school means Term Project Week at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley! Term Project Week is an opportunity for students in all grades to work with their peers on multidisciplinary projects and to engage in a fun, new activity or trip with various grade levels. Students are grouped with Term Project Teachers for each project.
These projects challenge our students to be cooperative learners and to function as a team. We offer a variety of options each year, and strive to add new projects each year based on both faculty and student interest.
Trips, both domestic and international, are offered every year. Last year, our Middle School students had the chance to go on some amazing adventures!
Catalina
Forty students in grades 6 and 7, along with five teachers, journeyed together for our annual BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Catalina trip. This trip is a popular one. Every year our students and staff enjoy fun, challenging, and motivating experiences.
Our students did everything from night snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking, to ultimate frisbee and campfire skits. They were fed delicious, freshly prepared food and slept in tents! Our students braved it all and came home with wonderful stories and unforgettable memories.
To read more about it and to view pictures, click here.
Hawaii
Twenty-four students in grade 7, along with four teachers, made their way across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. While there they enjoyed activities celebrating Hawaiian culture, exploring historical landmarks, and learning about Hawaii's beautiful landscapes.
To read more about it and to view pictures, click here.
Student Life begins with the students themselves as active participants in shaping our community and culture. A BASIS Independent Silicon Valley student is defined by their joy in discovery, both inside and outside of the classroom.
BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is a grades 5-12 private middle and high school based in San Jose, California, providing students an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum.