Program Overview

High School Program

The High School Program is consistently recognized as one of the best in the country, unmatched in breadth and depth. It includes an advanced liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked to the best educational systems in the world, Subject Expert Teachers whose knowledge and passion inspire excellence in students, and a supportive culture where hard work and the pursuit of knowledge are celebrated.

The Curriculum

The High School curriculum builds off the foundation of content and skills learned in middle school and offers students a diverse course of study that is unmatched in breadth and depth. By the time they reach grade 9, students are ready for AP courses, a key, required component of the curriculum. Externally measured and validated by the College Board, these courses allow students to study college-level work in high school. AP classes are available starting in grade 9, and because of the acceleration of the program, most students complete their AP course requirements during their first three years in high school.

In addition to advanced coursework in all disciplines, students are offered a wide variety of elective options that provide opportunities to explore their interests and discover new passions. Elective offerings change based on student interest and faculty expertise, and often include courses in the arts, engineering and computer science, economics, physical education, additional world languages beyond the requirement, and more.

The Senior Year

The Senior Year is a unique bridge to college. Unlike typical high school programs that end with a course load in Advanced Placement, our students typically finish their requirements, including AP courses, before their senior year. Seniors' schedules are comprised of:

• Capstone courses, which complement the breadth of the program by adding depth, focusing on a very narrow part of a discipline, often tied to the teachers' area of expertise.
• A daily seminar in college counseling, which allows college counselors to get to know students on a deeply personal level, help them determine what college and university options will align with their educational and professional goals, and ensure they have plenty of support as they prepare their applications.
• The Senior Project, a three-month, student-driven, investigative project culminating in a presentation to the community on their findings. Senior Projects offer students incomparable opportunity and access to experts in their fields.

Subject Expert Teachers

All high school courses are taught by Subject Expert Teachers (SETs), educators with work experience or advanced degrees in the discipline they teach. Their enthusiasm, depth of knowledge, and real-life expertise bring the subject matter to life, inspiring students to embrace challenges, understand practical application of skills and content, and learn at the highest international levels.

Results & Outcomes

On the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test for Schools (based on PISA), a test of critical thinking and application of knowledge in math, reading, and science, BASIS Independent students consistently outperform the top-ranked region in the world: Shanghai, China.

BASIS Independent students are top performers in Advanced Placement exams; they are National Merit Finalists, academic competition winners, starters of nonprofits, and more. They gain admission to some of the world's most prestigious colleges and universities, and are well-poised to make meaningful contributions in any field.

Highlights from the 2024 – 2025 School Year

• Average AP exam pass rate was 98% compared to the global average of 67%
• Average AP score was 4.51 compared to the U.S. average of 3.12
• Average SAT score was 1492 compared to the U.S. average of 1029
• Average ACT score was 34 compared to the U.S. average of 19.4
• 54% of graduates were accepted into a Top 25 school in 2025 (U.S. News & World Report Rankings)
• 91% of graduates were accepted into a Top 50 school in 2025 (U.S. News & World Report Rankings)
• 100% of graduates earned AP Scholar distinction in 2025