Today we consider kids precocious if they can launch a start-up in college, but BASIS Independent Brooklyn, a private K-12 school opening this fall in Red Hook, believes students can achieve great heights and pursue their big ideas before they even leave high school.
BASIS.ed is synonymous with rigorous coursework. In eighth grade, students delve into a full year of introductory-level economics and have the chance to enroll in advanced electives such as environmental science or psychology. The BASIS Independent Schools’ curriculum undoubtedly has a strong STEM focus, but in truth they’re just returning to the roots of a well-rounded education. (“The original ‘liberal arts and sciences’ was made up of seven disciplines covering the full spectrum of knowledge,” BASIS Independent Schools communications director, David Schulz, points out.) Students are required to take an array of courses in history, language, literature, science and math, but also have their choice of advanced electives in subjects ranging from computer science to digital photography.
(more…)