Admissions

  • How many students will be admitted in each grade?

    Our most commonly asked question! Seat capacity changes from year to year depending on the reenrollment of our current students and expansion into additional grade levels. As this is an ever-changing number, we aren’t able to determine seat capacity until early of April, after the reenrollment deadline of our current families, which is why we make the majority of our admissions offers (Regular Admissions) in March-April. So, though we cannot provide you specifics of exactly how many seats are available “this year” and in “this grade”, we encourage you to apply as we will have available seats in all grades every year.

  • What is the difference between Early Admissions and Regular Admissions?

    We offer two application cycles during our core season. Early Admissions will require families to complete their application earlier in order to have the opportunity to receive an admissions decision and accept their seat earlier. Regular Admissions will have all the same requirements but families receive an admissions decision and accept their seat at a later date.

  • How do you help students transition into the program?

    We enroll new students every year. For students to achieve the results that they do in our program, they must have the necessary support along their academic journey, from both the school and at home. While we encourage families to join our program sooner rather than later, students consistently join in later grades and are incredibly successful, although later grades are highly selective and only reserved for students with a record of extremely high academic achievement.

    One of the tools with which we support our students is through Student Hours. Teachers provide support through targeted interventions as well as office hours throughout the school week for both students and parents to talk through concerns or questions. In addition to this, our school has a student affairs' department consisting of deans and counselors. This department provides academic and social emotional tools, along with interventions for academic and behaviors support plans.

    Depending on the grade we offer a number of other programs, including Academic Enrichment, Silent Study Hall and Homework Club where students support one another.  There are Student-Led Club like debating and art and editorial where student has an opportunity to develop their leadership and organization skill.  We also offer Summer Packets before the start of the school year to help build the foundational knowledge needed to be successful in the upcoming grade.

  • Can a student successfully transition from a Thai Bilingual school to your program?

    Every year, we have students join us from a variety of schools. Any motivated student can excel in our program. We have a strong support network to ensure a student has the toolkit to succeed. In the beginning, there is always some adjustment for students. Workloads may be higher than average in the beginning as students adjust to the structure and practices of our day-to-day program and classroom experience. However, we see time and again, that students adjust and learn how to utilize their resources to thrive in their school life.

    School administration, faculty, and staff are always present to participate in supporting and guiding students, as well as helping develop good work and study habits, along with time management skills.

  • How much homework should students expect in middle school and high school?

    This depends on the student, their core classes, electives, after-school activities, and even what time of year it is, especially in high school. Grade 5 students will typically see approximately 70 mins of homework every night, but that depends on the day and the student. Grade 6-12 students will have at least 90 mins of homework, but that once again depends on the student and their schedule. Homework in high school largely depends on our student's course selections. Our Student Affairs Team assists in monitoring homework but since each student, their work ethic, and their schedules can vary, it is hard to say an exact time for each grade.

  • With such high academics, do students even have time for clubs and sports?

    Absolutely! Most of our student body participates in at least one extracurricular activity or teacher-led and student-led club at our school every year. But our answer to this is, "it always depends on the student." We have High School students taking multiple AP courses and they participate in one to two clubs or more, but we also have Middle or Primary School students that take their required coursework and only have time to participate in one club.

    Students are given the tools to learn and practice organization, time management, and work and study habits. But no two students are alike. It is more important to us that our students learn to take on only what they can handle, challenge themselves when appropriate, and learn when and if they need to turn their focus elsewhere. Many students may play a sport or participate in a club on campus but also engage in an activity outside of school such as instrumental music or martial arts. Our students learn to manage their time while exploring and enjoying their extracurricular interests and passions.

  • What is your teacher hiring process?

    We believe academic degrees or experience in the disciplines taught, and passion for that subject are the most important tools for inspiring deep content understanding in students. Our selective hiring process screens for candidates who are committed to sharing their expertise and helping students become the best versions of themselves.

    Our recruiting is managed by the BASIS Recruiting Team in the United States.  They receive thousands of applicants each year and make the initial determination as to which candidates should be screened.  This team is responsible for conducing the initial interviews before passing them to our team in Thailand.

    Once we receive candidates from the Recruiting Team, our Head of School and Senior School Leadership team makes the determination as to if this candidate has the right profile for our school.  If selected, the candidate must then interview with a panel of individuals typically consisting of the Head of School, a School Director and, if applicable, a Subject Expert Teacher.

    All final candidates are invited to conduct a Teacher Demo. If the candidate is located nearby one of our schools in the United States, China or Thailand then the Heads of School assemble classes of our students and administrators, and candidates are given the opportunity to teach a lesson, challenge students, show their subject expertise, as well as show their ability to communicate high-level subject matter to young students.   In other cases, we ask for a virtual Teacher Demonstration.

    Our students take these sessions seriously; they know their feedback weighs heavily in our hiring decisions. Some new faculty members have been teaching for years in school or university settings. Others are leaving a research lab or corporate job to leap into a new career and share their experience and applied knowledge with BASIS students.

  • What is your student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom?

    For Early Years, the Nursery has a maximum of 15 students, with PreK1 to Kindergarten capped at 20 students.  Our teaching model is unique with every early-years classroom consisting of an Early Education Teacher and an Early Education Teacher Fellow.  The Early Education Teacher is an expatriate teacher who typically has broad experience in teaching early-years or has a degree in early education.  Their role is to bring the BASIS curriculum to life in the classroom and are experts in the pedagogy of early-years education.  The Early Education Teaching Fellow has a similar background to the Early Education Teacher, but are native Thais.  Their role is to co-teach with the Early Education Teacher and help to accelerate the English language acquisition of our non-native English-speaking students.  Nursery, PreK1 and PreK2 also have Nannies to assist our two teachers in the classroom.

    For the Primary, Grade 1 through Grade 5 the maximum capacity is 25 students per class.  With these grade levels, our students have a Learning Expert Teacher (LET) that stays with them throughout the day and an individual Subject Expert Teacher (SET) that joins their class for each subject.  In the case of Grade 5, we have an Academic Coach who is responsible for the whole grade level.

    For Middle and High School, the maximum capacity is 25 students per class.  Grade 6 and above will also have up to 25 students but have an individual Subject Expert Teacher for each subject.

  • How do you teach soft skills such as empathy, confidence, self-control, and self-awareness?

    We believe that these skills begin at home and we rely on our parents and guardians to work in partnership with us to enhance social emotional learning. On the school side, students are a part of a learning community, one that gives the opportunity for young adults to better themselves, have achievements, have failures, learn lessons, etc. One of the unique things about our program is that we implement an SEL (social emotional learning) curriculum starting in kindergarten that is regularly taught as part of the school day.

    At our school, there is School Character Traits - we are the TUSKERS, which is an acronym that stands for Thinkers, Unique, Supportive, Kind, Exceptional, Respectful, and Sincere.  These core values are embraced throughout all Members of our community, including Students, Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff, Parents, and various partners.  These values are interwoven throughout our culture and appear throughout our school in the form of reward systems, songs, and lesson planning.

    Whether it be their behavior in the hallways, participating in class discussions, or connecting with friends during lunchtime or after school, they are learning these lessons through their relationships with their teachers and fellow students. Its’ a daily journey and one that reminds students of the community they are a part of, and the respect we require them to show other people and themselves.

  • How does the school communicate with families about campus life and events?

    Our parents and guardians are a valued part of our community and we strive to keep them updated regularly about day-to-day school life. Most communications occur through two platforms – Email and Schoolzine. Your family will be updated weekly through our School and Grade Level Newsletters which are distributed by Email and Schoolzine.  These weekly publications keep you informed and entertained with lively tidbits from around our campuses. We also post regularly about upcoming campus events and updates.

05-04-2024

Engineering Class – Designing Circuits

An our primary engineering classes, students develop projects using the Arduino microcontroller. The course is a great way to spark interest in programming and the development of electrical devices. Microcontroller programming is a valuable skill for electronic engineers who want to create embedded systems, control devices, or interface with sensors. Microcontrollers are used in many industries, including manufacturing, robotics, automotive, lighting, and smart energy. Students studied how to write programs, upload and run the programs on a microcontroller and test their circuits and code. It is a big job getting the wiring in place and ensuring all the code is written correctly but our students did a wonderful job debugging and developing their projects.

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21-02-2024

Exclusive interview with the Director of Early Years, Ms. Annie Fletcher.

In this interview, Ms. Annie shares the vision and passion behind BASIS Early Years Education, as well as an overview of the strategic planning, collaborative efforts, and milestone refinement that effectively shape our early childhood education. From nurturing to fostering independence in Kindergarten, Ms. Annie shares valuable insight on the commitment to child development, English language development, and the seamless transition and preparation for our students to be ready for Primary school. This interview offers a glimpse into the exciting environment of BASIS Early Years and the collaboration of our teaching team on their dedication to providing a safe and developmentally appropriate educational experience for our students. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the educational journey of our young learners at BASIS Early Years!

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10-01-2024

Why do BASIS Curriculum Schools use Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?

The BASIS Curriculum requires students to demonstrate mastery of basic concepts and skills across all core disciplines, so that they can apply their knowledge in new and complex contexts. While both AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs prepare students to demonstrate such mastery, the AP model better fits BASIS Curriculum Schools’ vision of teacher autonomy. Through AP, we can empower our educators to provide instruction and assess learning in the ways that match their expertise and fit their students’ needs. Unlike most high schools, which allow students to take only the AP classes they’re interested in, BASIS Curriculum Schools require students to take AP courses in all core subjects. While IB is similar in requiring students to take advanced classes in many subjects, the BASIS Curriculum allows students the freedom to take a variety of APs to meet our requirements: for example, students may pass their AP Lab Science requirement by taking AP Chemistry, AP Biology, or AP Physics (and many students do more than one). Students develop their interests in the subjects they love while maintaining a rigorous course of study. Many colleges and universities (even those outside the United States, but certainly within) accept AP courses and AP Exams for credit, allowing students to skip introductory courses and proceed more...

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20-12-2023

HOS New Year Talk

As a Head of School, what are your responsibilities? As Head of School I am ultimately responsible for the daily management of the school. I collaborate with the administrators, operations team, and teachers to ensure that the academic curriculum is written and planned better than any other. I am responsible for recruiting outstanding teachers to join our team and to work with the team of teachers to ensure the highest quality of the delivery of the curriculum that supported by the best possible resources. Next to this, I am responsible for keeping our school environment joyful and safe. The result of my work translates into raising the standards of our students' learning to the highest international levels. What have you completed in the first term and what is your plan for 2024? I started a project called 'A day in the life of a BISB student'. With this project I sought to better understand how our students experience our school life through the lens of a student, in order to better support the school development for our students. The concept is to shadow each grade level for an entire day – from “drop off” to “pick-up” including all classes, breaks, recess, and other daily activities.  So far I have been “a student”...

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01-12-2023

ADMINISTRATION Letter from the Head of School: Dr. Willem Van Der Sluis, BASIS International School Bangkok

In my international professional career, I have been employed and educated in The Netherlands, Norway, UK, Bangladesh, UAE, Kazakhstan, China and Thailand with an all-round K-12 teaching and senior management background. This includes experiencing several CIS/NEASC and curriculum accreditation processes, being an active CIS visiting team member as well as having experience with several international curricula. I am graduated in Pedagogic (BA) and Inclusive Education (MA) with focus on leadership, communication and organizational behaviour in London (UK). I am also graduated in Education with a doctorates research degree with the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Next to this, I hold several whole school senior leadership certificates. Being convinced that nothing is impossible I believe that everyone can reach his or her target one way or another, all by displaying a positive attitude, confidence, discipline, high organizational skills, clear communication skills and last but not least by being committed to lifelong learning and hard work. In my role as Head of School, I endeavour to inspire and support students, teachers and administrators in developing their leadership and critical thinking skills in order to fulfil their dreams. I believe that a school should be in constant development in order to improve itself in areas such as health, safety, and academics so it can be...

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15-06-2023

WHY AP?

What is “Advanced Placement® (AP)”? Administered by the College Board to promote college readiness, AP courses and exam scores are objective measures to assess a high school student and permit the student to bypass introductory college courses. Many colleges and universities use AP courses, with their demanding syllabi, as an integral part of their admissions decisions. Why do BASIS Curriculum Schools use AP courses and exams to measure student learning? BASIS Curriculum Schools uses the American AP course and exam system to ensure students are globally benchmarked for analytically demanding and information intensive 21st century careers. Standards in education are subjective and vary widely from school to school. AP exams, recognized around the world, allow comparison of students at different schools. AP exams are the answer to the matriculation examinations used in high-performing systems in Europe and Asia, whose students are competing for the same college seats. How does BASIS Curriculum Schools use AP? BASIS Curriculum Schools prepare students to demonstrate mastery in all core courses, as well as foreign language and fine arts, through AP exams. Our belief is that students should be challenged. Our advanced curriculum allows middle school students to take a diverse course load so they are prepared for AP courses and exams later. Seniors can take advantage...

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12-06-2023

Congratulations Class of 2023: Raising the Bar for College Acceptances

Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We are exceptionally proud of our 2023 Graduates as they move forward to the next phase of their exciting academic journey. As they are about to step into the world’s top colleges and universities this fall, we know they are prepared to excel, determined to stand apart, and ready to prove the success of the BASIS Curriculum. The Class of 2023 from our three US high schools including, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, McLean, and Silicon Valley have yet again set the standard in national and international college acceptances. The hard work and determination over this and prior years has shown as our graduates are now well-prepared to enter world-renowned higher education institutions and thrive. “Each year we are incredibly proud of the achievements of our graduating classes,” expressed Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “They have all contributed so much to their school community and any college or university is fortunate to now count them among their student body. The Class of 2023 has raised the bar once again for BASIS Independent Schools. Congratulations!”Below is a complete list of all University acceptances. Allegheny College American University Amherst College Arizona State University (Downtown Phoenix) Arizona State University (Main Campus) Arizona State University (Polytechnic) Arizona State University (West)...

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03-07-2022

OUTSTANDING 2022 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES FOR BASIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS, CHINA

The release of offers by Ivy League schools and Stanford University earlier in April 2022 marked the end of the 2022 US college admissions cycle. As of April 8, 2022 a total of 166 graduates from four campuses (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Park Lane Harbour, and Hangzhou) received 860 offers and over USD $3.5 million in scholarships. Our graduates did it again with 58% admitted to U.S. News and World Report Top 30 universities and 89% to Top 50 universities. Students received offers from Stanford University, Princeton University, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Cornell University, and other prestigious universities in the United States. Outside the United States, our students were accepted to Oxford University, Cambridge University, the University of Toronto and many other top global Universities. In terms of art schools, BASIS China students are honored to be favored by top art schools such as the World No. 2 University of the Arts London and the World No. 3 Rhode Island School of Art. (QS World University Rankings) With a higher number of applicants and plummeting admission rates in elite universities, the 2022 chapter is generally not a pleasant one in the story of global university application trends. Our students’ achievements prove the strength and quality of...

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13-05-2022

BASIS Bangkok, a world class school, provides excellence to kids since a very young age

1. At this time, we would like to ask you to provide the background for BASIS and expand what does it mean by World Class curriculum?BASIS commenced approximately thirty years ago when two college professors in the United States felt that the existing school systems simply were not academically rigorous enough for their own family. These professors incorporated their experiences of international curricula, laying especial emphasis on sciences, engineering, math and economics. Of course, BASIS schools offer a full range of subjects, including art, music and drama – but BASIS was in the vanguard of the move toward STEM education. Today there are approximately forty BASIS school worldwide – all undertaking the same academically-advanced curriculum. The high-stakes examinations our children take are called Advanced Placement. They are the broad equivalent of ‘A’ levels or I.B. Diploma – however, APs are college-level courses; whilst BASIS kids start doing them from grade 9 rather than Grade 12! Maybe courtesy of this high level of academic input BASIS kids enjoys unparalleled success in terms of university acceptance, with 80% of our children last year entering one of the top fifty college worldwide. With regard to the term ‘World Class’, I guess we all appreciate what this would mean, say, in the Olympics? A gold medal...

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31-03-2022

Students 5th-grade artists completed Artivism unit

Our 5th-grade artists just completed their Artivism unit, where the goal was to use art as the medium to create a positive change both within and beyond the classroom! We started the project by learning about child activists; young people like Greta Thunberg. Those who used their voices and actions to change the world. We also learned about artists who use their art and actions to bring about social change - such as Hank Willis Thomas.Our students took time to consider what really mattered to them and where they would like to make an impact for change. They then planned what creative action to take duly creating art to express their ideas!The children’s topics ranged from anti-bullying, climate change, to animal welfare. Their artistic visions took form in paintings, posters, flags, sewed animals, and even graphic design brochures! Many groups paired with local hospitals and charity organizations where we will donate our creations. These include the Soi Dog Foundation, Rescue P.A.W.S., and Bumrungrad Hospital’s Community Outreach Program.All the students stepped to the front of the class and presented both their ideas and physical work to the other children and a group of teachers. These artists did an incredible job – they completed their initial brief - and they made a difference!

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03-03-2022

Nursery Program

Our Nursery will provide the same superlative academic standards as the rest of the school.  Wherein, the class will be in the capable hands of a qualified, expatriate teacher and will receive a range of specialist lessons from other experienced, internationally qualified educators. BASIS schools were initiated in the USA thirty years ago by two university professors who felt the existing academic offers simply were not advanced nor challenging enough for children.  They felt children were capable of more! Thus all BASIS schools follow this credo – and are duly monitored by BASIS USA to ensure every school – including the international schools, meet their exemplary standards.A robust academic nursery curriculum addresses social development alongside literacy and numeracy skills – and in our unique case, must also incorporate Thai language and culture.  Hence, the curriculum has been written to offer academic and social success built upon our understanding of early years’ development.  Ultimately, it will ensure seamless continuity as the Nursery children enter our PreK1 class – and so build a formidable foundation for longer term academic success! We have opted for a ratio of one full-time member of staff to five children, with class sizes of no larger than fifteen children in each class. We felt it beneficial to offer this...

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05-06-2021

OUTSTANDING 2021 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES FOR BASIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS, CHINA

BASIS International Schools in China have been celebrating an outstanding set of university acceptances. The Class of 2021 from our BASIS International Schools in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Park Lane Harbour have already received offers from a range of outstanding universities from around the world, including many of the most highly selective universities and programs. The overall record of 64 students is truly remarkable - 88% of the graduates were accepted to at least 1 of the top 30 universities worldwide. In total, this year’s applicants have already received 413 offers with scholarships of $1.78 million in total from those universities ranked within the top-10 globally (QS World Rankings 2021). Two outstanding Grade 11 students at Park Lane Harbor were admitted to two top STEM institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Imperial College London, a full year early. BASIS graduates continue to excel in every field — from the traditional academic programs on offer at top Universities, including Ivy League, to programs at selective specialist institutions devoted to the performing arts, visual arts and design. Some US acceptances include Cornell University, Vanderbilt University, University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Duke University, Dartmouth University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Washington University St. Louis, University of California Los Angeles, Emory University, Rice...

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