BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

San José, USA

Type of institution:

International college
College
Private school

Age range:

Type of training:

Online
Hybrid
Part-time
Full-time

Language of instruction:

english

Year of foundation:2014

About the BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

Founded in 2014 in a repurposed IBM building in San Jose, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley operates under Spring Education Group with the rigorous BASIS curriculum model. It serves students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through Grade 12, across two campuses: Lower School (TK–5) in Sunnyvale and Upper School (Grades 6–12) in San Jose. The school’s philosophy emphasizes a spiraling liberal-arts approach fused with advanced STEM education. Students typically complete at least four AP courses before senior year and undertake an independent capstone research project. The curriculum is benchmarked against top international standards, with high expectations for mastery, critical thinking, and personal accountability. BISV is consistently ranked among the top STEM-focused high schools in the U.S., with outcomes such as ~97 % AP exam pass rate (Class of 2024) and 56 % of graduates admitted to top‑25 colleges.

Admission conditions in BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

Selective admissions from TK through Grade 12 aimed at academically motivated students seeking rigorous preparation for college. Required Exams: No standardized entry tests like SSAT/ISEE, but required math and reading/writing assessments. TOEFL score required for international applicants. Minimum Age: Transitional Kindergarten: must turn 4 by May 31 of admission year Kindergarten: must turn 5 by September 1 Application Process: Submit online application (non‑refundable fee: ~$100–200) Provide school transcripts for previous 2–3 years For Grades 2–9: two teacher recommendations (Math and English) directly from current teachers Schedule an interview and assessments: Play date or entrance exam (TK–Grade 1 vs Grade 2+) Math assessment (web‑based) Reading/writing interview or test International students must submit TOEFL and interviews Admission decisions typically within ~10 business days after application completion Accepted families must sign Enrollment Agreement and pay a non-refundable deposit (~$3,000 or $5,000 for international program) within ~3 weeks Educational Qualifications: Strong academic record, high GPA, readiness for AP-level coursework. International students require proficiency in English. Required Documents: Transcripts Teacher recommendations TOEFL scores (for international applicants) Personal questionnaire or essay Interview/assessment results Requirements for International Students: F‑1 visa eligibility, TOEFL report, rolling admissions until full capacity is reached. Financial Requirements: Tuition requires documentation of ability to pay; financial aid information available upon request. Application Deadlines: Early Admissions (TK–K only) 2026: Opens: August 1, 2025 • Submit by Oct 29, 2025 • Complete by Nov 21, 2025 Notification: December 3, 2025 • Commitment by December 12, 2025 Regular Admissions (all grades): Opens: August 1, 2025 • Submit by January 28, 2026 • Complete by Feb 13, 2026 Notification: March 18, 2026 • Commitment by March 27, 2026 Testing or Interview: Play date/entrance exam for younger grades; academic assessments and family interview required for older grades. Experience or Qualifications: No work experience required. Upper grades expected to demonstrate strong academic readiness and motivation for a demanding curriculum. Notification of Results: Decisions typically delivered within 10 business days after complete application; offer acceptance deadline ~3 weeks.

Minimum rating for admission to BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

No fixed cutoff, but applicants must show readiness for multiple AP courses and strong academic performance. Approximately 56 % of graduates matriculate at top‑25 universities.

Prospects after completing studies in BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

Graduates routinely gain acceptance to elite universities such as Stanford, MIT, Harvard, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Chicago, Oxford, and others. Average SAT score ~1487 and ACT ~34 (Class of 2024). High AP exam pass rates (~97 %) reflect strong academic rigor. The school offers competitive robotics, debate, and extracurricular options to build holistic portfolios.