The BASIS Charter School Curriculum for grades 8–12 is widely recognized as one of the most academically advanced upper-school programs in the world. BASIS Charter Schools challenge students to reach the highest international benchmarks, and we hold students accountable for mastering subject material. The BASIS Charter School Curriculum instills in students a sense of responsibility for their own education. As they progress through the program, their confidence increases in conjunction with their ability to master complex tasks: our students thrive when challenged.
BASIS Charter School graduates are distinguished individuals who have completed a rigorous, accelerated, college-preparatory course of study including a full year of economics in grade 8, a plethora of Advanced Placement® (AP) courses, and Post-AP and Capstone courses, such as Number Theory, Organic Chemistry, and Post-Colonial Literature, to name a few. It is typical for our grade 10 students to enroll in AP Calculus AB, along with one or more additional AP courses, and take the corresponding AP Exam. On average, our students take over 11 AP Exams prior to graduation, and their performance is incorporated into the students’ grades.
Our accelerated curriculum allows BASIS Charter School students the option to graduate after grade 11; however, most students choose to continue their studies in grade 12. The senior year at BASIS Charter Schools is a unique opportunity to do advanced work, and students consistently report that the senior year has a profound impact on their post-secondary education and career plans. All seniors take a College Counseling course daily. Here they explore different universities and career paths, research and apply for scholarships, and receive feedback on their applications from counselors whose job it is to help students achieve their post-high school dreams. For the first two trimesters of the year, qualified seniors may complete the AP Capstone program or take BASIS Capstone courses, which are comparable to 200- and 300-level college courses, exploring topics that build on material mastered in APs. In their last trimester, seniors may choose to conduct a Senior Project—an intensive, off-campus research project related to their academic or career goals, on a subject of their choice. The independent and academically intensive nature of the Senior Project uniquely positions our students for a successful transition to the world’s best colleges, and beyond.
