BASIS Independent McLean

We have three children (primary, middle, and high school) at Basis Independent McLean and have been very pleased with the curriculum and teachers so far. Our kids are all engaged in and challenged by their classes, despite having different academic styles. (This is a huge difference from the last school they attended.) They really like their fellow classmates as well. The school emphasizes student responsibility (kids are responsible for their homework, not the parents); and our kids have bought into this.

Basis Independent McLean provides my 5th-grade son with an outstanding, truly world-class education. In his second year at Basis, he continues to meet challenges that push him to work harder, study smarter and identify opportunities which require him to find individual support from his teachers. Basis Independent McLean is not an "old school" school. There are no great lawns to maintain. The tuition fees are far more affordable than the "old school" private schools. Our money is funneled into my son's education, not great lawns and first class tennis facilities that require large maintenance crews. Basis Independent McLean, as with all Basis schools, demands diligent and enduring academic effort, along with artistic expression in the music and visual arts programs. Basis Independent McLean recognizes and rewards academic achievement. Every student is not a "winner." We are a community that values and recognizes hard work that results in academic excellence. While Basis does not identify its program as STEM, my son finds challenges in mathematics, science, and technology every week. And yes, there are soccer teams and math clubs, along with fencing and computer programming clubs, among many other opportunities offered to enrich and challenge students after classes end every day.

Last year, my child started as a 5th grader at Basis Independent McLean and so for this year, she still loves the school. The academic program is rigorous, wide and deep, but the school also makes an effort for students to understand why all the subjects are relevant and important to them. All the teachers and staff are highly motivated to make this a great school, and they are very responsive to ideas and requests of students and parents. The two key skills she learned from BIM are; effective and productive way to study, and time management. Both are important in rigorous learning environment.

We are in the second year with this school and we could not be happier. The school is a vibrant and exciting place for my students to attend each day. The teachers are passionate about what they teach and their infectious attitude spreads to the students. Things my kids were never interested in before now have new life. To me this is the definition of a "whole child," one who knows about a lot of different fields, and has life skills to go out into the world.

We have had a fabulous experience with BASIS Independent McLean. Our son couldn't be happier socially and is blossoming in an accelerated and supportive learning environment. The teachers are highly motivated, care deeply about his success and share an enthusiasm for learning that is infectious. The administration is the most professional team I've ever seen within an academic institution and has been extraordinarily responsive to our requests. We couldn't be more satisfied with our choice and look forward to watching our son develop in this unique program.