Basis Independent Manhattan

BASIS Independent Manhattan describes its teaching philosophy as a rigorous, globally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences education that builds mastery through a connected, spiral curriculum from early learning through high school. The school emphasizes expert teachers, high expectations, data-informed improvement, and strong teacher-student relationships, with the goal of developing students’ critical thinking, independence, and ability to thrive in a global academic and professional environment. (basisindependent.com)

Families apply to BASIS Independent Manhattan through Ravenna, where they create an account to submit the online application, register for required admissions steps, and track progress; attending an admissions event is optional but encouraged. (basisindependent.com) For PreK–Grade 1, the school lists an online application, an Early Learning Program teacher recommendation, a Grade 1 transcript request (if applicable), a play date, and a family meeting; for Grades 2–10, it requires the application, English and math teacher recommendations, transcripts, the Independent School Entrance Exam, and a family meeting, with at least one parent/guardian attending and students in Grades 2–10 also required to attend. (basisindependent.com) Key 2026 entry dates shown on the school site include Early Admissions only for siblings of current students (apply by November 14, 2025; complete by November 26, 2025; decisions December 5, 2025; commit December 12, 2025) and Regular Admissions for PreK–Grade 10 (submit/complete by January 8, 2026; decisions released February 5–26, 2026 depending on grade; commitments due February 12–March 12, 2026). (basisindependent.com) The Rolling Admissions cycle for Fall 2026 opened January 9, 2026, remains open until a grade closes, gives decisions within 10 business days of a completed application, and requires commitment within 10 business days of a seat offer; once a grade closes, qualified applicants are placed into grade-level wait pools. (basisindependent.com) The only explicit priority category I found on the Manhattan admissions pages is Early Admissions for siblings of current students; I did not find other named priority categories on the admissions pages reviewed. (basisindependent.com)