A brief history of BASIS Curriculum Schools
What happens when best practices from top education systems in the world—places like Singapore, Finland, and Shanghai—are infused with the creativity and spirit that defines American education? That’s what BASIS Curriculum Schools co-founders sought to answer after Dr. Michael Block discovey that students in his university classroom who were educated abroad were more prepared to excel in their studies, and when his wife, Olga Block couldn’t find a high school program in the U.S. for her daughter that matched the content depth of her own education from Eastern Europe. In 1998, they opened their first school in Tucson, Arizona. Thirty-seven campuses and twenty-four thousand students later, BASIS Curriculum Schools is looked to as the gold standard in preparing students with the content knowledge, critical thinking, and creative problem solving skills needed to be successful in an increasingly complex world.
By Discipline
Humanities
The humanities curriculum begins with the building blocks of literacy and quickly establishes in students a strong foundation in reading, writing, and historical awareness. As coursework evolves from awareness of self and community in the Early Years to integrated coursework in history and English in the Primary Years, deeper content in classics, and ultimately the societies that have shaped the current day, BASIS Curriculum students develop a deep and broad understanding of historical periods and cultural differences, as well as the skills to analyze and critique all types of representational media. The BASIS Diploma requires more credits in humanities than in any other discipline.
Math & Science
All students take high-level mathematics courses earlier than usual, and begin learning chemistry, physics, and biology as separate courses in grade 6. Graduates have passed all three sciences at the Honors level and have completed and passed the exam for at least one Advanced Placement® (AP) math and one science course. We use a math curriculum rooted in the Saxon Math program, starting off one grade level ahead of the sequence. We believe students learn best when broader topics are introduced in smaller segments with ample time to practice new additions. Spiraling topics and homework problems give students ample practice and opportunity to strengthen fundamental skills.
Interdisciplinary Studies
Interdisciplinary coursework is present throughout the program, from a dedicated hands-on class in the Primary Years called “Connections” where cross-subject discovery is a key objective, to independently developed and investigated Senior Projects. We believe that teaching students to make connections across disciplines—to ask questions and seek solutions and answers across traditional boundaries—inspires the creative, independent thinking that prepares students for life and work in the 21st century. Outside of specific classes with explicit instruction in interdisciplinary studies, such as the Connections course, logic, economics, high school electives like the History of Medicine, and the Senior Project, all coursework involves some level of inquiry-based, cross-subject work.
The Arts
The arts inspire students to develop creative, innovative ideas, encourage different modes of self-expression, and help students make meaningful aesthetic connections between themselves and the world. At various points throughout the curriculum (and often simultaneously), students take classes in fine arts, performing arts, and music. Starting in our earliest years, students explore diverse themes of historical and contemporary significance. Courses are taught thematically, exploring how artists and learners respond to the concepts of Communication, Community, Movement, Technology, and Self. In grades 6 and above, art courses are offered as an elective and offer students the opportunity to study an instrument, participate in a work of theatre, or deeply examine a specific fine arts history and technique.
Physical Education & Movement
In the BASIS Curriculum Physical Education and Movement courses, students learn to maintain healthy bodies, lifestyles, and attitudes through physical activity, organized sports, fitness, and dance. All BASIS students are required to take Physical Education in the Early, Primary, and Bridge Years; in grades 7–12, Physical Education is offered as an elective. Many BASIS Curriculum schools offer Movement courses in the lower grades as a complement to more traditional physical education curriculum.
Enrichment & Electives
In the Early and Primary Years, students take a required course in Engineering, learning the basics of the engineering design process and how to apply that framework in different aspects of the academic and social lives. In the Intermediate Years, Academic Enrichment (AE) is introduced as a vital component of the students’ day: they meet with teachers and get a start on homework. Students also have the choice of a wide variety of arts-based electives. Both AE and electives play a crucial role in the high school curriculum and often impact their Senior Project topic choice. College Counseling, a daily course senior year taught by a dedicated college counselor, is designed to set students up for success in planning for their education beyond BASIS Curriculum Schools.