BASIS Phoenix Brochure

BASIS

Charter Schools

PHOENIX

BASIS

Phoenix

Grades 6–12

The mission of BASIS Charter Schools is to

empower students to achieve at globally

competitive levels with a transformative K–12

academic program.

BASIS Phoenix is a TUITION-FREE public

charter school serving grades 6–12.

We offer a world-class, STEM-infused,

liberal arts curriculum with a strong

student support system.

WHAT MAKES BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS’

ACADEMIC PROGRAM EXCEPTIONAL?

We are a global leader in education.

BASIS Charter Schools are consistently named

among the top schools in the nation. According

to U.S. News & World Report 2023 rankings, 10 of

the top 20 charter high schools in the nation are

BASIS Charter Schools. Our schools also represent

six of the top 20 STEM high schools in the country.

BASIS Charter Schools are dedicated to

raising the standards of student learning to

the highest international levels. Our students

engage in the world-class BASIS Charter

School Curriculum, which fuels critical thinking,

problem-solving, and creativity. Classes are led

by knowledgeable Subject Expert Teachers

who design challenging and engaging

lessons that appeal to different learning styles.

As a result, BASIS Charter School students

achieve excellent academic outcomes

and become self-motivated learners.

Our students earn some of the

top scores in the world.

Our robust academic program allows students to

advance to AP-level courses across all disciplines,

and our curriculum is on par with Europe and

Asia’s high-achieving educational systems.

BASIS Charter School students not only acquire

knowledge through our curriculum; they

are able to apply it in real-world situations.

Results from the OECD Test for Schools (based

on PISA), a highly regarded exam taken by

students in more than 70 countries, show that

BASIS Charter School students outscore their

peers in critical thinking. To learn more about

our results, visit enrollBASIS.com/phoenix.

We hold students to high

academic standards.

The BASIS Charter School Curriculum requires

students to demonstrate mastery of challenging

material. We use the College Board’s AP Exams

as opportunities for them to demonstrate this

mastery. Students are prepared to start taking

AP Exams

as early as grade 8, are required

to take AP courses beginning in grade 9 and

will complete at least six AP Exams

prior to

graduation. The externally generated and

graded AP Exams

also count as ﬁnal exams

for AP courses. This ensures that we are holding

our students to the highest possible standards.

We hire Subject Expert Teachers

for every course.

Due to the challenging nature of the BASIS

Charter School Curriculum, Subject Expert

Teachers—many of whom hold advanced

degrees—instruct our students. We are

committed to the philosophy that all students

can succeed when provided with an advanced

curriculum and supportive, knowledgeable

teachers to guide them through it. As content

experts, our teachers are responsible for

planning, preparing, and carrying out all

aspects of lessons. As such, their lessons

are rich in content and deep in insight.

Subject Expert Teachers consistently

extend their knowledge, expertise, and

enthusiasm to students—maximizing

comprehension and engagement.

HIGHLIGHTS

We hold our students to the highest standards

of academic achievement, and we have seen

tremendous growth in student scholarship and

leadership over the years. We are ranked #51 in

National Rankings, #9 in Arizona High Schools,

#7 in Phoenix, AZ Metro Area High Schools, #10

in Charter High Schools, and #26 in STEM High

Schools in the nation by U.S. News & World

Report, 2023. BASIS Phoenix is also a member of

the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) and

a number of our sports teams have won state

championships. Our Speech & Debate team has

received numerous awards over the years, and

we are now one of the top 10 teams in Arizona.

BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS

CLASS OF 2O23

Total Scholarship by graduates

$79, 8 37,396

Naviance, 2023 (based on self-reported data)

Average scholarship award

earned per graduate

$112 ,4 47

Naviance, 2023 (based on self-reported data)

Average

ACT score

Average

SAT score

1397

The College Board, 2023

SAT

is a trademark registered/owned by the College Board

and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation , and ACT

is a

registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which do not endorse and

were not involved in the production of this publication.

College Acceptance Rates

Percent of 2023 BASIS Charter School graduates accepted to one or more

U.S. News & World Report top National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges

Top 100

Top 50

Top 25

Top 20

U.S. News & World Report National University Rankings and National Liberal Arts College Rankings, 2023

College acceptance information self-reported by students: Naviance, 2023

MIDDLE AND HIGH

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Our comprehensive middle school curriculum is

designed to progressively move students toward a

greater understanding of fundamental concepts

in each subject. Teachers set high expectations

and design instruction that is challenging and

engaging, requiring students to refine their critical

thinking skills and analyze content in deeper,

more meaningful ways. As such, BASIS Charter

School students far exceed traditional middle

school standards and master advanced material

that is normally taught in high school. For example,

starting in grade 6 students take three science

courses—biology, physics, and chemistry—each

year to prepare for Honors and AP science

courses. Through this progression of content,

students master the material needed to excel in

our high school program.

As your student enters grade 8, they will be

mastering complex concepts and skills, taking

responsibility for their educational goals, and

focusing on their post-BASIS future. The rigor of

grade 8 will help students prepare for the

challenges of grades 9–12, where they will have

the opportunity to take a wide range of Advanced

Placement

Exams, as well as post-AP and

Capstone courses. On average, your student may

take 11 to 12 AP

Exams prior to graduation, with

their overall grades reflecting test performance.

Due to the accelerated nature of the BASIS

Charter School Curriculum, your student could

meet the state requirements to graduate after

grade 11. However, most students continue their

studies into grade 12 and take advantage of the

advanced study opportunities we offer to our

seniors. A daily College Counseling Seminar

fosters the exploration of different universities,

career paths, and scholarship opportunities to

encourage your student’s achievement of post-

graduation goals. Additionally, our counselors will

help your student navigate financial aid, prepare

for interviews, and facilitate college planning

nights for families.

LINGUISTICS (Grades 6–7)

BASIS Charter Schools are thrilled to offer a groundbreaking program developed by experts that teaches

students to analyze the fundamentals of language. Addressing topics that are typically only taught at the

university level, BASIS Linguistics includes Linguistics 6 and Linguistics 7 as a precursor to world language

selections in grade 8. In Linguistics 6, students gain a foundational understanding of the scientific study

of language with lessons on topics ranging from historical linguistics to the psychology of language. In

Linguistics 7, students deepen their content knowledge by analyzing data sets, diagramming sentences, and

exploring the phonetics and phonology of the languages that will be offered in grade 8. The BASIS Linguistics

course sequence equips students with the necessary tools to be successful language learners and teaches

them that science can be used to understand language.

SPORK MATH

SPORK Math is comprised of the following courses: Pre-Algebra (grade 6), Algebra I (grade 7), Algebra II

(grade 8), Pre-Calculus A, AB, and B (grades 9–10). SPORK Math is delivered through tablets, allowing us to

update the curriculum every year, to ensure that we are responsive to our students’ needs. This method of

delivery facilitates rapid homework communication between teachers and students, making time spent

in the classroom more productive. For example, while students are doing homework, they can mark the

problems they are struggling with the most. Their teacher will receive that information in real-time and can

come to class the next day with a lesson prepared to address those concepts. Long term, SPORK Math will

help teachers identify the areas students struggle with the most, allowing them to adapt their lessons and

plan for extra practice.

BASIS PHOENIX

ART HISTORY & PRACTICE (MUSIC,

VISUAL ARTS, OR THEATRE) (Grade 6)

In Art History & Practice (Music, Visual Arts,

or Theatre), students explore the world of

art through a historical lens. They apply key

concepts—themes, materials, or techniques—

and vocabulary from each time period to their

own creations and performances. In addition,

students make connections across cultures,

beliefs, and artists’ perspectives to learn what

inspires artists to create.

VISUAL ARTS (Grades 7–12)

Visual Arts courses focus on identifying and

achieving artistic goals; creating, reflecting,

and evaluating art; and understanding art in

social and cultural context.

THEATRE (Grades 7–12)

Theatre courses require students to apply

previously learned skills and knowledge in the

context of a production-based class.

MUSIC (Grades 7–12)

Music courses focus on technique

and performance.

THE SENIOR PROGRAM

The BASIS Charter School Curriculum culminates

with the Senior Program, which plays a vital role in

preparing students for college. After completing

their junior year, most BASIS Charter School

students have earned enough credits to meet

state graduation requirements and have the

option to graduate early; however, the majority

choose to complete their senior year and earn the

BASIS Diploma with Honors or High Honors.

The Senior Program is comprised of a daily College

Counseling Seminar, advanced Capstone courses, and a

Senior Project that is completed off campus.

COLLEGE COUNSELING SEMINAR

A unique aspect of our Senior Program is the

College Counseling Seminar. In this course,

students explore different colleges and

universities, write application essays, apply

for scholarships, navigate ﬁnancial aid, and

prepare for interviews. Our dedicated College

Guidance Coordinators work hard to ensure

that all students are prepared for the college

application process and ﬁnd the school that is

the best ﬁt for them as an individual. College

Guidance Coordinators help students navigate

the college application process by facilitating

campus visits, hosting university admissions

representatives, providing feedback on

applications and personal essays, supplying

news about scholarships, and hosting ﬁnancial

aid and college planning nights for families.

“Getting accepted to college is simple.

Distilling a student’s purpose, gifts, and

potential, then aligning them to colleges that

will suit their future social, intellectual, and

financial needs is the complex art at the

center of the College Counseling Seminar.”

–Meg Giles, Sr. College Guidance

Coordinator, BASIS Mesa

CAPSTONE COURSES

During the ﬁrst two trimesters of their senior

year, BASIS Charter School students take

Capstone courses designed to emulate

a college classroom where students are

engaged in independent research, lab

work, and seminar-style discussion. Capstone

courses cover complex material and require

students to learn about a speciﬁc topic in

depth. Courses span the academic disciplines

and serve as a bridge between high school

academic standards and college scholarship.

Examples of Capstone Courses:

• Forensics

• Biology of Psychological Disorders

• Popular Music as Literature

• History of Food

• Disease and Immune Response

• Multivariable Calculus

• Statistics

• Organic Chemistry

• The Latin Roots of Italian

• World History Through Film

• Gender Studies

• Quantum Mechanics

• Marine Biology

* Capstone courses offered vary year-to-year

and by campus.

BASIS PHOENIX

SENIOR PROJECTS

Senior Projects are the true synthesis and

culmination of a student’s journey through the

BASIS Charter School Curriculum. Through these

comprehensive projects, BASIS Charter School

seniors combine their creativity, critical thinking

skills, and deep content knowledge to make a real

and direct impact on their communities and the world.

Students can complete the Senior Project in one of two

ways: they can do a traditional Senior Project, or they can do

a Senior Project that aligns with the AP Capstone™ curriculum. Students who

successfully complete a Senior Project earn a BASIS Diploma with High Honors.

TRADITIONAL SENIOR PROJECTS

The BASIS Diploma Senior Project is a selective program that requires students to

dedicate the ﬁnal trimester of their senior year to researching or developing an original

idea in a ﬁeld of their choosing. In addition to developing a project of the student’s

choice and design, Senior Projects also entail an off-campus experience, such as

an internship, job shadow, or volunteer position. These experiences can take them

across the nation or around the world. Students are guided by a faculty member at

their BASIS Charter School, plus a mentor at their off-campus site. At the end of the

trimester, students present their ﬁndings to their peers, teachers, and parents.

AP CAPSTONE-BASED SENIOR PROJECTS

Through the AP Capstone™ curriculum, BASIS Charter School students design, plan, and

conduct year-long research projects, applying their knowledge to real-world problems.

Students are guided by a faculty member at their BASIS Charter School, as well as a

mentor at their off-campus research site. In addition to submitting an initial project

proposal, the AP Research course (the second course in the AP Capstone sequence)

requires students to write a 4,000- to 5,000-word academic essay on their chosen topic,

and then present their ﬁndings.

THE ACADEMY FEATURED AT BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS

BASIS Charter Schools offer sophomores and juniors additional history course options. Academy

History Seminars, optional alternatives to traditional AP History classes, were created to enable

authentic learning about the experiences, events, and trials of history. These courses maintain an

ideological balance, allowing students to synthesize their knowledge about historical events with

their own and others’ secondary analyses. A key element of Academy History Seminars is that they

are taught by two teachers who are encouraged to share their unique perspectives as they work

together to create an atmosphere of civility in discourse, even as they share ideologically opposing

views. Through this intellectual action, our teachers inspire students to engage in productive

conversation as they explore all angles of a concept or issue. Academy History Seminars also help

students refine their skills in writing persuasively, reading critically, and speaking with authority.

Courses Offered: U.S. History Seminar

BASIS PHOENIX

GRADES

–

COURSE OVERVIEW

* All courses are subject to change

MATH (minimum course-level requirements)

• Grade 6 Pre-Algebra

• Grade 7 Algebra and Geometry I

• Grade 8 Algebra and Geometry II

• Grade 9 Pre-Calculus A

• Grades 9–10 AP Pre-Calculus

• Grade 10 Pre-Calculus B

• Grade 11 AP Calculus AB

• Grade 12 Math Capstone

SCIENCE

• Grades 6–8 Biology, Chemistry, and

Physics (all three each year)

• Grade 9 First Honors Science

(Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)

• Grade 10 Second Honors

Science; ﬁrst AP Science

• Grade 11 Third Honors Science,

second AP Science, or AP Elective

• Grade 12 Science Capstone

SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Grade 6 World History I (pre-

history to Enlightenment)

• Grade 7 World History II (Age of Exploration

to Cold War Era) and Arizona History

• Grade 8 U.S. History (Industrial

Revolution to Civil Rights Movement)

• Grade 9 AP U.S. Government and Politics

• Grade 10 AP World History: Modern

• Grade 11 AP U.S. History or

Academy U.S. History Seminar

• Grade 12 Humanities Capstone

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

• Grades 6–8 English

• Grade 9 Honors English Literature;

Honors English Language

• Grade 10 AP English Literature

or AP English Language

• Grade 11 Second AP English

course or Post-AP English

• Grade 12 Humanities Capstone

WORLD LANGUAGE

• Grades 6–7 Linguistics

• Grades 8–11 French, Latin, Mandarin,

or Spanish; AP optional

• Grade 12 World Language Capstone

FINE ARTS, PE, AND ELECTIVES

• Grade 6 Art History & Practice (Music,

Art, or Theatre) and PE & Sports

• Grade 7 Music, Art, Theatre, or PE & Sports

• Grades 8–12 General electives,*

AP elective, or Post-AP elective

OTHER

• Grade 7 Computer Logic

• Grade 8 Economics

* Minimum of one Fine Arts elective required.

A variety of subjects, including AP courses,

are available as electives. Please contact

the school to review possible electives

for the upcoming school year.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities enhance the learning experience and provide opportunities for

enrichment, socialization, and achievement beyond the classroom. These activities allow students

to interact with different groups, pursue individual interests, and develop new skills. To participate

in extracurricular activities, students must exhibit good behavior and maintain a strong academic

standing. As such, they learn to balance outside activities with advanced coursework, an

important time management skill that will benefit them throughout their education.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OFFERED AT BASIS PHOENIX MAY INCLUDE*:

• Anime/Manga Club

• Art Club

• Astronomy/

Aerospace Club

• Basketball

• Biotechnology Club

• Bio Olympiad

• Chamber Orchestra

• Chess Club

• Cross Country

• DECA

• Drama Club

• Filmmaking Club

• Flag Football

• Glee Club

• Golf

• Healthcare Explorers Club

• Hiking Club

• Jazz Ensemble

• Junior Model UN

• K-Pop Club

• MATHCOUNTS

• Mock Trial

• Mountain Bike Club

• Mu Alpha Theta

Honor Society

• National Chinese

Honor Society

• National Honor Society

• National Junior

Honor Society

• Peer Advocacy Crew

• Publishing Club

• Red Cross Club

• Rugby Club

• Science Bowl Club

• Science Fair

• Science National

Honor Society

• Soccer

• Spanish National

Honor Society

• Speech & Debate

• Sports Chanbara

• Tennis

• Tri M Music Honor Society

• Track

• Volleyball

• Weightlifting Club

• Writing for Scholarships

• Yearbook Club

• Youth Action Coalition

* Extracurricular activities

offered vary by campus

and from year-to-year

based on student interest.

BASIS PHOENIX

WHAT ARE BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS?

The BASIS Charter Schools network comprises 39 charter schools across Arizona,

Louisiana, Texas, and Washington, D.C. All BASIS Charter Schools utilize the BASIS

Charter School Curriculum, which encourages self-motivation and hard work, allows

students to master advanced content and thoroughly prepares them for college.

HOW DO I APPLY?

All applications must be submitted through the online enrollment portal at

enrollBASIS.com. Parents/guardians should complete and submit student enrollment

applications during the Open Enrollment period. However, applications are accepted

throughout the year. You may apply to more than one BASIS Charter School, but you must

submit separate applications, per student, to each school. Applications do not need to

be signed in order to be entered in the lottery. Applicants who are offered enrollment at a

BASIS Charter School will be provided with instructions for accepting the offer, completing

the online registration form, and submitting registration documents to the school.

HOW DO THE LOTTERY AND WAITLIST WORK?

Every year, there is an Open Enrollment period for the following school year.

Applications submitted during Open Enrollment and outside of Open Enrollment

are processed differently. Please note that the exact Open Enrollment dates

and lottery dates are determined on a year-to-year basis. Information will

be available on enrollBASIS.com once this year’s dates are ﬁnalized.

If you apply during Open Enrollment: If the number of applications received during

Open Enrollment exceeds the number of openings (at any grade level), enrollment

is determined by a lottery and waitlist. The Open Enrollment period for BASIS Charter

Schools is NOT ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served. Instead, applicants are added to a lottery

pool. To be included in the lottery, you need to apply by midnight on the last day of

Open Enrollment. After the Open Enrollment period ends, lottery drawings are held.

You will receive the results directly from the school(s) you applied to. Families that

do not receive an enrollment offer from the lottery will be added to a waitlist.

If you apply outside of Open Enrollment: Applications submitted after the Open

Enrollment period has ended will be added to a waitlist and processed on a ﬁrst-

come, ﬁrst-served basis, following any applications received during Open Enrollment.

Schools will continue to make offers to waitlisted applicants as seats become available.

There is not a lottery for applications submitted outside of Open Enrollment.

BASIS Charter School enrollment policies are available for review

in the enrollment application portal at enrollBASIS.com.

WILL I HAVE TO PAY TUITION?

No. BASIS Charter Schools are tuition-free.

F A

BASIS PHOENIX

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL-YEAR SCHEDULE?

The start date for each school is determined by the Head of School and leadership team, and then

announced on the school’s website. To reduce the chance of scheduling conﬂicts for BASIS Charter

School families with students in multiple grade levels, or who attend different schools, we try to align

our school calendars with district school calendars. To maximize academic instruction time, BASIS

Charter Schools do not include professional development (in-service) days on the school calendar.

DO YOU HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS?

Yes. BASIS Charter Schools offer the Early Bird and Late Bird programs to assist parents/

guardians whose schedules do not align with the schools’ scheduled start and end times.

DO YOU PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION?

No. BASIS Charter Schools do not provide transportation for students to and

from school at this time. However, we encourage members of our parent-

volunteer booster clubs to identify carpool opportunities.

HOW MUCH HOMEWORK DO STUDENTS RECEIVE?

Homework volume differs by grade level and by student. For example, the average grade

5 BASIS Charter School student is assigned one hour of homework per night. In high school,

this time may increase to between one hour and four hours of homework per night.

DOES BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFER PHYSICAL EDUCATION?

Yes. Students in grades 5 and 6 are required to participate in PE and Sports classes three times per week.

Beginning in grade 7, students can choose to continue with Physical Education as an elective course.

WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

BASIS Charter Schools offer extracurricular activities that enrich students’ academic experience. We

do our best to align extracurricular activities to serve our students’ interests. As a result, extracurricular

activities may not be identical at every BASIS Charter School. However, each BASIS Charter School

campus offers an array of clubs and extracurricular activities in which students can participate.

DO STUDENTS STRUGGLE WHEN THEY TRANSFER TO A

BASIS CHARTER SCHOOL DURING HIGH SCHOOL?

High school students who transfer to a BASIS Charter School receive individualized academic

plans based on the courses they have already completed at their previous school(s). These

plans are intended to motivate students to reach their highest academic potential, while

also considering their prior educational experience. Students who transfer to a BASIS Charter

School later in the program still beneﬁt from being part of an academically focused community

and receive a more advanced education than they would at a traditional high school.

DO YOU OFFER COLLEGE COUNSELING?

Yes. The college counseling process begins early in the BASIS Charter School Curriculum. Students attend

educational seminars beginning in grade 8 to become more familiar with all facets of the college

admissions process. BASIS Charter School seniors take a daily College Counseling Seminar, in which they

explore potential colleges, submit applications, apply for scholarships, and prepare for interviews.

DO BASIS CHARTER SCHOOL GRADUATES RECEIVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Yes. Each school’s College Guidance Coordinator works diligently to help students ﬁnd scholarship

opportunities. BASIS Charter Schools graduates average over $100,000 in merit aid.

WHAT COLLEGES DO BASIS CHARTER SCHOOL GRADUATES ATTEND?

We encourage students to apply to the schools or programs that best align with their

interests and goals. Our graduates attend some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges

and universities. In fact, 62% of 2023 BASIS Charter School graduates were accepted to a

U.S. News & World Report top 100 ranked National University or National Liberal Arts College,

including Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, University of Chicago, and Yale.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the

Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act and applicable state law, BASIS* does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race,

color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity or expression, or any other classiﬁcation protected by law in any of its

business activities, including its educational programs and activities which comply fully with the requirements of state and federal law

and Title IX. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding BASIS’ non-discrimination policies: Beverly Traver,

Compliance and Equity Investigator, BASIS Educational Group, LLC., 7975 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, (480) 289-2088.

*As used in this policy, the term “BASIS” refers to: BASIS Educational Group, LLC, BASIS Charter Schools, Inc.,

BASIS Texas Charter Schools, Inc., BDC, A Public School, Inc., BBR Schools, Inc., and all afﬁliated entities.

23BCSI009

Scan the QR code to view a

digital version of this brochure.

13231 North 22nd Street | Phoenix, AZ 85022