What is Happening at BASIS Independent?

Recently, families have called me with concerns that BASIS Independent Schools, well-regarded private schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan, have just been bought by a China-based investment firm.

The Wall Street Journal covered the story: Parents Voice Concern Over Sale of BASIS Independent Schools.

I asked BASIS for their perspective. Here it is:

Since the opening of the first school in 1998 by Michael and Olga Block, the BASIS school network has grown and expanded.  There are now 37 BASIS Curriculum Schools around the world, including 2 independent schools in New York – BASIS Independent Manhattan and BASIS Independent Brooklyn.

In April 2019, Spring Education Group acquired the five U.S. private BASIS Independent Schools. Spring Education Group provides BASIS Independent Schools with an even greater level of long-term stability — because of Spring Education Group’s resources, dedication to the mission of providing excellence in education, and its extensive network of schools.  They are committed to maintaining the world-class BASIS Curriculum and high teaching and learning standards for which the BASIS schools have become known.

BASIS Independent Schools will operate as a separate, standalone division of Spring Education Group, led by the same management team that is now running BASIS Independent Schools. The BASIS Curriculum will continue to be managed and supported by the same educators who are experts in the BASIS Curriculum, and who are school leaders within the BASIS Independent School network. This team is committed to ensuring the schools have the support and resources they need.   Parents should rest assured that this ownership change will not change BASIS Independent’s high standards for academic excellence, the BASIS Curriculum, the day-to-day operations of each campus for our students or families, or our bright and passionate faculty and staff.