Independent · San Jose, CA · STEM

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

1290 Parkmoor Ave, San Jose, CA 95126 · Grades K–12 · Coed · 1,248 students

4.4

out of 5.0

9:1

Student ratio

150+

Public reviews

WASC

Accreditor

About BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is a independent school in San Jose, California serving grades K–12. Internationally benchmarked stem curriculum from the national basis network. With 1,248 students and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, the school is accredited by WASC.

Ratings are aggregated from 150+ public reviews across Niche.com · Google. The School Navigator does not reproduce copyrighted review text — all summaries are paraphrased from publicly available sources and attributed accordingly.

What parents say

What parents love

Internationally benchmarked academics, rigorous STEM curriculum, computer science from early grades, globally diverse student body

Common concerns

Academic intensity is high — requires highly motivated students, less flexibility than other schools, competitive peer environment

Who this school is best for

Students from tech-industry families who want internationally rigorous academics and strong STEM preparation from early grades

For families comparing BASIS Independent Silicon Valley against other Silicon Valley private schools, see our full San Jose private school rankings and our complete admissions timeline guide covering deadlines, financial aid, and shadow day scheduling.

Financial aid and tuition

Tuition at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is ~$27,000/yr. This is the headline figure — families should also ask about mandatory fees (registration, technology, activities, books) which add to the total annual cost. The California Department of Education does not cap private school tuition; each school sets its own fees independently.

Need-based financial aid is typically available through FACTS or SSS (School and Student Services). Financial aid applications should be submitted by January 2027 for Fall 2027 enrollment — submit at the same time as your admissions application, not after. There is no single income cutoff for private school financial aid — schools evaluate income, assets, family size, and financial obligations simultaneously. See our financial aid guide for full details.

School facts

TypeIndependent

GenderCoed

GradesK–12

Enrollment1,248 students

Ratio9:1

Tuition~$27,000/yr

AccreditorWASC

Rating4.4 / 5.0

The School Navigator verdict

Students from tech-industry families who want internationally rigorous academics and strong STEM preparation from early grades

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Frequently asked questions — BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

How much does BASIS Independent Silicon Valley cost?

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley tuition is approximately $27,000 per year. This is lower than The Harker School but still above the Silicon Valley average of $22,348/yr. Need-based financial aid may be available — contact the school's financial aid office for current eligibility and application information.

What is the BASIS curriculum and how does it differ from other Silicon Valley private schools?

BASIS schools use a content-rich curriculum modeled on high-performing international education systems, particularly Czech and other Eastern European models. Students take subject-matter specialist teachers (often PhD holders) rather than generalist classroom teachers. The curriculum is approximately two years ahead of US grade-level standards in STEM subjects. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley students take AP-equivalent courses starting in 7th grade and are expected to take multiple AP exams by 10th grade. This is not a school where students ease into difficulty — the academic intensity begins immediately.

How hard is it to get into BASIS Independent Silicon Valley?

BASIS Independent SV does not publish acceptance rates, but the school is selective. Competitive applicants score at the 85th percentile or above on the ISEE. More important than test scores: BASIS looks for students who are genuinely curious and self-motivated, not just high scorers. The admissions process includes an interview and a student visit day — BASIS wants to see how a student engages with challenging material in real time, not just their test performance. Apply early; the school fills quickly at K, 5th grade, and 9th grade entry points.

What happens to BASIS Independent SV students who find it too difficult?

Transfer rates at BASIS are higher than at traditional private schools — the curriculum is genuinely demanding and not right for every student. Families considering BASIS should know this before enrolling. A student who transfers out of BASIS is not a failure — the curriculum self-selects for a specific profile. BASIS is transparent about this. If your child finds BASIS too intense, Harker School and Cambrian Academy are natural next steps — Harker offers rigorous academics with more support structures, and Cambrian offers project-based flexibility for students who learn differently.

What curriculum does BASIS Independent Silicon Valley use?

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley uses the BASIS Curriculum, which benchmarks against top international education systems including Singapore, Finland, and the United Kingdom. The curriculum is significantly more rigorous than standard California state standards. Students begin advanced coursework earlier than most schools and take BASIS Scholar courses — the equivalent of AP-level work — beginning in middle school.

Is BASIS Independent Silicon Valley accredited?

Yes. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), the primary regional accreditor for K–12 schools in California.

What grades does BASIS Independent Silicon Valley serve?

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley serves Grades K through 12 at its San Jose campus. The school provides a continuous K–12 education on a single campus, which avoids the transition disruption that comes with separate elementary, middle, and high school moves.

When does BASIS Independent Silicon Valley application open?

For Fall 2027 enrollment, open houses typically begin September 2026 with application deadlines in December 2026. BASIS schools often close applications early due to high demand. Contact the admissions office directly for exact 2026–27 cycle dates and to confirm whether any grade levels have waitlists.

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