FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Selecting the best school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. To aid in the decision-making process, we have compiled our most frequently asked questions.

Tuition

Are BASIS Charter Schools tuition-free?

 Yes. Our public charter schools are fully funded by taxpayer dollars (with the exception of full-day Kindergarten at most Arizona campuses).

Academic and Extracurricular Life

What is the typical class size?

In grades K-3 and grades 4-12 a typical class has approximately 30 students. Grades 1-3 have two teachers, a Subject Expert Teacher (SET) and Learning Expert Teacher (LET), and one expert teacher per subject in grades 4–12.

What is the homework load?

 Our students, at every grade level, complete homework to reinforce concepts taught during the school day, establish good time management, and hone organizational skills. A typical BASIS Charter School student should expect about 30 minutes of homework per night in Kindergarten, 35–40 minutes in grades 1–2, 45–55 minutes in grades 3–4, 60–90 minutes in grades 5–7, and up to three hours in grades 8 and up.

What types of student support are available? 

Every BASIS Charter School has a Student Affairs team. Individuals on this team offer academic, social/emotional, and behavioral support to students in need. With our advanced curriculum, having a strong academic support program in place is essential for student success. Our teachers hold regular Student Hours (before and after school) during which students can get extra help. The Student Affairs team also meets with students who need extra support on a regular basis, working on organization, time management, note taking, and other related skills that enable academic success.

What extracurricular activities and sports do you offer?

 BASIS Charter Schools offer extracurricular activities to enrich our students’ academic experience. Each school aligns its activities to the unique interests of the student body, therefore activities will vary from school-to-school. Clubs and extracurricular activities could include, Music, Art, Dance, Orchestra/Band, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Minecraft, Coding, and Chess – just to name a few! Our middle and high schools are able to participate in charter association sports leagues and have the opportunity to test their skills against other schools inside and outside of our network. Please contact your local BASIS Charter School for specific information.

Teaching Staff

What credentials, certifications, and/or training do the teachers have?

At minimum our teachers hold a Bachelor’s degree, and many have a Master’s or Doctorate degree in the subject they teach. New BASIS Charter School teachers are required to attend our Summer Institute, where they learn about our curriculum and systems, and review classroom-management techniques used throughout our network. Additional training and workshops are held each subsequent year to further hone their skills.

What is the difference between a Learning Expert Teacher (LET) and a Subject Expert Teacher (SET)? 

 In grades 1–3, we have a co-teaching model. An SET, who has a background and content expertise in their discipline, teaches each core course. This individual’s passion for their subject allows them to convey the content in an engaging way. The LET is assigned to a specific class of students and provides consistency throughout the day, co-teaching with each SET and drawing meaningful connections between the subjects our students are exploring. SETs typically see students for one class period per day, while LETs are with the same group of students every period, every day. This co-teaching model allows our teachers to differentiate learning and meet our students’ needs by lowering the student-teacher ratio.

Kindergarten

What’s the difference between half and full-day Kindergarten? 

Our half-day kindergarten program includes all core classes (Math, Language & Literacy, Civics/History/Science) plus a daily Movement class. Students who stay for our enriched full-day kindergarten program also study Music, Art, Drama, Engineering, and Mandarin, as well as participate in a project-based block called Kindergarten Enrichment. Full-day students have lunch and snack breaks throughout the day, as well as three recess blocks. Each program has two teachers in the classroom.

Is full-day Kindergarten tuition-free?

Full-day Kindergarten programs vary school-to-school and state-by-state. Please contact your local BASIS Charter School for specific information.

Enrollment Process

The BASIS Charter Schools application processes vary by state. To review enrollment policies and procedures for your local school click here.

Student Safety and Support

What COVID-19 safety precautions do the schools follow?

The network of BASIS Charter Schools continues to closely monitor local, state, and federal public health advisories and mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic. Our network still has and abides by an effective Mitigation Plan to keep students, teachers, staff, visitors, and families as safe as possible as we continue in-person instruction during the 2021–22 academic year. You can view the Mitigation Plan by visiting any of our school websites, and then scrolling to the bottom of the home page and clicking on “COVID-19 Mitigation Plan.” The Mitigation Plan includes cleaning, ventilation, and mask-related protocols; we still strongly encourage the use of masks while on our campuses, and also strongly encourage, but do not require, COVID-19 vaccinations. The Mitigation Plan also addresses procedures for suspected illness and quarantine requirements for different types of exposure.

What is your policy on bullying?

BASIS Charter Schools have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. At the beginning of the school year, all our students (with parent permission) attend an anti-bullying program led by our Student Affairs team. These principles are enforced and revisited in subsequent sessions throughout the school year.

Do you offer options for Special Education (SPED)?

BASIS Charter Schools provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to disabled students in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), in accordance with all applicable laws and implementation regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you have specific questions about SPED at a BASIS Charter School, please contact the SPED Coordinator at your school and they will be happy to assist you.

What types of student support are available?

Every BASIS Charter School campus has a Student Affairs team. Individuals on this team offer academic, social/emotional, and behavioral support to students in need. With our advanced curriculum, having a strong academic support program in place is essential for student success. Our teachers hold regular Student Hours (before and after school) during which students can get extra help. The Student Affairs team also meets with students who need extra support on a regular basis, working on organization, time management, note taking, and other related skills that enable academic success.

If you have questions regarding enrollment at BASIS Charter Schools you can contact the Enrollment Department at (480) 696 3997 or email us at enrollment@basisschools.org.

FAQ