Welcome to BASIS Washington, D.C., home of the Red Giants!
Our tuition-free, public charter school serves students in grades 5–12. We are proud to be part of the BASIS Charter Schools network which has been providing world-class education since 1998. Our campuses follow a STEM-infused, liberal arts program designed to propel your student farther than they ever thought possible.
Everyone at the Washington, D.C. campus is here to cultivate a love of learning, natural curiosity, and the desire to excel in your student. Their success is our success.
U.S. News & World Report: 2024 Best U.S. High School Rankings
- #3 District of Columbia High School
- #16 Washington, D.C. Metro Area High School
- #81 Charter High School in the U.S.
BASIS DC is the highest ranked open-enrollment high school in Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804 6390
Office Hours: M-F, 7:15AM - 5:15PM
Summer Hours: 7:30AM - 5:30PM
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School Leadership
Calvery Cooper
Head of School
Born and raised in Washington DC, Calvery has remained in the district where she has been in education for over 12 years. She started her career with Ameri-corps and went on to teach both early childhood education and middle school. Calvery has been with BASIS DC since 2013 in both teaching and administrative positions.
- MA, Literature, Language, and the Humanities, Marymount University - Arlington, VA
- BA, English, Saint Augustine's College - Raleigh, NC
Taneea Yarborough
Head of Operations
Taneea is a native Washingtonian and a proud product of DC Public Charter Schools. Before joining the BASIS DC team in 2023, Taneea served as an Assistant Principal and Humanities Instructional Coach at other charter school networks in Washington, DC. She started her career in education in 2011 with Teach for America as a Secondary English Teacher.
- MEd, Educational Policy and Leadership, American university
- BA, English Literature, Bucknell University
- BA, Gender and Equity Studies, Bucknell University
Gabby Kimball
Director of Academic Programs
Gabby has been in education since 2008 and has served in both traditional public and charter school classrooms. She joined BASIS in 2017 and has served as a classroom teacher, Director of Academic Programs, and Head of School. Gabby’s passion lies in student success and she truly believes that our transformative curriculum can help students reach their potential.
- BA, Business Administration (with a concentration in Finance), University of Texas - RGV
Trisha Sanghavi
Director of Planning and Instruction
Trisha has lived in DC and served as an educator since graduating college in 2013. She joined BASIS Charter Schools in 2017 as a Spanish teacher and supported her colleagues as an Instructional Coach before becoming the Director of Planning and Instruction.
- MS, Education (Concentration: Educational Studies/Secondary Education), Johns Hopkins University
- BA, Political Science and Communication (Concentration: Public Service), Minor in Hispanic Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Joshua Lichtenstein
Director of Student Support Services
Josh has worked in Special Education and Student Support Services since 2015. A DMV native, Josh joined BASIS DC in 2018 and has served as a teacher, 504/ELL Coordinator, Student Support Coordinator, and Director of Student Support Services.
- MA, Teaching, Relay Graduate School of Education
- BA, Political Science, George Washington University
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Arizona State University
Amy Simpson
Director of Student Affairs
Amy is originally from San Diego, CA. She taught American, European history, AP US Government and Economics in San Diego, CA. Amy served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and taught World History in Shanghai, China before joining BASIS DC as a College Guidance Counselor in 2022.
- BA, History, California State University San Marcos
- MA, Secondary Education, Grand Canyon University