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Principal of New School Sets the Bar High

By Nikhita Venugopal | January 25, 2015 10:10pm | Updated on January 26, 2015 8:01am
 Rosalind Thompson, principal of Basis Independent Brooklyn, with students at the school.
Rosalind Thompson, principal of Basis Independent Brooklyn, with students at the school.
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Basis Independent Brooklyn

FLATBUSH — Basis Independent Brooklyn has only been open a few months, but principal Rosalind Thompson said the school dove right into the “rigorous” curriculum that challenges modern academic norms.

In September, the new private school opened at a temporary space in Flatbush. The school's mission has a heavy focus on academics, particularly on liberal arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

“We set the bar very high for our students knowing they can reach it, instilling in them that there is a solid net that will catch them,” she said in an interview conducted via email.

“I think one of the best indicators we have of our sense of community is that more than 70 percent of our applications for next year are referrals,” she said.

This is the first private school in New York City for Basis, an Arizona-based outfit that typically runs public charter schools.

Basis Independent Brooklyn, currently located at 15 Snyder Ave., is awaiting the completion of its new building in Red Hook, a five-story building at 556 Columbia St. with 43 classrooms and a black box theater.

Before joining Basis in 2013, Thompson had a long career in the corporate world.

She chaired a citywide committee to improve the high school graduation rate, launched her own consulting firm and served as the chief human resource officer “responsible for shutting down the iconic Borders Books,” she said.

But Thompson eventually gave up the boardroom for the classroom when she turned to education at the encouragement of her daughter, who had been teaching at Basis Oro Valley in Arizona since 2010. 

“My daughter urged me to take a look at Basis, where she taught for several years,” Thompson said.

“Although I was a bit hesitant about how I would fit in, the mission and success of Basis rang true to me.”

DNAinfo New York spoke to Thompson about the Basis school model and her new role as principal.

When you meet parents who aren’t familiar with the Basis system, what’s an important point that you usually highlight?
The Basis curriculum is rigorous, but our philosophy is rooted in the belief that with inspiration and hard work, anything is possible for any student.

Through our curriculum, Basis students challenge notions of what should be “expected” of them at a certain age. Students are introduced to high-level material at a very young age. Most parents are shocked when they see the quality of what our students are producing and studying.

I don’t sugarcoat the fact that the transition to Basis can be tough and will take a combination of our direction, the student’s perseverance, and the parents’ support and encouragement.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face when introducing a new school into a community?
Basis is new and different to most people in New York City. Our model challenges some of the practices that parents are used to or may see as commonplace in other schools.

Describe the school’s community.
This year, we have students from more than 40 different schools. The pushpin map in our front hallway shows that our families come from all over the world.

We have a phenomenal community of parents who are constantly engaging with one another and with the school.

 Our students are also incredibly active in the school, constantly coming up with ideas for extra-curriculars and enrichment. And I think our faculty would agree that we’ve rarely seen such a display of school pride as we see in our students.

What made you switch from the corporate world to education?
My corporate career had a strong focus on training and development. Much of my civic service focused on education. I chaired a citywide committee working to improve the high school graduation rate; was a founding facilitator of a program for at-risk teens designed to help them pass their standardized testing and learn life skills; a trustee and later an officer at one of the most successful community colleges in the country.

And finally, I was the first female and minority to be chosen as the professor for an endowed chair at Kent State University.

What are some of your plans for the New Year?
Our goal is to have our students finish their first year at Basis successfully. For each student that may mean something different, but feeling good about what they have accomplished is our goal.

We set the bar high and it’s rewarding to watch the students rise to their individual potential.

Do you know when you might be moving to your new building in Red Hook?
Construction delays have hindered us from moving into our beautiful new building. We’re hoping to be in there before the end of the school year.