“20 Minutes with Michael and Olga Block: the Story Behind Worldwide School Network BASIS”

As you may have heard by now, our founders, Michael and Olga Block, donated $2.5 million to the BASIS Charter Schools Annual Teacher Fund. The first installment of this donation was paid in 2017, and has already begun to help BASIS Charter Schools recruit, retain, and reward top teachers – ensuring our students have the very best instructors available anywhere.

You may not realize it has been 20 years since the Blocks launched the BASIS Curriculum Schools network with a single Tucson campus serving 56 students. Twenty years ago this fall, Michael and Olga were braving the remnants of the summer heat, spending their evenings and weekends placing BASIS Tucson enrollment fliers on the windshields of cars at area grocery-store parking lots. From those humble beginnings, the Blocks – together with a team of students, staff, and faculty – have built the very best network of schools in the country.

Now, the Scottsdale Independent has a fascinating profile on the Blocks, their major gift to the Annual Teacher Fund, and the evolution of the BASIS Curriculum Schools network that we love.

Please take a look – “20 Minutes with Michael and Olga Block: The Story Behind BASIS”.

Thank you for your continued support,

Peter Bezanson, CEO of BASIS.ed
Craig Barrett, Chairman of BASIS Schools