NEW RANKINGS: 5 BASIS Curriculum Schools in Nation’s Top 10 That's no typo: our network boasts the #1, #2, #3, #5, & #7 public high schools

In new rankings released Monday evening, the BASIS Curriculum Schools network has the three best high schools in the nation, four of the top five, and five of the top seven high schools, in what is among the most-admired annual reports on American high schools.

The BASIS Curriculum Schools network had five schools eligible for the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings. It is the first time a network or district has swept the top three spots – or had four of the top five, five of the top seven, or even five of the top ten:

• BASIS Scottsdale – #1 high school in the U.S.
• BASIS Tucson North – #2 high school in the U.S.
• BASIS Oro Valley – #3 high school in the U.S.
• BASIS Peoria – #5 high school in the U.S.
• BASIS Chandler – #7 high school in the U.S.

“The story here is straightforward and unprecedented: thousands of children now have choices in their futures that they otherwise would not have had,” said co-founder Olga Block.

“Today there can be no doubt that we are the gold-standard American educational network,” added co-founder Michael Block. “Our growth is matched only by the sustained quality of our academic community.”

Two BASIS Curriculum Schools are ranked in the top five STEM schools in the nation: BASIS Scottsdale (#3) and BASIS Tucson North (#5). And finally, the five BASIS Curriculum Schools that are ranked in the top seven nationally are also the top five charter schools in America – numbers one through five, in the same order as their national rankings.

“It is particularly worth noting that these five BASIS Curriculum Schools in the Top 7 are open enrollment public charter schools. There is no barrier to entry. Anyone can attend – unlike many of the others in the rankings, including others ranked in the Top 10,” said Peter Bezanson, CEO of BASIS.ed, which oversees the network’s charter schools.

This was the first year that BASIS Peoria and BASIS Chandler were eligible for the U.S. News rankings. Last year, in 2016, BASIS Scottsdale was #2, BASIS Tucson North was #3, and BASIS Oro Valley was #7 in the national rankings.

In fact, BASIS Scottsdale has been the nation’s #2 high school for three consecutive years, in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 rankings. “This is quite a nice step-up to #1,” said BASIS Scottsdale Head of School Kristen Jordison. “Obviously, our teachers are so very talented; our students are incredible in their insight and their spirit. This is an honor for them – and for me, to be a part of it!”

The just-released 2017 rankings are based on results and graduates from the 2014-2015 academic year.

This is the first time in five years that School for the Gifted and Talented in Texas has been knocked out of the #1 spot. It ranks #4 this year, behind BASIS Scottsdale, BASIS Tucson North, and BASIS Oro Valley.

“We have such a diverse, talented community of scholars,” said Erin Paradis, Head of School at BASIS Tucson North. “It is difficult to quantify the multitude of variables that go into a successful educational program, but this is a reflection of the hard work of our students, dedication of our teachers and staff, and support from our BASIS parents.”

BASIS Scottsdale and BASIS Tucson North have a rather lengthy history in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

“What I like the most about rankings like this is that it really brings national attention to the amazing things that our teachers are doing in the classroom every day,” said Elizabeth Thies, Head of School at BASIS Oro Valley. “We are honored and proud that we get to represent the BASIS Curriculum Schools network so well. We are part of something special here.”

“Our students are intense – and oh, so deserving! They are passionate about learning – I know, that’s a ‘network thing’ but it’s worth mentioning at BASIS Chandler,” said Stephanie Terrell, Head of School there. “The expectations are high and our parents support that in every way. Students know that this rankings acknowledgment comes from a combination of their effort, plus limitless encouragement from teachers, administrators, and parents.”

In addition to the U.S. News & World Report rankings, which are published during the spring every year, The Washington Post also releases rankings around the same time. Here are the 2016 rankings from the Post, which had six BASIS Curriculum Schools at the top, including three schools ranked in the top ten, and three more schools on the Post’s unique lists of “Public Elites.” This year, the Post’s rankings are expected in the first few weeks of May.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Phil Handler

Director of Communications, and Managing Editor, Vectors at BASIS.ed

Phil Handler grew up in Chicago, where he was a lawyer and also worked in politics, professional football, and newspaper, TV, and radio journalism. He also worked in San Francisco for eight years as a radio journalist and producer. Phil earned his BA via a double major in expository and fiction writing, and speech communication, as well as a JD in law, both from the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign. Phil enjoys reading fiction, science and history, and coffee-sipping while dog-walking or movie-watching.

Latest posts by Phil Handler (see all)

• More National Rankings Domination for BASIS Curriculum Schools: The Washington Post 4 BASIS charters included in the ‘Public Elites’; 3 in the Top 10, including #1 school in U.S. - May 5, 2017
• NEW RANKINGS: 5 BASIS Curriculum Schools in Nation’s Top 10 That's no typo: our network boasts the #1, #2, #3, #5, & #7 public high schools - April 25, 2017
• BASIS Curriculum Schools Are Disruptive - April 25, 2017
• BASIS.ed Remains Bright Spot in International Assessment U.S. Declines in Math, Stagnates in Reading and Science - December 8, 2016
• Photogenic An Artistic and Academic Accomplice - October 3, 2016
• OECD Scores Soar Again International Benchmarks Beget Internationally Elite Results - September 16, 2016
• The Founders’ Prize for Senior Project Excellence, 2016 Our Inaugural Winners: 2 Dynamic Duos - September 4, 2016
• BASIS.ed Teacher Wins White House Award It’s Often Called 'the Nation's Highest Teaching Honor' - August 23, 2016
• Six BASIS.ed World Travelers From Shenzhen, to Bangkok, to New Haven - August 2, 2016
• Learning Transcends Bricks and Mortar A New Schoolhouse for BASIS Scottsdale - August 1, 2016