The Greater Anthem/North Phoenix area has been known for its abundance of choice for families in finding the right educational fit for their children.
This fall, families have another tuition-free public charter school to consider—BASIS Phoenix North is opening its newest location on Anthem’s west side in the Commerce Park, in the space which formerly housed Caurus Academy’s elementary students.
In its first year of operation, BASIS will serve students in grades K-5, with plans to add one grade level per school year to ultimately serve students in grades K-12. The BASIS network is known for its STEM-infused liberal arts curriculum.
When the school year begins on Monday, Aug. 5, Head of School Kathryn Kennedy told Valley Vibe roughly 200 students will be welcomed into the BASIS program.
“We currently have two sections of kindergarten and one section each in grades 1-5. We’ve hired 14 classroom teachers and six student-support positions, not including our administrative staffing,” Kennedy said.
Class sizes generally range from 25–30 students, and at full growth, the BASIS School footprint generally serves 900 students, a spokesperson for BASIS said.
Planning for a North Phoenix location has been in the works for several years, and BASIS is leasing this temporary space in the building located at 41900 N. 42nd Ave.
Caurus Academy is relocating its students in grades K-5 under one roof in its middle school/high school building just north of the Daisy Mountain Post Office for the 2024-2025 school year.
The new campus marks the charter’s twenty-third school in the network which first began in Tucson.
By Karen Goveia