BASIS Independent McLean Led By Head of School, Sean Aiken

Sean Aiken, head of school of BASIS Independent McLean, Va. is blazing the trail for Tysons Corner’s first preK to 12th school. Raised by educators, Aiken’s passion for teaching and education came easily. Most recently, he headed up two nationally ranked schools. For more information, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com or call 703.854.1253.

A native of Arizona, Aiken excelled in his science/math magnet program, ranked at the top in the state in academic competitions, was an avid athlete, an accomplished musician, and one of 20 Arizona students hand-picked and awarded a full merit scholarship. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and minor in English from the University of Arizona and earned a masters of education in teaching and teacher education from there as well.

"I love how BASIS Independent students do vector calculus, but also read Kant…this perspective, that you can be inspired by many different ways of thinking and investigation, is really important to instill in students,” said Sean Aiken, head of school of BASIS Independent McLean, McLean, Va.

Aiken was a crucial member of the leadership team that built BASIS Oro Valley in Arizona which was ranked number one by the Washington Post in 2015 and, again in 2016.As an English teacher, soccer coach, developer of the first 7th grade Logic curriculum, the school's founding college counselor and finally the Head of School, his influence on the school community was profound. In 2013, Mr. Aiken relocated to Washington D.C. where, as Head of School, he led BASIS Washington DC and its faculty to achieve Tier 1 status and recognition as the #2 charter school in Washington, D.C. in only the school's second year of operation. He subsequently oversaw the opening of BASIS Independent of Brooklyn, N.Y. and BASIS Independent of Silicon Valley, Calif. and has also served as VP Intellectual Capital managing the structure and implementation of the BASIS.ed curriculum.

School registration is underway for Tyson Corner’s new school, BASIS Independent McLean. The school will be located at 8000 Jones Branch Drive in McLean, Va. and opens in August 2016.