Many area students enjoyed a break from school over spring vacation, but BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) French students decided to take their break in Senegal, far from their classroom, but still deeply immersed in an enriching, educational experience of a lifetime. World travel is an optional opportunity for BIM students looking to take their education outside their textbooks and familiar settings. Senegal not only gave French students an immersive environment in the French language, but also provided them a new cultural and societal viewpoint of life outside of McLean, Va. For more information on the school, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com.

BASIS Independent McLean of McLean, Va., starting its inaugural year, is using the opportunity to vote on its first mascot as a chance to teach the students about the election process, in wake of the upcoming, much talked about presidential election. The process, led by head of school, Sean Aiken, will introduce ideas such delegate system and popular vote to discuss what mascot would best represent the school’s values. For more information about the school, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com/.

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.