UPPER SCHOOL - Bennett Day School
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UPPER SCHOOL
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
PURPOSEFUL & PERSONAL A Project-Based Learning (PBL) environment not only emphasizes
We are committed to using a personal approach within a multi-tiered system subject-based skills, but also gives learners the opportunity to apply
of supports. We have created an environment that challenges and develops them across disciplines in a manner that mimics the skills necessary
students to succeed in life’s endeavors past high school. Our robust advisory to be an effective citizen of the world.
program is designed to help students figure out who they are, where they’re
headed, and how they’re going to get there. PBL provides:
1. Cross-Disciplinary Exploration 3. Social Responsibility and Equity
Each student is assigned an advisor who will: 2. Real World Assessment 4. Student Voice and Choice
• Provide Learning Support
• Nurture Community Development
• Create Family Partnerships
• Support Social-Emotional Development COMMUNITY SERVICE
Every trimester, students embed themselves deeply in a project that lasts the
entirety of our twelve-week experience. These projects are cross-curricular
COMPETENCY-BASED ASSESSMENT and academically rigorous, and designed to get students working deeply on
important subjects and skills.
Unlike traditional report cards, competency-based learning goes beyond
grades to provide each learner with specific feedback related to their
These projects are about more than skill development, however. They are
strengths and areas of challenge.
rooted in important and relevant social justice issues that allow students to
A student progresses to the next skill only when the previous one has been engage in the challenges facing our world today. At Bennett Day, we don’t
mastered. We track every student’s progress and provide one-on-one relegate “community service” to short periods of time outside of the curriculum.
mentorship so that we can provide challenging, rigorous and meaningful Community service lives in our everyday experience, and to learn at Bennett
learning that goes beyond the traditional curriculum. Day means you are always thinking about how what you learn connects to the
larger community and world.
Bennett Day is a part of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, a group of
hundreds of like-minded schools that use competency-based assessments.
We record our assessments using the Mastery Transcript software, a state-
of-the-art competency system that allows students to submit evidence that
TEST PREPARATION
they have specific skills and receive real-time feedback about their progress. To maximize each student’s options and choices beyond Bennett Day, our
Our system allows students to get feedback well beyond that of traditional partnership with Academic Approach provides each student with up to 60
schools, while also helping them create a personal portfolio of both their best hours of test prep leading up to the SAT.
work and their learning profile.
Visit bennettday.org/visitus to register for an Open House.
OUR APPROACH
INTERNSHIPS
DEEP-DIVE SEMINARS Every Bennett Day student participates in at least one major internship.
Faculty and students co-design a year of seminars on a wide range of top- Internships provide every learner with an experience that is personally
ics that develop core skills and knowledge while simultaneously fulfilling and gives them insight into their learning and work pathway going
appealing to students’ collective interests. forward. Bennett Day learners, through their work as interns, will provide
valuable contributions to business, nonprofits, and government agencies
Deep Dive Seminars can include courses like: Creative Computing, Memoir, throughout the city.
Indigenous People’s History of the U.S., Understanding Forensic Science,
Chemistry, Mural Design, Digital and Creative Arts, Mandarin, Drama and
Improv, Rock Band, Psychology, History of Terrorism, Mystery and Horror WORLD LANGUAGES
Novels, or Engineering.
We approach world languages not only as a study of words, sentences,
and grammar, but more importantly, a study of culture. Understanding
THE ARTS world languages, and the development of those languages within societ-
ies, is an essential skill within the school’s core value of cultural and global
Students have the opportunity to participate in Arts classes taught either competence.
by Bennett Day teachers or by partner programs. Arts classes offered may
vary by Trimester and can include things like: Hip Hop Dance, Music Upper School students can choose to study Spanish, French, or Mandarin,
Appreciation and Performance, Digital Imaging and Art Making, or Drama. and language studies are often incorporated into our Project-Based
learning experiences.
TRAVEL
EXTRACURRICULAR
Each year, students take a trip that is directly related to one of their
Trimester projects. These trips are designed by the students based on their At Bennett Day School, we recognize that personal learning must
reflections on the project. Students are highly involved in all aspects of the incorporate student interests and passions. At Bennett Day, the
planning process including choosing the destination, booking travel and “extracurricular” is curricular. We offer credit toward graduation for student
hotels, and scheduling all the activities and excursions. participation in high-quality electives either during or outside school hours.
For example, a trip might involve the class flying to San Diego to visit the Each year our athletic and social programs will continue to expand, and
border when working on a project related to immigration. These trips involve students are empowered to propose and start their own clubs. We currently
either domestic or international travel and are included in tuition. offer a variety of extracurricular opportunities including chess club, Model
UN, robotics, volleyball, basketball, track, and more.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Bennett Day School is a community made up of individuals and families
who are diverse in race, religion, age, ability, gender, socio-economics, Our rigorous admissions process allows us to thoughtfully consider
LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, nationality, cultures, and other identities. Our inclusive each student to ensure that each Bennett Day School family is prepared for
school population inspires students, faculty, staff, and families to develop a our program.
habit of mind for many perspectives different from their own.
Admissions Process Check List:
Bennett Day School values and embraces the identities of our community. Attend a Bennett Day School Open House and Tour
We foster a sense of belonging and commit to knowing every person in our Submit online application
community for who they are. This understanding drives our social and civic Student submits a sample of creative work
engagement and our commitment to becoming active citizens.
Student submits short answer questions
DOING THE WORK School submits student records
School is not an inanimate, fixed place; It’s an adapting, evolving space for Teachers submit recommendations
ideas, discourse, and connection. We know that engaging in conversations Attend a parent/guardian interview
around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) only strengthens our community. Student attends an interview
It is through this meaningful work that we build trust and understanding. Student participates in a shadow day and design challenge
Through multicultural education, our teachers strive to acknowledge and
affirm the different learning styles and cultural backgrounds represented
in their classroom and community. In this environment, students are
AFFORDABILITY
encouraged to explore their own identities, consider different perspectives,
To ensure that our school embodies our core values of excellence, integrity,
and engage in critical conversations.
and diversity, we offer Indexed Tuition that aims to make a Bennett Day
We intentionally choose curricula, projects, and accompanying materials education accessible to families from all income levels. For our families,
and texts that provide our students with windows into differing cultures, tuition is never “one-size fits all” and tuition at Bennett is indexed to meet a
perspectives, and experiences, and mirrors that reflect their own. family’s unique financial situation.
Outside of the classroom, Bennett parents/guardians, faculty members, and Our Indexed Tuition is made possible by Bennett Grant awards that can
students have many opportunities to continue this work together. Examples: range from $500 to nearly 100% of tuition expenses, based on the calculated
family need/circumstances, and the availability of Bennett Grant dollars in a
• The National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)
given school year.
• Student, Faculty, and Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups
• DEI-focused Book Clubs
Visit bennettday.org/affordability to learn more about tuition and grants.
• DEI-focused Professional Development
At Bennett Day School, our mission is to provide
a collaborative culture that nurtures our innate
sense of inquiry and curiosity.
We are committed to advancing creativity,
innovation, and the development of lifelong
learners and leaders.
telephone: 312.BENNETT
email: USadmissions@bennettday.org
website: bennettday.org
address: 955 W. Grand Ave, Chicago
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