Bennett Day School

We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year!

Mission: Our mission is to provide a collaborative culture that nurtures children’s innate sense of inquiry and curiosity. We are committed to advancing creativity, innovation, and the development of lifelong learners and leaders.

Enrollment: 410 students in PreK through grade 12

Average Student to Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1

What Makes Us Unique? 

Project-Based Learning: At Bennett, learning comes to life through student-driven inquiry, real-world problem solving, and cross-disciplinary projects that build adaptable, collaborative, and socially conscious thinkers. Our focus on process and overcoming challenges cultivates a growth mindset and the essential skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. 

Authentic Assessment: Our individualized approach to assessment moves away from the standard grading scale to provide each learner with specific feedback based on their strengths and areas of opportunity. We track every student's progress and provide one-on-one mentorship to provide challenging, rigorous, and meaningful learning that goes beyond a traditional curriculum.

A Foundation for Future Success: Bennett students don’t have to choose between an engaging, purpose-driven education and strong college outcomes—they can have both. Our graduates are curious, capable, and confident learners who go on to thrive at top colleges and universities across the country and around the world.

Campus: Bennett Day School is located in the West Town/West Loop neighborhood. Bennett’s campus originally operated as the Chicago Commons, established in 1894, which housed one of the first progressive schools in the country. In 2019, Bennett completed a second phase of expansion, adding a modern wing to accommodate its Upper School students. The third phase of expansion was completed in 2024, doubling the school’s campus to nearly 100,000 square feet with rooftop green spaces, TESLabs (Tinkering & Engineering Sciences), classrooms, and 20,000+ sq. ft. of athletic/assembly facilities.

Extracurricular Programs: Bennett offers a variety of after-school programs, clubs, and athletics for PreK-12th grade students, theater, robotics, newspaper, yearbook, cooking, skateboarding, dance, basketball, baseball, track & field, volleyball, softball, and more.

Unique Features: Upper School students begin each day at 9:00 am with advisory to support executive functioning and social-emotional development. Additionally, all Upper School students participate in an internship, yearly travel, and ACT/SAT test prep with Academic Approach.

Admissions Criteria for 2026-2027:

• The applicant must be  2 years old by September 1, 2026 to register for the 2's program
• The applicant must be 3 years old by September 1, 2026 to apply for PreK*
• The applicant must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026 to apply for JK*
• The applicant must be 5 years old by September 1, 2026 to apply for SK* 
• The applicant must have completed the previous year of study to apply for 1st and above

*Please note there are no exceptions to these cut-off dates.

VIDEO: Bennett Day School is Redefining Rigor | Check us out on YouTube