Bennett Day School is registered with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and is authorized to issue I-20s to students seeking an F-1 visa.
As of now, we do not offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) program; all applicants must be completely fluent in English reading, speaking, and composition.
- Applicants will be required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- Learning is driven by student interests, not textbooks.
- Our approach fosters curiosity, community, and sense of self.
- We focus on process and real-world problem-solving.
What Makes Bennett Different?
Engaged Educators
Every Bennett Day teacher spends 300 hours on professional development and cross-subject collaboration each year.
Flexible Project-Based Learning
Learning is driven by student interests (not textbooks), which helps them connect to the world in authentic, relevant, and meaningful ways.
Internship Experience
Every Bennett Day Upper School student participates in at least one major internship during their time here. Internships provide every learner with an experience that is personally fulfilling and gives them insight into their learning and work pathway going forward.
School Starts at 9:00 AM
At Bennett Day Upper School, school starts at 9:00 am. Research shows that a later start time more closely aligns with the adolescent "biological clock" and can boost academic performance.
Travel Opportunities
Each year, all Upper School students go on a trip related to a project they are working on. For example, as part of a project-based learning theme, students traveled to San Diego to interview recently arrived immigrants and were able to incorporate concepts of migration from first-hand perspective perspectives into their projects.
Connect with Us
We are Bennett Day.
Our Story
Co-founder and CEO, Cameron Smith, was inspired to create Bennett Day School after the birth of his first son. As new parents, he and his wife, Erica, recognized that there were few options for progressive, independent schooling in Chicago. While reflecting on his own education, Cameron thought of his time in business school at Kellogg, where the process of learning was about creative problem solving, project-based inquiry, collaboration, and teamwork. Determined to build a school that mirrors this learning experience for children, Cameron began researching forward-thinking PreK-12 educational approaches. In this exploration, he gravitated toward the Reggio Emilia philosophy developed in Italy, which emphasizes key life skills like inquiry, innovation, teamwork, resilience, perseverance, and critical thinking.
Through bold action, thoughtful leadership, community support, and commitment to the vision, Bennett Day School opened its doors in 2014 with 23 students. Just 10 years later, we have over 350 students in preschool through 12th grade, and this is just the beginning. We hope you'll join our community and be part of the incredible story we're writing.