We are accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year in select grades. Plan your visit to Bennett to learn more.
Curious. Confident. College-Ready.
Bennett students don’t have to choose between an engaging, purpose-driven education and strong college outcomes—they can have both.
Project-Based Learning
Learning is driven by student interests, not textbooks.
Internships with Impact
Every Bennett student participates in an internship.
Future-Ready Starts Here
Real-world learning for tomorrow’s leaders.
Connect With Us.
Complete the form below to learn more about our PreK-12 program, plan your visit, or connect with a member of our admissions team.
PREK-12 PreK-12 Private School in the West Loop
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
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.
Competency-Based Assessment
Your student is more than a test score. Our individualized assessment model moves away from the standard grading scale to provide each learner with specific feedback based on their strengths and areas of challenge.
Test Prep
with Academic Approach
We have partnered with Academic Approach to offer every student a dedicated opportunity to prepare for the SAT through an extension test prep program that begins in 11th grade.
More Than College-Ready
Bennett sudents receive unparalleled one-on-one support, personalized college counseling, and the freedom to pursue meaningful, purpose-driven academic paths—without the stress and anxiety.
WHY BENNETT What Makes Us Different?
BENNETT DAY We Are Bennett Day.
About Us 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. 10 years later, we have 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.
