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News & Articles

Our Obsession With College Is Hurting Our Kids

By Martin Moran | January 7, 2025

Competency-based LearningProgressive LearningProject-Based Learning

High schools and middle schools at large are not only creating undue and unnecessary stress, overpacking student schedules, and contributing to a mental health crisis for kids around the country, but the payoff that was promised – the one that makes all of this “worth it” – is no longer happening.

Upcoming Event

January 29

11th – 12th Grade Trip (Cape Canaveral)

January 29 2025, 12:00 am

School Schedule

Keep internal only for now

August 25, 2023 Open House_Orientation-32

News & Articles

How to Resolve Social Conflicts in Kindergarten

By Sam Rud | December 17, 2024

Early Childhood DevelopmentParentingProgressive Learning

Navigating social conflicts is a vital part of growth for our four- and five-year-olds. At this stage, learning to resolve disagreements in a healthy way helps children develop empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication—essential skills for building strong, positive relationships.

The Canopy Project: A Five-Year Analysis of School Innovation, 2019-2024

Press & Recognition

TheCanopyProject

“As the founding upper school director Martin Moran explained, ‘Everything has to start with trust: Teachers need to trust kids. Administrators need to trust teachers. Parents need to trust administrators.’ As a teacher, Moran observed how many systems and structures in school actively and unnecessarily undermined trust while harming high school students’ mental health and…

5-Year Study Highlights Impactful School Innovation Practices

Press & Recognition

“To address friction among schools, families, students and teachers regarding student grades, Bennett Day School, a private K-12 school in Chicago, adopted a competency-based assessment system that measures achievement around personal growth and skill development. The school also minimized high stakes tests and implemented ‘demonstrations of learning‘ at the end of each trimester, according to…

Upcoming Event

May 22

Family BIPOC Affinity Space

May 22 2025, 3:30 pm

School Schedule

Meeting space in person

Upcoming Event

April 15

Family BIPOC Affinity Space

April 15 2025, 3:30 pm

School Schedule

Meeting space in person

Upcoming Event

March 20

Family BIPOC Affinity Space

March 20 2025, 3:30 pm

School Schedule

Meeting space in person

Upcoming Event

February 27

Family BIPOC Affinity Space

February 27 2025, 3:30 pm

School Schedule

Meeting space in person

Upcoming Event

May 22

Family Social

May 22 2025, 7:30 pm

School Schedule

Details Coming Soon

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The frigid temps have us dreaming of sunshine and

The frigid temps have us dreaming of sunshine and summer fun... ☀️

We’re excited to announce that Bennett Day Camp will look a little different this year! For ages 4-10, campers can choose from a variety of enrichment classes in the morning (run by Bennett faculty & some of our favorite outside vendors), followed by recreational day camp in the afternoon.

For students in rising 5th-9th grade, we’re offering a Counselor in Training program, specialty camps run by Bennett faculty, and sports camps from @1000wattssports, @gameonsportgirl, and @hifive_chi.

Our summer camp guide for 2025 drops next week, with registration opening soon after. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a summer to remember! 🩵

#discoverbennettday #bennettdaycamp #summercamp #chicagosummercamp #summer2025 #counselorintraining #summertimechi

Our first-ever home basketball games were so speci

Our first-ever home basketball games were so special! 🏀✨

The players - soaring with their hearts on display.

The fans - a symphony of spirit all game long.

The gym - electric with pride and shared purpose.

We’re just getting started, Blue Jays! Let’s keep building The Nest together. 🩵

#discoverbennettday #bennettbluejays #bennettbasketball #middleschool #prek12 #chicago #westloop #westtown #projectbasedlearning #independentschool #bennettdayschool #community #buildthenest

What’s it like to be an Upper Schooler at Bennet

What’s it like to be an Upper Schooler at Bennett? Some of our Middle Schoolers are getting a firsthand look! 🔬

This week, 7th & 8th grade students are participating in advanced studio courses alongside our 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Yesterday in the Atmospheric Dynamics studio with Dr. Hurst, students conducted a fascinating mitochondria lab, observing these “powerhouses of the cell” in action through a series of chemical reactions. 🧪

This experience is designed to give Middle Schoolers a glimpse into the deep, exploratory learning that takes place in our Upper School studios—courses like Mechanics & Engineering Design, Modern Journalism, and Biological Perspectives in Environmental Contexts. Not only do these studios dive into college-level topics, but they also allow students to connect learning to real-world applications and identify subject areas of interest.

Opportunities like this give our younger students a chance to imagine their future as Upper Schoolers at Bennett and experience the autonomy, collaboration, and purpose-driven learning that define our program. 🩵

#discoverbennettday #studiocourses #bennettdayupperschool #projectbasedlearning #handsonlearning #mitochondria #sciencelab #biochem #atmosphericdynamics #learnbydoing #middleschool #upperschool #prek12 #chicago #westloop #westtown

Okay, THAT was fun! Last night, our 7th & 8th grad

Okay, THAT was fun! Last night, our 7th & 8th grade basketball teams made history with the first-ever home game in our new gym 🏀✨

The energy was unmatched—jock jams, sign-making, cheers, buzzer-beater-3-pointers, and even a crowd-wide wave brought the whole community together. Students of all ages (and alumni!) packed the stands to cheer on our Blue Jays as they faced off against St. James Lutheran. Thanks to everyone who came out, it was an unforgettable night! 🩵

#discoverbennettday #bennettbluejays #bennettbasketball #middleschool #bennettballers #gobluejays

Finger shoes, anyone? In the TESLab (Tinkering & E

Finger shoes, anyone? In the TESLab (Tinkering & Engineering Sciences), our third graders are turning their creative ideas into reality—one tiny step at a time. ✨👟

As seen here, big smiles filled the room as the first pair of finger shoes came to life on the 3D printer! After measuring their fingers with a caliper and designing unique creations in @tinkercad, seeing their ideas take shape was a moment to celebrate.

Now, they’re designing custom “shoeboxes” and brainstorming more imaginative ways to use their mini masterpieces. Innovation, creativity, and a little bit of whimsy are always in style at Bennett. 🩵

#discoverbennettday #TinkerTuesday #learnbydoing #handsonlearning #projectbasedlearning #progressiveeducation #innovation #3Dprinting #tinkercad #tinker

This past weekend, we brought the magic of the gre

This past weekend, we brought the magic of the great outdoors 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 for our third annual S’More Time Together event! 🍫✨🏕️

Families gathered to enjoy gooey s’mores, friendship-bracelet-making, cozy storytime “under the stars,” and so much more. From seed planting to karaoke and our always-popular photo booth, the afternoon was filled with fun, connection, and community.

A special highlight this year was the workshop with award-winning author and illustrator Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist, who shared her creative process and the wonder of storytelling with families.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to make this event so special—we love spending “s’more” time with you all! 🩵

#smoretimetogether #discoverbennettday #bennettcommunity #independentschool #westloop #westtown #chicagofamilies #thegreatoutdoors #prek12 #reggioinspired #projectbasedlearning

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