Press

Bennett Day School is thrilled to be the only educational institution featured in The Scout Guide Chicago: Volume 3. More than a premier city guide, The Scout Guide is a celebration of authentic, community-driven organizations that enrich our city. We are proud to represent local education alongside vibrant businesses, leaders, and service providers as we prepare students to adapt, lead, and stand out in a changing world.

“The world your child will inherit is changing faster than ever, and education must evolve with it. Bennett Day School is built for what’s next. We nurture the core human advantages the future will reward: curiosity, consideration, character, collaboration, and creativity.”

“Bennett Day School (PK-12), Chicago, uses a competency-based learning model. Students advance by demonstrating mastery of a concept, according to Martin Moran, head of program for the middle and upper school at Bennett. Student work is personalized. Instead of letter grades, progress is measured through projects, presentations and portfolios. ‘We make sure we have prepared students with the skills to adapt to the future,’ says Moran.”

“…Bennett Day School (PK-12) uses an AI system from Google that can learn the school’s approach and philosophy. Data from sources such as internal documents, emails and blog posts are fed into the system to teach the AI system the school’s communication style and how to follow instructions.”

“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.”

“We see a significant difference in children who start with us in our early childhood program,” says Jackie Miller, head of school at Bennett. “The social-emotional support they get from the program has a meaningful impact.”

“Through its Project-Based Learning model, Bennett empowers students to tackle real-world problems with curiosity and collaboration. Cross-disciplinary projects and student-led inquiry help cultivate adaptable, socially conscious thinkers with the resilience and mindset to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

“At Bennett Day School, students experience joyful, purpose-driven learning in an inclusive and nurturing environment. The school places student engagement and well-being at the center of its mission, fostering a culture where learners are excited to explore, create and grow every day.”

“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 causing unnecessary conflict with parents.”

“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 the report.”