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What in the World is Executive Functioning? Why Should Parents and Teachers Care?

Here’s one for the messy kid who can never find two matching socks. The kid who says “nothing” when asked what they have to do tonight; who forgets what you asked them to do five seconds ago. The kid whose backpack is stuffed to the gills with wadded up pieces of paper and the remnants…

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Mentors Make All the Difference: A Reflection on Student-Teacher Relationships at High Tech High & Bennett Day Upper School

Bennett Day School is the only school in Illinois to receive the New School Creation Fellowship from High Tech High, the progressive, project-based school featured in the documentary “Most Likely to Succeed.” Representatives from Bennett Day Upper School spent a week at High Tech High in San Diego for the second phase of the fellowship….

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Tips for Choosing a Best-Fit Summer Camp

Studies show that camps of all kinds help kids build a solid sense of identity and community, while also contributing to mental and physical well-being. But with so many options out there, how can families make the best choice possible for their children?

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Building Bennett Day School: An Interview with CEO Cameron Smith

After the birth of his first son in 2010, Bennett Day School Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Smith, came face-to-face with the shortage of options for progressive, independent schooling in Chicago. Though his heartfelt reasons as to “why” he founded the school are well-documented, we sat down with Cameron to discuss the “how” behind his motivational journey in creating…

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For Students Highly-Committed to Extracurriculars, Bennett Day Upper School Provides an Ideal Experience

Most high schools expect their students to sit through regimented class periods beginning strictly at 8am (or even earlier), participate in their after-school activities that can sometimes go well into the late evening hours, and then somehow manage to thoughtfully complete hours of homework and get a good night’s rest—all to do it again the…

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“Gaga for a Gaga Pit!” Guest Blog By Tinkering & Engineering Sciences Teacher, Zak Thompson, on STEM & Design Thinking

“Engineers solve problems.” These words are mounted on our front wall, serving as the mantra of the Tinkering & Engineering Sciences (TES) Lab. It is important for the students to remember as we are deep in circuits, robots, and 3D printing that our mission of advancing creativity and innovation does not happen in a vacuum….

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CEO Cameron Smith: “The Schoolhouse Gate” and the Changing Face of American Education

In November, I had the privilege of engaging in a discussion at the offices of education law firm,Franczek Radelet, with University of Chicago Constitutional Law Professor, Justin Driver. His new book,The Schoolhouse Gate:Public Education, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for the American Mind,inspired me to think more deeply about how our schools are addressing…

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6 Picture Books to Warm Up Your Winter Break

Aside from the sheer joy of imagination, children reading for pleasure outside of school is linked to higher levels of empathy, problem-solving, communication, and even performance in academic areas. As we get ready for Winter Break, what will your child be reading at home over the next few weeks? We curated this list of recently…

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