Academics
Overview
The Bentley motto – Scire Desidero: I Desire to Know – informs every student’s academic journey, our collective respect for diverse perspectives, and the community’s enthusiasm for learning.
Lower School: I desire to know the world
The Lower School (Grades K-5) curriculum is supportive, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate. Faculty members set the foundation for academic and personal success by helping students develop both a deep knowledge base and healthy social and emotional growth. They individualize teaching, using a combination of direct instruction, independent practice, hands-on learning, cooperative group work, and individual conferencing to ensure each student's intellectual growth and reasoning.
In addition to establishing an important academic foundation for our youngest learners, we are committed to providing students with wide exposure to art, music, and world languages. In keeping with the philosophy that a healthy body supports a healthy mind, health and wellness classes develop physical fitness and students participate in dance and other performances.
In addition to establishing an important academic foundation for our youngest learners, we are committed to providing students with wide exposure to art, music, and world languages. In keeping with the philosophy that a healthy body supports a healthy mind, health and wellness classes develop physical fitness and students participate in dance and other performances.
Middle School: I desire to know others
The Middle School (Grades 6-8) builds upon the foundation established in the Lower School by continuing to promote the academic, social, and emotional development of its students. Students move from a single-teacher classroom structure to a multi-classroom, multi-teacher model.
As students grow into early adolescence, they learn skills to progress from concrete to analytical thinkers. Teachers encourage students to think abstractly and develop excellent communication skills with hands-on projects, open-ended questions, and challenging problems. Students learn to think mathematically and scientifically. Our Middle Schoolers become adept in world languages, develop strategies for physical and emotional health, work collaboratively with peers, and express themselves through the arts. Students leave eighth grade confident and well versed in various subject areas and habits of mind, prepared to meet the challenges of the strong academic program at the Upper School.
As students grow into early adolescence, they learn skills to progress from concrete to analytical thinkers. Teachers encourage students to think abstractly and develop excellent communication skills with hands-on projects, open-ended questions, and challenging problems. Students learn to think mathematically and scientifically. Our Middle Schoolers become adept in world languages, develop strategies for physical and emotional health, work collaboratively with peers, and express themselves through the arts. Students leave eighth grade confident and well versed in various subject areas and habits of mind, prepared to meet the challenges of the strong academic program at the Upper School.
Upper School: I desire to know myself
The Upper School (Grades 9-12) builds on the skills and knowledge taught in the Lower and Middle Schools, including discipline, curiosity, and the value of the life of the mind. Bentley’s motto Scire Desidero guides the teaching and learning of every student and faculty member. Students take academically challenging courses and engage in co-curricular opportunities that develop discerning minds and exceptional character. The Upper School curriculum and graduation requirements align with and exceed recommendations of the University of California's A-G requirements.
Students work with their advisors to choose a program of study and co-curricular activities that hone their ability to collaborate, problem-solve, adapt, initiate, analyze, and imagine. These habits of mindset them on a course for college success. College counselors work with advisors and students to help each student identify excellent colleges that provide the best fit for their qualifications and interests. Academically enthusiastic, principled, and vibrant, Bentley School graduates bring their love of learning and personal integrity to college, professional, and graduate schools, and their workplaces.
Students work with their advisors to choose a program of study and co-curricular activities that hone their ability to collaborate, problem-solve, adapt, initiate, analyze, and imagine. These habits of mindset them on a course for college success. College counselors work with advisors and students to help each student identify excellent colleges that provide the best fit for their qualifications and interests. Academically enthusiastic, principled, and vibrant, Bentley School graduates bring their love of learning and personal integrity to college, professional, and graduate schools, and their workplaces.
