Bentley School is an intellectually curious and inclusive community where teachers help students embrace their own strengths to rise to their full potential. In a challenging academic environment, we meet students where they are, empowering them to cultivate their unique talents, skills, and perspectives.

Bentley students are taught how to think rather than what to think. From Kindergarten through 12th grade, each individual is guided by the motto, Scire Desidero, “I desire to know.” 

They seek to understand the world, others, and themselves through a supportive culture that values diverse perspectives and a dynamic programming that ignites learning through inquiry. At Bentley, faculty and admin encourage a strong sense of agency for students, fostering self-advocacy that, in balance with high academic achievement, prepares each graduate for a lifetime of success — in college and beyond the walls of any classroom. 

Lower School (Grades K-5): “I desire to know the world.” 

In a nurturing and developmentally appropriate program, Bentley lays the foundation for academic and individual success by helping students develop a deep knowledge base balanced with healthy social and emotional growth. Faculty meet students where they are, using a combination of direct instruction, independent practice, hands-on learning, and cooperative group work to promote their students’ intellectual growth and reasoning. In Bentley Lower School, students are also exposed to art, fitness, music, and world languages (French, Spanish, and Mandarin). 

Middle School (Grades 6-8): “I desire to know others.” 

In Bentley Middle School, students are educated in a multi-classroom and multi-teacher model that fosters a culture of peer-to-peer, faculty-to-student support. As students grow into early adolescence, teachers nurture resilience and help students navigate challenges as they learn skills to progress from concrete to analytical thinkers. Bentley faculty encourage students to think abstractly and develop excellent communication skills with hands-on projects, open-ended questions, and comprehensive problems. Students learn to think mathematically, scientifically, and creatively and leave 8th grade confident and well-prepared to meet the needs of the college preparatory program at the Upper School. 

Upper School (Grades 9-12): “I desire to know myself.” 

In a highly-supportive, high-expectations environment, Bentley students work with their advisors to choose from academically challenging courses and co-curricular opportunities to build a program of study that hones their ability to collaborate, problem solve, adapt, initiate, analyze, and imagine. Bentley’s Upper School college preparatory curriculum and graduation requirements exceed recommendations of the University of California’s A-G requirements. At Bentley, graduates are emotionally and intellectually resilient individuals adept at advocating for themselves while channeling their joy of learning to achieve success in college and beyond. 

To learn more, visit www.bentleyschool.org.

K-8 Campus in Oakland 510-843-2512  |  9-12 Campus in Lafayette 925-283-2101