Bennett Day School

955 W Grand Ave

Chicago, IL 60642

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 06, 2023

Bennett’s administration frequently failed to communicate effectively. They neglected to inform us when initial problems with our son began, leaving us unaware until situations escalated. School leaned into the behavior concerns and did not see the connection between behavior and academic challenges. In one instance, she called to discuss my son's challenges while he was in the room, ignoring the privacy and sensitivity of the matter.School recommended we have our son tested, because they did not know what more they could do and ‘maybe’ medication was an option. So, yes we had our son tested and learned he has an IQ is in the gifted range and a reading disability. He is a 3rd graders with 1st grade reading skills. Thanks to CPS, he has access to a special education teacher, and in-class support to ensure he can fully participate. Bennet is a great option if your kid does not need support. If you kid needs help, school administration becomes passive aggressive till you leave.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2022

It's legitimately ridiculous how much I'm enjoying the parent experience at Bennett. This year (despite my frustrations with figuring out how to get a 3 year old here on time) has been so wonderful and seeing my kid thrive and benefit from all of the work that's been done has really been fulfilling. The teachers send weekly though provoking blogs, administrators are available and encourage communication, and the family associate has opportunities to engage in community constantly.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2022

Bennett Day School has been a game changer for our family. We found the school when my daughter was in kindergarten at a more traditional school. While she was successful at the school as a student, we found her love of learning and school dwindling. Bennett is a warm community with a clear commitment to bringing in diverse families. It has been continually growing as it adds grades up to high school and offers an education that aligns with our family's values- helping to grow kids who can think for themselves and will be prepared to make our world better when they graduate.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2021

Learning at Bennett is by accident. In this type of learning environment teachers are critical. Well Bennett hires swim teachers, dance teachers and sociology majors to teach early childhood education. Teachers themselves are uneducated and are more for play. Spent 3 years here and teachers got fired, quit and demoted. I cannot say that my children learned one positive thing at Bennett. Maybe only to pick up trash outside. CEO spends his time obtaining degrees only for the fact to befriend parents and recruit them into this awful school. Next to the teachers, administration and staff are the worst. School is mostly children of staff,
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2021

Bennett is all about breaking family bonds. They hire inexperienced teachers, pay them very little and in turn they are angry and try to be in control of your family like if they have something to prove over you and to be a winner in their communist community. Teachers spent all year teaching junior kindergartners and pre-k about gender identity and taking them for walks to pick up trash around the school but can't teach them to read or write. Teachers will call DCFS on parents and then administration will say "so what DCFS was called on my mom also.' they hired staff who showed up high on drugs to school and traumatized my children. I took my children out of this horrible school during the school year that's how bad and inexperienced the entire administration and teachers are. Do not give them a cent. When they do call DCFS on you they try to make it better by giving you your money back. The only thing is that I don't even care about the money. I have enough money to continue this fight. It is not about the money. It is about the damage they did to my children.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2020

We chose Bennett for three reasons. First, we felt that Bennett was the best option for our children to get an education socially and academically. Second, the community - every parent made us feel warm, welcomed and we belonged from day one. Third, the thoughtfulness to everything done at the school
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2020

As we were looking into options for high schools, we came across Bennett Day School and we were immediately smitten! In speaking to the staff about why we should choose Bennett Day Upper School, we knew this was the best choice for our child when we found out that all students are required to have participated in an internship that corresponds to their future educational aspirations. We were in search of the best educational opportunity, that would inspire learning and quench her thirst for new fashioned learning. We have found caring and nurturing teachers and administrators who take the time to get to know your child and their interests, and incorporates it into their curriculum and projects. This is my child's dream school become reality! We are so excited to be a part of the Bennett Day family!
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2020

We were drawn to Bennett Day School’s entrepreneurial spirit, its authentic commitment to cultivating a growth mindset in students, and its unique yet very intentional approach to education via project based learning. We’ve been delighted by the warm, rich relationships that we’ve formed with other Bennett Day School families, many of whom are busy dual working families like ourselves. It brings us great joy to watch our children embrace learning and the overall school experience with genuine excitement each day, and it brings us great comfort that our children are known, not only by name, but as individuals, by each and every faculty member at the school.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2018

Bennett Day School is the future of Education as we know it. Their approach to progressive education is one of the best Chicago has to offer. They build a curriculum around students curiosity, teacher's are your child's partner recognizing many learning possibilities. Our daughter has flourish at BDS, having a digital portfolio to reference her educational growth from jk through high school.BDS has a low student to teacher ratio.BDS has a phenomenal faculty and staff. Outstanding parent community.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2015

I can't say enough wonderful things about Bennett Day School! We've had a wonderful experience! The teachers and staff are caring, thoughtful and receptive.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2015

Bennett Day School has been a wonderful choice for our 2-year-old son. The teachers are intuitive, observant, patient and creative. The facilities are brand new, technologically advanced and just beautiful. The indoor play facility is a great place to play on days when they cannot play outside and the tinker lab allows for so much creativity and building. My son's teachers build lessons around the interests of the children, supporting their exploration with stories, visuals and knowledge. They introduce new concepts and materials and allow the children to explore these materials with fresh eyes and individual approaches. Though the materials in the classroom resemble the materials in many classrooms (puzzles, books, dramatic play, blocks, animals, cars, art supplies, etc.), I think what makes Bennett Day School wonderful is the thought process behind each new lesson, the allowance for each child's unique level of interest and engagement with each topic, and truly a celebration of each child's individual ideas.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

As the parent of a Senior Kindergartner (SK) and Pre-Kindergartner (PK), our family as a unique perspective on Bennett. Our kids are very different - different personalities, different learning styles, different interests. Bennett's unique approach to progressive education has served both extremely well. The lead and apprentice teachers are exceptional - they combine their significant knowledge of educational philosophy and childhood development with the practical stuff necessary to run a classroom (we know from the helpful feedback and information provided via e-mail, videos, a website for each class chronicling their educational explorations and participating in the classroom). We were worried about a "new" school - but or belief in the mission, the unique approach to progressive education, and the leadership has paid off. We are looking forward to watching our children grow at Bennett along with the school.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

BDS boasts a state of the art facility and makes impressive use of technology in the classroom. We are most impressed by the teachers and administration. We feel connected to our daughter s classroom and are able to support what is being taught at home thanks to constant teacher communication through blogs, emails, school events and opportunities to volunteer in the class. The parent-teacher conferences blew us away. We are provided impressive digital documentation through pictures, videos, and written evaluations on all aspects of our child s development. Our daughter loves the school, and is thriving there. There is also a low student-faculty ratio. Her comprehension of Spanish has been remarkable, as it is taught daily in a uniquely integrated way. We have also enjoyed being part of a fantastic parent community!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

Amazing school and faculty. Our son is thriving and the parent network is second to none. We couldn't be happier at BDS.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

Our children are absolutely thriving at Bennett Day. Their approach to progressive education is phenomenal. The communication we receive from our teachers and the digital portfolio they maintain of the students' work is unrivaled by anywhere else in the city. The teachers and administration are exemplary, the student population is wonderfully diverse and the parent body is strong, inclusive and dynamic. We could not have a had a better experience anywhere in Chicago than in our first year at Bennett.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2015

Both of our children are thriving at BDS. We've had such a positive experience with the entire community - teachers, administrators, staff, and enrolled families. When thinking about the school experience we want our children to have, Bennett's' vision fit with ours. We love the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the emphasis on project-based learning. We feel lucky to have found this wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2015

We could not be more thrilled with our experience at Bennett Day School. Our daughter absolutely loves going to school and we have seen her confidence, curiosity and creativity growing everyday. Along with high academic standards she is also learning skills that will prepare her for life well beyond academia. She will truly thrive in the ever changing professional landscape.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2015

We really like the focus on collaboration and co-learning for our son with his teachers via the hands on, project-based approach at Bennett Day. Our teachers meet with us multiple times a year to share our son's digital portfolio with pictures and videos, and that is followed up with detailed, narrative written reports -- the faculty knows the kids so well! Our son also enjoys the Spanish, Mandarin, martial arts, dance, yoga, and music programs. The student to faculty ratios are quite low too.