WELCOME TO BENTLEY!
Since 1920, Bentley has been committed to delivering an education that strikes an intentional balance of joy and hard work. Bentley’s strong academic program, coupled with its warm and highly engaged community, means that every student is seen, known, and valued for their individual strengths.
I continue to be inspired by the authentic connection between faculty and students—where students expect a lot of themselves and teachers provide the tools and resources to fuel their love of learning and discovery. Our talented and compassionate community of educators remains dedicated to helping students thrive during their time at Bentley, while also preparing them for their future educational and personal pursuits.
On behalf of all of us at Bentley, congratulations on your acceptance. We are excited to welcome you and your family into our community and look forward to supporting you throughout your journey at our School. Go, Phoenix!
SINCERELY,
Christie Moncharmont Head of School
ONLINE ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTIONS
To secure your student’s space at Bentley School for the next school year, please complete the online enrollment agreement through TADS Tuition and Billing Management, our secure tuition payment system.
Once you have signed your agreement and paid the non-refundable enrollment deposit, our registrar and technology team will create all the pertinent digital accounts for your family.
MYBENTLEY
Our password-protected online portal is connected to our public bentleyschool.org website and is populated with important information for all things Bentley. When your account is ready for login, you will receive an email from bentleyschool@myschoolapp.com titled “Connect to Bentley School.”
TUITION & BILLING INFORMATION
TUITION DEPOSIT
The non-refundable enrollment deposit of 10% of a family’s total tuition obligation (financial aid awards are taken into account) is due by the deadline stated in your family’s enrollment agreement and paid through the TADS Billing and Enrollment Management system.
FACILITIES FEE FOR NEW STUDENTS
All new students enrolling at Bentley School (kindergarten through 12th grade) are required to pay a facilities fee that will appear on their family’s bill. This one-time fee pays for maintenance and upkeep on items such as lockers (Middle and Upper School), grade-specific play spaces (Lower School), and other campus enhancements. The fee is the same for all new families.
ADDITIONAL FEES
Families should expect to incur additional fees throughout the school year related to co-curricular programs, field trips, textbooks (9th through 12th grades), and supplies depending on grade level. While total amounts vary, fees range from $1,500 to $2,500 and are dependent on grade and activity. Transportation is provided for families K–12 at no additional cost, and our After School Program is provided at no additional cost for grades kindergarten through 8th.
BILLING
Billing for tuition expenses is run through our secure online system, TADS. For assistance or questions about billing, please contact Accounting Assistant Cecilia Santiago in the Business Office at csantiago@bentleyschool.org or 925900-4081.
TUITION INSURANCE
Tuition insurance is required for families electing to pay for tuition through a payment plan. Like many independent schools, Bentley requires families who are not paying tuition in full to enroll in tuition insurance. Please be sure to read the Dewar brochure carefully.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ENROLLMENT
After submitting your enrollment agreement through TADS, you will need to fulfill additional requirements throughout the spring and summer to complete your enrollment.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
All students entering 1st–12th grades will have student records on file at their current school. Once you receive the record request form from Bentley, present the form to your current school so that they can send your student’s cumulative file (including the final grades for the 2024–25 school year). Be sure to request the records before you leave your current school for the summer.
Deadline: June 23, 2025
MAGNUS HEALTH
Integrating with myBENTLEY, Magnus Health manages all health information for your student. You will upload important forms (e.g., immunization records, physician’s statements, Rx forms), add emergency health contacts, and sign various yearly forms via this easy-to-use software.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
California state law requires that each student have a completed and updated immunization record in their student file. All families must submit a complete immunization record. We recommend you consult with your pediatrician to ensure that all required immunizations for enrolling in a California school have been met. You will upload these documents to your Magnus Health account and will be given login instructions in June.
Deadline: August 1, 2025
HEALTH FORMS
Below is a list of documents you will need to upload to Magnus Health, our online health portal. You will receive access to this tool in June, and copies of the forms will be emailed so that you have ample time to schedule appointments with your primary care physician. Please note that students cannot attend classes or participate in athletics until these forms are submitted.
Report of Health Examination for School Entry Form (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)
This form will be available on myBENTLEY and Magnus Health when you activate your myBENTLEY account in June. Your pediatrician may already have this form.
Physician’s Statement Form (6th–12th Grade)
This form will be available on myBENTLEY and Magnus Health when you activate your myBENTLEY account in June. If your medical office insists on using their own form, note that the registrar must confirm that the document meets our requirements. The form must include the date of a physical that has been conducted within the last year. It must also indicate that the student is cleared for sports and school activities. Schedule a physical now if your student has not had a physical since Fall
2024. If your student is in 9th–12th grades and participating in an interscholastic sport, physicals are valid for 365 days. Many studentathletes will need to schedule mid-year physicals to maintain their athletic eligibility.
Prescription Medicine Form
If your student needs prescription medications to be administered at school, please have your physician complete the form. This form will be available on myBENTLEY and Magnus Health when you activate your myBENTLEY account in June. Parents must sign the second page and upload documents to Magnus Health.
DEADLINE FOR ALL HEALTH
FORMS: AUGUST 1, 2025
Note: Some insurance companies permit exams only once every year. We recommend checking your eligibility before scheduling your student’s exam.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Bentley teachers help students understand how they learn best, how to effectively communicate their learning needs, and how to self-advocate, instilling confidence in their academic success.
ASSESSMENTS FOR COURSE PLACEMENT
LOWER SCHOOL (KINDERGARTEN–5TH GRADE)
No placement assessments are required for Lower School. In mid-April, 2nd–5th grade families will receive a link to rank their student's language preferences of French, Mandarin, or Spanish. Kindergarten and 1st grade students are exposed to all three languages.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH–8TH GRADE)
World Languages: Bentley School offers French, Mandarin, and Spanish in Middle School, and all students are required to choose one of the three languages offered. Beginning in mid-April, families will receive a link to rank their student’s language preferences. If a student would like to start a world language from the beginning (Level A), no assessment is required. Students will be given the opportunity to take a placement assessment in late April if they would like to take Level B or above.
Electives: Students have the opportunity to take a variety of electives each trimester. All Middle School students will have the opportunity to rank their elective preferences.
UPPER SCHOOL (9TH–12TH GRADE)
Students will receive a link to an online form to request their classes for the fall. 9th grade students will take English, modern world history, physics, mathematics, a world language, a yearlong visual or performing arts class, and the 9th Grade Seminar.
Physics and Math: All rising 9th grade students are required to complete a math and science placement assessment. No advanced preparation is required to complete either assessment. The date for the math and physics assessment is Saturday, April 19, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Students should plan to be on campus until 11:00 a.m. Students should bring a couple of pencils, water, and a snack.
World Language: Bentley Upper School offers four world languages—French, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish. Although students are required to select one world language, assessments are required only for students wishing to place beyond Level 1 in a world language. Students who must complete an assessment are invited to come to the Lafayette campus on either Thursday, April 24, or Wednesday, April 30, 2025, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Level 1: No assessment required
Level 2: 30-minute grammar assessment required
Level 3 and above: Level 2 assessment and one-on-one assessment with a faculty member
Jazz and Chamber Ensemble: Students requesting Jazz or Chamber Ensemble for their 9th grade yearlong art requirement must schedule an audition with the Visual and Performing Arts Department before May 1, 2025. Auditions will be available on the week of April 21. Please email Paul McWilliams at pmcwilliams@bentleyschool.org to schedule your audition time.
ADVISORY & DEANS
Our advisory program begins in Middle School and continues through our Upper School. Advisors stay with their student advisory groups throughout the three years of Middle School. When students join the Upper School, they are reassigned to new advisors and remain with these advisors until graduation. Newly enrolled students will learn about their assigned advisor in August before school begins. Each grade, from 6th through 12th, is assigned a class dean who works closely with the advisory program. Each class dean remains with their assigned grade until graduation.
STUDENT SCHEDULES & LEARNING SUPPORT
Bentley prides itself on knowing students as individuals and purposely having a schedule that allows teachers and students to develop deep relationships. Twice a week, 9th–12th grade students have a Flex period with dedicated free time, allowing them to have individual meetings with teachers to focus on their specific needs. In addition, all 9th grade students will take the 9th Grade Seminar, which focuses on research and study skills, time management, and organization. Health and wellness topics are also a primary focus. Middle School students take a Life Skills course to learn research and study skills, time management, and organization. Students needing additional academic support should first meet with the teacher of the respective course. If further help is required, the class dean or individual teacher coordinates this support in consultation with our learning support specialist and division directors.
SUMMER PROGRAMMING
Bentley also offers comprehensive programming at our Lafayette campus during the summer months. These programs are designed to help students continue connecting to our mission statement and values throughout the summer in a fun, non-traditional learning environment. Students may be enrolled in individual or multiple weeks of our summer program and are instructed by Bentley’s talented faculty and other members of our After School Program.
TECHNOLOGY
KINDERGARTEN & 1ST GRADE
iPads are provided for in-class use at no additional cost.
9TH–12TH GRADES BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE
2ND–8TH GRADES
Chromebooks are provided at no additional cost.
Incoming students should plan to bring their own preferred electronic devices. At Bentley, students are welcome to use either Microsoft Windows or Apple operating systems. Please review our system recommendations below.
WINDOWS SYSTEM
• Operating System Required: Windows 11
• Memory Minimum: 8GB; Recommended: 16GB
• Hard Drive Minimum: 128 GB; Recommended: 256 GB or more
APPLE SYSTEM
• Operating System Minimum: 14 (Sonoma)
• Memory Minimum: 8GB; Recommended: 16GB
• Hard Drive Minimum: 128 GB; Recommended: 256 GB or more
A
WORD ABOUT MOBILE DEVICES
Most mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and watches should not be used as the primary device for school work. These devices may not support all necessary software products students use for their courses. However, these devices may be used as supplementary tools in the Upper School.
PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
Bentley School will provide access to and use the following programs at the start of the school year for Upper School students.
• Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Calendar, etc.)
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (includes Photoshop)
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
As a part of our Bentley community, all of our K–8 students are automatically eligible and enrolled in our After School Program (ASP). Bentley believes that students should be provided with a safe and supportive learning environment before and after school. For this reason, the cost of the program is completely subsidized by the school.
ASP is in session from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. every school day unless otherwise noted. On Fridays, our program begins earlier to support students on early dismissal days. Each day, students are provided a snack, access to outdoor play spaces, and quiet areas to work and complete homework. They can also join in the various activities monitored and led by our ASP team. Families also have the opportunity to opt into enrichment activities for their students after school for an additional fee.
In addition to our after-school offerings, we also offer beforeschool supervision from 7:30–8:30 a.m. Our extended morning is a great opportunity to drop off your students a little earlier to help them play and get some energy out before heading into the classroom. In the Upper School, students are welcome to arrive on campus as early as 7:45 a.m. Students should depart campus no later than 5:00 p.m., unless they are participating in supervised activities such as athletics or theater.
ENRICHMENT OFFERINGS
Bentley offers various enrichment classes for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade after school at our Hiller campus. These sessions provide a more structured after-school learning environment, and classes may include capoeira, sewing, coding, chess, cooking, and Lego engineering. Enrichment programming is offered in fall, winter, and spring to align with our trimester and athletic schedules. To bring these vendors to our campus and allow for new experiences, these offerings come at an additional fee. Enrichment offerings are announced by the After School Program director before each trimester begins.
PHILANTHROPY AT BENTLEY
Philanthropy at Bentley School is the spirit of giving that fuels community growth, innovation, and excellence. Our collective giving efforts by families, alumni, faculty, and staff work to support the school's mission in a meaningful way. The Annual Fund provides essential resources that directly impact students' daily experiences. From innovative classroom technologies to extracurricular programs that enrich learning, contributions to the Annual Fund make a tangible and immediate difference across the organization.
In addition to annual fundraising, Bentley School occasionally embarks on capital campaigns to undertake transformational projects. These campaigns fund major initiatives like stateof-the-art facilities, upgraded infrastructure, and expanded endowment resources. By supporting a capital campaign, you contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the school, ensuring that current and future generations benefit from a world-class educational environment.
Involvement in philanthropy by our community is not just a financial transaction—it's an investment in each child's education and the broader Bentley community. Support helps attract and retain exceptional faculty, provides cutting-edge resources, and ensures that Bentley School remains at the forefront of educational innovation. As new members of the Bentley family, we encourage each family to embrace the spirit of giving. Gifts, whether big or small, play a vital role in shaping the future of the School and the future success of each child.
BENTLEY PARENT ASSOCIATION
At Bentley School, we take great pride in our warm, welcoming community. The Bentley Parent Association is a fun and social way for parents and guardians to be involved with the school. Through meetings, volunteer opportunities, and events, the BPA helps foster thoughtful conversations at school and home while supporting parents as their child’s academic and social journey unfolds. To learn more, email bpa@bentleyschool.org.
Here are just a few ways our parents support the School:
• Volunteer as a member of the Executive Committee or as a room parent
• Chaperone a class field trip or support a class celebration
• Host a parent social event
• Donate to the Annual Fund
• Serve as an admissions ambassador
• Assist at a performing arts event
• Contribute to a faculty and staff appreciation event
• Support the annual Gala and Auction
TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation is provided to all currently enrolled Bentley students at no additional cost. The buses provided serve both our Hiller and Lafayette campuses, with convenient pick-up and dropoff locations.
STOPS INCLUDE:
• Marin Avenue on the Circle
• Ashby BART Station
• North Berkeley BART Station
• The Hwy 13 Corridor
• Broadway Terrace / Duncan Way / Country Club Drive
• Montclair District
• Estudillo Avenue / MacArthur Blvd.
• The I-680/CA-24 Corridor
• Orinda BART Station
• Walnut Creek BART Station
• Rudgear Road Park and Ride
• Danville / Sycamore Valley Road
• Alameda and N. Oakland
• Marine Square Loop
• Mandana Blvd. / Carlston Avenue
• Rockridge BART Station
• Kofman Pkwy/Aughinbaugh Way
Please note that routes are reviewed annually. Updated routes and general information about the bus service, including bus registration, will be provided in August to all students and their families.
CALENDAR OF DATES
(AS OF MARCH 1)
AUGUST 24 & 25
9th Grade Retreat
AUGUST 25
New Student
Orientations K–8
AUGUST 25
Return to School
Celebration, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
AUGUST 27
First Day of School
SEPTEMBER 1
Labor Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
OCTOBER 13
Fall Holiday/ Indigenous People's Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
OCTOBER 17
Parent/Teacher
Conferences (K–12)
NOVEMBER 24–28
Thanksgiving Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
For an updated list of important dates and school holidays, please visit myBENTLEY.
DEC 22–JAN 5
Winter Break
(SCHOOL CLOSED)
JANUARY 6
Classes Resume
JANUARY 19
MLK Jr. Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
FEBRUARY 16–20
Mid-Winter Break
(SCHOOL CLOSED)
MARCH 13
Parent/Teacher
Conferences (K-8)
APRIL 6–10
Spring Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
MAY 25
Memorial Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
JUNE 5
Last Day of School
