WELCOME TO BENTLEY!
Since 1920, Bentley has been committed to delivering an education that strikes an intentional balance of joy and hard work, a balance that we firmly believe generates the most transformative student experiences. 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.
Every day I am inspired by the authentic connection between Bentley’s faculty and students—here 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 educators are dedicated to helping students thrive during their time at Bentley, while also preparing them for fulfilling futures.
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 in mid-June, 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 students when they first enroll at Bentley.
ADDITIONAL FEES
In addition to tuition, families pay an annual fee between $1,735–$2,625, depending on their student's grade. This fee covers various expenses, such as technology, field trips, classroom supplies, and yearbooks. Bus transportation for families K–12 and after-school care for families K–8 are both provided at no additional cost.
Families should expect to incur additional costs throughout the school year related to co-curricular programs, Mini-term trips and experiences, textbooks (amounting to approximately $600 annually in grades 9–12, depending on courses selected), and a personal computer for students in grades 9–12 (with an estimated cost of approximately $1,200).
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 925-900-4081.
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 Tuition Refund Plan 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 2025–26 school year). Be sure to request the records before you leave your current school for the summer.
Deadline: June 22, 2026
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, 2026
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.
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 student-athletes 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, 2026
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 rank their elective preferences after the school year begins in August.
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 math and science placement assessments. No advanced preparation is required to complete either assessment. The date for the math and physics assessment is Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Students should plan to be on campus until approximately 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 23, or Wednesday, April 29, 2026, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Level 1: No assessment required
Level 2 and above: 30-minute written language placement assessment and a brief one-on-one oral assessment with a faculty member required.
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, 2026. Auditions will be available April 13–24. 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 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 creating schedules that allow teachers and students to develop deep relationships. Twice a week, 9th–12th grade students have a Flex period with dedicated free time that enables them to meet with teachers individually to focus on their specific needs. In addition, 9th grade students will take the 9th Grade Seminar, which centers research and study skills, time management, organization, and health and wellness. Families of students with learning differences should submit a neuropsychological evaluation given in the last three years to Bentley's learning support specialists (Kristin Johnson for grades K–8 at kjohnson@bentleyschool.org and Cory Hayes for grades 9–12 at chayes@bentleyschool. org) so that accommodations can be prepared for new students, including before the Upper School's April assessments.
SUMMER PROGRAMMING
Bentley also offers comprehensive academic and rexreational programming at our Lafayette campus during the summer months, enabling students to continue connecting to our mission statement and values throughout the summer in a fun, non-traditional learning environment. Students may be enrolled in individual Upper School classes or multiple weeks of our summer Phoenix Camp 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.
Students in 9–12 are required to bring a laptop computer that runs either a Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS operating system. Students are expected to bring their devices to school daily for use in coursework, assessments, and classroom activities.
ACCEPTABLE DEVICES
• Windows laptops or Apple (Mac) laptops
UNACCEPTABLE DEVICES
• Chromebooks, iPads or other tablets, smartphones, smart watches, or other mobile devices. These are not acceptable as primary devices for Upper School coursework, as they do not support certain required software and functionality used in classes.
WINDOWS SYSTEM
• Operating System: Windows 11
• Memory: Minimum 8GB; Recommended: 16GB
• Storage: Minimum 128 GB; Recommended: 256 GB or more
APPLE SYSTEM
• Operating System: 14 (Sonoma) or newer
• Memory Minimum: 8GB; Recommended: 16GB
• Hard Drive Minimum: 128 GB; Recommended: 256 GB or more
PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
Bentley School will provide Upper School students with access to the following productivity and academic software at the start of the school year. These tools are used across multiple courses and require a Windows or macOS laptop for full functionality.
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Calendar, etc.)
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, including 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
Bentley has long-benefited from a spirit of generosity, and every gift of time, talent, and treasure from our current families, trustees, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends supports the School’s mission in meaningful ways.
The Bentley Annual Fund is our cornerstone fundraising program. Supporting everything from innovative classroom technologies to extracurricular programs that enrich learning, contributions to the Annual Fund make a tangible and immediate difference in our K–12 program.
Beyond the Annual Fund, the Bentley Gala provides an evening of celebration every Spring when our community comes together to enjoy live music, deepen connections, and raise funds in support of Faculty Professional Development and Student Financial Aid. Periodically, the Board of Trustees and school leaders will also conduct capital or endowment campaigns to advance strategic priorities to undertake transformational projects. These campaigns enable the expansion of academic programs, enhance campus facilities, or strengthen the School’s endowment.
Involvement in philanthropy is a community effort—an investment in our students, faculty, and programs. As new members of the Bentley community, we ask each family to embrace the spirit of giving. All gifts, no matter the size, play a vital role in shaping the future of the School and the future success of every student.
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. Our strength lies in our commitment to service and stewardship. Through volunteer opportunities and events, the BPA helps foster thoughtful conversations at school and home while supporting parents as their student’s academic and social journey unfolds. We welcome your participation! To learn more, email bpa@bentleyschool.org.
Here are some of the ways you can get involved
• Serve as an Admissions ambassador
• Chaperone a class field trip or support a class celebration
• Host a parent social event
• Become a Bentley Annual Fund volunteer
• Donate to the Bentley Annual Fund
• Help to organize a faculty and staff appreciation event
• Assist at a performing arts event
• Contribute your time and talents as a Gala volunteer
• Volunteer as a room parent or member of the BPA Executive Committee
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, shuttle students between campuses, and provide convenient pick-up and drop-off locations.
STOPS MAY INCLUDE:
• Marin Avenue (Berkeley)
• Ashby BART Station
• North Berkeley BART Station
• Broadway Terrace / Duncan Way / Country Club Drive
• The Montclair District (along Mountain Blvd. and Moraga Ave.)
• Estudillo Avenue / MacArthur Blvd.
• Orinda BART Station
• Walnut Creek BART Station
• Rudgear Road Park and Ride (Walnut Creek)
• Danville / Sycamore Valley Road
• Marine Square Loop (Alameda)
• Mandana Blvd. / Carlston Avenue
• Rockridge BART Station
• Kofman Pkwy / Aughinbaugh Way (Alameda)
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 FEBRUARY 25, 2026)
AUGUST 23 & 24
9th Grade Retreat
AUGUST 24
New Student Orientations K–8
AUGUST 24
Return to School Celebration, 4–6 p.m. (at the Lafayette campus)
AUGUST 26
First Day of School
SEPTEMBER 7
Labor Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
OCTOBER 12
Fall Holiday/ Indigenous People's Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
OCTOBER 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences (K–12)
NOVEMBER 23–27
Thanksgiving Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
For an updated list of important dates and school holidays, please visit myBENTLEY.
DEC 21–JAN 4
Winter Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
JANUARY 5
Classes Resume
JANUARY 18
MLK Jr. Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
FEBRUARY 15–19
Mid-Winter Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
MARCH 12
Parent/Teacher Conferences (K–8)
APRIL 5–9
Spring Break (SCHOOL CLOSED)
MAY 31
Memorial Day (SCHOOL CLOSED)
JUNE 4
Last Day of School
