How to Get Into Bentley School: What You Need To Know

Admission tips from the best independent admissions consultants in the Bay Area!

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Is Bentley School a Good School?

Bentley School, established in 1920, is a coeducational K-12 independent day school with campuses in Oakland and Lafayette, California. It is one of the best private day schools in California with a 100% matriculation rate. Yes, it’s that high! Graduates have been accepted into prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Georgetown, Oxford, Yale, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Southern Methodist University, the U.S. Naval Academy, and NYU. With a fairly low teacher/student ratio of 1:8 and 650 enrolled students, faculty and staff can serve the students in a more individualized approach. 

Student Diversity

Gender

According to Niche, Bentley School has a gender distribution of 51% female, 48% male, and 1% non-binary. The student body is diverse, with 42.9% White, 22% Multiracial, 17.4% Asian, 6.6% African American, 6% Hispanic, 4.3% Unknown, 0.5% Native American, and 0.3% Pacific Islander, while no international students are currently enrolled. This diversity reflects the school’s inclusive environment and commitment to a well-rounded student body.

Is It Hard To Get Into Bentley School? 

To put it simply, yes, admissions to the school are highly competitive. Bentley School is highly competitive, ranking #4 Best Private K-12 School, #11 Best Private High School, and #12 Best College Prep Private High School in the San Francisco Bay Area. In Contra Costa County, it holds the #1 spot for Best Private High School, Best College Prep High School, Best K-12 School, and Best High School for STEM, making it one of the most sought-after schools with a highly selective admissions process. Such high rankings lead to an increase in the applicant pool and to a diverse set of learners flocking to Bentley School to receive quality education. It’s natural for a school to be more selective of its students to maintain its reputation as one of the best day schools in California. 

Stemming from its rankings, another reason that weighs on the school’s selectiveness is its admissions requirements. To help admissions officers comb through the sea of applications, Bentley School has placed a holistic set of requirements that bring out the character of the students and let them assess if these learners are the best fit for Bentley School. 

Knowing how hard it is to get in Bentley, let’s now break down the admissions process and go over each application requirement. 

What are the Steps in Bentley School’s Admissions Process?

The admission process for Bentley School is comprehensive and involves several key steps to ensure a thorough evaluation of each applicant. Below is an overview of the process:

  1. Submit an Inquiry Form – Express interest and get more information.
  2. Complete and Submit Your Online Application – Fill out and send the required forms.
  3. Provide Teacher Recommendations – Request and submit recommendations from educators.
  4. Submit Academic Records – Upload transcripts and relevant school documents.
  5. Take a Standardized Test – Complete the required assessment for admissions.
  6. Attend a Family Interview – Meet with admissions representatives to discuss fit.
  7. Receive Admissions Decision – Await notification of acceptance status.

What are the application requirements for Bentley School?

Teacher Recommendations

Bentley School requires teacher recommendations as part of the application process. These letters give admissions officers a clearer picture of your academic abilities, character, and potential for success at the school. It is important to choose teachers who know you well, preferably from your core academic subjects, so they can speak directly about your strengths, work ethic, and classroom contributions. Be sure to inform your recommenders of all deadlines and provide them with any guidelines from the school to ensure they submit thoughtful, personalized evaluations that support your application.

4 Tips for Choosing a Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation

  1. Pick a Teacher Who Knows You Well – A teacher who knows you well can accurately and authentically capture the essence of your character. 
  2. Choose a Teacher that Aligns with Your Aspirations – If you show Bentley School that you’re someone who thrives in STEM fields, a great way to supplement that is to have a recommendation from a STEM teacher. 
  3. Consider a Teacher Who Writes Well – A teacher who can effectively write can effectively convey your strengths through the recommendation. 
  4. Ask Early and Ask Politely – Teachers get many requests, so ask in advance, provide necessary details, and express gratitude.

Transcripts and Other Academic Records

Families are required to submit academic records as part of the admissions process. However, the exact type of document or record changes based on the prospective student’s entry point. 

For those applying to the school’s Kindergarten, level families may request a current transcript from their child’s school and have it sent directly to admissions@bentleyschool.org, though this is optional.

Meanwhile, applicants to Grades 1-5 are required to submit transcripts from the current school year, including attendance records, standardized test results (if applicable), and report cards from both the current and previous years. These documents should be sent directly from the student’s school to admissions@bentleyschool.org.

On the other hand, students applying to Grades 6-12 are expected to provide transcripts that include attendance records, standardized test scores (if available), and grade reports from both the current and prior years. Schools should send these records directly to admissions@bentleyschool.org.

Take note that families can also request transcripts through Ravenna, where further instructions are available in the applicant profile. For the most up-to-date requirements, it is recommended to check directly with Bentley School’s admissions office.

Parent/Guardian Statement

Parents or guardians of all applicants are required to submit a parent/guardian statement that can be found on Ravenna. This statement provides an opportunity to share insights about your child, your family’s values, and your interest in joining the school community. It serves as a way for the admissions team to better understand your family’s educational priorities and how they align with the school’s mission.

How To Write A Parent Statement

The parent statement is an integral part of the application process as it will help admissions officers better understand your child’s background and potential to become successful at Bentley School. It will also demonstrate your family’s commitment to your child’s education. When choosing what to write about, remember that you have to be honest and authentic. Focus on your child’s strengths and unique characteristics, and provide anecdotes to support your statements. For some tips on how to write a powerful parent statement from experienced educational consultants, click here.

Standardized Testing Scores and Other Assessments

All applicants are required to complete an assessment based on the applicant’s current grade level. 

  1. For Lower School (Grades K-5), kindergarten applicants are expected to participate in a play-based session, typically held between December and February, with sign-ups available through Ravenna Hub starting in October. 
  2. First-grade applicants must complete an assessment with a faculty member, usually scheduled in February for those applying within the priority process. Once an application is submitted, a representative from the admissions team will follow up with details. 
  3. Applicants for grades 2-4 are required to take the ISEE Primary exam, with further instructions available through Ravenna Hub. Starting with the 2024-25 admissions cycle, 5th-grade applicants will need to complete the ISEE Lower Level assessment through ERB.
  4. For Middle (Grades 6-8) and Upper School (Grades 9-12), students applying for the 2024-25 academic year must submit standardized test results through one of the following options:
  • Option 1: Submit ISEE scores
  • Option 2: Submit SSAT scores
  • Option 3: Complete an online essay through Test Innovators; middle school applicants must also complete a brief 15-minute analytical exercise during the same session. Registration for these assessments is accessible via Ravenna Hub.

Navigating the SSAT and ISEE can be overwhelming for families, but the right preparation can make a significant difference in a student’s performance. We provide guidance to help families understand which test best suits their child’s strengths and what the best strategies are in taking the SSAT or ISEE. With the right preparation and strategic practice, students can approach these exams with a stronger sense of readiness and a greater chance of success.

If you’re looking for resources, check out our SSAT practice test and ISEE practice test!

What Student Life Is Like At Bentley School and Why Families Choose It

Now that you know how rigorous the process is and how selective admissions can be, let’s dive into what the student life is like at Bentley and why families are so eager to choose it. 

Bentley School Academics

Being a K-12 school, Bentley has the difficult task of appropriating and tailoring their curriculum to lay the foundations of each grade level in a way that builds on each subsequent level. As a result, the school has adopted the Scire Desidero or “I Desire to Know” philosophy to steer student learning. The lower, middle, and upper schools are defined by this philosophy, but are made different depending on the level. 

The lower school is mostly concerned by the world around them, then the middle school focuses more on interpersonal relationships and their role in the society, and lastly, the upper school is aimed at self-actualization. 

This abstraction into deeper and deeper form of cognitive perspectives allows students to grow “organically” and build on their previous learning. For example, in most schools, language courses are typically available in middle or upper level schools. But in Bentley, language studies begin in Kindergarten. The school essentially helps the students plant seeds of their development that grow into the fully realized set of values and principles, preparing them for life beyond Bentley. 

Another unique aspect of Academics at Bentley is their dedicated “flex periods” in students’ schedules. Flex periods are essentially free time for students to work on anything other than class work. 

What AP Classes and Honors Classes are offered?

Though exact course/class titles are not available for public view, these rigorous academic classes are available for Grade 9-12. Fields of study include English, History, Math, Science, French, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, which all include honors classes. Each honors class is designed to prepare students for college level education, as such these are one of the most comprehensive classes taken in the school. For more information regarding these courses, visit the school’s official website!

Bentley’s Mini Term

Yet another creative and unique way the school establishes learning is with their “Mini Term.” Mini Term is one week of pure experiential learning. Course classes are temporarily stopped and is replaced with a deep dive into any area of interest the student wants, such as:

  • Cooking
  • Photography
  • Music recording
  • Film making

With such an engaging week, students and faculty alike look forward to Mini Term each year!

Bentley School Extracurricular Activities

Education at Bentley School goes well beyond the classroom. Numerous extracurricular programs are available at the school to support students. Bentley School offers a nurturing environment for personal development, regardless of a student’s interests in leadership, the arts, or STEM.

Bentley’s After School Program

The After School Program at Bentley is an enrichment initiative for all students that is completely free! Yes you read that right. The program runs from dismissal until 6:00 PM on school days, providing students with a safe and supportive environment for extended learning or recreational activities. Students can enjoy the following perks of joining the program:

  • Healthy snacks
  • Outdoor play and physical activities
  • Quiet spaces for homework and independent study
    • Structured activities 
  • Enrichment classes

Athletics: What Sports Does Bentley School Offer?

Bentley School offers a comprehensive athletics program that emphasizes teamwork, character development, and physical well-being. The school provides a variety of competitive sports teams across different seasons, encouraging student participation at all levels. The table below shows the different sports offered by the school throughout the seasons.

Middle School Teams
Fall Winter Spring
Cross Country – Boys and Girls Basketball – Boys Blue Volleyball – Boys Blue
Soccer – Boys Basketball – Boys Gold Volleyball – Boys Gold
Volleyball – Girls Blue Basketball – Girls Gold  
Volleyball – Girls Gold  

Upper School Teams
Fall Winter Spring
Cross Country – Men’s & Women’s Varsity Basketball – Men’s JV Baseball – Varsity
Soccer – Men’s JV Basketball – Men’s Varsity Golf – Coed Varsity
Soccer – Men’s Varsity Basketball – Women’s JV Lacrosse – Women’s Varsity
Tennis – Women’s JV Basketball – Women’s Varsity Swimming – Men’s & Women’s
Tennis – Women’s Varsity Soccer – Women’s Varsity Tennis – Men’s Varsity
Ultimate Track & Field – Men’s & Women’s
Volleyball – Women’s JV   Volleyball – Men’s JV
Volleyball – Women’s Varsity   Volleyball – Men’s Varsity

Service Learning at Bentley

Bentley believes in the importance of community and how we should always give back to it. As a result, Bentley School is committed to service learning, experiential activities focused on community service. However, the aspect that differentiates Bentley with other schools community service is it’s partnership with numerous non-profit organizations. This includes:

With such opportunities for giving, Bentley ensures that students are not only academically and athletically excellent, but also contributing members of the community.

Related Articles

Mini Term: Why All Schools Should Follow Bentley School

Bentley School’s Fantastic After-School Program

Find Your People at Bentley School: Best Clubs and Events

Did You Know?

Bentley School operates two campuses: the K-8 campus is located in Oakland, and the 9-12 Upper School campus is situated in Lafayette.

Client Testimonial

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Father of 8th grader

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