Bentley School | Private Coed School | Oakland and Lafayette, CA.

We Empower Students

To Build Strength of Character
We Challenge Students

To Think Beyond Themselves
We Teach Students

To Embrace Community Values
We Inspire Students

To Discover Their Unique Purpose
We Prepare Students

To Be Responsible Citizens

Scire Desidero

I Desire to Know

Bentley’s longstanding motto “Scire Desidero – I Desire to Know,” is infused in the School’s curriculum. From Kindergarten through 12th grade, students begin the journey of knowing the world, to knowing each other, and ultimately, knowing themselves. Finding foundation through concrete knowledge, exploring creatively, and sharing in the joys of a vibrant and kind community, Bentley students cultivate a lifelong pursuit of learning. Through exciting coursework and the ability to chart their own path, every Bentley student develops a personal drive to understand the world around them.

Discover More

Our Community

Of the School’s many values, we hold community at the center. The comprehensive Bentley experience is proudly made up of our student body, two campuses, and the infinite opportunities in between.

Experience Bentley

Tile 1
Student Life
Life at Bentley

Tile 2
Benefits of Bentley
Key Elements & Experiences

Tile 3
2 Campuses, 1 School
Oakland (K-8) & Lafayette (9-12)

2nd Grade Teacher

At Bentley, your child learns every day that thinking and problem solving, listening and leading, and creating and collaborating are all life-long processes, all constantly being reinvented, and all starting right here, right now.

Read More

2nd Grade Teacher
Bentley 12th Grader

Your Bentley experience won't fit your preconceived ideas about high school. You learn a lot here that you're not expecting--that you didn't even know you were capable of.

Read More

Bentley 12th Grader
10th Grade Teacher

You can't stereotype a Bentley student--the one who's a science whiz might also have talent on the stage or in the art studio. My students amaze me!

Read More

10th Grade Teacher
Bentley 8th Grader

My five best friends come from all over the Bay Area. We are so different from each other but we have really become like brothers and sisters. Even our families have become like family.

Read More

Bentley 8th Grader
Parent of a Bentley 3rd Grader

We can only imagine how our child's story will unfold after Bentley. She is so supported in developing her strong mind and fine character. At Bentley, this approach to character development is intentional.

Read More

Parent of a Bentley 3rd Grader

Virtual Open House for Prospective Families

Each fall, Bentley hosts various community-wide events for prospective families. This year, families can register to attend a virtual Open House to hear directly from teachers, administrators, and students about the Bentley experience. Registration is now open and we encourage parents/guardians and their students to attend. Click here to register for our next Open House on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Symposium a Resounding Success

This year’s MLK Dream Symposium was the most well-attended in Bentley history. Over 100 students and faculty members gathered to hear Vince Greer, Associate Dean of Students for Diversity, Inclusion & Residential Life at Claremont McKenna College, talk about his own experiences in college and in the DEI field.
Middle School Students Participate in the American Mathematics Competition

Each year, close to 100,000 students from across the country compete in the AMC-8; an extremely fast-paced, 40-minute sprint of a test that grills students on their knowledge of a wide range of mathematical topics.