UPPER SCHOOL
THE UPPER SCHOOL:
I DESIRE TO KNOW MYSELF.
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The Upper School program fosters self-determination and sparks the
imagination through inquiry-based, project-oriented learning. Students
take academically challenging courses (with 19 APs and 60 Honors courses offered) and engage in co-curricular opportunities that develop discerning minds and sound character, while small class sizes encourage participation from every student and enable our top-notch faculty to target differentiated modalities.
BENTLEY MATH: Bentley’s math program places a strong emphasis on cultivating a growth mindset, developing critical thinking skills, and empowering students to become more effective self-advocates. From Integrated Math 1 to Differential Equations, Bentley’s math courses provide differentiation and guide students to demonstrate mastery of distinct standards.
HONORS SEMINARS IN HUMANITIES: In history and English, juniors and seniors engage deeply in lively discussion where students balance scholarly articles with their own guided explorations. Course topics rotate and refresh frequently, responding to the latest innovations and world events. Students learn to write strong analytical essays with verifiable evidence, and seminar discussions set the stage for challenging conversations and hearty debates.
LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD :Bentley offers Upper School students the opportunity to pursue world language studies in Latin, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. Whether just starting out or developing advanced proficiency, students are fully immersed in the culture and develop competency in all areas (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS: The Visual and Performing Arts Department inspires students to be passionate risk-takers who develop strong skills in music, visual literacy, and performance. Our students have the distinct privilege of performing in our own Little Theater, as well as at the Lesher Center for the Arts, a professional space minutes from campus, and our visual artists regularly exhibit their works in The Commons.
CHECK OUT OUR 2025–2026 CURRICULUM GUIDE.
| Wellness and Balance |
| At Bentley, student wellness is a priority and a pillar of our five-year Strategic Plan, adopted in the Fall of 2025. At the Upper School, focusing on wellness means maintaining balance between school, extracurriculars, family, and friends. |
| College Counseling |
| The College Counseling program is thoughtfully designed and customized to fit the needs and interests of each individual student. And with three full-time counselors, each Upper School family is supported every step of the way through this exciting journey, with 1:1 meetings, educational events featuring college admissions experts and admissions officers from a variety of prestigious universities, informational sessions in which students are able to ask admissions officers their questions directly, and so much more. The Deans' Panel, one of Bentley's annual events, brings admissions deans from institutions such as Colby College, UCLA, and the University of Chicago to our Lafayette campus. |
| Advisory Programming |
| Perhaps one of the most significant relationships that an Upper School student will have during their years at Bentley is that with their advisory. Anchored by faculty and administrators, the Advisory Program provides a nurturing space for our students to gather with their cohorts to connect with and support one another while also learning how to advocate for themselves and become a fulfilled member of our community. |
| Makerspace |
| The Lafayette Makerspace provides (list tools and machines) for students to design, create, and test, honing critical collaborative engineering and problem-solving skills in the process. |
