Frequently Asked Questions

List of 9 items.

• When can I visit the school?

  Please see our Experience Bentley page for more details on upcoming virtual events. 

• When are applications due? When will we be notified of our admission decision?

  K-8 
  Application Deadline: January 22, 2021
  Notification Mailing Date: March 17, 2021
  Notification email/online date: March 18, 2021 - 12:00 pm
  Responses Due: March 25, 2021
  
  9-12 
  Application Deadline: January 7, 2021
  Notification Mailing Date: March 18, 2021
  Notification email/online date: March 19, 2021 -  4:00 pm
  Responses Due: March 26, 2021

• What if we missed the admission application deadline?

  Applications received after the deadline will be considered. Please call the admission office to learn about the availability of spaces.

• Can we visit the school again after decision letters are mailed?

  Bentley School wants families to feel welcome and encouraged to contact us directly in order to receive important information and support while making your enrollment decisions. Also, in an effort to allow families the opportunity to make a decision unencumbered by continued outreach from schools, our consortiums observe the following guidelines: 
  
  

  • If you wish to visit a school, talk with a member of the school community, and/or talk with the Admissions Director of the school, we encourage you to contact the Admissions Director at any time to make arrangements. 
  • Admissions Directors from each school to which you applied may initiate only one phone call to your family during decision week (K-8 only)
  • No special events or organized tours will be held during Decision Week
  • No school staff member, alumni, trustee, or parent will initiate any outreach to your family during Decision Week, unless you have contacted them directly

• Do you favor applicants from specific preschools, elementary or middle schools?

  No. Bentley strives for our school to reflect the diversity of the larger community, and we are committed to enrolling students from a variety of schools and backgrounds. Accepted students represent a wide range of schools, from independent, public, religious, and beyond.

• Does Bentley accept international students?

  Bentley does not issue the I-20 form for international student study. We do not offer a program in English as a Second Language (ESL), so all students need to be completely fluent in English for reading, speaking, and composition.

• If I’m enrolled do I need to reapply when my division changes, such as in Middle School or Upper School? Is admission to the next division guaranteed?

  Once your student is enrolled, they are not required to apply for the next grade level and/or division.

• Does Bentley have a hot lunch program?

  Yes. Students may order lunch and snacks in advance and through the online lunch program on the K-8 campus. Students in grades 9-12 are available to purchase lunch on campus in the Commons. 

• Is a bus service available?

  Yes. Bus service is FREE to all enrolled students.           
  
  K-8 Campus (Oakland)
  Morning and afternoon shuttle to and from our Upper School campus in Lafayette and near Woodminister Market, as well as North Berkeley, Rockridge, Montclair and Piedmont neighborhoods. A shuttle is also available along the 680 corridor, with students transferring to another bus upon arrival to our Upper School campus.
  
  Upper School Campus (Lafayette)
  Morning and afternoon service includes areas along the 680 corridor, and areas in Oakland and North Berkeley. Late shuttles in the 5:00 p.m. hour to the Oakland area.
  
  Carpooling is strongly encouraged for neighborhood safety and efficiency.
  
  *Transportation services for the 2020-2021 academic year are suspended due to COVID.