Bennett Day School

Senior Spotlight: Efuru ✨

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?

A: I plan to study astronomy and biophysics at The University of Texas at Austin.

Q: Why did you choose/decide to go to Bennett Day School?

A: I chose to attend Bennett because of its unique approach to learning and the environment it cultivates. Bennett’s PBL (Project-Based Learning) classes were a new experience to me, and once I shadowed, I was certain I was meant to be here. It is a genuine environment where students can be themselves in a multitude of ways, and the teachers do everything to support that further.

Q: What’s your favorite project-based learning (PBL) memory?

A: My favorite PBL project is DEFINITELY our Space PBL, which took place in Trimester 2 of my junior year. Our two grades were mixed into two teams for the Regional Space Settlement Design Competition (), and during preparation, we traveled to NASA's Kennedy Space Center! As someone who has always been interested in a career in space science and space travel, this was another incredible experience that further solidified my post-high school plans. Regionals led to me being one of four students selected (Class of ’25 alums Brosnan and Evan, and current senior Anna) to compete in the International Space Settlement Design Competition this past summer!

Read Efuru’s full interview: https://bennettday.org/senior-spotlight-efuru/ 🩵

Senior Spotlight: Efuru ✨

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?

A: I plan to study astronomy and biophysics at The University of Texas at Austin ()

Q: Why did you choose/decide to go to Bennett Day School?

A: I chose to attend Bennett because of its unique approach to learning and the environment it cultivates. Bennett’s PBL (Project-Based Learning) classes were a new experience to me, and once I shadowed, I was certain I was meant to be here. It is a genuine environment where students can be themselves in a multitude of ways, and the teachers do everything to support that further.

Q: What’s your favorite project-based learning (PBL) memory?

A: My favorite PBL project is DEFINITELY our Space PBL, which took place in Trimester 2 of my junior year. Our two grades were mixed into two teams for the Regional Space Settlement Design Competition (), and during preparation, we traveled to the Kennedy Space Center ()! As someone who has always been interested in a career in space science and space travel, this was another incredible experience that further solidified my post-high school plans. Regionals led to me being one of four students selected (Class of ’25 alums Brosnan and Evan, and current senior Anna) to compete in the International Space Settlement Design Competition this past summer!

Click the link in our bio to read Efuru’s full interview 🩵

To know this class is to love this class. 🩵

Last week’s 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony was a celebration of a group of students who lead with kindness, creativity, curiosity, and care for one another. They have helped shape the Middle School community in countless ways, and we cannot wait to see how they continue to grow as they step into this next chapter.

To the students continuing on to Bennett’s Upper School: the best is yet to come! We’ll see you on the fourth floor. 😎

To those beginning their next chapter elsewhere, we know you are more than ready and cannot wait to see all that you accomplish.

Here’s to the Class of 2030! ✨

Senior Spotlight: Ren ✨

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?

A: I’ll be going to Claremont McKenna College, majoring in integrated science while on the pre-med track. I plan to go to medical school and one day become a physician, and more specifically, a surgeon.

Q: Why did you decide to go to Bennett Day School?

A: I decided to go to Bennett because of their unique approach to learning and their respect for students’ lives outside of school. As a prospective student, I valued how Bennett supported students in focusing on their own educational interests while still becoming well-informed in other subjects.

Q: How do you feel Bennett has prepared you for what comes next?

A: Bennett fosters an environment that has helped me grow as an individual and as a member of my community. I have become much more independent and responsible, as evident in my improved time management skills. I’ve also become confident in my ability to work in group settings, no matter the task or environment I am in. I consider all of these things to be essential life skills that will greatly benefit me when I am soon attending college across the country.

Read Ren’s full interview: https://bennettday.org/senior-spotlight-ren/ 🩵

🎙️ Episode 5 of Bennett Insiders is here! 🩵

What does it take to go from camper to counselor? In this episode of Bennett Insiders, sixth-grade ambassadors Camilla and Linus sit down with Coach Vevers and Mr. O to dive deep on Bennett's Counselor-in-Training program—the summer gig where middle schoolers get CPR certified, design their own activities, and yes, occasionally enjoy french fries dipped in ice cream.

Listen to this 15-minute episode on:

Spotify: https://bit.ly/4wJ6YwL
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PWfeZS
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3PU6l32

Explore summer camp options for ages 4-15 here: https://bit.ly/42TM3tp ☀️

Brunch 🤝 Bowling

We had a blast hosting our first-ever “Brunch & Bowl” this past Sunday at Punch Bowl Social! This special event gave incoming Bennett families a chance to make connections and enjoy some friendly competition with other families in our community. 🎳

We loved seeing new friendships form ahead of next school year. 🩵

As part of their Sustainability PBL in Trimester 2, a group of our 9th and 10th graders entered the Trust for Sustainable Living International Student Competition alongside students from around the world. ✨

The competition invited students to explore the theme of “Sustainability Culture” through open-ended submissions ranging from essays and artwork to videos, experiments, poems, and more.

We’re proud to share that several Bennett students were recognized as Finalists and Honorable Mentions among a record number of global entries (2,170+ entries this year from 81 countries!). 🌎

Finalists:
• Cameron A.
• Lee G.
• Zahid N.-A.

Honorable Mentions:
• Aleena H.
• Arielliz G.
• Cam J.
• Ivette M.
• Iyesogie (Nancy) O.
• Jerome J.
• Kylie M. & Alia F.
• Matilda F.
• Rania F. & Sofia Z.

Opportunities like this remind us what’s possible when students engage with real-world challenges through project-based learning. 🩵

Learn more about the competition here:
https://bit.ly/4nDVk2p

International Student Competition - Trust for Sustainable Living Our 2026 competition theme is Sustainability Culture. Due to a surge in last-minute entries, we extended the entry deadline to March 8th.

Bennett is stepping into its next chapter with intention, confidence, and excitement. ✨

We are thrilled to announce that Heidi Hutchison will join Bennett Day School as our next Head of School & Chief Operating Officer beginning July 1, 2026.

Heidi is a dynamic and deeply aligned leader whose experience, vision, and belief in student-centered, future-focused learning make her an exceptional fit for Bennett.

From the moment she stepped on campus, it was clear she understands not only what Bennett is today, but what it is uniquely positioned to become as a school “Built for What’s Next.”

We are also deeply grateful to Jackie Miller for her seven years of leadership at Bennett and her partnership throughout this process. Jackie will work closely with Heidi as a Senior Advisor throughout next school year to ensure a thoughtful and seamless transition for our community.

We’re excited for what lies ahead and invite you to learn more about Heidi and the search process: https://bit.ly/4uTiPXr 🩵

Our Next Chapter of Leadership: Announcing Bennett Day School's Next Head of School Bennett Day School is thrilled to announce that Heidi Hutchison will join Bennett Day School as our next Head of School & Chief Operating Officer, beginning July 1, 2026.

What makes a great basketball player? 🏀

Find out this summer at our Middle School Basketball Camp: Built for the Game. Athletes ages 11-15 will focus on the fundamentals while also mastering the mental side of the sport. Throughout the week, players will develop sportsmanship and grit and learn to stay focused when the pressure is on.

This camp is offered June 22-26, June 29-July 3, and July 27-31.

Learn more and explore all camp offerings for ages 4-15: https://bennettday.org/summer-camp/ ☀️

Senior Spotlight: Rogelio “Ro” ✨

Q: What are your plans after you graduate?

A: In the fall, I will attend the University of Illinois Chicago as an Evans Scholar to study Civil Engineering. I also plan to save up for a studio space so I can further work on my art and flourish in a creative space.

Q: What’s your favorite project-based learning (PBL) memory?

A: My favorite PBL was from my third trimester junior year, since I was able to work on my own project. I made a butterfly sanctuary, which took around 8 weeks to complete. This was my favorite because I was able to do this in honor of a man named Homero Gomez Gonzalez, an environmental activist and agricultural engineer who was known as the monarch guardian. It was fun to build a structure, especially for a good purpose. Soon after, I had the opportunity to feed and help the monarchs grow from their first stage of life all the way to their last.

Q: How do you feel Bennett has prepared you for what comes next?

A: Bennett has helped prepare me by giving me good note-taking and presentation skills, which will be helpful since college has a lot of that. I’ve also learned many valuable life lessons and achieved goals throughout my time here that will stick with me.

Read Ro’s full interview: https://bennettday.org/senior-spotlight-ro/ 🩵

Behind every new project, there is a teacher who noticed the spark of curiosity in their students’ eyes. ✨

Behind every moment of newfound confidence, there is a teacher who carefully created the conditions to make it possible.

Behind every “aha!” moment, there is a teacher who said, “Let’s try again!”

Great teaching isn’t about being the expert or knowing all the answers. It’s about building a foundation of trust, wondering alongside students, and asking the right questions.

It’s the quiet, often unseen work of documenting a child’s growth, respecting their humanity, and honoring their unique perspective.

To our educators: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you for your creativity, your intentionality, and your unwavering belief in the capabilities of our students. You’re the reason Bennett feels like home. 🩵