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| The Bennett School opened in Houston, Texas in August 2025 |
When Gregg Bennett first walked through the gates of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida back in the early 2000’s, he wasn’t just another university researcher observing the original sports-centered private high school. At the time, Bennett was teaching Sports Business at the University of Florida, but he saw something much bigger - an educational model that blended elite academics with world-class athletic training.
That vision stuck with him.
Years later as a professor at Texas A&M
University, Bennett carried the idea of creating a similar academy in Texas, a
state with a deep-rooted sports culture and unmatched talent pool. For the last
six years, his business plan has sat ready, just waiting for the right
opportunity. “I knew what I wanted to build, but I needed the academic piece to
complete the puzzle,” Bennett says.
That puzzle finally came together with the launch of The
Bennett School under the guidance of the Texas Sports Academy - a new kind of private school that offers student-athletes the
chance to pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the field.
Born From a Changing World
The spark to move forward came in the wake of the COVID-19
pandemic, when students across the country shifted to online learning. Parents
began to realize how many hours of the traditional six-hour school day were
filled with wasted time, and how much more efficient education could be with
the right structure.
“The pandemic showed us what was possible,” Bennett
explains. “Students were completing their coursework in a fraction of the time,
which freed up space in their day. That’s when I knew we had the academic
solution that matched the athletic model I’d been envisioning for years.”
Academic Excellence, Reimagined
At The Bennett School, academics are as innovative as the
athletics. Students use the same advanced learning software implemented by
Alpha School, designed to accelerate learning and personalize education. The
result is a system that allows for 2x learning in just two hours each day - covering
all core subjects with individualized attention through AI-powered tools and
one-on-one instruction.
The philosophy is simple:
- AI-Powered
Learning: Each student receives 1:1 personalized instruction tailored
to their strengths and needs.
- Afternoon
Training: By completing academics in the morning, afternoons are
dedicated to athletic development.
- Maximized
Potential: Students achieve more academically and athletically—without
the inefficiency of traditional six-hour classroom days.
Built on a Winning Foundation
The school’s athletic program begins with baseball, drawing
on the success of one of Bennett’s other businesses - Twelve Baseball – which has
become one of Houston’s most accomplished and respected club programs. For
years, Twelve has set the standard for player development and achievement. Now,
its proven foundation forms the bedrock of The Bennett School’s athletic
vision.
“The Bennett School is really the next step,” Bennett says.
“We’ve seen what’s possible when young athletes are given the right structure,
coaching, and support. Pairing that with an academic model that makes better
use of time means students don’t have to choose between excelling in school and
excelling in sports.”
A Vision Years in the Making
What makes The Bennett School unique is the depth of thought
behind its creation. This isn’t a project born overnight. Bennett’s years of
research, planning, and hands-on experience in both sports and education have
culminated in a model that feels tailor-made for today’s student-athlete.
“From the moment I stepped onto IMG’s campus years ago, I knew this was something Texas needed,” Bennett reflects. “To finally see it come to life—after all the planning, all the waiting—it’s exciting not just for me, but for every young athlete who will have the opportunity to be part of it.”
A Mother’s Vision: Co-Founder Brandi Dowell Helps Shape
The Bennett School
Behind every great idea, there’s often a personal story. For
Brandi Dowell, co-founder of The Bennett School and a Houston-based commodities
trader, the drive to create a new kind of academic-athletic academy wasn’t just
about business—it was about family.
Dowell is the mother of four baseball-loving sons, and she
has lived the journey that so many parents of young athletes face: balancing
rigorous athletic schedules with the demands of a traditional school day. Her
oldest, Fletcher, starred at Lamar High School and is now attending the
University of Texas. Her second son, Judson, is a senior at The Bennett School
who has already earned the opportunity to play baseball at Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, Dash, a freshman, and Watson, a seventh grader, are thriving at The
Bennett School, combining their love for the game with an academic model that
finally makes sense for them.
A Mother’s Perspective
For Dowell, the traditional six- to seven-hour school day
felt broken. Watching her sons sit through long, drawn-out classroom hours, she
began to see how much time was being wasted.
“As a parent, it was hard to watch,” Dowell recalls. “I
didn’t want my kids to be hostages to a classroom schedule that didn’t maximize
their potential. They needed something more individualized, more dynamic - something
that matched the pace of their lives as athletes and as learners.”
When she connected with Bennett and his long-held vision of
bringing an IMG-style academy to Texas, the pieces clicked. Dowell brought not
just her personal perspective as a mother, but also her professional acumen and
determination as a business leader. Together, she and Bennett built The Bennett
School around two guiding principles: academic efficiency and athletic
excellence.
Building For Families Like Hers
Dowell’s fingerprints are all over the school’s model, from
its focus on personalized, AI-driven learning to the way afternoons are left
open for athletic training and development. The approach mirrors exactly what
she had been seeking for her own sons - a place where they could thrive both in
the classroom and on the field, without wasting energy on the inefficiencies of
a traditional school structure.
“Parents like me wanted an option where academics and
athletics weren’t in competition with each other,” Dowell says. “At The Bennett
School, they work together. Students are challenged, supported, and freed to
pursue their goals without compromise.”
From Family Experience to Community Impact
What began as a personal search for a better educational
model has now turned into something far greater. With her four sons walking the
path she helped create, Dowell has become the embodiment of The Bennett
School’s mission: to give student-athletes the chance to maximize their
potential in every way.
“It’s not just about my kids,” Dowell says. “It’s about all
the families who feel the same frustrations we did, and who want something
better. The Bennett School was built for them.”
South Texas Baseball Talent has Already Begun to Enroll
In a bold move that’s turning heads across South Texas and
beyond, The Bennett School has already enrolled 31 baseball players into its
growing program, signaling a serious commitment to becoming a powerhouse in
high school baseball development. Pulling talent from baseball-rich regions
like Houston, College Station, and the Gulf Coast, the roster features a mix of
high-profile prospects and promising young talent — all under one roof.
The Bennett School’s baseball roster spans graduation
classes from 2026 to 2031, with an emphasis on elite 2026 prospects. The 2026
class alone includes 14 players, several of whom are already committed to top
collegiate programs, including Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Texas, VCU, and Blinn
JC. These players didn’t just show up — they were recruited, committed, and
strategically brought in to help shape a competitive baseball culture at
Bennett.
“100% of scouts, pro players, baseball agents, and college
coaches absolutely loved the concept when I explained it to them, because they know how much more prepared a player will be for the demands of the college or pro game, if that player attends our school and trains with us," said Bennett.
Top 2026 Prospects Making Waves
Leading the pack is Brandi’s son Judson Dowell, a powerful
6’0”, 205-pound outfielder from Houston ranked #90 nationally, who’s already
committed to Texas A&M. He’s joined by Jeffrey-Todd Darden, another elite
outfielder from Cypress, ranked #165, and committed to Oklahoma State.
Harper Gates, a smooth shortstop from Tomball ranked #367,
also pledged to Texas A&M, gives Bennett a middle-infield presence that’s
college-ready. Rounding out the top-tier commits is Karson Reeder, a tall,
projectable right-hander with a #427 ranking and a commitment to the University
of Texas, who helped lead Tomball high school to the 2024 6A State
Championship. He un-enrolled at Tomball and is spending his senior year at The Bennett
School.
“This is the best opportunity for me to prepare for the next
stage of my life and my dream, and that is to become a professional baseball
player,” said Reeder. “Whether that path takes me to college or signing with an
MLB team in the draft come this summer, this is about having leverage in order
to make the best decision possible.”
Other notable seniors include:
- Graeson Register (RHP, Top 500) – Texas A&M commit
- Braddock Raven (RHP, Top 500) – Blinn JC commit
- Jackson Dippel (RHP, Top 1000) – Blinn JC commit
- Aiden Reed (RHP, Top 1000) – VCU commit
- Troy Alexander (RHP, Top 1000) – Angelina JC commit
That’s nine college-bound players in one class, most of whom
also play for top-tier club teams like Twelve, Stix, and Wildcatters.
The Next Wave: 2027 Class and Beyond
While the 2026 class is Bennett’s foundation, the 2027 group
is already showing signs of national-level promise. Brent Frosch, a lefty 1B
ranked #222, and Jackson Fetters, a strong RHP ranked #470, headline the group.
Several others, including Jhett Bubke (C), Tavyn Lonis (OF), Isa Garcia Jr.
(1B) and Noah Powell (C) have received “High Follow” designations from scouting
services, suggesting they're on the radar of Division I programs.
Isa Garcia Sr. is a coach at TBS and played professionally
for the St. Louis Cardinals and collegiately for the Univ. of Houston. He has
chosen to enroll his son Isa Jr. at TBS rather than have him continue at St. Thomas
high school.
“I was seeing that he was mentally tired every day coming
home from St. Thomas, and wasn’t progressing in his baseball development
either,” said Garcia Sr. “I feel like the old model of school is becoming a bit
outdated and that this model is going to give him the best chance to make it as
a baseball player.”
The 2028-31 players may still be early in their development, but they’re part of respected club programs like Twelve, Marucci, Banditos, and Wildcatters. With names like Jacob Hinojosa (SS, 2028) and Dash Dowell (3B, 2029) already drawing attention, The Bennett School is building a deep pipeline that’s designed to compete for years to come.
More Than Just Numbers
What’s remarkable is not just the rankings and commitments -
it’s the geographic diversity and club pedigree. Players are coming from Pearland,
Tomball, Cypress, Victoria, Katy, and Midland to attend the school, all hubs
for serious baseball development. Many of these athletes are alumni of elite
travel programs, bringing championship experience and a winning mentality with
them.
The Bennett School’s approach is clear: invest early,
attract elite players, and provide a developmental environment that mimics
collegiate and professional expectations. With 31 players already bought in —
including nearly a dozen nationally ranked prospects — the program is sending a
strong message to the rest of Texas baseball: This is a school on the rise,
and the future is already here.
