Private K-12 School in Los Angeles, CA

The Buckley School, Los Angeles:
The Buckley School is a private, coed pre-kindergarten through grade 12 school, the oldest co-educational day school located in Los Angeles, unique in its high level of academics, positive, friendly community, and small size. Based in Sherman Oaks, we serve families in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Beverly Glen and surrounding communities. More than preparation for high school, students are moved thoughtfully and sensitively from Lower School and prepared for the more departmentalized Upper School program. The school climate permits them to develop their abilities and a love of learning while they are challenged academically. Dr. Buckley’s approach addresses the development of the whole student, enabling them to become well-rounded, and independent. For us, success means feeling safe to take a risk, ask a question, try out for a play. It means students who take the opportunity to learn and grow in all areas of school life, inside and outside of the classroom.

The school’s philosophy is articulated in its purposes, which include a set of school-wide learning expectations. This set of expectations is the measure by which we gauge the appropriateness and effectiveness of programs, curricula, and policies school wide.

1. To create a nurturing atmosphere in the classroom, wherein the child feels accepted, respected as an individual, and free to express himself or herself;
2. For the younger student, to provide a balanced curriculum in which the student is exposed to basic concepts and skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science and technology, computer applications, and social studies;
3. For the older student, to provide a balanced college preparatory curriculum in which the student is exposed to the basic ideas of and trained in the methods of literature, composition, history, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and computer science;
4. To maintain the highest level of academic expectations consistent with the cognitive abilities of students at each grade level;
5. To form a close working relationship with parents so they become an active, constructive force in their children’s education;
6. To develop, as appropriate, a cross-discipline approach to education, emphasizing the relationships among academic disciplines;
7. To develop critical reading and critical thinking skills in an age-appropriate manner, including the ability to observe, analyze, synthesize, deduce, and make inferences;
8. To foster a love of learning;
9. To develop an appreciation of and proficiency in the visual and performing arts;
10. To develop in students an awareness of their own bodies and physical abilities, as well as the values of teamwork and sportsmanship;
11. To develop character based on integrity, compassion, honesty, responsibility to the community, a respect for diversity, and belief in the value of living a life based on principle;
12. To foster a view of oneself as a citizen of the world with responsibility to its people and to the environment; and
13. To foster intellectual, emotional, and ethical attributes needed to live in a world of diversity and change.

Buckley’s educational philosophy encompasses four principles: academic training, creative self-expression through the arts, physical development, and moral education.

Education Programs:
Our academic curriculum is well rounded, with courses in English, mathematics, science, history, and foreign language. Creative self-expression is encouraged as students are exposed to a wide range of classes in the visual and performing arts as well as classes in computer instruction and journalism.

- Pre-Kindergarten Program
- Lower School Program
- Middle School Program
- Upper School Program

When you join the school community and sign the commitment, you are making a commitment to yourself, others the School and the community to live with integrity, to love learning and to exemplify our motto: “Dare to be True.” This commitment means that each of us, students and teachers alike, will continue to develop the following values:

- Respect:  We respect the rights, feelings, and possessions of others, just as we respect ourselves. We also respect authority and the rules by which we are expected to live.

- Kindness:  Because we are committed to helping others, kindness is essential. We each need to empathize with others, to help others - students and faculty - in a caring, supportive fashion.

- Honesty:  We must be truthful in order to improve ourselves and others. Therefore, we must value honesty in all areas of school life - in class as well as out, with students as well as with teachers.

- Loyalty:  We support the goals of the School and the efforts of its members. Loyalty is commitment.

- Self-Discipline & Self Reliance:  A healthy community is one in which each member has the self-discipline and self-reliance necessary for independent thought and action, as well as support from the community when that support is needed. We all grow best when we have a balance of independence and support from others.

* Clubs & Organizations
* LS Afterschool Programs
* Buckley Conservatory
* Summer Camp
* MS Summer Programs
* US Summer School
* Theater Program
* International/Domestic Studies
* Activity Period
* Outdoor Education
* Community Service

Community Service:
Students are involved in a service-learning project concerning homeless youth. Students first focus on this issue in their English class, where they read a novel based on the experiences of a homeless youth. As the year progresses, a guest speaker from Women’s Care Cottage, a local agency dealing with homeless mothers and children, comes in to educate the students. Students then volunteer on a Saturday morning, working to enhance the shelter’s facility by planting flowers and organizing center supplies. In December, the sixth grade class adopts three homeless families for the holidays. Near the end of the year, students organize a drive for materials the shelter needs, such as personal hygiene items.