Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the transportation options available for my child? Hide
Families have the choice to participate in our bus service program, or to travel to and from school in carpools during regular arrival and dismissal hours. The Buckley School contracts with Tumblewood Transportation to provide daily bus service. Eight convenient routes cover the east and west San Fernando Valley as well as Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and the Westside as far as Pacific Palisades. Afternoon buses depart campus at 3:30 p.m. and then again at 5:30 p.m. for Middle and Upper School students involved in extracurricular activities after school. Carpool matching and assistance are provided through the school's carpool search program.
- How will the Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture class expand at Buckley? Hide
The Chinese Language and Culture class at Buckley puts the school at the forefront of language programs in the
- Is an admission interview required? Hide
Yes. Interviews for kindergarten applicants are conducted with only the parents of the prospective student. All prospective Middle and Upper School applicants and their parents are required to interview with a member of the Admission Committee. Interviews are scheduled only upon the receipt of a completed admission application. Generally, parent and student interviews are accompanied by a tour of Buckley’s campus.
- When are applications due? Hide
Applications to Lower School (kindergarten through grade five) must be submitted no later than December 15, 2008. We will only accept applications for grades one through five for special circumstances (i.e., relocation, sibling applying to another grade level, etc.) Applications to Middle and Upper School (grades six through 12) also must be submitted no later than December 15, 2008. Applications received after our deadline will be at a disadvantage in the review process as priority goes to those who have submitted and completed their applications by the appropriate date. Please make sure all supporting materials (recommendations and transcripts) are in our office by February 1. Visit us at www.buckleyla.org to apply or to inquire more about Buckley.
- Can I turn in the application early? Hide
Yes. We encourage students and families to return their applications prior to the deadline so that the required interviews can be scheduled as early as possible. Forms from the student’s current school, however, are not due until February 1. We recommend these forms be submitted to us as close to February 1 as possible so as to have the most recent and up-to-date information regarding the student. Only after we have received all the pieces of an application can we begin the evaluation process.
- How old should my child be to apply to kindergarten? Hide
Students applying to kindergarten must be five years old by September 1 of the year of entry at Buckley.
- When will we be notified of our admission decision? Hide
Admission decisions will be mailed on Friday, March 6, 2009 for Upper School applicants and on Friday, March 20, 2009 for Lower and Middle School applicants. Contracts for Upper School applicants are due on Friday, March 27, 2009 while the contracts for Lower and Middle School applicants are due on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
- Are campus tours available for Kindergarten? Hide
Yes. Tours for prospective parents are available during school hours beginning in mid-September. Please call the admission office at (818) 461-6709 to schedule a tour. Tours are led by current parents and are offered on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m., Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and Thursdays at 12:45 p.m. We also encourage you to attend one of our Open House events, which includes a tour of the campus.
Open Houses for kindergarten are scheduled on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.. and on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. Kindergarten Open Houses are for prospective parents only, please, and an RSVP is required at www.buckleyla.org (in the admission section).
- Are campus tours available for Middle and Upper School? Hide
Yes. Tours for prospective students and parents are offered during school hours beginning in mid-September. Please call the admission office at (818) 461-6709 to request a tour with one of our Buckley Student Ambassadors. Tours are offered Monday thru Thursday at 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and on Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
We strongly encourage you to attend one of our Open House events, which also includes a tour of campus.
Open Houses for grades six through 12 are scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., and for Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Middle and Upper School Open Houses are for prospective students and parents, and an RSVP is required at www.buckleyla.org (in the admission section).
- How many students are admitted to each grade? Hide
The majority of our students are admitted in kindergarten, grade six, grade seven, and grade nine. We enroll approximately 44 students in kindergarten each year. The school enrolls 12 students in grade six and approximately 30 students in grade seven. We typically have 20 spaces available for grade nine. The number of admits for grades eight, 10, and 11 are based on space availability and may vary from year to year. We do not admit students to grade 12, as it is typically too difficult to match the curriculum. An exception will occasionally be made if a student is moving to the area from out of state. We seek to enroll students from a variety of schools and backgrounds. This past year, we offered places to students from more than 75 schools.
- What type of student is Buckley looking for? Hide
Admission to Buckley is competitive. The Middle and Upper School admission process involves a student interview, ISEE testing, the review of school transcripts, as well as administrative and teacher recommendations. Admission committee members use these varying aspects of the application to develop a complete picture of the applicant. We are looking for students with a variety of backgrounds and talents who will be able to make significant contributions to the Buckley community through their academic achievement, creative talents, athletic abilities, positive social behavior, and participation in the school’s programs.
- How much weight does the Admission Committee place on test scores? Hide
Test results are just one factor we consider in gaining a clearer academic picture of each applicant. They serve to illuminate the school record and to provide us with a common denominator, given that students apply to Buckley from many different schools and backgrounds. The admission committee members will review the ISEE testing along with any other testing in the applicant’s record. The essay portion of the ISEE is also an important component in the application process.
- How much diversity is at Buckley? Hide
Buckley is committed to being a diverse and inclusive community. Our students represent a broad mix of ethnic, socioeconomic, and “talent-rich” diversity. 32% of our student body is made up of students of color. We work closely with the Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs and A Better Chance as we strive to bring new minority families into our community.
- Does Buckley give preference to sibling applicants? Hide
While Buckley is committed to being a family school, the school strives to balance its consideration of sibling and legacy applicants with its desire to bring new families into the community and to maintain academic excellence. While we always consider the sibling status of applicants, the strategic priorities for the school combined with the overall applicant pool may affect our ability to accept all qualified sibling applicants.
The school considers enrolling an equal number of boys and girls, if possible, to preserve gender balance at each grade level. The selection process maintains this balance even when considering sibling applicants.
- Is financial aid available? Hide
Yes. As part of our commitment to a diverse student body, Buckley’s financial aid program is designed to provide students and families with an opportunity to attend the school when it would not have otherwise been an option. Slightly more than 10% of the student body receives financial aid. Last year Buckley awarded nearly $1.3 million in aid. Each year, however, there are more applications than available grant money. While the budget cannot accommodate everyone’s needs, all interested families are encouraged to apply.
Grants are awarded to families based on the financial aid committee’s review and a family’s economic need as determined by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). The committee makes decisions on financial aid separate from admission decisions to the school.
Financial Aid applications are available by calling the Admission Office at (818) 461-6708. All financial aid applications are due by February 1, 2009.
- How do I re-apply if my child was not admitted? Hide
The admission committee wishes to have the most current and up-to-date information on applicants to the school and therefore applications from the previous year cannot be automatically reactivated. Any student who was not offered admission and wishes to be considered for the following academic year should call the Admission Office to discuss the individual situation. New applications and recommendation forms are available through the Admission Office. Parents are asked to submit all new forms along with the $100 non-refundable application fee and a new photograph of the applicant.
- Do you have a hot lunch program? Hide
The Buckley School contracts with California Fresh Foods to provide daily hot lunch service. Fresh entrees range from teriyaki chicken and rice to tacos to turkey sandwiches. An assortment of fresh vegetables, salad items and fruit is always available. Lunches may be preordered for $6.00 per meal.
- What is the student to teacher ratio? Hide
Our student to teacher ratio is seven to one. Buckley prides itself on offering small classes and providing its students with plenty of personal attention. The average class size in the Middle School is 17, and the average class size in the Upper School is 14.
Lower School class sizes vary slightly, but kindergarten has two full teachers with a class of 20-22 students. Grades one through three offer class sizes between 20-22 students and have a teacher and an assistant teacher in each room. Grades four and five have classes of 20-23 students with one teacher in each room, and an assistant teacher for each grade. Many of our specialists work with half classes, thereby reducing the student to teacher ratio for all grades in the Lower School.
- Is there a school uniform? Hide
Yes. All Buckley students must wear the school uniform. Various options are available but all students must dress in accordance with the uniform policy of the school. On occasion the school has theme days where students can wear clothing in line with the theme of the day rather than their uniform. For example, on Big Red Day students are invited to wear clothing that is red in color.
Buckley uniforms are available through the Dennis Uniform Company. All students are permitted to wear Buckley sweatshirts, also sold through the Dennis Uniform Company and the Parents’ Association. Middle and Upper School students are also allowed to wear athletic team, Buckley club, or performing arts sweatshirts.
