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.

Lower School:
In the Lower School, our number one priority is to make our students feel welcome in every classroom in order to encourage them to take risks, ask questions, and kindle their desire to learn.

We ring the bell each morning for kindness, integrity, and love of learning and we truly walk our talk. With Dr. Buckley’s 4-fold plan as the foundation of our entire program, our curriculum is designed to help each child reach his/her academic potential. Our teachers possess a deep knowledge of their content areas and most importantly they are passionate about their subject matter. We work to understand and address the varying learning styles of all of our students so that we can create an environment to challenge every learner.

Middle School:
The Buckley Middle School is more than preparation for high school: it provides a planned transition from childhood to young adulthood. Students are moved thoughtfully and sensitively from the self-contained environment of the Lower School and prepared for the more departmentalized Upper School program. The Middle School climate permits them to develop their abilities and a love of learning while they are challenged academically.

The Middle School program is built upon Dr. Buckley’s 4-fold plan of education. The academic curriculum is well rounded, with courses in the five major disciplines- English, mathematics, science, history, and foreign language. Creative self-expression is encouraged throughout the middle school years 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. The no-cut athletics policy ensures that all students who want to be a part of a team have that opportunity during these adolescent years. Moral education and guidance are woven throughout the program, and a Life Skills class is required in seventh grade.

While the Middle School utilizes the facilities of the entire campus, its core faculty consists of teachers who choose to teach exclusively in middle school because of their expert training and experience with adolescents. The entire middle school experience at Buckley is designed to allow for a safe, stable and mutually respectful environment where students can interact with peers and adults, take chances, and learn.

Upper School:
Upper School students are offered a strong liberal arts curriculum which prepares them for college. More importantly, their academic experiences engage them in thinking and learning. It remains the school’s wish that students become balanced human beings.

It is believed that the emotional release and creativity people experience via art are important to human existence. Our students are able to become practitioners of various arts, as well as appreciators of them. The school holds that the classical reference to a sound mind in a sound body is paramount. Active participation in physical activity is coupled with training in social skills. The ideas of sportsmanship, collegiality, team membership, and the value of belonging to something greater than oneself cannot be overstated.

Subjects include:
* Computer Science
* English
* Foreign Language
* History, Social Sciences and Humanities
* Mathematics
* Performing Arts
* Physical Education
* Science
* Visual Arts
* Student Organizations

Athletics:
The Buckley School Athletic Program is based on the belief that the truly important things that athletes gain from sports have little to do with winning and losing. Discipline, self-direction, self-esteem, leadership, fundamental skill development, and the enjoyment of participation are the overall objectives.