Admission

Lower School Application Process

Kindergarten- Grade 5

Thank you for your interest in joining The Buckley School community. The following steps will lead you through the application process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Admission Office at 818-461-6719.

Step 1: Visit Us!

Visit our beautiful campus by attending one of our Open Houses.

Click here to register for an Open House.

Step 2: Complete an Online Application

Application Deadlines December 15, 2012

The deadline for submitting Lower School applications has passed for fall 2012. Please call the admission office at (818) 461-6719 with any questions. Thank you for your interest in Buckley.

SIBLING DEADLINE: Applications to kindergarten for current Buckley siblings are due November 12, 2012 Apply online:

  • Upload a recent photograph of the applicant as well as a family photo.
  • The $125 non-refundable application fee must be charged using a credit card. If you feel this fee is an extreme hardship, please call the admission office at (818) 461-6708.
  • In the case of separation or divorce, it is necessary for the School to have signatures and parent information for both parents.

Step 3: Interview

Once the completed application has been processed by the Admission Office, you will be contacted via email to schedule your interview. For your convenience and ease of scheduling, this is an online process.

Step 4: Lower School Assessments

  • All applicants to kindergarten are assessed in small groups of approximately 10 children, allowing students to interact in a classroom style setting while being assessed for developmental readiness.
  • Assessments last one hour and parents will be given a tour of the Lower School while the children are in classrooms.
  • The Admission Office will schedule all kindergarten assessments by mid-December and assessments will take place in January-February.
  • SIBLING ASSESSMENTS: Buckley sibling small group assessments will take place in mid-November.
  • Applicants to grades 1 - 5 will have the opportunity to visit the campus in one of our classrooms for an extended time. The students will also be given a short assessment during their visit. The Admission Office will contact you via e-mail in order to schedule an individual appointment for your child.

ISEE Testing for Grade 5 only

  • Applicants to grade five are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). This test is designed to assess a students’ academic achievement and is produced by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
  • In order for Buckley to receive the scores from the testing company, please enter Buckley’s school code when you register. Buckley’s School Code: 051628.
  • Buckley recommends that student applicants take the ISEE no later than the first weekend in February.
    Students can get tips and take practice tests free of charge at http://www.iseetest.org/. You can download a PDF copy of the book, "What to Expect on the ISEE" or purchase the book online.
  • For further information about the ISEE –and to register for the test - please visit http://www.iseetest.org/
  • Buckley is an ISEE test site on Saturday, December 8, 2012, and Saturday, January 26, 2013.

Step 5: Teacher Recommendations and School Transcripts

  • Print the applicant’s name on the required forms.
  • Parent/Guardian must sign the confidential recommendation and release forms.
  • Give the forms to the applicant’s teacher or school official. The school will mail the information directly to Buckley.
  • All recommendation forms and school records are due no later than February 1.
  • Kindergarten Applicants:
    Please print the Kindergarten Recommendation Form and submit it to your child’s current teacher.
  • Applicants to grades 1-5:
    Please print the Lower School Teacher Recommendation Form and submit it to your child’s current teacher.