Frequently Asked Questions
- When are applications due? Hide
All applications to Buckley must be submitted online at www.buckley.org.
Lower School: Applications to kindergarten through grade five must be received no later than December 15, 2011.
Middle/Upper School: Applications to MIddle and Upper School (grades six through 12) must be recieved no later than January 10, 2012. Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis after the deadline.
Supporting Materials: All supporting materials- recommendations and transcripts- must be received by February 1, 2012.
- 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
Lower and Middle School: Admission decisions are mailed on Friday, March 23, 2012 for Lower and Middle School applicants. Contracts for kindergarten through grade eight are due on Monday, April 2, 2012.
Upper School: Admission decisions are mailed on Friday, March 9, 2012, and enrollment contracts for Upper School applicants are due on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.
- Are campus tours available for kindergarten? Hide
Kindergarten Open Houses-including a tour of the campus-are scheduled on:
- Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Kindergarten Open Houses are for prospective parents only, please, and an RSVP is required at www.buckley.org.
Tours are available beginning in mid-September and are led by current Buckley parents. RSVP's are required, so please visit our website at www.buckley.org to schedule a tour.
- Are campus tours available for Middle and Upper School? Hide
Open Houses for grades six through 12 - which include a tour of the campus - are scheduled on:
- Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m
Middle and Upper School Open Houses are for prospective students and parents, and an RSVP is required at www.buckley.org.
Additionally, all applicants will receive a private campus tour during the interview process.
- 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 12-15 new students for grade six, and approximately 30 new students in grades seven and nine. The number of admits for grades eight, ten, and eleven are based on space availability and may vary from year to year. We do not admit students to grade twelve, 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.
- 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, Indepent School Entrance Examination (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.
- 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.
- How has the Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture class expanded at Buckley? Hide
The Chinese Language and Culture class at Buckley puts the school at the forefront of language programs in the
- 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. Roughly 14% of the student body receives financial aid. Last year Buckley awarded nearly $2.4 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 School & Student Services By NAIS (SSS).
Financial aid information is available on our website at www.buckley.org. If you have any questions regarding financial aid, please call (818) 461-6708. All aid applications are due by January 10, 2012.
- 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.
- What is the student to teacher ratio? Hide
Our student to teacher ratio is eight 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 20-23 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.
- 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. Nine convenient routes cover the east and west San Fernando Valley as well as Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Westchester, and 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.
- Do you have a hot lunch program? Hide
The Buckley School contracts with Freshlunches to provide daily hot lunch service. Their menu focuses on high-quality natural or organic local ingredients and includes such options as macaroni and cheese, grilled chicken skewers, and organic black bean and cheese enchiladas.
- What is Buckley's ISEE school code? When is the ISEE administered at Buckley this year? Hide
Buckley's ISEE school code is 051628. Buckley will administer the ISEE this year on:
- Saturday, December 10, 2011
- Saturday, January 28, 2012
Registration must be completed before the testing date at: www.iseetest.org. Buckley is not a walk-in testing site.