The Buckley School is a K–12 school that enrolls a total of 830 students. Approximate division sizes are 270 in grade K–5; 210 in grades 6–8; and 345 in grades 9–12, allowing for an average class size of 17 students.[3] The school's Middle and Upper divisions follow a six-day block schedule, with 70-minute class intervals. The school's Lower division follows a five-day schedule and combines a developmental approach with structure.[4] All divisions are located on a single 18-acre campus inSherman Oaks, California. Buckley is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools, theWestern Association of Schools and Colleges, and theCalifornia Department of Education. It is also a member of theNational Association of Independent Schools.[5]
The Buckley School was founded as an "independent co-educational institution" by Isabelle Buckley in 1933 based on her own "4-Fold Plan of Education", which equally emphasizes academics, arts, athletics, and an ethical education. Early campuses were located on Doheny Drive in Los Angeles, on Hayvenhurst Avenue in Van Nuys, and the school had two locations in Sherman Oaks, on Riverside Drive and Woodman Avenue. In 1964, Isabelle Buckley purchased land from the Glenaire Country Club in Sherman Oaks, and by 1973 all five divisions of the school were consolidated at the Stansbury Avenue location.[3][6] In 2008, the city of Los Angeles approved campus enhancements to be completed over a six-year (non-consecutive) total building period. Construction began in 2011; Phase III of Buckley's Campus Enhancement Plan began in late 2014 and was scheduled to end in late 2016.[6]
By the end of 2016, the school added three new buildings to support academics, including science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classrooms, as well as the performing arts, including dance and music rehearsal spaces, a black-box theatre, and a performance space.[7][8]
The composition of the board changes every year, as terms expire and new trustees are elected. Trustees can serve up to three, three-year terms and participate in at least two board committees each year of their trusteeship.[10]
The school's motto is "Dare to Be True".[11] The "Buckley Commitment", which is displayed in all classrooms and is ceremonially signed by students and teachers at the start of each academic year, sets expectations for respect, kindness, honesty, loyalty, self-discipline and self-reliance.[11] As part of the dress code, boys are required to wear a combination of polo shirts, khakis pants, chinos, black jeans or shorts, sweaters in the school's colors (red, black, or gray) and Buckley sweatshirts; girls wear skirts, black jeans, sweaters in school colors, polo shirts, or Buckley sweatshirts.[12][13][14][15]
Interscholastic sports include baseball for male students and softball and volleyball for female students; co-ed sports include basketball, cross-country running, track and field, equestrian sports, soccer, swimming and diving, golf, fencing, and tennis.[5] The school maintains a no-cut policy in Middle School athletics.[17][18]
The school's newspaper isThe Student Voice.[19] In 1998,Los Angeles Times presented the school with a "general excellence award" as part of its annual High School Journalism Awards competition, earning Buckley $1,000 for its journalism program.[20] In 2010 and 2012,The Student Voice received "High School Newspaper Silver Crown" awards from theColumbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).[21][22] In 2015, individual contributors were recognized in the categories "Sidebar writing", "Sports Page Design", and "Single Subject News or Feature Package, Double-truck or Special Section Design" at the CSPA's 32nd Gold Circle Awards.[23]
In 2002, the Performing Arts Department collaborated with writer and directorStuart Ross to present the world premiere ofThe Sounds of Plaid, a large-cast, co-ed version of Ross'sForever Plaid.[24][25] In 2015, 34 students won 60 Scholastic Art Awards, which have been presented to student artists in grades 7–12 nationwide since 1923. Students earned awards in thirteen categories: architecture, ceramics and glass, comic art, design, digital art, drawing and illustration, fashion, film and animation, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and art portfolio.[26][27]
