Wellbeing is a Top Priority
In every division, we have an interdisciplinary team of specialists that support the academic, social-emotional, and physical wellbeing of every student.
Lower School Support
- Child Study Team
- Health Expo
- RULER
- Responsive Classroom
Circles
Circles are an ancient practice spanning diverse cultures and religions. The goal of circles is to build community by recognizing that each voice needs to be heard, that every person has a story to share, and that everyone is a piece of a bigger whole. Circles offer a way of communicating that encourages attentive listening, as well as honest and compassionate expression. It makes room for new insights and understandings, wisdom in decision making, bonding and healing.
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Middle + Upper School Advisory
Advisory groups are assigned at the start of each year in Middle and Upper School and meet three times per week through the school year. The advisory program provides each student with a network of peer support and a faculty or staff advisor who offers advocacy, compassion, and counsel in social-emotional and developmental situations. Advisory is non-evaluative, a "family within a family" that supports the personal and academic growth of students while fostering a culture of connection.
“I love Buckley because of all the friends I have and all the opportunities I have to connect with them."
- Jonathan, ’25
Included in the many ways we promote health and wellness at Buckley:
- Study Days: The school calendar is designed to include pupil-free days in advance of mid-semester and end-of-year finals, during which students can catch up on work or study for assessments.
- Assessment-free Days: School policy does not allow for assessments to be given the day after a religious holiday or weekend, so they can enjoy unfettered time with family as much as possible.
- Late Start Wednesdays: Middle/Upper school starts at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesdays, so students can either sleep in or come to school and enjoy free time in advance of first period.
Several required classes in the curriculum support social emotional skills and awareness. These include Human Development in grades 3-6, Life Skills in seventh grade and Human Development again in ninth. Many Upper School clubs also address mental health, such as the Anti-Bullying and National Alliance on Mental Illness clubs, among others.
- Neurodivergent Club
- Networks
- Speakers
Cell Phone Use Policy
Buckley's Cell Phone Use Policy is designed to promote relationship building and in-person interactions. Students are not permitted to use cell phones at all during the school day unless given expressed permission from an adult.
BYOL
The Bring Your Own Laptop Program requires every Middle and Upper School student bring a fully charged laptop to school every day for use in the classroom. Every Lower School student is provided with an iPad to use in the classroom during the school day when directed by a teacher.
Lower School Tech Program
The Lower School Media/Tech Program for students in grades 3-5 teaches digital citizenship and ethics, coding, photography, graphic design, and how to navigate other issues and tools.
Resources
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988.
- This national, three-digit dialing code was designated by Congress to provide 24-hour access to a trained crisis counselor. The number is available to call, text, or chat.