FAQs

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What are the benefits of an all-boys education?

  While boys and girls are undoubtedly capable of achieving the same goals, boys often benefit from movement, space, action, and rest to fully reach their cognitive and intellectual potential. All-boys schools are designed to accept boys as they are, granting them permission to be themselves so they can take risks, gain self-confidence, and develop life skills that transcend the classroom. Buckley believes in teaching to the “whole boy,” implementing a balanced, sensory-based curriculum to make learning fun, approachable, and memorable. Buckley taps into all aspects of a boy’s development—the social-emotional, the intellectual, the creative, and the athletic—all the while making the learning process lively and challenging. For more information about all-boys education, please visit the International Boys’ Schools Coalition website.

• Q. For which grades does Buckley accept applications?

  Each year, we accept applications for our Beginners (Kindergarten) Program. Applications for grades I-VII are reviewed dependent upon openings. Please submit an application to receive further grade-specific information. In the event of an opening, we will contact you to submit school reports and standardized test scores. 

• Q. Is there an age cut-off date for applying to the Beginners Program?

  Your son must be 5 years old before August 31 of his Kindergarten year in order to be considered for the Beginners (Kindergarten) program.

• Q. Does Buckley offer open houses for families applying to the Beginners (Kindergarten) Program?

  Yes, Buckley will offer Open Houses in Fall 2023. Dates to come. 

• Q. Do students apply from a wide range of schools?

  Yes, we receive applications from many schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City, as well as neighboring suburbs. We also welcome out-of-state and international applications. Our Beginners (Kindergarten) applicant pool represents approximately 70 different nursery schools and pre-K programs each year.

• Q. Does Buckley have a diverse student body?

  Part of what makes Buckley such an exciting community is its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The School welcomes families from all different parts of New York, as well as from other countries. Some boys at Buckley speak multiple languages, some have lived abroad, and some have special talents that set them apart from others. Regardless of families’ backgrounds or circumstances, Buckley, under the guidance of its diversity leadership team, strives to ensure that all boys respect one another and appreciate their respective differences.

• Q. What is Buckley's tuition?

  The tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $58,500 and includes lunch, books, supplies, class trips, and student accident insurance.

   

• Q. Does Buckley offer an after-school program?

  Buckley’s after-school program is called “Boomerang” and is available to Beginners (Kindergarten) through Class VI, Monday through Friday until 6:00 p.m. Upper School students can attend a proctored study hall until 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
  
  

  Designed to round out the daily curriculum, Boomerang offers a wide range of stimulating activities including:

  • Chess (Beginners, Intermediate, and Tournament level)
  • Mandarin
  • Mad Science
  • Guitar
  • Keyboarding
  • Lego Robotics

  Fees for Boomerang classes vary and families receiving financial assistance will pay a reduced rate based on need.

• Q. Does Buckley offer financial aid for after-school programs?

  Yes. Fees vary for our afterschool program, Boomerang, and families receiving financial assistance will pay a reduced rate based on need.

• Q. Does my son need to be athletic in order to be a good fit for Buckley?

  Our boys participate in physical education at all levels and eventually join interscholastic teams, but we consider athletics to be more than just hitting home runs or scoring goals. Our athletic program provides boys with the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones, to train to the best of their abilities, to build confidence, and to commit to their fellow teammates. We place a high value on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and fitness, and we wholeheartedly believe in the cognitive and emotional benefits of engaging in regular physical activity. In addition to playing sports, Buckley boys in all grades also participate in plays, clubs, musical performances, debates, and more.

• Q. What is involved in the secondary school placement process?

  We recognize that boys will change throughout their nine or ten years at Buckley and that they will need guidance and support in order find the right secondary school for the student they have become. As a result, we take secondary school placement seriously, advising our Class VIII and Class IX families throughout the process. As a former director of admission, Head of School Greg O’Melia plays an active role in overseeing the process and advocating for our boys, along with the director of placement and the director of the Upper School. Equipped with a deep understanding of their students’ individual needs and an unrivaled knowledge of high schools, Mr. O’Melia and the placement team have a vested interest in helping boys and their families find the school best suited for their son.

• Q. What high schools do Buckley boys attend?

  Buckley boys are consistently admitted to a wide range of boarding and day high schools, including Andover, Bronx Science, Choate, Collegiate, Dalton, Deerfield, Friends Seminary, Grace Church, Groton, Exeter, Horace Mann, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Packer Collegiate, Regis, Riverdale, St. Paul's, Stuyvesant, Taft, Trinity, and Westminster.