Secondary School Placement

As our mission states, “our graduates are well prepared for entry into, and success in, secondary schools and beyond.” Choosing a secondary school is an integral part of the Buckley experience. We are committed to placing each student in the secondary school that is best for that individual.

The formal process begins in the fall of seventh grade at an all-class meeting with parents. Our headmaster and the head of upper school provide an overview of the process, delineate the various options, and offer guidance on how to meet goals. In addition, a panel of alumni discusses their experience with the application process and resulting placement.

During the summer preceding eighth grade, our headmaster and the head of upper school then meet individually with every student and family. Each is encouraged and guided throughout the entire process, from creating a list of possibilities to selecting their final choice.

Buckley graduates have many secondary school choices, including a number of the most selective schools. The following statistics indicate the types of schools attended by Buckley graduates over the past 5 years:

Independent day schools on Long Island	33%
Catholic schools	18%
Local public schools	17%
Boarding schools	17%
Independent day schools in NY	11%
Specialized NYC schools	4%

Among the secondary schools to which Buckley's 2009 graduates were accepted for September 2009 are: Choate Rosemary Hall, Blair Academy, Friends Academy, Miss Porter's School, Portledge School, Sacred Heart Academy, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Stuyvesant High School, Westover School, and Trinity School.

With a blend of school traditions, a strong academic program and extensive co-curricular offerings, our students are well prepared for the demands of secondary school.