History

B. Lord Buckley—a professional educator and an innovator in his time—founded The Buckley School in 1913. Originally located above a milliner's shop on Madison Avenue, the school now maintains four buildings on 73rd and 74th Streets in Manhattan that house Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools as well as our sports facilities.

Mr. Buckley's dedication to teaching and his administrative talent earned the school a reputation for excellence. Strength of character, diligence, respect, loyalty, self-discipline, integrity, sensitivity, and compassion were emphasized along with a solid academic curriculum. The founder chose “honor et veritas”—Latin for honor and truth—as the school motto. From this early tradition grew a desire to foster leadership among Buckley's student body, and this aspect of Buckley education was further emphasized by his successor Evelyn Adams.

A sound academic curriculum was refined under the stewardship of James Hubball. Facility improvements were made and the changes to the layout of the school allowed for the expansion of the teaching program, the addition of the ninth grade, and a wider range of sports facilities.

C. Brett Boocock was brought in as the fourth head of school. Mr. Boocock updated the school curriculum, improved faculty salaries, and strengthened the school's endowment.

In 1982, Brian Walsh began his tenure as headmaster. He strengthened the art department, updated the science curriculum and added science labs, emphasized small group learning in Lower School, and added Spanish to the foreign language department. In 1996, the school acquired adjacent property on 73rd Street and in 1998 opened the Brian R. Walsh Building, a new six-story building designed for small-group instruction and special subject facilities.

Greg O'Melia became the school's sixth headmaster in 2001 and brought with him a respect for Buckley's traditions and a desire to build upon them. He has fostered, in faculty and students alike, a great enthusiasm for academic excellence with a focus on fundamental skills and the development of the whole boy.