We definitely believe “Good Starts Young.” The very nature of the weLEAD program provides a place for students to care for others, to feel empowered with a sense of purpose, and to use their education to make a difference.

Welcome to weLEAD!

The Upper School launched its capstone project called “weLEAD” (Leadership, Education, Action, & Determination) in 2018. This initiative is part of a larger way to bring together all disciplines and create a broader experience in the life of the Upper School.

This capstone project is part of Buckley’s broader intent to incorporate identity and outreach into the daily experience. The goal is to create a cohesive, intentional, and student-centered program. This project will be something that students begin in the fifth grade and complete in the seventh grade, as a three-year exploration of a personal passion that each student selects in the realm of social good. 

Our graduates will be able to tackle a real-world issue in a local, national, or global community. They will design a project of their own choosing and will do something tangible to make an authentic difference. It is based off of existing lessons and projects that have proven successful, such as the social justice slam and the social entrepreneur fair.

Raising awareness to think about diversity and inclusion will enhance their capacity to take informed action about issues that extend beyond the classroom to:

• Lead by building community

• Develop empathy, channel emotions, and care for others

• Explore all sides of an issue

• Work together to protect the rights of others

• Design a capstone project based on inquiry, research, data and service

By developing a portfolio of work, students will forge a deeper connection through their own sense of agency, to put their ideas into practice and to share their work with the community as an emerging Buckley graduate.