The Buddy Program

The buddy program is the gift of a PS-8 school.  The goal is to support a healthy, positive, and cohesive school community by providing intentional opportunities for younger and older students to build relationships.  The buddy program affords younger students a sense of connection and safety among their older schoolmates.  They learn that older students are invested in them, know them, and are there to support them.  Middle school-age students who would, in a traditional middle school, be focused on peer dynamics have the opportunity to be role models, practice empathy, and gain a focus outside of their peer group to the greater school community.

Relationships are built through time spent together engaged in social, service and academic enrichment activities.  School-wide events such as assemblies, field days, concerts, and ArtsFest provide spontaneous opportunities for buddies to connect, support and look out for each other.  Our older and younger buddies often read together, celebrate birthdays, exchange cards, play on the playground, and sit together during morning meetings. Buddy relationships are deep and strong and carry through the child’s entire career at SMS.

Everyone here makes an effort to know all of the students. I was amazed when I picked up my son...

Prekindergarten Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:09:54-04:00

Prekindergarten Parent

Everyone here makes an effort to know all of the students. I was amazed when I picked up my son from Field Day and everyone – teachers and students alike – all said hello and goodbye to him by name. It feels so amazing to be part of such a 
I love how everyone here is very family oriented and very welcoming. Our family felt part of the school from...

Prekindergarten Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:10:30-04:00

Prekindergarten Parent

I love how everyone here is very family oriented and very welcoming. Our family felt part of the school from day one and it made for a really easy transition.
During my daughter’s 2nd grade year, the idea of a Buddy Bench was brought up by a classmate. After presenting...

3rd and 7th Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:00-04:00

3rd and 7th Grade Parent

During my daughter’s 2nd grade year, the idea of a Buddy Bench was brought up by a classmate. After presenting the idea to the Lower School head, the idea was fully embraced. Instead of just providing a Buddy Bench, my daughter and a few students helped build and decorate the 
St. Michael’s is a magical school. The teachers are wonderful. They have that blend of intelligence, gentle discipline, and love...

2nd Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:29-04:00

2nd Grade Parent

St. Michael’s is a magical school. The teachers are wonderful. They have that blend of intelligence, gentle discipline, and love inspiring the kids. The sense of community is so evident. The parents are a tight-knit group that truly care about one another and cheer other families one.
SMS has given our family so much support, when we first moved to Newport from the UK 5 years ago...

Preschool and 2nd Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:55-04:00

Preschool and 2nd Grade Parent

SMS has given our family so much support, when we first moved to Newport from the UK 5 years ago and when we moved back after being away for 18 months. The school was invaluable in making our son feel welcome and cared for and included back into his second 
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St. Michael's Country Day School

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