How the Lower School Buddy Program is Building Belonging and Leadership

At Mount Vernon, we believe in fostering an inclusive community where every student feels they belong. This year, Lower School launched the new Buddy Program, designed to support new Mustangs as they transition into our school community while also creating valuable leadership opportunities for returning students.

Owen, a fourth-grade student new to Mount Vernon last year, was a key influence in shaping the program. Owen asked if he could give Ms Hudson, the Director of the Lower School, feedback on his experience. They set up a formal meeting. Owen had a detailed agenda of his ideas. At the top of his list was a buddy system for the first weeks of school to ensure new Mustangs felt at home and had a person they could contact. Owen said, “Let’s make new kids feel like they had a person there just for them!” After hearing from our New Families Committee Chair, Anne Freeman, and Owen, the Lower School team made their plan for the Lower School Buddy System this summer.

Fostering Leadership and Empathy

For returning students, the Buddy Program isn’t just about being a friend; it’s about stepping up as leaders and mentors. By becoming buddies, these students learn to embody Mount Vernon’s attributes: integrity, empathy, adaptability, and grace. They take on the responsibility of helping new Mustangs navigate the school, making them feel welcomed and included. As one teacher noted, “It’s wonderful to see our students take on these roles so seriously, demonstrating what it means to lead with integrity and empathy.”

Building a Culture of Grace

A significant aspect of the Buddy Program is teaching students to lead with grace. This means understanding that new students might not immediately know all the norms and customs of Mount Vernon. “We’ve encouraged our buddies to give their new friends grace,” said Molly Hudson. Both Ms Hudson and Ms Hayes explained, “It’s our job to bring them along, to make sure they feel like they’re part of the community, even if they don’t get everything right away.”

A Sense of Belonging from Day One

From the very start of the school year, the Buddy Program has been creating meaningful connections. The first week of school saw buddies sitting together in class and at lunch, playing on the playground, and guiding each other through the day. The program has even extended beyond the school day, with some pairs arranging playdates and phone calls. To further strengthen these bonds, the school hosted a Buddy Lunch, where new students and their buddies gathered to share their experiences and get to know each other better, aided by conversation cards prepared by Ms. Hayes, Dean of Student Life on the Lower Campus.

To ensure the Buddy Program continues to meet the needs of our students, we’ve built in moments for reflection and feedback. Each trimester, buddy pairs will come together for a special lunch, where they can discuss their experiences, express gratitude, and reflect on their time together. In November, the focus will be on what they are grateful for within the community, and at the end of the year, they will reflect on what they’ve learned and suggest improvements for the program.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the Buddy Program will continue to evolve, guided by the feedback from our students. We are committed to making this an enduring part of the Lower School experience, helping new Mustangs feel at home while giving returning students the chance to lead with integrity, empathy, adaptability, and grace.

The Buddy Program is more than just a way to welcome new students; it’s about building a community where every Mustang feels they belong and has the opportunity to grow. We are proud of the positive impact this program is already having and look forward to seeing it continue to flourish.