Unlike mentor programs at some schools, St. Andrew's School in Saratoga is different because the school spans pre-kindergarten through eighth grades, rather than more traditional elementary and middle schools. The students in the upper grades of St. Andrew's were paired with students at the younger levels on Sept. 24 during lunch, which included cheese pizza, red and green Jello, cookies and a beverage. The older children were expected to set a good example and answer questions their younger buddies might have of them.

"Harrison is cool," Kevin said. "We get to help him."

"We get to teach him about being part of the school spirit," Michael said.

Some of the younger students were individually paired, while others such as Harrison had two older buddies. Girls were typically paired with other girls, and boys were matched with boys. While the program seemed simple, school administrators explained it had a meaningful, deeper impact of forming lasting relationships across grade levels. To make the day even more special, the students were allowed to leave their usual uniforms at home and wear whatever they wanted to school, said Director of Development Sandra Gresham.

"We really like the pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade model because it gives the older kids the opportunity to be authentic role models—both academically and socially," Gresham said.

The program will culminate this spring with a field day in May where the paired students will participate in a variety of fun, outdoor activities such as water fights, potato hockey and rubber ducky fishing.

"It's just a great way to integrate the younger kids into the school with the older kids," said parent Racquel Voris, who organized the buddy day. She said some buddies will also integrate their friendship into the classroom, such as fourth-grade students who will work with kindergartners during the school year on reading.

Kevin said he and Michael have been older buddies since they were in fourth grade, so this is nothing unfamiliar for them. But they're looking forward to helping little Harrison learn to fit in, have fun and enjoy school and make good choices and to serving as friends he can look up to. As they talked, Harrison quietly chowed down on his cookies and pizza.

Maggie Kane, a sixth-grader, said she didn't get to pick her buddy, Kristina Fong, a second-grader, but that was OK with her.

"The school actually chooses for us, but I already knew Kristina because she's friends with my younger sister," Maggie said. "She likes horses. Her favorite color is purple, and she likes spelling and golf."

Maggie said she enjoyed the buddy program because while she was supposed to be learning about taking responsibility, she'd also gained a younger friend in the process. The two girls filled out name tags and questionnaires highlighting their likes, dislikes, hobbies and personality traits.

Richard Hof, assistant head of school, said the school works every day on developing a sense of community, and the buddy program is one of the most visible representations of that. The program was started several years ago to help students understand the importance of community service, which is a required part of the curriculum. Hof said the program has fostered informal and subtle benefits. For instance, students will say hello when passing each other in the halls, strengthening the bond between them.

Hof said this is the first time pre-kindergartners have been included in the program, but younger students like Harrison didn't seem to be too intimidated by his older new pals. They talked about their weekends, sports, hobbies, pets, families, and much more.

"It gives the younger kids a view that they can still be successful here, too, when they realize how friendly and unthreatening the older ones are," Hof said. "It promotes a comfort level, and kids learn so well when they are comfortable."

Eighth-graders were matched with pre-kindergarten students, fourth-graders were paired with kindergartners, fifth-graders received first-graders, sixth-graders were partnered with second-graders and seventh-graders were linked with third-graders.

At the end of this academic year when each grade level moves up and when all the eighth-grade students graduate, they will promenade into the chapel with their pre-kindergarten buddies who will take their rightful place in the kindergarten section of the church.

"It's wonderful. There isn't a dry eye in the house," said eighth-grade adviser Roger Adams.