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Buffalo, New York, USA All Girls, No Religious Affiliation
Founded in 1851, SEM is an independent day and boarding school for college-bound girls. At SEM academics are rigorous, trust is intrinsic, and creative, independent thinking is valued. Our humanities and STEAM curricula, arts, clubs, and athletics prepare girls for their remarkable futures.
An average class size of 11 and Harkness table learning guarantees attention from dedicated faculty. Our 1:1 tablet program, STEAM, and digital literacy curricula give girls competency and inspiration to pursue science in college and career.
SEM's unique urban campus maximizes the benefits of city living: parks, galleries, notable architecture, shops, and cafes are steps away.
SEM's 5-day boarding is perfect for girls to have total access to clubs, sports, community service, and supervised study during the week but family time on the weekends.
An hour and half to Toronto by car and a one-hour flight to New York City, Chicago, Detroit or Boston makes SEM convenient and accessible for residential students.
205 Bidwell ParkwayBuffalo, New York, USA 14222 (716) 885-6780
Director of Admissions: Laura Munson Admissions Phone:(716) 885-6780Fax:716-885-6785 Email: [email protected] Website: www.BuffaloSeminary.org
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Posted on September 10, 2018 Head of School Helen L. Marlette's opening address to the students. "I ask myself and challenge each of you: as we get caught up in the tasks of school, how can we foster this spirit of excitement, optimism, and possibility and keep it strong? more...
Posted on August 23, 2018 Caitlin Cass, SEM's art teacher, was named a fellow for fiction by the New York State Council for the Arts/New York Foundation for the Arts (NYSCA/NYFA). more...
Summary: SEM is independent day and boarding school for college-bound girls. Nonsectarian since our founding in 1851, we provide a culture of mutual respect for individual differences. As one of the oldest girl's schools in the US, our oldest tradition is forward thinking.Our cozy urban campus is located in the historic and bustling Elmwood Village neighborhood. Our intimate environment allows girls to challenge themselves and to thrive. Students receive individual attention from outstanding faculty who promote a learner-centered classroom. And because average class size is 11, every student's perspective is voiced and heard. At SEM, girls are excited to be part of a school community where trust is intrinsic and independent thinking is valued.A SEM education fosters a multicultural, global perspective.Our prescient 1:1 tablet program began in 2008 when STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) was an emergent educational movement. STEM has recently added an “A” for Art & Design and our program responded with a STEAM curriculum for freshman girls and electives for upperclassmen. Women are perpetually underrepresented in the STEAM fields and we aim to be part of the solution.Our successful college counseling pairs an emphasis on achievement with finding the best fit so our students can continue to flourish. We believe in standards, but not standardization. We're not limited by New York State Regents requirements. By her junior and senior years, in addition to honors and Advanced Placement courses, a student can pursue electives that explore her interests, such as urban studies, theater, oceanography, or gothic literature. SEM students are encouraged to pursue academic work within courses or to create their own.SEM is accredited by New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). It is a member of National Coalition of Girls' School (NCGS), The Small Boarding School Association, the Online School for Girls and OurKids (Canada).
Department Director: Sharon Kounovsky
Average Class Size: 11
Full Time Teachers: 21
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 72.00%
Student/Teacher Ratio: 7/1
Academic Schedule: Trimester
Number of Advanced Placement Courses Offered: 17
Notable Achievements: 1:1 tablet PC program, French and Spanish exchange programs, STEAM curriculum
Summary: SEM girls enjoy a rich and rewarding experience as boarding students. Located in the historic and bustling Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, our campus comprises five residences in historic homes next door to the landmarked school building, and Larkin Field for sports like soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Shops, cafes, art galleries, notable architectural sites and historic Delaware Park are steps away.Day students and 5- and 7-day boarders practice independence within our small, safe neighborhood. Boarding students have access to all the teams, clubs and extra-curriculars (like participation in the plays and community service at non-profits) that SEM has to offer, and supervised study hours in the evening. On weekends, 7-day residents have supervised trips to sports and cultural events, and dinners out and shopping expeditions to explore the bigger city outside our neighborhood.
Department Director: Natalie Stothart
Number of Dorms: 4
Average Students Per Dorm: 10
No. of Girls Dorms: 4
Dorm Amenities:
Dress Code: Casual
Summary: Student life at Buffalo Seminary provides leadership opportunities, programs to become involved in the community, the chance to discover individual talents and the encouragement to pursue new interests. We offer an open and safe community dedicated to the intellectual, aesthetic, physical, and emotional development of our students.There is a strong sense of community felt by all at the school, and we are committed to educating young woman to be future leaders with moral strength. Our Honor Code is integral to instilling strong character, sound judgment, and individual integrity. In addition, SEM students have a wide array of leadership opportunities, either as elected members of SGA, as members of our clubs or athletic teams, or exploring possibilities through our senior internship program. Through the variety of opportunities, SEM students will develop the necessary skills, confidence, knowledge, and character to make a difference both at school and in the world beyond.
Facilities
Clubs and Organizations
Summary: The program emphasizes excellence, commitment, participation and the cultivation of the whole person. SEM is a member of the Monsignor Martin Girls' Athletic Association (MMA) for the following varsity and junior varsity interscholastic sports: BasketballBowlingCrewCross CountryFencingField HockeyGolfLacrosseSailingSoccerSquashSwimmingTennis SEM sails with the Mid-Atlantic District of the Inter-Scholastic Sailing Association (ISSA).SEM's crew is a member of the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA).SEM's fencing team competes in the Western New York Division of the U.S. Fencing Association.SEM's field hockey team is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) interscholastic athletic programs.SEM's squash team is a member of US Squash and the Buffalo Squash Raquets Association (BSRA).SEM has a ski club that travels weekly to Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY.SEM's teams are the Red-Tailed Hawks. They can be followed on Twitter at @HawkSquawks.The Fine and Performing Arts Program at Buffalo Seminary is designed to promote the students' growth through the arts in two ways: first, through the study of the history and philosophy of artistic expression; and, second, through performance, that is, through active participation in art, photography, music, theatre, and dance. Students have an opportunity to select from a rotating list of electives, projects, performances and concerts.
Arts Department Director: Susan Drozd
Athletics Department Director: Eva Cunningham
Notable Achievements: US Squash Division V Champions 2015,'16, '17, Bowling Champs 2015, Soccer Champs 2016, Tennis Doubles & Singles Champs 2013-17
Summary: At SEM, the goal of college counseling is to help students successfully discover and examine their own academic aspirations and to guide them to those institutions that best fulfill those aspirations. Our college counseling program is an individualized process in which students, their parents and a college counselor together assess a student's interests, needs, strengths and abilities to work toward making the best college choices. At every step, the student is encouraged to own the process: to take advantage of opportunities and instances in which she can educate herself to make informed decisions and find her best fit.
Department Director: Molly Greene
Percentage of Graduates Who Attend College: 100.00%
Colleges attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Tara Vanderveer (Class of 1971) Stanford University Women's basketball head coach and 1996 U.S. Gold-winning Olympic Women's Basketball coach
Amy Holden Jones (Class of 1972) Screenwriter, movie producer and movie director
Lauren Belfer (Class of 1971) Bestselling author of City of Light and A Fierce Radiance
Isabella Bannerman (Class of 1978) Award-winning syndicated cartoonist
Mara Hoffman (Class of 1995) Fashion designer
Nicole C. Lee (Class of 1994) Human rights lawyer
Elizabeth Swados (Class of 1968) TONY award winning playwright and director
Gwen Whittle (Class of 1979) Academy Award nominated sound designer
Tara Ellis (Class of 1988) Pres. & CEO Foodbank of Western New York
Virginia Horvath (Class of 1975) Pres. SUNY Fredonia
Because every girl can learn and excel if there's someone who believes in them. That someone was SEM for me, and I take that message cross-country now.
-Kara Kerwin, Class of 1998, President of the Center for Educational Reform
Remember what it means to be a SEM girl. We strive for excellence. We serve others in need. We have a strong obligation to our community. We appreciate the rich history and traditions of our school.
-Molly Armstrong, Class of 2014, School Government President
SEM means everything. Home, education, future, dream, foundation...It made me who I am today.
-Christy Jiang, Class of 2015, residential student from China who now attends Boston University
Summary: All-Girl Power All Summer Long! Crew, Sailing, Squash, Arts and Traditional Camp Experiences at one of the oldest girls' schools in the US.Day and sleepaway camp. Classes and activities like fashion lab, video production, coding, basketball, games, arts and crafts all day or pair it with crew, squash or sailing in the morning.Sleepaway and Immersion campers live family-style in historic homes centered around a courtyard that connects them to the school building.Weekends are filled with day trips to amusement parks, aerial parks, beaches, trips to see waterfalls and colleges and Universities, exploring the Greater Niagara region as well as relaxing on campus.Summer at SEM offers a professional faculty, a small student-teacher ratio, and an underlying understanding of the needs of young girls and the philosophy and practices of good camp.At SEM we graduate young women who can take care of themselves, have a spirit of service, and lead. We’re proud that many of our counselors are SEM graduates.
Department Director: Elizabeth Coffey
July 08, 2018 to July 28, 2018
For girls entering grades 6-9.Mornings are filled with traditional camp. Afternoons, girls will improve their English through studying the American woman’s experience. The humanities-based immersion curriculum uses primary texts, histories, and trips to take English learning to the next level.
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2018 Tuition: $5,000 Financial Aid Available: No More Details
July 15, 2018 to July 28, 2018
Unique all girls Squash Intensive with Connecticut College Squash Head Coach Mike McDonald and Sarah Odell, Assistant Coach. Lessons in the morning, match play in the afternoons. 1-week sessions.
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2018 Tuition: $475-1100 Financial Aid Available: No More Details
July 08, 2018 to August 28, 2018
1-week sessions of sleepaway camp in our historic home student residences. Get to know SEM, our neighborhood, and Buffalo! Traditional camp activities and experiences and crew, sailing, or squash in the mornings.
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2018 Tuition: $850 Financial Aid Available: No More Details
Summary: Since 1851, Buffalo Seminary has been preparing girls for college and for life.