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

Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Average Class Size: 10

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 25

Number of AP Courses Offered: 17

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 80%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Learning Support

• Peer Tutoring
• Study Skills Assistance
• Subject Tutoring

English

• Creative Writing
• Honors
• Literature
• Poetry
• AP English Language
• American Literature

History

• Classical History
• European History
• Honors
• Medieval History
• United States History
• World History

Foreign Languages

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Human Geography
• World Issues

Sciences

• Anatomy
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Health
• Meteorology
• Oceanography
• Physics
• Computer Science

Math

Computer Studies

• Computer Applications
• Multimedia
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Robotics
• Digital Media

Music

• Choral Music
• Individual Instructions
• Music Appreciation
• Music History
• Orchestra

Performing / Visual Arts

Special Programs

• Study Abroad
• Community Service
• Exchange Programs
• Personal Finance
• Independent Study
• Internships
• Leadership
• Sailing
• Robotics
• Student Council
• Digital Design

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 4

Average Students Per Dorm: 10

Number of Girls Dorms: 4

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

• Laundry Facilities
• Lounge
• Wireless Internet
• Full Kitchen
• Refrigerator

Other Dorm Amenities

Student Life

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

• Fitness Center
• Indoor Basketball Court
• Indoor Pool
• Technology Center
• Squash Court
• Athletic Fields

Other Facilities

• Squash Courts
• Soccer Field
• Ping Pong tables
• Badminton
• Ergs & Treadmills

Clubs & Organizations

• Asian Club
• Chess Club
• Community Service
• Debate Club
• Diversity Club
• Dorm Proctors
• Drama Club
• Environmental Club
• Fencing Club
• Foreign Language Clubs
• Honor Council
• International Club
• Literary Magazine
• Math Club
• Mock Trial
• Model UN
• National Honor Society
• Newspaper
• Outing Club
• Peer Counseling
• Peer Tutoring
• SADD
• Sailing Club
• Science Bowl
• Sexualities Club
• Student Government
• Theater Club
• Yearbook
• GSA

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: Basketball Bowling Crew Cross Country Fencing Field Hockey Golf Lacrosse Sailing Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis 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, Monsignor Martin Swimming Champions 2020 & 2021

Arts

Interscholastic Sports

• Basketball
• Bowling
• Crew
• Cross Country Running
• Fencing
• Field Hockey
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Sailing
• Soccer
• Squash
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Rowing

Recreational Sports

• Alpine Skiing
• Badminton
• Snowboarding
• Table Tennis
• Volleyball

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.

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:

Notable Alumni

Quotes From Alumni

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:

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 20%

Average Merit Scholarship: 2,500

Current Endowment Amount: $9,000,000