Buffalo Seminary
Buffalo Seminary is a nondenominational, independent, day and boarding school for college-bound girls.
One of the oldest girls' schools in the US, we've designed a culture of achievement, scholarship, creativity, service, and leadership for girls since 1851.
We offer humanities and STEAM curricula enhanced with technology and athletics, arts, and clubs.
Bound by its honor code, SEM's environment encourages girls to challenge themselves, express themselves, and to succeed.
Nestled in the historic Buffalo neighborhood of Elmwood Village, our urban campus is on the National Register of Historic Places and only steps away from cafes, galleries, and shops.
Top Rankings
Similar Size Schools All-Girls Schools
Buffalo Seminary ranks among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 97 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Offering Breadth Most extracurriculars offered
- School History Oldest founding date
| Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data | Buffalo Seminary | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12, PG | 9-12 |
| School Type | All-girls | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1851 | 1907 |
| Campus Size | 3 acres | 125 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 173 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 43% | 25% |
| % International Students | 20% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 23% | 70% |
| Average SAT Score | 1237 | * National Avg. »View |
| SAT range (25th-75th percentile) | 1000 - 1570 | - |
| Average ACT score | 25 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | Yes | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual (No jeans. No sweats.) | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 12 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 8:1 | 7:1 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 17 | 18 |
| ESL Courses Offered | No | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 71% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | No | Yes |
Tuition Cost
| Endowment Size | $9 million (Remarkable Opportunities - Campaign begun 2014 ) | $25 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $51,910 (Includes meals and most athletic fees. Additional $525 technology fee. ) | $59,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $18,510 (Includes lunch and most athletic fees. Additional $525 technology fee) | $33,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (5 Day Boarding) | $47,340 | $44,100 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 56% | 40% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | $10,000 (Also offer merit scholarships: avg. grant $2000) | $25,000 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | Yes | No |
Acceptance Rate
| Application Deadline | None / Rolling | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | Yes | No |
| SSAT Required | No | Yes |
| Acceptance Rate | 80% | 58% |
| Director of Admissions | Laura Munson Alexandra Tramposch | |
| Associate Director of Admissions | Kacie Mills | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 17 | 18 |
| Courses | Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, English Language, French Language, Physics Mechanics C, Spanish Language, Statistics, US Government & Politics, World History, Art History, Computer Science A, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, US History | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 13 | 16 |
| Sports | Basketball, Bowling, Crew, Cross Country Running, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 33 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Club or Organization: Black Student Union, Chinese Language & Culture Club, Community Service Club, Computer Science Club, Cum Laude, DonateLife, Dorm Prefects, Environmental, Food Club, French Club, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Jewish Culture Club, Knitting and Sewing Club, Mock Trial Club, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, One Love, Photography Club, Red Key Student Ambassadors, SchoolGovernment, Science, Seminaria, Spanish Club, Young Politicians Arts and Music Programs: A Capella, Book Club, Dance Club, Drama Club, Ensemble, Glee Club, Music Collective Recreational Athletic Programs: Ski, Volleyball Club | |
College Matriculation
| Year: 2015 - 2017 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled) | |
| State University of New York at Buffalo | 18 | |
| Canisius College | 10 | |
| Boston University | 7 | |
| Hobart WIlliam Smith | 6 | |
| University of Toronto | 6 | |
| University of Pittsburgh | 4 | |
| Ohio State University | 3 | |
| Brown | 2 | |
| Syracuse | 2 | |
| Yale | 2 | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
School Notes
- Our all-girl environment and small size foster self-confidence and unselfconscious inquiry in our students.
- The student residences are historic homes joined by a beautiful courtyard to the school building where students live family-style with faculty house directors.
- Leaders for life: SEM students enjoy not just equal opportunity, but every opportunity. All our class officers, club presidents, team captains, and student mentors are girls.
- College prep that goes beyond standardized testing: Our rigorous academic program, bolstered by an independent curriculum, prepares students to think for themselves, both in and out of the classroom.
- An average class size of 11 students: Our small classes and Harkness table learning guarantees individual attention; no student can go unnoticed.
- Our advisory program also empowers our girls by building positive student-teacher relationships while encouraging open communication with parents.
- Teachers who are as passionate as they are experienced: Our faculty is made up of educators many of whom have PhDs. who are committed to student-centered teaching. Experts in their field, they use Harkness tables to foster engaged, student-centered learning.
- Beloved traditions combined with 21st-century learning: Founded in 1851, SEM has a rich history that still resonates today. We combine a respect for the past with a commitment to the future.
- Technology that puts girls in control: Our one-to-one laptop program, STEAM curriculum, digital printing and NAO robots give each student hands-on, project-based learning.
- Clubs and activities: Whether it`s through music, art, drama, sports, or social and intellectual pursuit girls find an extracurricular outlet at SEM. Clubs and activities are determined by student interest, and every girl participates in community service throughout her four years.
- A culture of freedom, a code of honor: SEM students enjoy independence while embracing a high level of responsibility. Our school honor code fosters trust and respect by preparing girls for the rewards and responsibilities of the 21st century.
- A beautiful building on the National Register of Historic Places in a historic leafy neighborhood with access to all the upsides of city living. Galleries, cafes, shops, parks, and universities are footsteps away.
- Buffalo Seminary accreditations: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), Small Boarding School Association (SBSA), The National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS), Online School for Girls (OSG)
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Isabella Bannerman - Syndicated cartoonist
- Lauren Belfer - NYT bestselling author of City of Light, A Fierce Radiance, And After the Fire
- Mara Hoffman - Fashion designer
- Amy Holden Jones - Screenwriter, film producer and director
- Tara Vanderveer - Record-breaking Stanford Women's & US Olympic Women's Basketball Coach
- Susan Hunt - Host on HGTV and former ESPN correspondent
- Mary Hochreiter Janney - Former mayor of Burlingame, California
- Amy C. Williams, Ph.D. - Composer, pianist and music professor
- Amy Beth Taublieb, Ph.D. - Clinical psychologist and author
- Tara VanDerveer - 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball coach, Head Coach of Stanford Cardinal, 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
Profile last updated: 01/14/2021
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