Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Buffalo Seminary

205 Bidwell Parkway Buffalo NY 14222
Tel: (716) 885-6780 Ext. 211
www.buffaloseminary.org
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 151 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,870
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $25,725
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Buffalo Seminary Photo #4 - Hornet/Jacket Day is celebrated every fall with field games, dances, and parade. It is also the day that new students and faculty find out which they will be, for life. The intramural competition created by Headmistress Miss Angell celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #5 - SEM students think globally - in this opportunity, through Model UN competitions.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #6 - SEM is located in the heart of the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, just steps from cafes, shops and art galleries. As an urban boarding school, SEM students enjoy the culture, entertainment and shopping that only a city can offer.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #7 - Individualized college counseling helps each student explore options that are right for her.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #8 - SEM student-athletes have opportunities in winter to join teams in fencing, squash, bowling, indoor track, and basketball. In spring we have tennis, lacrosse, sailing, and crew. In the fall we offer crew, field hockey, soccer, sailing, swimming, cross country, and golf.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #9 - Buffalo Seminary is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our campus with its historic home student residences is in a lively neighborhood with coffee shops (Starbucks among them), restaurants, renowned art galleries, and stores.
Buffalo Seminary Photo #10 - Buffalo Seminary is a Committed Steinway School. Once fully accredited, SEM will be one of a handful (currently 16) of high schools in the in the world to be a Steinway Select School. SEM currently has 10 pianos including a new Boston model Steinway acquired in the summer of 2019.
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

About the School

  • 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.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 151 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,870
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $25,725
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Buffalo Seminary ranks among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 79 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Most sports offered
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered
Offering Breadth
High # of AP/advanced courses offered
School History
Oldest founding date

School Overview

2026 School Data
Buffalo Seminary
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
All-girls
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1851
1906
Campus Size
3 acres
130 acres
Last Day of School
Tue. Jun 8, 2027
School Motto
Be prepared to shape society

Student Body

Enrollment
151 students
319 students
% Students of Color
43%
27%
% International Students
17%
21%
% Students Boarding
10%
65%
Average SAT Score
1237
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1000 - 1570
-
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
No sweats.
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
71%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
International Coalition of Girls' Schools (formerly NCGS) (ICGS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
Small Boarding School Association (SBSA)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
# of AP Courses Offered
19
18
Courses
Biology Calculus AB
Calculus BC Chemistry
English Language French Language
Physics Mechanics C Spanish Language
Statistics US Government & Politics
World HistoryArt History
Computer Science AMacroeconomics
MicroeconomicsPsychology
US History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$9 million
(Remarkable Opportunities - Campaign begun 2014)
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$69,870
(Includes meals and most athletic fees. Additional $1000 technology fee.)
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$25,725
(Includes lunch and most athletic fees. Additional $1000 comprehensive fee)
$40,400
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$62,620
$50,000
% Students on Financial Aid
56%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$9,500
(Also offer merit scholarships: avg. grant $2000)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

Request Information

Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2

Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
80%
64%
Director of Admissions
Anne Uba Timms
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
17
17
Sports
BasketballBowling
CrewCross Country
Cross Country RunningFencing
Field HockeyGolf
Ice HockeyLacrosse
SailingSoccer
SquashSwimming
TennisTrack
Track and Field
Colors
Red and Grey
School Mascot
Red Tailed Hawk

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
35
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Anime ClubBlack Student Union
Chinese Language & Culture ClubCommunity Service Club
Computer Science ClubCum Laude
DonateLifeDorm Prefects
EnvironmentalFood Club
French ClubGay Straight Alliance (GSA)
Jewish Culture ClubKnitting and Sewing Club
Mock Trial ClubModel United Nations
National Honor SocietyOne Love
Photography ClubRed Key Student Ambassadors
SchoolGovernmentScience
SeminariaSpanish Club
Women in Business ClubYoung Politicians


Arts and Music Programs:
A CapellaBook Club
Dance ClubDrama Club
EnsembleGlee Club
Music Collective


Recreational Athletic Programs:
SkiVolleyball Club

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
State University of New York at Buffalo
17
Canisius College
10
Niagara University
8
University of Toronto
5
Hobart WIlliam Smith
4
University of Pittsburgh
4
Ohio State University
3
Brown
2
Syracuse
2
Yale
2
View 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.
  • 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
Source: Verified school update
REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Buffalo Seminary cost?
Buffalo Seminary's tuition is approximately $69,870 for boarding students and $25,725 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Buffalo Seminary?
The acceptance rate of Buffalo Seminary is 80%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Buffalo Seminary?
Buffalo Seminary famous alumni include: Isabella Bannerman, Lauren Belfer, Mara Hoffman, Amy Holden Jones, Tara Vanderveer, Susan Hunt, Mary Hochreiter Janney, Amy C. Williams, Ph.D., Amy Beth Taublieb, Ph.D. and Tara VanDerveer.
What sports does Buffalo Seminary offer?
Buffalo Seminary offers 17 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Bowling, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Track and Field. Buffalo Seminary is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Buffalo Seminary's ranking?
Buffalo Seminary ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, High # of AP/advanced courses offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Buffalo Seminary?
The application deadline for Buffalo Seminary is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Submit Review for Buffalo Seminary
Earn $20 by submitting your alumni review!

Recent Articles

How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How Much Free Time Do Boarding Students Get?
How much free time do boarding students really have? Learn how to evaluate schedules, homework, weekend obligations, activity requirements, and everyday routines before choosing a school that fits your child.
Boarding School Support During a Family Crisis
Boarding School Support During a Family Crisis
Learn how boarding schools can support students during family illness, bereavement, divorce, or emergencies, and what parents should ask about communication, counseling, academic flexibility, travel, privacy, and ongoing care arrangements.
Boarding School for an Only Child: Social Adjustment
Boarding School for an Only Child: Social Adjustment
Considering boarding school for an only child? Learn which questions to ask about roommates, friendships, privacy, adult support, and family communication before choosing a school that fits your child’s needs.

Featured Schools

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 151 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $69,870
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $25,725
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
School location map

Request Info

Ask Buffalo Seminary for admission information. Two short steps.

REQUEST INFO

Most Popular Articles

12 Boarding Schools Costing Less Than $20,000
12 Boarding Schools Costing Less Than $20,000
 Corporal Punishment in U.S. Boarding Schools: 2025 Update
Corporal Punishment in U.S. Boarding Schools: 2025 Update
 Least Expensive Tuition Boarding Schools
Least Expensive Tuition Boarding Schools
 How Boarding Schools Evolved in the United States
How Boarding Schools Evolved in the United States
 Boarding School Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide 2025
Boarding School Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide 2025

More Articles

Admissions
Jobs in Boarding Schools
Choosing a School
Financing
School Life

Quick Links

Find:
Search:
Use:
View: