General description

Founded in 1851, SEM is among the oldest schools for girls in the United States - it is the sixth oldest. It is Western New York's oldest school for boys or girls; in New York State, including New York City, only one girls' school is older. The school was originally named The Buffalo Female Academy and has maintained an all-female student body. Its original, unflagging and prescient mission was to provide an exceptional education for young women, to prepare them to engage productively with the world. Originally, it offered education for young girls from kindergarten through sophomore year in college and had boarding. In 1889, the school adopted its current name, Buffalo Seminary. In the 19th century, schools for girls were commonly called "academies," and interestingly, many were also renamed to seminary.

Graduates of SEM founded the Twentieth Century Club in the late 1800s. one of the oldest private women's clubs in the United States, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The school changed its policy in 1899 to teach only grades 9 through 12 after merging with the Elmwood School. In 1908, the school moved from its initial founding address on Johnson Park to the current address on Bidwell Parkway. That building, completed the following year, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. In 2008 SEM reestablished boarding which has expanded into a campus of five renovated historic homes (Douglass House, Lipke House, Niscah House, Oishei House, and Wendt House) next to the school building, centered by the private Magavern-Sutton Courtyard, and staffed by faculty "parents." Since adding the residential program American girls and girls from all over the world have lived and learned at SEM: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, China, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Kenya, S.Korea, and Vietnam have resided in the houses.

Founded in 1851, SEM is among the oldest schools for girls in the United States - it is the sixth oldest. It is Western New York's oldest school for boys or girls; in New York State, including New York City, only one girls' school is older. The school was originally named The Buffalo Female Academy and has maintained an all-female student body. Its original, unflagging and prescient mission was to provide an exceptional education for young women, to prepare them to engage productively with the world. Originally, it offered education for young girls from kindergarten through sophomore year in college and had boarding. In 1889, the school adopted its current name, Buffalo Seminary. In the 19th century, schools for girls were commonly called "academies," and interestingly, many were also renamed to seminary.

Graduates of SEM founded the Twentieth Century Club in the late 1800s.[1] one of the oldest private women's clubs in the United States, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The school changed its policy in 1899 to teach only grades 9 through 12 after merging with the Elmwood School. In 1908, the school moved from its initial founding address on Johnson Park to the current address on Bidwell Parkway. That building, completed the following year, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.[2] In 2008 SEM reestablished boarding which has expanded into a campus of five renovated historic homes (Douglass House, Lipke House, Niscah House, Oishei House, and Wendt House) next to the school building, centered by the private Magavern-Sutton Courtyard, and staffed by faculty "parents." Since adding the residential program American girls and girls from all over the world have lived and learned at SEM: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, China, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Kenya, S.Korea, and Vietnam have resided in the houses.

Why choose us

Our academic program prepares every girl not just for the rigors of college, but also for the sheer joy of lifelong intellectual curiosity.

SEM’s interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes academic scholarship, service to the community, leadership skills, physical and emotional well-being, creative expression, and personal integrity.

At SEM, our students learn how to approach a difficult academic subject or a new activity with vigor and confidence. They aren’t afraid to take risks or to challenge themselves to excel.