Buffalo Seminary (SEM)

SEM holds the #1 spot among private schools in Buffalo, as recognized by the 2026 Niche ranking. Thank you to our SEM community of families, alumnae, faulty, and staff, who continue to lift us up and help us share why we are so great! ❤️🤍🥳 .

For more information about what makes SEM Western New York's #1 Private High School, visit www.buffaloseminary.org/admission/visit-sem to learn more & schedule a tour! ❤️🤍🥳 .

https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2026/06/16/best-private-schools-buffalo-metro-2026.html?csrc=6398&link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a311ec683015000013ee950&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawSfwMRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeu_0baBHWifJ1mhkYkmZn00vxfdlr-_BjxPhuulKk7eE5TcdYLtxSINnpJjo_aem_xBsDxP6ETNSBJn9hXKfAGg

Buffalo's best private schools (Schools Guide 2026) - Buffalo Business First The Park School of Buffalo once again tops the private K-12 schools list in the 2026 Schools Guide. How did other private schools perform? Come take a look.

Thank you for Supporting 175 Years of Learning and Leadership

It truly was a special moment in the history of SEM as we celebrated our 175th Anniversary at the Buffalo History Museum! Over 500 Buffalo Seminary Alumnae, Parents, Friends, and Trustees – past and present – gathered to raise the paddle to support the Annual Fund which is the lifeblood that enables us to run the school each year.

Thank you to all who attended, volunteered, and donated to make the 175th celebration an unbelievable success. If you haven’t had a chance to make your Reunion or Annual Fund gift yet, there’s still time before the Fiscal Year ends June 30th. Please click the link below to show your support for SEM today! ❤️🤍

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/buffaloseminaryhjfundonlineform

✨FINE ARTS NIGHT 2026✨

Yet another year of fun interactive art by SEM’s artistic duo, Vanisa and Scarlett. These dancing portraits were such a hit! Swipe to stroll down memory lane and relive their installations from the past three Fine Arts Nights.
✨“Dancing Portraits,” 2026
✨”Clowns,” 2025
✨“The Lord, The Lady, and The Jester,” 2024

Wishing our SEM students and families an enjoyable and safe summer break! 🥳☀️⛱😎

Still celebrating our graduates!❤️🤍🥳 ❤️🤍🥳

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on their Commencement this afternoon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo. We know that you will continue to live out the mission of SEM as engaged scholars and citizens, proud to shape society rather than be controlled by it, and ready to live and lead with honor, courage, and confidence. As you enter into this next chapter, remember the words of our commencement speaker and your fellow alumna, Tara VanDerveer '71: have compassion, be open to learning from others, and spread sunshine wherever you go!
We wish you all the best. ❤️🤍🥳

We welcomed back our alumnae this past weekend with a reunion celebration. Many of our alumna began the weekend at our 175th anniversary bash at the Buffalo Science Museum. On Saturday, we held a mini Morning Meeting led by Associate Head of School Natalie Stothart and outgoing SGA President Hazel C., who then invited our alumnae to take a tour of the building with our Red Key students.

The weekend was jam-packed with mini-excursions, including a tour of the Darwin Martin building, a double-decker bus tour of Buffalo, and a viewing of the Broadway musical SUFFS at Shea's. Saturday evening, during our main event, SEM alumnae came together at the Saturn Club, reconnecting with classmates and sharing their fond memories of their beloved school over refreshments & dinner.

Thank you to our Advancement team, Board of Trustees members, BSAA members, and everyone else who helped make this weekend a memorable one.

Please click the link below to view our photo album. If any alumnae have photos they would like to share, please email to [email protected]
❤️🤍🥳 https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWgXi

We are excited to welcome back award-winning coach and SEM alumna, Tara VanDerveer '71, this afternoon as our commencement speaker. We know she will be an inspiration to our graduates as they continue on their academic paths. ❤️🤍

Tara has been described as a trailblazer, mentor, and advocate for women’s rights in sports. After coaching basketball at Ohio State from 1980-85, Tara took over the Stanford Women’s Basketball Program. She later served as head coach of the USA Basketball National Team, leading the team to an Olympic gold medal with a perfect 8-0 run at the 1996 Atlanta Games. During her career at Stanford, Tara led the Cardinal to three NCAA Championships and 14 Final Four appearances. In 2024, with 1,216 career wins, she became the winningest coach in NCAA history.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday evening for our Gala celebrating our 175th anniversary. Your support helps us continue to lift up the SEM community through our mission, preparing a diverse group of young women to be engaged scholars and citizens, proud to shape society rather than be controlled by it, and ready to live and lead with honor, courage, and confidence. Here's to 175 more!!!!
❤️🤍🥳

Thursday evening was filled with lots of fun, friends, and fabulous attire as our SEM students attended Prom 2026. With the casino theme as the backdrop, students tried their luck at friendly games of blackjack before dancing the night away on the dance floor. Thank you to our wonderful faculty and staff chaperones, our dining staff for catering the event, and Timeless Tunez for the music and photobooth. 🥳❤️🤍