SEM Viewbook Fall 2023

THE POWER OF ALL-GIRLS

SEM is a leader in girls’ education, distinguished by more than 170 years of excellence and innovation. Today, SEM inspires young women from around the globe to join with those from Western New York to create a community dedicated to preparing you to emerge from your high school experience as a leader, proud to shape society rather than be controlled or defined by it. You will learn to live and lead with energy, confidence, honor, and courage.

We look forward to introducing you to this school and vibrant community. We want you to understand and appreciate just how the culture of this school, its distinctive faculty, distinguished alumnae, and outstanding students create an educational experience that resonates powerfully in these important and challenging times.

Visit us. Talk to our students, faculty, staff, and Head of School. Meet our alumnae who exemplify the values and promises of SEM every day throughout the world.

VALUES

These values are the core beliefs at SEM that shape our community, inform our decisions, and guide our actions.

• Women as Scholars and Leaders: We cultivate the intellect and independence of women, supporting them as life-long scholars and leaders.

• Community of Belonging: We are a community of belonging. We embrace the richness of diversity in people and ideas and strive for an equitable experience for all.

• Integrity of Character: We expect honor, compassion, and honesty in our words and actions.

• Health and Resilience: We nurture the wellness of ourselves and our community, knowing it is essential to learning and growth.

•Global Perspective: We know that whether in school, in Buffalo, or in the world we must engage as empathetic and informed citizens.

Olivia G. ‘23 University of Pittsburgh

73 ELECTIVES

Academics

10 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE

19 AP COURSES

4 YEAR COMPUTER SCIENCE CURRICULUM

CLASS OF

2023

72% OF FACULTY HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES

10 AP Scholars, 5 AP Scholars with Honors, 7 AP Scholar with Distinction

SEM teachers have challenged me to be better in all aspects - to say what I mean, to stick up for my perspective, to listen deeply, and to learn widely while being mindful of those around me. SEM teachers have given me the confidence to exist as my full self, both in and outside of SEM.

Morgan B. ‘17 Yale ‘21

3

mmhsaa swimming champions years in a row

15 TEAMS

2020, 2021, 2022 Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association Basketball Bowling (JV + Varsity) Crew

1 LACROSSE

2023 All-WNY Scholar-Athlete Winners

6

Cross Country Fencing Field Hockey Golf Hockey

Lacrosse Sailing Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis OFFICIAL MASCOT: RED-TAILED HAWK

1 2023 NCAA College Signings ROWING AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

2023 All-WNY Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mentions

LACROSSE, FIELD HOCKEY, TENNIS, CROSS COUNTRY

71% OF STUDENTS COMPETE IN AT LEAST ONE SPORT

SEMFlex enables students to pursue passions

At SEM, we understand that some of the most important and life-changing opportunities can happen off-campus. These moments often require travel or stints away from conventional schooling.

We support students in their pursuits through SEMFlex, a way for you to still receive our outstanding academic programming, with the flexibility to take time out of the traditional classroom. This groundbreaking initiative allows students to complete their schoolwork remotely, while competing or traveling for special interests such as equestrian, music, figure skating and dance.

In this program, you’ll work one-on-one with a dedicated teacher liaison to create a specialized program that keeps you on track academically and on time for graduation.

For aspiring equestrians, the Buffalo Equestrian Center, located five minutes from campus, allows riders to train and compete regionally and nationally. Professional equestrian Melissa Jacobs ‘12 was one of the first pioneers of SEMFlex.

“This educational model was perfectly suited for [Melissa’s] personal and educational goals,” Alice Jacobs, her mother, said. “She was able to ride in competitions throughout the United States, while simultaneously completing her demanding academic coursework, being a part of the SEM community, and ultimately graduating alongside her classmates.”

Are you an aspiring dancer? SEMFlex allowed Emmy Robin ‘22 to pursue the opportunity to join an intensive dance conservatory at the Joffrey Ballet School in Chicago. She’s now secured a spot with the Atlanta Ballet, dancing professionally.

SEMFlex can be granted towards much more than athletics. If you have a passion for academic research, land a life-changing internship in NYC, work a part-time job to support your college fund, these opportunities are yours to take.

Our mission and vision honor this commitment to flexible learning, celebrating your personal pursuits while receiving a SEM education and meaningful learning experience.

Your possibilities are endless. Pursue your dreams through SEMFlex.

With a 4-year unique health & leadership curriculum that covers everything from public speaking to digital literacy, health, nutrition, self defense, and simple car maintenance you are given the tools you need to navigate the world.

Through our 25+ fun and engaging student-run clubs, a community service board, and a school government, you will learn cooperation, responsibility, and commitment – SEM girls are to be solid supporters and good leaders.

Sofia O.

Columbia University

This is how leadership is nurtured.

‘23

An Arts Faculty of Practicing Professionals

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to hone your painting and drawing skills with the guidance of an exhibiting artist? How about taking the stage with guidance from a professional director? At SEM, you can do all of this and more. Our faculty of practicing professionals will help stretch you in ways you’ve only dreamed of - and make some pretty great art along the way.

Being in the arts has taught me when and how to be a leader, to share my ideas respectfully, and to listen.

Fiona Regan ‘20

Tradition

International Travel

“Whether our students come to SEM to board, travel to improve a language skill, or to live a cultural experience, in welcoming a global community we develop a rare quality: altruism. Our collaborations with various schools around the world offer this possibility of openness to develop compassion, humanism, respect, and philanthropy.”

SEM Students on exchange programs (from left to right)

Havana, Cuba

Paris, France

Melbourne, Australia

- Isabelle Fisher, Foreign Language Department Chair & French Teacher, P’20, P’23

Our Traditions are Legend

Will you be a Hornet or a Jacket? As one of the oldest schools for girls in the U.S., our traditions span centuries. The Hornet/Jacket tradition was established in 1916 to give our SEM girls the experience of competition. Meet a SEM alumna anywhere in the world and you can ask, “Hornet or Jacket?” It’s a guaranteed icebreaker!

At SEM, you will participate in spirited field days and academic contests to vie for the annual cup. You will celebrate and honor our communtiy with events throughout the year such as Hanging of the Greens, Holiday Revel, Lunar New Year, and Black History Month.

Hornet/Jacket Day at Larkin Field

Katherine A. ‘23 Bennington College

CONTINENTS

COUNTRIES

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States, Wales

Tara Ellis ‘88 President & CEO of FeedMore WNY

“I have, and always will be, a proud SEM girl. In addition to the top-class, transformative education, I was encouraged to be independent, think critically and lead with purpose, courage and confidence. I learned that it’s ok to put yourself out there and to try – you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room – I know I am not - or the most fearless – I’m not that either –but you do have to strive to be the person that is most dedicated and most dogged - seek the yes – how do you get to the yes or the solution for yourself and those around you.

SEM inspired me and prepared me for a career dedicated to serving my community.”

Pamela Pozarny ‘78

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

“I do recognize how at SEM I really gained that confidence that enables you to really reach out and strive and be ambitious... it allows you, I call it, a glimpse of the possible.”

Our daughter Alicia enrolled as a computer science major at the University of Virginia, went from taking a required assessment to determine which freshmanlevel programming course was appropriate, to being directed to take a placement exam, which resulted in placing out of the first-year courses altogether.

Alicia can now move forward in her studies and incorporate more advanced electives as a part of fulfilling the degree program requirements. We credit SEM with offering programming courses that not only sparked her interest in computer science but gave her the tools to get ahead.

Developing Women in STEM

Our Virtual Reality lab, our Mac lab, our NAO robots, our freshman engineering class, and our 4-year computer science curriculum all taught by female computer science teachers show you a future where you can be engineers, coders, gamers, programmers, and entrepreneurs. According to a recent SEM survey, approximately 35% of SEM students said they plan to major in a STEM field.

Natalia Land P’19

You Won’t Get This Experience Anywhere Else

SEM is the only all-girls school in the region with a 5- and 7-day residential program. Renovated historic houses, all located beside the school and connected by the MagavernSutton Courtyard, are homes to girls from across the region and all parts of the world.

To send a girl to boarding school is a significant decision.

We understand the responsibility entrusted to us. SEM students live family-style with faculty members in four beautiful historic houses adjacent to the school and centered around the oasis of the Magavern-Sutton Courtyard. Girls make homes in these houses and form close connections with students from all over the world. Living at SEM, students have access to all the amenities a small city offers. Concerts, museums, sports, restaurants, shopping – girls learn autonomy in preparation for college and life. On weekends we ski, ice-skate, skateboard, kayak, zipline, pumpkin-pick, or take in a movie.

SEM is college prep and it’s life prep.

Lola C. ‘23 Sarah Lawrence College

SEM’s

Residential houses

BUFFALO Buffalo’s nicknames include "The Queen City," "Nickel City," and "The City of Light." A 2018 New York Times “52 Places to Go” destination!

101 MILES TO TORONTO (162.5 KILOMETERS)

28 MINUTES TO NIAGARA FALLS BY CAR

1 HOUR FLIGHT TO: BOSTON, CHICAGO, DC, DETROIT, NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA

5 STUDENT & FACULTY RESIDENCES

10 PIANOS

11 FIREPLACES

5 LABS: BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, MAC, VIRTUAL REALITY

5 HARKNESS TABLES CAMPUS SEM is located in the lively Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. United by the Magavern-Sutton Courtyard, residential students and faculty live in renovated homes beside the school building. SUMMER CAMP SUMMER AT SEM DAY CAMP FOR GIRLS ENTERING GRADES 4-9

1

Alumnae Student Life Picture yourself here Athletics

Academics Theatre Arts College Prep