Our Philosophy

The Buffalo Academy of Scholars (“The Academy”) is a private school that exposes students to a learning culture in which teachers and staff are models of behavioral and academic excellence.

Our students engage in a rigorous curriculum with both tutorial (one-on-one) and group lessons. In addition, weekly field trips that are aligned with our students’ lessons provide ongoing exposure to local, community and world lessons outside of school.

Our philosophy is that every student has potential, and we are committed to shaping, enhancing and realizing it by:

• Establishing rigorous performance standards for each student
• Exposing learners to teaching excellence
• Providing a kind and compassionate environment where each child will be cared for as a cherished “family member.”
  • How is the curriculum developed?
    Each student participates in classes aligned with the New York State Common Core standards. These high level learning expectations are designed to elevate outcomes and ensure each student’s success in obtaining deeper, more complex understandings.
  • How is the one-on-one instruction time balanced with small group learning experiences?
    Learning is a social process that is enhanced when discussions, activities and projects are developed that involve constructive engagement with others. To that end, in addition to the one-on-one instruction, all students are expected to create group projects, engage in analysis and debate with other students, and develop public presentation skills. Students learn how to defend opinions and academic arguments in front of adults as well as students.
  • How is student learning assessed?
    Teachers maintain daily individual learning records on each student’s progress in the one-on-one classes and in assignments. Students complete written, oral and visual assessments of their knowledge individually with the teacher, as well as in small discussion groups. Students maintain an electronic portfolio that requires them to save their work and provide a self-analysis of it. They note their progress and develop a reflection component in which they describe their thinking processes and academic growth. In this way, students are expected to think about their thinking and note strategies and approaches that have been successful, as well as those that failed to achieve the intended outcome.
  • What does the daily schedule look like?
    You and your child can organize a daily schedule according to a time-frame that works well for your family. The school is open from 8 AM to 4 PM daily. Eventually the school day will be expanded to include evening and school vacation learning options. The weekly schedule includes instruction in English Language Arts (reading, writing, speaking and listening), mathematics, social studies, science, second languages, physical education and the arts. Most days in our six-day rotating schedule, students are assigned to three different one-on-one classes plus the accompanying Applied Learning time. Applied Learning is the teacher- supervised class where students complete their in-school homework. The school day consists of a minimum of seven hours. The annual school schedule follows the Buffalo Independent School calendar.
  • What kind of tutoring does The Academy provide?
    One-on-one teaching is, in essence, a form of tutoring. However, if you would like to have your child receive support in addition to the comprehensive academic program the school provides, you can make the request, and we will create a schedule to accommodate it. For example, if you’d like to have your child participate in two second languages, or a second science class, we will work with you to further customize your child’s instructional program.
  • What are the teachers’ qualifications?
    Our teachers have an undergraduate degree in a core content area (e.g., mathematics, science), or teaching certification and a Master’s Degree. Teachers are expected to demonstrate the highest level of performance as teachers and learners. Students are learning from exemplary role models who demonstrate compassion, kindness, hope and support for children and their families.