Private schools in WNY have thousands of empty seats, and with your help we can fill those seats now with qualified students who want a quality education. BISON is the solution for thousands of low-income families who want a better education for their children but can’t afford it.
Supporting BISON is a great investment – perhaps the best investment we can make in our community. Educated communities are healthier, more productive, and more stable. Buffalo’s future is dependent on our area’s young people. For this reason, we believe BISON’s mission is as important as ever.
Every BISON scholar attends a private school, which have relied heavily on character formation and the teaching of moral values to develop each child as a whole person.
Our BISON graduates are not only developing skills that will prepare them to be competitive in the global economy, they are also developing critical character traits that will help them persevere through difficult circumstances and become responsible citizens who will be good employees and wage earners.
A 2009 graduate of the Kadimah School, Sarah Philomena Appleton (Phillie), continued her education at Buffalo Seminary. She started at the University at Buffalo this fall.
Phillie’s love of learning is evident in her classes. She is lively and engaged as she wrestles with the subject matter. Teachers remark “Phillie was a leader in the classroom … I was always impressed by her ability to think of solutions to problems in a nontraditional matter.” Her favorite subject is history and consequently loves to travel since the opportunity presents itself to learn about history and the people who make it.
Phillie plays the violin and piano, sings in the glee club, and recently has taken up riding
“I was always a persistent and enthusiastic student in the classroom. My mother saw that and was determined to give me the best education available. She enrolled me at St. Joseph’s University School for kindergarten, and I loved it. I lost my dad in 6th grade which left my mom to raise four girls on her own and tuition became difficult to pay. With the help of the BISON Fund, I completed my journey at St. Joe’s. I went on to Sacred Heart Academy and am now a sophomore at Cornell University. I am a biological sciences major and plan to be an Epidemiologist. The BISON Fund is a big part of my success, and without it, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
St. Joseph’s University School ’14
Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart ’18
Cornell University ’22
A 2009, graduate of St. Joseph’s University School, Keith continued his education at Cardinal O’Hara High School. He was a dedicated student and athlete, participating in Football and Basketball. His dedication emerged among his teammates, being named Most Improved Player in basketball and the Captain of the Football team. His favorite class was economics, which taught him real-world money management skills.
His other activities included Boy Scouts, Campus Ministry, and summer employment at area summer youth programs.
Keith graduated from Cardinal O’Hara and is currently studying Criminal Justice at Buffalo State College. He chose this major to help others and make the world a better place.
Keith credits the BISON Fund for helping him get to where he is today.
Lawrence graduated from St. Joseph’s University School and continued his academic career at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. Lawrence took advantage of all that a St. Joe’s education has to offer. His teachers described him as having effective time management skills, strong work ethic, and being able to work well in group situations.
In addition to his academic courses, he was a member of both the football and track & field team. His extra-curricular activities included the Big Brothers Program, French Club, and various volunteer work.
At St. Joe’s Lawrence was known for his quiet, positive, and polite demeanor. He was the type of student who worked toward the “group goal” without ever expecting any recognition.
Lawrence started this fall at the University of Hartford.
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BISON conducts annual surveys to measure the success and satisfaction of our current students. BISON’s 8th grade class of 2020 results earned over $450,000 in high school scholarship dollars to our area’s private high schools.
Our alumni surveys help measure the success of BISON graduates beyond 8th grade. BISON’s 8th grade graduating class of 2016 and high school class of 2020 results: