Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory School at Seneca, A College Board School is the first preparatory school in Western New York and the third in New York State. The school opened in September 2006 and has approximately 350 students. MSTP (Math Science and Technology Preparatory School) enrolls students from 5th through 12th grade. The school was the dream of Public School Superintendent Dr. James A. Williams. The principal is Rose Schneider and all of the teachers are NYS appoved and are called the "The Dream Team". MSTP is a public school in the Buffalo, NY school district, and is part of the school district's school choice program. All of the students who attend MSTP have chosen to attend this school. MSTP is a school dedicated to a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Accelerated programs begin in fifth grade, and by 12th grade all students are expected to have passed at least two AP classes. Dr. Williams has said "no one will fail" and also "no one will get suspended from this school". They hope that this school will provide a model for other schools in the district.
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The school is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation who gave around half a million dollars. MSTP is a College Board school, and all of its faculty and staff have been through extensive training through college board.
The vision of this school is everyone in the school will go on to college. MSTP had its first graduating class in 2010. 100% of 2010 graduates were accepted into college.
Dr. Williams wants the students to become well-rounded and learn new things, so MSTP offers a wide variety of competitive activities. MSTP currently hosts competitive intramural teams in tennis, basketball, softball, cross-country, soccer, bowling, math, science olympiad, and debate.
Dr. Williams and Ms. Schneider only want the best for the students so the students will wear uniforms and will say thing like please, thank you, excuse me, etc. The students can not have cell phones, du rags, sneakers (unless for gym), or electronics. Since MSTP is part of Buffalo's school choice initiative students and families that do not wish to adhere to the strict guidelines of MSTP are free to choose a less rigorous school to attend.
Seneca High School is currently under renovation. Construction is expected to continue through August 2012. In the mean time, MSTP is temporarily housed at Black Rock Academy on West Hertel Avenue in Buffalo.