Seton Home Study Brochure

SETON HOME STUDY SCHOOL BROCHURE

Seton Home Study School

Seton Philosophy

Our philosophy reflects the excerpt from Familiaris Consortio. We enhance and support parents in their roles as primary educators of their children. Seton Home Study School provides parents with a curriculum integrated with truths of Our Catholic Faith set forth by the Magisterium, the official teaching authority of the Catholic Church, and by our Holy Father, the Pope. The students and families of Seton Home Study School have the unique opportunity to partake of the fullness of Catholic truth as they experience the beauty, freedom, and peace that comes from Catholic moral formation.

The challenging curriculum in the elementary grades is designed to prepare students for the demanding college-preparatory syllabus offered at the high school level. The staff of Seton Home Study helps parents to develop a high quality of spiritual formation through the daily lesson plans. We encourage parents to utilize their time with their children to teach spiritual values throughout the curriculum.

At Seton Home Study School, we believe that the emphasis in home schooling should be on the home. Though our program is academically challenging, the basic reason for home schooling for most parents is to teach traditional family values.

Our reading books, for example, have family stories with a mother and a father. They portray a traditional family setting, rather than a modern aberration. The family consists of several children, and everyone is happy when God sends a precious gift of another baby. Grandparents often visit, and they share experiences with the grandchildren.

The Catholic home life is pictured with family prayers and regular Church attendance. Parents and teachers tell stories about saints and Jesus.

In the upper grades, the reading books teach children about pioneer and immigrant Catholic families traveling and working together to make America a better country. Stories of sacrifice to bring priests and the sacraments to families are very common in the Faith and Freedom readers.

Reading day after day about good Catholic family life, and discussing it, home-schooled children can come to appreciate their own family. Parents who teach their children at home find a respect from their children which many parents do not have today. Children develop an understanding of their brothers and sisters, and help each other learn. Dad is not left out, either, but becomes a special teacher, who is an integral part in the upbringing of the children.

Home schooling will definitely bring about a change in your family life. Most of us find it a special joy which is difficult to describe. We know for certain, however, that home schooling is not a last alternative, but God's plan for the best in Christian family life. Once you start, you'll never want to give it up.

Textbooks

The religion program includes the Baltimore Catechism and the Living My Religion series, God and His Moral Law, Bible History, Story of the Church, Following Christ in the World, and several encyclicals. Books on the lives of the saints and homilies of Pope John Paul II are also read and studied.

As much as possible, Catholic texts are used in the subject areas, such as the Faith and Freedom reading series, and the Voyages in English series. The curriculum also includes Catholic history, music, and Latin texts. In addition, the Seton staff has written well-received Catholic histories and science books for the first and second grades. Catholic handwriting books, Catholic reading comprehension workbooks, and Catholic spellers have also been completed.

Enrollment

Seton offers grade placement tests and yearly achievement tests, quarterly exams, progress reports, permanent records on file, transcripts (for transfers or graduation), and a diploma from Seton School. Counseling is available six days a week, usually from 8 AM to midnight, Eastern Standard Time.

To enroll, please complete the application for admission and send it to Seton with the application fee. When these are received, Seton will send a Tuition Contract, a placement test, a Parent Information Guide, and a request for records, if this is necessary. When the Tuition Contract, Registration Fee, and test is received, the Director may phone or write parents for further consultation. All books, lesson plans, tests, and quarter report forms are shipped usually within 3 days of receipt of the Registration Fee.

Grading

Parents are expected to send tests to Seton for grading, along with a quarter report form which includes the parent's grades for weekly assignments. A standardized achievement test in Language Arts and math is given at the end of the school year.

The Home Study staff strives to maintain a cordial, cooperative relationship with parents, and relies on frequent communication with parents to achieve the best in individualized instruction.

Lessons

Parents are sent day-by-day lessons, which are welcomed by most families who do not have the time to work on curriculum scheduling. However, these lessons are recommedations or suggestions. Some children may learn more quickly, some may learn more slowly, some may learn one or two subjects quickly but have trouble with other subjects.

Home schooling at Seton provides the opportunity for flexibility. At the high school level, students may even "test out," especially for a subject they are repeating. Our motto at Seton is: Adjust the program to fit the child, not the child to fit the program.

Parents Are the Best Teachers

All too often parents hesitate to try home education because they are afraid they won't be able to do it. They think that teaching is something so professional that it should be attempted only by a certified graduate of a teacher's college. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Parents are the best teachers of their children, and not only in religious matters. According to Pius XI, "... the obligation of the family to bring up children includes not only religious and moral education, but physical and civil education as well." According to the official teaching of the Church, the sacrament of matrimony provides the graces which empower you to teach your children. You can do it.

A teacher in a public school might have a teacher's certificate, or might have been teaching for 50 years, but what does it matter if he is teaching secular values? What good is a teacher's certificate if it is simply used to add authority to error?

We have found that the level of education of parents has little to do with the education of the children. Standardized test scores prove that parents with a high school education can do a great job teaching their own children. What really matters is the dedication, concern, and love which the parents bring to the matter of their children's education. No school teacher could ever hope to match your love and concern for your children. This is why no school will ever be better than home education.

Home education is God's plan. If you are willing to accept His graces, He will not allow you to fail.

What Parents Say about Seton ...

From a N. J. family ...

Thank you for your time and efforts you and the staff at Seton take to help Joe and me with our questions and problems that arise in working with the children.

From a Minn. family ...

Thank you for your flexibility in allowing us to alter your course to our needs. We really don't know what we would have done without it this year.

From an Okla. family ...

We have a lot to be thankful for this year due to home-schooling. Our 7th grader has shown dramatic improvement.... Best of all, our relationships are all what I'd always hoped they would be.

From a Penn. family ...

We notice that (the children) have a more positive attitude towards themselves, their siblings and us. We feel so fortunate to have you folks ... to help us give our children a good traditional Catholic education. Many thanks!

Staff

Our director is Dr. Mary Kay Clark. She has been on the Seton Home Study staff since 1983. She received her B.A. in English from Ursuline College, and her M.S. in Library Science from Western Reserve University. She is the former principal of Mater Dei Academy in Columbus, Ohio, and is the Founder and past Secretary of the Home Educators Association of Virginia.

Father Robert Hermley, a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, received his B.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in American History from Catholic University, and an M.A. in Guidance Counselling from the University of Michigan. Fr. Hermley has over 27 years of teaching experience at the high school level. Father has also served over 10 years as a parish priest.

Mr. Kenneth Clark, Esq., is the Staff Attorney of Seton Home Study School. Mr. Clark received his B.A. from Christendom College and received his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America. He has extensive experience in Constitutional Law issues, especially First Amendment and home-schooling cases.

Sister Mary Gemma, of the Visitation Order, is an Educational Consultant and Counselor. Sister holds a B.A. in history and Master's degrees in History and Theology. She has taught in the Catholic Schools for more than twenty years, at both the elementary and high school levels.

Mrs. Cathleen Gould is Seton's learning disability specialist. Mrs. Gould earned her B.A. in Education from James Madison University in 1977, and her M.A. in Education with endorsements in Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance, from George Mason University in 1981.

Mr. Kevin Clark is the Newsletter Editor and Computer Systems Manager at Seton, as well as president of his own computer software company. Mr. Clark earned his B.A. from Christendom College where he graduated magna cum laude.

Mr. Michael McShurley, who taught in Catholic High Schools for more than 12 years, and who has Master's degrees in English and Theology, is responsible for Curriculum Development.

Mr. Rob Jones, Director of Educational Services, a certified teacher and former businessman, is in charge of the operations of the Teacher's Department. Mr. Jones received his B.S. in Education from Eastern New Mexico State University.

Mr. Robert Wiesner, a former teacher and graduate of Christendom College, is Assistant Director of Educational Services. Before joining Seton, he taught at Colorado Catholic Academy, Franciscan High School, and Seton School in Manassas.

Other teachers at the elementary level include Gabrielle Tuttle (Testing Coordinator), Donna Bedwell, Peggy Cochran, Claudia Remby, Laura M. Clark, Lisa Clark, Karen Delaney, and Jacinta Sauer.

Teachers at the high school level include Michelle Peters (Theology & Spanish), Bruce Clark (History, Government, Spanish), Sister Gemma (Government, Religion), Mike McShurley (Religion, English), Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian (English), Lisa Clark (English, Spanish), Laura Logie (Algebra), Walt Winnard (Algebra), Joseph Remby (Chemistry), Art Zoeberlein (Chemistry), Dr. Gregory Townsend (Physics), Maggie Ciskanik (Biology), Laura H. Clark (Biology), Kathy Rich (Geometry), Dr. Ed Macierowski (Latin, German), Dr. Douglas Flippen (German), Dr. Maureen Flippen (French), Jane Elliot (Religion).

Other departments: Barbara Plaugher (Admissions), Tom Ciskanik (Bookkeeping), Charles Hibl (Shipping), Brian Delaney (Processing), Hannah Strayer (Secretary), Debbie Midkiff (Mail Department), Bridget Evans (Registrar), Bruce Clark (Collections), Illeen Reninger (Writer), Jacqueline Lynch (Writer), John Clark (Computer Asst.), James & Timothy Clark (Shipping Assts.), Anita Crane, Lisa Ratigan, Carl Rich (Maintenance)

Kindergarten Curriculum

Starting Off with Math, Student and Teacher's Manual; 
Starting Off with Phonics, Student and Teacher's Manuals; 
   Kindergarten Handbook (Catholic); 
Catholic Music: Children Sing! I am a Child of God!; 
Religion —My Jesus and I, My Rosary Coloring Book, The Catholic 
   Child Coloring Book, Leading Little Ones to Mary, I Follow Jesus; My 
   Alphabet Book; Penmanship.

Grade School Curriculum

Religion: Living My Religion Catholic series, supplemented with Baltimore Catechism. Additional titles: Gr. 1: Jesus & I; Gr. 2: Our Lady of Fatima; Gr. 3 to 7: Bible History; Gr. 7: Confirmation Review; Gr. 8: Story of the Church

English: Loyola Voyages in English series, text & workbook. English supplements: Gr. 6: Library Skills; Gr. 7: Reference Skills; Gr. 8: Warriner's English, Report Writing, Reading/Writing Workshop

Handwriting: Gr. 1 to 6: Art of Writing for Young Catholics

Phonics: Modern Curriculum Press, Grades 1-5

Reading: Catholic Faith and Freedom series, Reading/Writing Skills Workbook, Reading for Comprehension; Catholic Comprehension series Gr. 6 to 8; Catholic biographies for book reports

Spelling: Catholic text/workbook, Gr. 2-8

Vocabulary: Gr. 3 to 8: Wordly Wise

Arithmetic: Christian series, traditional math; Saxon math available, Grades 5-8

History: Gr. 1 & 2: Seton series; Gr. 3: Christian; Gr. 4 to 7: Catholic series; Gr. 8: Seton's Catholic World Culture; Map Skills: Gr. 2 to 6

Science & Health: Gr. 1 & 2: Seton's Catholic series; Gr. 3 to 8: Christian series, except Gr. 4, MCP

Music: Catholic series

Art: based on Catholic liturgical year

Physical Education: weekly exercises, skills

Parental Aids: Answer Keys, Quarter Report Forms, Quarter Tests, Parent/Teacher Plan Book, Daily Lesson Plans

High School Curriculum

Refer to High School Catalog.

Catholic Leaders on Seton

Father Robert J. Fox Author, Leader of Fatima Youth Retreats

Too often children are not being taught authentic Catholicism in parish schools, but if the parents put them in public schools, the atmosphere will be much worse. Years ago I could offer them little comfort. Now I can suggest home study courses such as Seton School offers.
I would say to parents deliberating a decision for home study, "Courage, God will give you the necessary graces to perform your duty as primary educators."

Bishop Jean Francois Arrighi Vice-President, Pontificium Consilium Pro Familia, Rome

May I congratulate you, and the founders of Seton Home Study School, on the Catholic content and vision of the courses you provide. This Pontifical Council for the Family will be interested to follow the future development of your programs, especially in the way they reinforce family life.

Father John Hardon Author of The Catholic Catechism

Seton Home Study School is in direct response to the concerns of Our Holy Father and the Holy See. It is in the forefront of the battle to preserve the Catholic Faith and Family Life, aiming not only to teach children their school subjects permeated by the Faith, but also to help parents themselves grow in the Faith as they teach their children, and accept their responsibility as the Church wishes.
I firmly believe that if parents enroll their children in Seton Home Study School, they and their children, in the church of the home, will be strengthened in the faith and in their family life.

Damian P. Fedoryka Former President of Christendom College

We are living in an age when parents are systematically being dispossessed of their children by public and private schools. My wife and I chose home education in the realization that we cannot give our children to God unless they first belong to us.
Seton Home Study School offers Catholic parents the opportunity to exercise responsibility for their children's academic formation and prepares them for college.

James Likoudis President, Catholics United for the Faith

The Seton Home Study School represents one of the most promising developments in modern Catholic education. Catholics United for the Faith, as an international association of Catholic laity vitally concerned with Catechesis is pleased to commend Seton Home Study School for its efforts to assist parents with the intellectual and spiritual formation of their children.

SETON HOME STUDY SCHOOL
1350 Progress Drive
FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630
PHONE: 540-636-9990
E-MAIL: info@setonhome.org
WEB SITE: www.setonhome.org