At Mother Seton Academy, we have learned that
the most valuable gift that we can offer our students is not solely a fine academic education
but also the experience of being loved. What
greater gift can we impart, knowing that our
students will, in turn, share this love with others.
- Sr. Mary Bader, DC, Former Principal
OUR PROGRAM
Mother Seton Academy responds to the challenge of educating inner-city children from low-income families through the provision of a unique, creative educational environment. The Academy specifically targets those students who may benefit from the individualized instruction and supportive learning environment provided in its program, selecting students on the basis of income level and academic and social needs. Students must qualify for the federal free lunch program, which serves students whose family income is below the poverty line. While the school is tuition-free, parents pay a monthly fee of $15 to cover the cost of books and supplies. Students and their families also provide routine maintenance within the school building.
In recognition of the complex needs of its students, Mother Seton Academy includes the following components:
small class sizes of no more than 12 students
a professional, experienced staff composed of men and women from the sponsoring religious congregations as well as lay personnel
a rigorous academic curriculum which utilizes guest speakers and field trips within the curriculum design
a hands-on learning approach which demonstrates the importance of values, service, and respect
a breakfast, lunch, and dinner program
opportunities for individual and group counseling services
extended school days including supervised homework and recreation time
a summer program including academic and recreational enrichment
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process consists of attendance at a Spring Open House, an interview with student and parent/guardian, testing to determine skill level, and participation in a three-week summer program. Following the summer program, students are then chosen to enroll in September. The majority of its students enter the Academy below their current grade level yet have the potential to gain admission to college-preparatory high schools with additional assistance.
STUDENT SCHEDULE
7:45-8:00am Breakfast
8:00-3:00pm Academic School Day
3:00-3:20pm School Cleaning
3:20-3:45pm Snack & Recreation
3:45-4:45pm Supervised Homework
STAFF
Sister Charmaine Krohe, SSND, joined the staff of Mother Seton Academy on January 4, 2007, the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Sr. Charmaine was the Founder and Director of the Baltimore-based St. Ambrose Outreach Center, a comprehensive, community-based multipurpose center. Under her leadership, the center grew to be a beacon of hope to the Park Heights Community where she served as its director for 33 years. The center offers a variety of programs which include: a food pantry, soup kitchen, emergency and holiday assistance, adult literacy, job readiness and training, head start, after-school and summer camp programs. When the center became a program of St. Vincent of Baltimore in 1996, Sister Charmaine continued as Director and led a capital campaign for the building and expansion of the present facility. She also led the way for the development of the Cottage Avenue Community, a transitional housing program for homeless families. Sister Charmaine served a two-year term as President of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore and for many years was Pastoral Associate of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Northwest Baltimore. The Baltimore resident has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies, Urban Ministry from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA.
Sister Eileen Clinton, IHM, has been Principal of Mother Seton Academy since 2005. She previously held positions as Director of Curriculum for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. and was Assistant Superintendent in Boston for the Catholic Schools. She was a Principal for 15 years and has more than 30 years of teaching experience in all grade levels. Sr. Eileen holds a Master's of Education and a Bachelor's degree from Marywood University in Scranton, PA and has received an administrative certificate from Loyola College in Baltimore.
The school is staffed by other members of the sponsoring Religious Congregations and lay personnel. Because Mother Seton Academy is a high priority for the sponsoring congregations, the contributed personnel of these congregations are highly experienced teachers in a variety of Catholic educational settings. Five staff are former principals.
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
In addition to part and full-time paid staff members, over 50 volunteers currently share their time, energy, and experience on a weekly basis with Academy students each year. Volunteers from local high schools and colleges as well as working professionals from the area participate in the Academy program as tutors, homework companions, art teachers, a nurse, and maintenance personnel. In addition, volunteers assist as guest speakers, special topic workshop presenters, substitute teachers, etc. Volunteers are a highly-valued, essential aspect of the Academy program.
