Educating Students in the Catholic Faith
The Catholic Church has developed guidelines over the years to ensure the uniqueness of Catholic schools. They are to make the Christian faith “living, conscious and active,” and to create a sacred atmosphere in each school.
Catholic schools have strong academic programs and communities of faith because of the consistent support and encouragement of parents. Parents send their children to Catholic schools because they need and expect an environment supportive of a commitment already established at home to educate children in academic subjects, in religious instruction, and in moral values.
The student is the reason for the Catholic school. Children and young adults need careful guidance to be able to make morally mature decisions. In this area of values, Catholic schools are proven to be of great service to students by effectively teaching the principles of right and wrong. Guiding students in decision-making is the most solemn and sensitive area of teaching.
Seton Catholic School has moved boldly forward in the faithful direction of a Catholic school worthy of its name with strong support from Bishop Anthony M. Pilla (ret.) of the Diocese of Cleveland, diocesan education personnel, local clergy and religious, and experienced principal, Mrs. Karen Alestock.
Religious Education Program
Seton Catholic School will provide a program whereby the Catholic faith is not only taught but also experienced in our daily lives. Participation in religious instruction is required of all students. Our program includes:
- Daily religion class
- Prayer times
- Liturgical and paraliturgical opportunities
- Advent and Lenten observances
- Service to the church, school, and community
- Diocesan curriculum on Christian formation in sexuality
Sacramental Preparation
Seton Catholic School provides the preparation that is necessary to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. The religious curriculum taught during the school day at Seton includes the instruction needed to receive both of these sacraments. Families are required to contact their parish for specific information regarding the sacraments.
Instructional Program
Seton Catholic School uses the State-approved curriculum of the Diocese of Cleveland. All faculty are properly certified by the State of Ohio. In addition, teachers of Religion are trained and certified by the Diocese. The instructional time allocation and the curriculum for each subject area meet the standards of the Ohio Department of Education. The Diocese of Cleveland includes the following subject areas in core curriculum:
- Catholic Doctrine
- Reading (Literature-based)
- Phonics (Kindergarten – 3rd grade)
- Mathematics
- English
- Spelling
- Social Studies
- Science
- Health
- Handwriting
- Library Science
- Foreign Language (Spanish/French)
- Music (General Music grades Pre-K - 8; Orchestra/Instrumental Music & Choir grades 4-8)
- Art
- Physical Education
- STEM/STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, & Math initiatives at all grade levels)
- Technology (Curriculum-integration provided in the classroom and Instructional Technology Center.)
Homework
Homework is an integral component of each student’s education. It provides an opportunity for students to explore and master skills more thoroughly than class time will allow. All children have from 20 minutes (primary) to 60 minutes (intermediate, junior high) of homework each night.
Did You Know?
- The Catholic Church educates 2.6 million K-12 students every day, at a cost of $10,000,000,000 a year, a savings of $18,000,000,000 a year to the American taxpayer.
- The average cost to educate a student in a public school is well over $10,000 per student per year, and just over $6,500 per year in a private school.
- Catholic education is a MINISTRY of the church. “Catholic schools afford the fullest and best opportunity to realize the fourfold purpose of Christian education, namely to provide an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm, and thanksgiving and worship of our God is cultivated.” – Renewing our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium, USCCB