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Academics

Classical Education

Curriculum

Student Life

House System

What is

Classical

Education?

Classical education aims to form the whole of the human person by fostering virtue. Drawing on the great intellectual tradition of Western civilization, students are led to appreciate the interrelatedness of all knowledge. The depth and breadth of a Classical education forms students to become free thinkers, shape the culture and become leaders in society.

Classical education is based on three stages of development of the student’s mind known as the trivium:

Grammar

In the Grammar stage, students learn the building blocks that will prepare them for later study. Memorization is fun at this age! Facts, vocabulary, rules of phonics and grammar, stories, poetry, and songs all make up a part of this grammar of learning.

Logic

In the Logic stage, students learn to ask questions and think through arguments, asking “Why?” about the world around them. They explore the interrelated aspects of various disciplines and ideas of cause and effect, preparing them for the third stage.   

Rhetoric

In the Rhetoric stage, students have reached a level capable of more abstract thought. They apply the thinking processes learned in the Logic stage with the building blocks of the Grammar stage to learn to express ideas clearly and creatively in speech and writing.

“Through this process of education imbued with the richness of Catholic Tradition students develop academically, spiritually, physically, and socially to seek their vocational call: to know, love and serve God in this life, and to be with him forever in the next.”

Curriculum

Literature and Language

One of the hallmarks of a Classical curriculum is the study of primary sources of literature from the great writers of Western civilization. Through the study of ancient and modern languages, such as Latin and Spanish, we learn from the sources of the Catholic faith, engage with tradition, and communicate with the world.

Why study literature and language?
We human beings are made in the image and likeness of a speaking God. We strive to serve the Logos, who is Jesus Christ- the incarnate Word of God (Jn. Ch. 1), the Truth in the flesh (Jn 14:6). The same God who spoke all things into being (Gen. ch.1) has blessed us with the ability to speak so that we, as his images in the world, may participate in creating beauty and sharing truth.

Why study Latin?
The study of Latin lies at the heart of Classical Education because the Latin language itself lies at the heart of our Western civilization and culture. The language of the Roman Empire that once spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa, Latin is also the language of the Catholic Church and of Medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment learning. It is the language of some of the greatest minds of human history, from Cicero and Augustine to Aquinas and Copernicus. At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, our students benefit from the beauty and order of the Latin language, whose analytical structure and foundational vocabulary help shape and sharpen our students’ minds for a lifetime of linguistic aptitude and critical reasoning.

Early Childhood

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten programs help build a link between home and school for our youngest students. Students are encouraged in our nurturing environment to expand their thinking skills, problem solving, creativity, and self-expression. They benefit from the individualized attention made possible by our outstanding teachers. At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, we instill in each child a lifelong love of learning through fun and exciting school experiences.

Every child receives religious instruction daily. Students attend Mass weekly and on Holy Days of Obligation. All Pre-K and Kindergarten students also receive physical education. Kindergarteners participate in our annual Field Day, while Pre-K looks forward to Splash Day at the end of the year.

Elementary

Our elementary school program (1st through 5th grades) builds the academic skills necessary for all future learning. Students grow in their faith as they experience the love and truth of Christ through religion classes, the Sacraments, and involvement in our Catholic traditions. In first through third grades, students expand their general knowledge in reading, math, sciences, and social studies. Hands-on experimentation and field trips reinforce classroom lessons and make learning fun.

The academic program in the fourth and fifth grades becomes more challenging as students prepare to enter middle school. In upper elementary grades, emphasis is placed on refining critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while developing specific subject knowledge. Organization and study skills are integrated into all areas of study. The program helps students to establish a solid foundation in the core subjects.

Students in first through fifth grade participate in auxiliary classes that complement the classical curriculum. This includes regular instruction in religion, art, music, library, Spanish, physical education, health, and computer.

Middle School

Our middle school program challenges sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students to explore their talents academically, physically, and socially. During this time of rapid growth and change, students are given opportunities to extend their academic horizons, develop leadership abilities, and take great responsibility for their own lives.

Our middle school academic program prepares students for success in high school and college. The curriculum emphasizes a solid understanding of our Catholic faith, English language arts, classical literature, mathematics, science, and Latin. Students also receive regular instruction in physical education, traditional choral music, and art history/art techniques. Through our counseling program, students interact with adult mentors and fellow students as they develop the social skills needed to work through the challenging middle and high school years.

Student

Life

Fine Arts

Our Catholic Classical curriculum is bolstered by a robust fine and performing arts program through our academic choral and string programs, our music conservatory, sacred art classes, and after school theater program.

“The singing of the Church comes ultimately out of love. It is the utter depth of love that produces the singing. “Cantare amantis est”, says St. Augustine, singing is a lover’s thing. In so saying, we come again to the trinitarian interpretation of Church music. The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads to the Father.”

-Pope Benedict XVI, “The Spirit of the Liturgy”

SACRED MUSIC
Sacred Music is an integral core element of a Catholic Classical education. Music, as a discipline of mathematics and discipline of the quadrivium, was believed by the ancients to be a key to understanding the world around us. Through the study of music, we learn about the order and harmony of Creation, expressed in an audible form for human ears.
CHORAL PROGRAM
The music curriculum is a choral-based program, where all students participate as members of the choir at school Masses with their class, so that students are equipped and prepared to participate as members of the Mystical Body gathered in the Sacred Liturgy. Fostering and encouraging the use of an appropriate singing voice is a benefit to all students, whether they believe themselves to be musically gifted or not. The voice is the expression of the heart, and singing the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work within us. As our hearts our formed to know and hear God’s voice, our voices becomed attuned to the heavenly song, into which we strive to enter forever.
STRINGS PROGRAM
As a delightful introduction to music literacy, all students in second grade participate in class violin. Closely resembling the human voice, the violin offers a particular benefit to developing their ear for singing. Each student is assigned his or her own violin for the duration of the school year, and plays together three times per week.
SCHOLA MARIS STELLA

Under the patronage of Mary, Star of the SEA, the SEAS choir sings sacred music for Mass on Sundays and Holy Days throughout the year. This choir is open to students in 3rd grade and up who have reached a certain level of vocal training from their music classes. A training choir program for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade is in development for the future.
MUSIC CONSERVATORY
As one of our many after-school activities, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School offers a Music Conservatory, where students are able to take piano, violin and other instrument lessons with professional teachers from around the Houston area. Inquire at the front office for more details.
SACRED ART
Encountering beauty in sacred art and learning the grammar of the visual artist is an important component to the Classical curriculum. Art is foundational to the study of history, as students learn the cultural history of governments, wars, leaders, nations and their own cultural history. The study of art forms a well-rounded child that is able then to reflect the creative genius of God.
Theater
Our after-school theater program explores the dramatic performing arts from the rich treasury of the Western tradition. The ancient Greeks expressed in the dramatic arts their history, love of philosophy and literature. Theater teaches more than public speaking or acting: it fires the imagination and leads to wonder about God’s creation.

Athletics

In middle school, our Phins have the opportunity to compete in a variety of sports against other local schools.

We believe that athletics should serve as a means of growing in the virtues. Each practice, contest, and extracurricular activity aims to build courage in the face of adversity, prudence and temperance through the exercise of patience and self-control, and a sense of justice that shows itself in fair play and good sportsmanship.

We hold our student-athletes accountable to high academic and disciplinary standards, as we expect them to serve as role models and school representatives.

Sports can form lifelong habits of teamwork and loyalty that will guide a young person to personal and professional success. While our teams have won many awards, it is our Catholic sportsmanship of which we are most proud.

Athletics offered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School:

Football

Cheer

Soccer

Volleyball

Basketball

Softball

Baseball

ATHLETIC CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

 

SEASCS offers a growing athletic program for students in 6th through 8th grades which includes:

 

  • Football
  • Volleyball
  • Co-ed soccer
  • Boys’ and girls’ basketball
  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Track
  • Cheerleading

WHCSA SPORTS

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a proud member of the West Houston Christian Sports Association (WHCSA).  The goal of this league is to foster and develop each child’s talent through skill building and compassionately-competitive games with their peers.  We offer soccer and t-ball/baseball in grades Pre-K through 5th Grade, and basketball for players in Kindergarten through 5th grade.  Enthusiastic players and coaches are needed to make this league a success.  Detailed information for each sport can be found on the registration forms.  We look forward to adding you to our team!

Student Activities

It’s an exciting time to be a part of the SEASCS family! Our middle school students were inducted into the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School House System, comprised of four houses each named for one of the first four councils of the Catholic Church: Nicea, Ephesus, Chalcedon, and Constantinople. The house system promotes moral, academic, and social standards that allow students to grow in community and faith. Each house builds rapport with other house members through conversation and camaraderie. Furthermore, each house functions as a team in which everyone belongs and participates. The friendly rivalry builds a healthy community spirit that fosters strong friendships and promotes faith and fun. Healthy competition is encouraged and allows our students to discover and apply their gifts in the areas of mind, body, and spirit. Members of each house work together to compete against the other Houses in the areas of academics, athletics, school spirit, and community service.

All students will have numerous opportunities to participate, lead, and serve their house and the greater school community at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School.

The mission of Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) is to inspire private, parochial, charter, and home-school student achievement through academic competition. With 19 contest categories covering a wide range of disciplines in 59 academic contests, PSIA provides an exciting opportunity for private school students in grades 1 through 8 to engage in academic competition with their peers throughout the state of Texas. PSIA remains the most comprehensive academic extracurricular program in the nation for students in grades 1-8.

Activities Include:

Tennis

Fencing

Chess

Ballet

House System

Middle School enrolls in the House System, comprised of four houses each named for one of the first four councils of the Catholic Church: Nicea, Ephesus, Chalcedon, and Constantinople. The house system promotes moral, academic, and social standards that allow students to grow in community and faith. Each house builds rapport with other house members through conversation and camaraderie. Furthermore, each house functions as a team in which everyone belongs and participates. The friendly rivalry builds a healthy community spirit that fosters strong friendships and promotes faith and fun. Healthy competition is encouraged and allows our students to discover and apply their gifts in the areas of mind, body, and spirit. Members of each house work together to compete against the other Houses in the areas of academics, athletics, school spirit, and community service. All students will have numerous opportunities to participate, lead, and serve their house and the greater school community at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School. Click the button below for current activities to earn extra points for your house.

Earn Points!