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As the role of women in society evolved in the latter part of the 20th century, so did Elizabeth Seton’s curriculum. In 1993, the decision was made to focus on college preparatory A Scholars Program, was also established in 1993. These students receive a monetary stipend that is credited toward tuition. Students who maintain the required grade point average receive tuition stipends during each subsequent year. In the 2000-2001 school year Seton established the Bayley Success Program to offer additional educational support for students with mild learning differences.
The curriculum is not the only thing that has evolved over the years. The framework in which the curriculum is offered to students has undergone significant changes. Schedules began as traditional six period days with classes always occupying the same time slots. In the 1970’s a modular schedule with 20 “mods” was adopted. Each discipline had a resource center staffed with a paraprofessional and a teacher. In the late 1980’s Seton adopted a more traditional nine period schedule that took on several variations over the years. Starting with the 2000-2001 school year a new schedule was launched. This schedule has each student meeting five of her seven classes daily over a rotating seven-day cycle. Student Activities
Administration/Services: The administrative structure and services available to students have also undergone significant changes. One of the most notable changes is in the Guidance Department. In the early days there was one part-time guidance counselor for the entire school. Even when enrollment reached its peak of 800 students, only one counselor served their needs. Now there is a counselor for each grade level plus a secretary to handle all the paperwork. In 1988 the Data Base Center was established in order to computerize student records, attendance and grades. The system has grown over the years and has expanded to include an extensive school-wide network and provides internet access to students and staff. In 1996, Seton established its website www.setonhs.org. In subsequent years, the site has evolved into a significant source of information about Elizabeth Seton. During the 1991-1992 school year a five-year Plan was developed under the direction of the Board of Directors. One outcome of this plan was to institute the President-Principal model of leadership. This model mandates that a Daughter of Charity serve as President. The position of Principal was opened to lay leadership at this time. Facilities
Milestones
On January 4, 2000 the school celebrated the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the 40th Anniversary of Elizabeth Seton High School. His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey presided at the Mass of Thanksgiving. Students created a time capsule that is to be opened on the school’s 50th Anniversary.
Elizabeth Seton High School confidently and professionally faces the challenge of continuing to provide an excellent Catholic education in the 21st Century, guided by our motto “Light to Know. Grace to Do.”
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Elizabeth Seton High School was incorporated March 15, 1957 and opened with an enrollment of 138 freshmen and a faculty of six Daughters of Charity in September 1959. As early as 1965, the Maryland State Department of Education issued a Certificate of Approval to the school and in 1968 the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools accredited Elizabeth Seton High School. Enrollment increased annually, peaking to a total of 800 students in the late 1970’s.
From its inception, Elizabeth Seton offered college preparatory, business, and home economics courses. The curriculum included core courses in Religion, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Seton’s college preparatory program has always been sound. As students in the college preparatory track pursued more advanced academic courses, students
desiring to enter business fields chose courses like Typing, Stenography and Office Practice. Graduates of the business program were so well prepared that government agencies would come to Seton to recruit them. Students from both programs were encouraged to take classes in sewing and cooking. 
courses only. Following this decision, business courses were replaced with technology courses. Home economic courses were no longer offered. The business floor became the computer technology floor, with computers replacing typewriters. The home economic rooms were transformed into art and social studies classrooms. This decision also impacted the academic courses offered to a college bound student body. Since 1993, the number of Advanced Placement and honors level courses has grown steadily. Currently Seton offers twelve AP and twenty Honors level courses.
In the early years, Elizabeth Seton’s interscholastic athletic program was limited to basketball and cheerleading. Volleyball and bowling were club sports. Seton’s “mascot” was the little sister of one of the cheerleaders. That changed in 1970 when students selected the Roadrunner as the school mascot. Gradually, over the years, the athletic program has expanded. Outstanding student athletes have graced our courts, fields and track. Coaches have worked tirelessly to develop strong programs. Two of the most notable coaches were Maureen Lonergan (Soccer) and Carlos Alexander (Track), each of whom led their teams to multiple, consecutive championships. The “can-do” spirit that they instilled in their students lives on in the teams today. Currently, Seton competes in the following sports: Basketball, Cheerleading, Crew, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Volleyball. Go Roadrunners!
After school activities have expanded as well. Some activities, including drama, National Honor Society, student government, service clubs and yearbook have been active since the 1960’s. Other activities, like Gospel Choir, It’s Academic and the Literary Club had an earlier “life,” faded in popularity, and are once again active clubs. Some clubs, including Ambassadors, Ecology, Mock Trial and SADD have been added as opportunity or need arose. Clubs such as Onyx, International Club, Latinas and Time Travelers explore cultures and history. Today, activities, which run the gamut from recreational to seriously academic, serve to enrich student life.
The school uniform too has changed over time. In the early years of Seton there were two uniforms. In the spring and fall, the uniform was a pastel-colored shirtwaist dress. The winter uniform was a pleated wool plaid skirt, a white blouse and blazer. In the 1970’s the skirt changed to a burgundy tweed and the blazer was replaced by a burgundy sweater. Later the sweaters could be either a cardigan or a vest. The current official school uniform is a gray and cardinal pleated skirt, a white oxford shirt and cardinal sweater. Gray slacks and a cardinal golf shirt may also be worn. The one constant over nearly five decades of uniform changes has been the creative way that students have managed to shorten their skirts at the waist.
The final ceremony for every class is graduation. Graduation for the class of 1963 was held in the school auditorium. In subsequent years the graduation was held at various local churches. In 1973 the graduation ceremony was moved to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where it continues today. Graduation is now held the day after Memorial Day. The Baccalaureate and the Rose Ceremony are held at school in the morning, while graduation takes place that afternoon at the Shrine. The Rose Ceremony has always been a special part of Graduation Day. For alumnae whose daughters are graduating, the ceremony takes on a new dimension when daughters present their mothers with a rose.
Through the decades, the interior of the school has undergone numerous alterations and upgrades, including the creation of resource centers. These centers were later converted back into classrooms. The “elevator” and “swimming pool” are enduring myths used by upperclassmen to tease new students. In the latter part of the 1990’s, the dream of a track came to fruition. Currently, Seton is in the midst of a campaign to fund the first addition to the original school building. The tremendous growth of the athletic and music programs highlighted the need to expand our facilities. The ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for the spring of 2006, with construction of the new wing to begin shortly thereafter. The new facility, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007, will include a gymnasium, weight/fitness room, locker rooms, additional classrooms and music rooms, designed for the bands and vocal groups.
In 1984-1985 Elizabeth Seton marked its twenty-fifth anniversary. In June 1985, the Council for American Private Education honored the school by selecting it as one of the nation’s Exemplary Private Schools. This special national recognition followed an evaluation by the Council for American Private Schools, which determined the strengths and efficacy of Elizabeth Seton’s total educational programs.
