ATMOSPHERE
At Mother Seton,
the important benefits of value-based learning are further enhanced by
the advantages of single-sex education, advantages which have been documented
by a growing body of recent research. In comparison with their peers in
co-educational settings, girls in single-sex schools have been shown to
be more academically oriented, to enjoy higher self-esteem and to have
a more active orientation toward learning and leadership. Students at
Mother Seton provide "living proof" of the validity of these findings.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership
is another area in which Mother Seton affords excellent opportunity for
young women. There are over 50 elected positions available to students.
Students grow accustomed to assuming leadership positions, and to seeing
those positions filled by women. Furthermore, these are trained leaders;
girls seeking student council or class office, as well as those participating
as assistant mentors in the Mentor Program, attend leadership training
seminars where their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for
them. Further opportunities for leadership development are available through
the Seton Leadership Team program.
TODAY'S
CHOICE
FOR TOMORROW'S WOMAN
The values that we teach are traditional, but each student is encouraged to apply those values in ways appropriate to a changing American society, to make informed life choices without forgetting her responsibilities "to God, to self and to others." We prepare young women to succeed, but the Catholic educator's definition of "success" is special. The successful woman knows and cherishes herself, and carries with her a solid set of Christian values with which to assess the many choices that confront her. Above all, she faces the world with the firm conviction that, no matter what level of worldly "success" she achieves, she is a unique creation of God with a special contribution to make.
Mother Seton? Why Go to an All Girls' School?
"When girls go to single-sex schools, they stop being the audience and become the players."
Myra and David Sadker, researchers at American University and authors of Failing at Fairness: How Schools Shortchange Girls
"As a college professor, I could identify students from girls' schools with a 90 percent accuracy rate on the first day of class. They were the young women whose hands shot up in the air, who were not afraid to defend their positions, and who assumed that I would be interested in their perspective."
Dr. Robin Robertson, a former girls' school principal who later taught at the university level.
"Girls' schools guarantee that math, science and technology are an integral part of the curriculum."
The National Coalition of Girls' Schools.
"Girls in single-sex schools perform better than girls in co-ed schools, regardless of socio-economic and ability levels."
The National Foundation for Educational Research in Great Britain.
"At Mother Seton, the students handle an impressive variety of academic, extracurricular, and sports activities, as well as assuming leadership roles. When I came here two years ago, I was not a proponent of all-girl schools. I am now!"
Marylou Motto, Ph.D., faculty member and forensics coach, Mother Seton.
"The doors of opportunity swing wide open for us at Mother Seton, and there is never a fear of criticism. No one worries about her makeup and we feel no intimidation running for leadership positions. But the best part about our school is we have a lot of fun!"
Giselle Asuncion, Mother Seton Class of 2004.
