Seton Home Study School is a nationally accredited, Catholic PreK-12 distance education school based in Virginia that provides complete curriculum packages, grading services, academic counseling, and diplomas for homeschooling families.
What is Seton Home Study School?
Seton Home Study School is a Catholic homeschool program founded in 1982 in Front Royal, Virginia. Accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS) and recognized by the Diocese of Arlington, Seton serves approximately 14,000 enrolled students with an additional 20,000+ families using their materials independently. The school offers complete curriculum packages from PreK through 12th grade, along with grading services, permanent record keeping, academic counseling, and accredited diplomas upon graduation.
Key Takeaways
- Fully accredited by MSA-CESS, simplifying college applications and transfers
- Traditional Catholic education with faith integrated into all subjects
- Complete curriculum includes textbooks, daily lesson plans, tests, and grading services
- Offers four diploma tracks: Academic, Advanced Academic, General, and Special Services
- Tuition ranges from approximately $250 (PreK/K) to $985 (high school) annually
Curriculum Approach
Seton takes a traditional Catholic approach rather than classical. Every subject integrates faith, from the Baltimore Catechism in religion classes to Catholic perspectives woven throughout history and literature. The curriculum is rigorous and textbook-based, with structured daily lesson plans that parents can implement flexibly. Core subjects include the Faith and Freedom reading series, Voyages in English for grammar, Saxon Math or Teaching Textbooks for mathematics, and Apologia science courses. Students typically become independent learners by around second grade, though parent involvement remains essential for accountability.
What's Included with Enrollment
What's Included with Enrollment
- Complete curriculum materials
Textbooks, lesson plans, tests, and answer keys
- Grading services
Seton grades quarterly exams and maintains records
- Academic record keeping
Permanent records and official transcripts
- Academic counseling
Phone and email support from counselors
- Yearly achievement testing
Standardized testing included
- Accredited diploma
Upon meeting graduation requirements
- CatholicHarbor access
Moderated online community for students 13+
Pricing Structure
Seton's tuition hasn't increased for 2025, demonstrating their commitment to affordability. PreK and Kindergarten run approximately $250, while elementary grades range from $600-800 including books. High school tops out around $985. Multi-child discounts apply automatically for families with several students enrolled. Additional fees include a $30 new family fee, special services supplements ($185-260), and optional add-ons like Rosetta Stone ($40/course) or Teaching Textbooks ($55/course). Payment plans are available with a 10% service fee capped at $60 per student.
Diploma Options
Student Outcomes
Seton students consistently perform well academically. The average GPA is 3.67, with SAT scores averaging 1230 and ACT scores averaging 27. Students typically test 1-2 grade levels above their public school peers on standardized assessments. Seton has a particularly strong pipeline to Christendom College, which makes sense given that founder Anne Carroll's husband Warren Carroll founded that institution. However, graduates attend a wide variety of colleges and universities.
The Bottom Line
Seton Home Study School offers Catholic families a proven, structured approach to homeschooling with the added benefits of accreditation and institutional support. The combination of complete curriculum, grading services, and diploma options makes it particularly appealing for families who want the credibility of an established school behind their homeschool. The tradeoff is less flexibility than designing your own curriculum and the commitment to Seton's specifically Catholic approach throughout all subjects.
