Mother Seton Academy
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox school
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| streetaddress = 2215 Greenmount Avenue
| city = Baltimore
| county = (Baltimore City)
| state = Maryland
| zipcode = 21218
| country = USA
| coordinates = {{coord|39.3150|-76.6091|type:edu_region:US-MD|display=inline,title}}
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| religion = Roman Catholic
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| patron = Elizabeth Ann Seton
| established = 1993
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| authority = Archdiocese of Baltimore
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| president = George E. Andrews, Jr.
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| principal = Dr. Gregory Sucre
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| grades = 6 - 8
| enrollment = Over 80
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| enrollment_as_of = 2024
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| homepage = www.mothersetonacademy.org
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Mother Seton Academy (MSA) is an independent, tuition-free Catholic middle school in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1993, it serves students in grades 6 to 8 from underserved, low-income families. Named after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the founder of the first free Catholic school in the United States, MSA was created through a collaboration of six religious congregations within the Archdiocese of Baltimore: School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Xaverian Brothers, and the Society of Mary (Marianists).{{Cite web |last=Somerville |first=Frank P. L. |date=1993-02-06 |title=New school will seek to rescue kids at risk Mother Seton Academy to be free |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/02/06/new-school-will-seek-to-rescue-kids-at-risk-mother-seton-academy-to-be-free/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Maushard |first=Mary |date=1993-11-03 |title=Archdiocesan school rolls climb by 3.2% Enrollment is up for 3rd straight year |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/11/03/archdiocesan-school-rolls-climb-by-32-enrollment-is-up-for-3rd-straight-year/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}
Operating under the NativityMiguel model, the academy emphasizes academic excellence, personal growth, and leadership development in a multicultural environment. With a current enrollment of about 80 students, the academy maintains small class sizes and offers extracurricular activities such as art, music, sports, and community service. All students receive full scholarships. MSA's Graduate Support Program provides ongoing assistance to alumni, helping them succeed in high school and higher education.
History
= Early years =
Mother Seton Academy began in 1993 in a building at St. Patrick’s Church in East Baltimore. Initially, the school served 20 students with a staff of six and featured an extended school day and year. In 1994, it relocated to a larger space at the former convent of St. Stanislaus Parish in Fell’s Point, adding a seventh grade and doubling its enrollment.{{Cite web |last=Somerville |first=Frank P. L. |date=1994-03-09 |title=Experimental Fells Point Catholic school to move 4 blocks, expand |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/03/09/experimental-fells-point-catholic-school-to-move-4-blocks-expand/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} In 2003, trustees of MSA explored starting a capital fund to purchase the location on South Ann Street.{{Cite web |last=Linley |first=Linda |date=March 21, 2003 |title=A place that's more than just a school |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/248585155/?match=1&terms=%22mother%20seton%20academy%22 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}
= Collaborations =
The school has benefited from collaborations with organizations and community members. The school has worked with AmeriCorps volunteers.{{Cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Rafael |date=1996-11-27 |title=‘The desire to help people’ Volunteers: The guiding philosophy of those who choose to go into AmeriCorps, President Clinton’s domestic Peace Corps, is that to give of one’s time and talent is a privilege. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/11/27/the-desire-to-help-people-volunteers-the-guiding-philosophy-of-those-who-choose-to-go-into-americorps-president-clintons-domestic-peace-corps-is-that-to-give-of-ones-time-and-talent-is-a-privilege-2/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-04-19 |title=Md. nonprofits waiting for cuts to AmeriCorps volunteers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/04/19/md-nonprofits-waiting-for-cuts-to-americorps-volunteers-3/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore has helped raise funding for the MSA.{{Cite web |last= |date=1997-01-24 |title=$4 million for tuition assistance raised Archdiocesan funds will help students at 15 Catholic schools |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/01/24/4-million-for-tuition-assistance-raised-archdiocesan-funds-will-help-students-at-15-catholic-schools-2/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} In 1997, Rafael Alvarez and David Simon hosted readings of their books to benefit MSA.{{Cite web |date=Dec 18, 1997 |title=Literary Arts, Vagabond Theater |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/172932473/?match=1&terms=%22mother%20seton%20academy%22 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun via Newspapers.com |language=en}} In 1999, The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation provided a grant that allowed the school to set up a free band program.{{Cite web |last=Oakes |first=Amy |date=1999-01-12 |title=Pupils get gift of music; Grant: Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation provided money that allowed Mother Seton Academy in Upper Fells Point to set up a free program. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/01/12/pupils-get-gift-of-music-grant-mr-hollands-opus-foundation-provided-money-that-allowed-mother-seton-academy-in-upper-fells-point-to-set-up-a-free-program/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} In 1999, Corpus Christi Community Center worked with MSA to set up an after school tutoring program.{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Ron |date=1999-04-18 |title=An alternative to hanging out; Opportunity: Center’s once-a-week program serves tutoring, activities, meals to neighborhood children. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/04/18/an-alternative-to-hanging-out-opportunity-centers-once-a-week-program-serves-tutoring-activities-meals-to-neighborhood-children/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}
= Current location and expansion =
In 2006, Sister Charmaine Krohe became president of MSA.{{Cite web |title=Provincial Leader, Sister Charmaine Krohe {{!}} School Sisters of Notre Dame - Atlantic Midwest Province |url=https://dev.atlanticmidwest.org/posts/provincial-leader-sister-charmaine-krohe |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=dev.atlanticmidwest.org}} Since 2009, the academy has been located at 2215 Greenmount Avenue after purchasing and renovating the former St. Ann School.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Jacques |date=May 11, 2009 |title=A rebirth for an old school |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/252322034/?match=1&terms=%22mother%20seton%20academy%22 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-14 |title=Saint Ann’s Catholic Church celebrates 150 changing years in East Baltimore |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2023/10/14/saint-anns-catholic-church-celebrates-150-changing-years-in-east-baltimore/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=St. Ann has been anchored in faith for 150 years |url=https://catholicreview.org/st-ann-has-been-anchored-in-faith-for-150-years/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Catholic Review |language=en-US}} Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and other donors funded the purchase and renovation of the new location.
In 2019, the school added a new gymnasium.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-03 |title=Mother Seton Academy adds a new gym |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2019/08/03/mother-seton-academy-adds-a-new-gym/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}} Jeremy Freeman, the director of men's basketball operations for Holy Cross Crusaders, coached basketball at MSA.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-20 |title=Jeremy Freeman Named Director Of Men's Basketball Operations |url=https://goholycross.com/news/2018/6/20/211718890.aspx |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Holy Cross Athletics |language=en}}
Awards
In 2002, MSA was awarded the Milch Award by Loyola University Maryland for its service to the community.{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2002 |title=Diplomat addresses Loyola grads |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/248479390/?match=1&terms=%22mother%20seton%20academy%22 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Baltimore Sun via Newspapers.com |language=en}}