Elizabeth Seton High School

Elizabeth Seton High School is a private, all-girls Roman Catholic high school located in Bladensburg, Maryland. Founded in 1959 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, the school is part of the Archdiocese of Washington and is named for Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized. It provides a college-preparatory education grounded in the Catholic tradition to students from across the Washington metropolitan area.

History

The school was established in 1959 by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, a religious congregation with a long history in American education. Its founding was part of a post-World War II expansion of Catholic educational institutions in the growing suburbs of the District of Columbia. Originally located in Hyattsville, Maryland, the institution moved to its current, larger campus in neighboring Bladensburg in 1965 to accommodate increasing enrollment. Throughout its history, the school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and has maintained its mission under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of Washington, adapting its programs to meet the evolving needs of young women in the modern era.

Academics

The academic program follows a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with a required sequence in theology and service learning. Core subjects include advanced placement and honors courses in English, mathematics, laboratory sciences, and social studies. Specialized programs and partnerships, such as those with The Catholic University of America and the University of Maryland, College Park, offer students opportunities for dual enrollment and early college credit. The school emphasizes STEM disciplines, visual and performing arts through its affiliation with the National Art Honor Society, and global perspectives through world language studies and cultural exchange programs.

Campus

The campus is situated on a suburban plot in Prince George's County and features a main academic building, a dedicated chapel for liturgical celebrations, and a modern media center. Athletic facilities include a gymnasium, sports fields, and fitness centers that support the school's interscholastic programs. Recent capital improvements have focused on upgrading science laboratories and technology infrastructure to support 21st-century learning initiatives. The campus architecture and layout are designed to foster a collaborative environment for its all-female student body.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Roadrunners, compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and the Independent School League. The school fields varsity teams in sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, and track and field. The athletics program has produced numerous conference champions and individual athletes who have continued to compete at the NCAA level. Facilities support both training and competition, emphasizing the school's commitment to fostering leadership and teamwork through sports.

Notable alumni

Alumnae have achieved distinction in diverse fields including law, public service, arts, and sciences. Among them are Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland; Michele J. Sison, United States Ambassador to Haiti and Sri Lanka; and Dawn Staley, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Olympic gold medalist, and championship-winning coach at the University of South Carolina. Other graduates have made significant contributions in journalism, medicine, and education, reflecting the school's broad impact.

Category:Private high schools in Maryland Category:Roman Catholic secondary schools in Maryland Category:Girls' schools in Maryland Category:Educational institutions established in 1959