mamade5
- Reviewed on Sunday, September 27, 2009
- Grades Used: 1st and 2nd
- Dates used: 2008-2009
I purchased all Seton materials for my First and Second Graders after trying another Catholic curricula, and I must sayd I LOVE Seton materials. They are by far better than anything else I have tried. They have enough work for the week (versus two pages for a FULL week of work (??) ) and they drill concepts with beautiful and colorful pages. We are not enrolled, but plan to do that in the future. I know a homeschooling mom of 8 whose kids have gone onto college and have stright A's. The kids say that college is so much easier than my friend's teaching. I can see why. I don't want a very flexible program or a light program, I homeschool, so I want a challenging and competitive program that will teach my children to be competitive as well, so when they step into the world, they will know about working under pressure and having challenges as well. VERY much recommend this program.
|
JH
- Reviewed on Sunday, August 16, 2009
- Grades Used: K-10
- Dates used: 1998-2009
Seton has many strengths. The lesson plans are thorough, the books reliably Catholic, the newsletter's Q&A very helpful, plus a very helpful staff of counselors a phone call away.
The negatives for me might not be so for another family; but I became bored of the repetitive workbook style of most of the books. Also, Seton is also somewhat unvarying and inflexible in terms of the style of book reports and research reports they require; there are other, valid styles of writing and I felt Seton locked the student into a somewhat dull, rigid pattern that becomes somewhat rote.
Seton is not as flexible as they state that homeschooling should be. True, you can start at any time of year. And if your child is advanced, you can skip some of the assignments or even "test out" of a subject. But within the curriculum, there is little flexibility; if you want to omit or change something, you still must pass Seton's tests and do all reqyuired assignments to gain credit from them. I can understand the need to maintain control over their curriculum since they are an accredited institution; but just be aware, there is actually little flexibility.
Seton has a Special Services Department for students with learning disabilities or other special needs, which will tailor an individualized curriculum for them. The director of this program is extremely knowledgeable and wonderful to work with. There IS more flexibility in Special Services. One of my children has used it for three years now. This past year, because he was overwhelmed by having to write a research paper AND do a book analysis on a novel, with another book analysis due at the same time, they allowed him to skip the second book report which would have been too much for him. This would NOT be allowed in their regular curriculum, but in Special Services, they truly take an individual student's needs to heart. For the small extra fee, it's well worth it.
|
Em & D's Momma
- Reviewed on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
- Grades Used: K, 4th -
- Dates used: 2008
We're converting to Catholicism from Protestantism and have had to revamp our ENTIRE bookshelf. The fine materials from Seton have been a real help!
I've reviewed the upper level history texts and am quite impressed. Yes, this is a "traditional" method of education but the texts are anything but dry. Rather, they are quite balanced (i.e., pointing out the issues conservatives took with the "New Deal" and the ramifications it had on the American psyche - an expectation of the "nanny state" we see today.) Of course, this is a Catholic publisher and you can expect to see inclusion of Catholic characters and dates of note... just as you will see that of Protestants in A Beka and Bob Jones, et al.
Nice materials. Good prices. Great customer service.
|
JennyMaine
- Reviewed on Thursday, November 15, 2007
- Grades Used: 3-7
- Dates used: 2001-present
I have used Seton Home Study for several years for my two children. My experience with Seton has included just purchasing pieces of the curriculum to use on my own, in addition to full enrollment.
I highly recommend Seton without hesitation. The materials present a Catholic worldview in all subjects. Daily lessons plans come in both printed and online forms, allowing you to customize and print your daily lessons if so desired. Online tests and uploading of documents for grading make the paperwork for a transcript easy to manage. The staff is wonderful and at your disposal to answer any questions that arise in your daily teaching.
With the option of single course enrollment, full enrollment, or just purchasing texts, I think Seton is the most flexible of the Catholic full-service curriculum providers. I appreciate the fact that Seton offers a scholastic style of education, whereas many Catholic providers seem to be more classical. I knew that a more classical bent wouldn't meet our needs.
When given the option of switching to a unit study or literature based method of education, my 13 yr old daughter was firm in her desire to stick with Seton from now until high school graduation. She loves the Catholic texts. What higher praise can I give to Seton than that?
|
|
