Catholic Homeschool Curriculum
High School English
In order to achieve the end goal of developing good communication skills in each student, Seton incorporates a carefully planned trajectory into the design of the High School English curriculum. Starting with the basics, expository writing, persuasive writing, and then high-level interpretive essay writing are each covered at length in 9th through 11th grades, respectively.
Over the course of a student’s experience at Seton, he or she will have every opportunity to develop the ability to write clearly, logically, and persuasively.
An equally important part of learning to write well is reading good writing. This is why Seton emphasizes reading the classics, or the fine works of literature. By reading high-quality literature that has stood the test of time, Seton students are exposed to the best examples of literary style, and are able to cultivate an appreciation for good writing that will filter into their own written work.
As with the writing component of the high school English curriculum, the literary component follows a carefully designed trajectory, beginning with simple classics in 9th grade. More complex literature is introduced in 10th grade, followed by a survey course in American Literature for 11th grade, and a survey course in British Literature for 12th grade.
Course Offerings
English Department
Seton Staff
Sean O’Connor
High School English CounselorSean joined Seton in early 2019 as High School English Counselor. He has lived most of his life in Virginia, having moved into the Front Royal area in 1997. Sean began his formal academic career at Lord Fairfax Community College after graduating from Wakefield Country Day School in Huntly, VA. While at LFCC, he served the college and surrounding community as the VP of Marketing Officer for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, helping raise funds for veteran students and cancer research. In May 2016, Sean graduated summa cum laude with an Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in General Studies as an Honors Program Scholar while also being named the Outstanding Graduate for the Class of 2016.
After graduating at LFCC, Sean transferred to Benedictine College in Atchison, KS to pursue a degree in English. During his studies, he was committed to campus ministry by playing the violin at daily masses and the monthly “Underground” outreach events. Sean also was a student missionary with Saint Paul’s Outreach, living with full-time missionaries and leading a men’s small group. For excellence in the study of English and the Spanish language, Sean was inducted into both the International English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, and the National Foreign Language Honor Society, Alpha Mu Gamma. In May of 2018, Sean graduated cum laude with a B.A. in English.
In his spare time, Sean enjoys playing violin and drums in addition to taking in the Shenandoah Valley from the seat of a motorcycle.
Mary Connolly
Academic Counselor
Alex Clark
Grader
Curriculum Contributors and Consultants
Fr. Charlie Bak
M.S.A., Holy Apostles Seminary & College
Ryan Corrigan
B.A., Christendom College
Mary Kay Clark
Ph.D., Assumption University
M.A., Case Western Reserve
M.A., Grace College
B.A., Ursuline College
Steve Costanzo
M.A., University of Virginia
B.S., University of Mary Washington
Mary Herlihy
B.A., Christendom College
Sharon Higby
Ph.D. Cand., University of Maryland State Park
M.A., Royal Holloway, University of London
Mitchell Kalpakgian
Ph.D., University of Iowa
M.A., University of Kansas
B.A., Bowdoin College
Patrick Keats
Ph.D., Catholic University of America
M.A., American University
Ashley Maciag
B.A., Christendom College
Lisa Marciano
Ph.D., University of Dallas
Michael McShurley
M.A., Notre Dame Institute
B.A., Trinity College
Dr. Robert Rice
Ph.D., University of Oregon
M.A., D.A., University of Oregon
B.A., University of California at Los Angeles
Frances Speer
M.A., Southern Methodist University
B.A., Christendom College
Christine Smitha
B.A., Christendom College
Walker Solis
B.A., Franciscan University of Steubenville
Joe Sparks
M.A.Ed., Virginia Tech
B.A., Peru State College
Sherry Spring
B.A., Christendom College
Glen Tortorella
M.A., St. John’s University
B.S., St. John’s University
Elizabeth Wagner
B.A., Christendom College
Patricia Walker
B.A., University of Virginia
Bob Wiesner
M.A., Maryknoll School of Theology
B.A., Christendom College
Theresa Zepeda
B.A., Christendom College
The Value of Your Enrollment
Your enrollment provides you with much more than just a box of books. It provides an accredited education, a strong support system, and a community of staff and homeschoolers who are in your corner. It provides access to academic and support counseling, grading and record keeping, and a solid Catholic curriculum that promotes strong Catholic values in each and every subject.
Catholic Materials
All of our books and materials are thoroughly Catholic, from beginning to end.
