St. Elizabeth Seton School

"An Island Off the Coast of East Palo Alto"

By Sr. Janet Barrett, D.C.
July 30, 2004

St. Elizabeth Seton School is located in a beautiful residential area on Channing Avenue in Palo Alto. The approach to the school is down a street with mature trees on both sides, their leaves touching overhead. Every school day some 275 children, at least 90% of whom are from East Palo Alto or Belle Haven/East Menlo Park, come down Channing to this school that provides a high quality academic Catholic education for the children of the East of Bayshore communities.

The school operates to meet the educational needs of these children. Though the school is located in old Palo Alto, its focus on the development and success of these primarily Latino, African American and Pacific Islander children led a recent visitor to describe the school as "an island off the coast of East Palo Alto."

St. Elizabeth Seton School has just 26 years in its educational mission. Graduates of Seton have attended Cal Davis, Cal Berkeley, Stanford, and all of the local Catholic colleges, state universities, and community colleges. The aim of Seton School is to provide an elementary education capable of supporting success in high school and college.

The student body of Seton School is 85% Hispanic and about 7% African American. A smaller number of students are Pacific Islander, primarily from Tonga. The large faculty and staff provide challenging instruction and lots of personal support. Two full-time counselors provide on-site services for both students and their families.

The curriculum concentrates on reading, writing, and speaking proficient English. Math includes Algebra in the 8th grade. A strong “hands-on” science program and music and P.E. help round out the academic program.

The school is operated by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and the Diocese of San Jose. Students of all faiths and nationalities are welcome and feel at home in this school which has such a “family” atmosphere.

If you would like to know more about St. Elizabeth Seton School, please contact the development office at 650-326-1258 or click here to visit our website.