Teachers ecstatic they're booked on Seton Academy's maiden flight

Sitting at table from left, student Jessica Pelletier, 5, teachers Lauren Cronshaw and Erika Robichaud, and student Isabella Boire, 7. Standing, from left, teacher Maria Vertetis and Seton Academy Principal Mike Pelletier. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - With a handful of passionate teachers and administrators, and a steadfast mission to continue the core principals of the former Saint Elizabeth Seton School, Seton Academy held a joyous ribbon cutting to celebrate its inaugural year on Tuesday, one week before classes start on Sept. 6.
"I went to Saint Elizabeth Seton School K-8," said Lauren Cronshaw, who will be teaching second, third and fourth grades. "And I will be teaching using the same attributes that I learned from the teachers who taught me."
The teaching of a classical Catholic education is foremost in the mind of Seton Academy Principal Mike Pelletier, who said not only will children be empowered by the education they get there, but so will parents.
"We're all about parental choice," said Pelletier. "No vaccine mandates, no mask mandates."
Enrollment thus far has reached 29 students, said Pelletier, but the academy is fielding applications every day and will continue to do so. He said as of now they have enrollment space for over 100 students.
Current teaching staff includes five full-time teachers and one half time, he said, with teacher-pupil ratios at just 1:6.
The teachers will all be instructing multiple grade levels, like Maria Vertetis, who will be teaching middle school math, science and history.
Vertetis, who has 10 years of teaching experience, said being able to teach at the fledgling academy is an "amazing opportunity."
"I'm thrilled to be part of this adventure," she said. "It's great to have a strong Catholic school that benefits students."
Erika Robichaud, who will teach kindergarten and first grade, echoed that it's "great to teach a classical Catholic school education."
"This is both wonderful and exciting," added Robichaud, who is beginning her 30th year of teaching.
The school, which formed after Saint Elizabeth Seton School closed earlier this year, will be housed in the Holy Rosary Church its first year.
For more information on tuition, potential financial aid and academics at the academy click here.