Seton Education Partners

Seton Education Partners Since 2006, more than 1,500 Catholic schools have been closed or consolidated, accelerating a school closure rate of about 1,000 per decade since 1960.

Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich, and—for those who seek it—vibrantly Catholic education for their children. Despite their well-established “brand name” and demonstrated success building the knowledge, skills, and character of children in America’s most underserved neighborhoods for more than a century, Catholic

schools have seen enrollment plummet by more than 50 percent over the last four decades. Most of these were elementary schools in our inner cities, serving large numbers of Hispanic and African American children. If this trend continues over the next two decades, most of the remaining 3,000 urban Catholic schools will cease to exist, leaving over 900,000 children with few if any options beyond the failing public schools in their neighborhoods (and providing district schools with substantially less competition). Declining enrollment and rising operating costs are the main causes for this extraordinary collapse of urban Catholic education—a character-building, Americanizing, opportunity-equalizing force. Seton Education Partners is a national effort to strategically infuse creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, talented leadership, and public dollars to find a new way to nurture children in underserved communities—mind, body and spirit. If you also care about saving this life-changing mission, please join our community of supporters.

Stepping into Seton Teaching Fellow Viviana’s El Camino classroom at Brillante Academy RGV, her second- and third-grade ...
05/06/2026

Stepping into Seton Teaching Fellow Viviana’s El Camino classroom at Brillante Academy RGV, her second- and third-grade students are calmly coloring to peaceful worship music. A second-year Fellow, Viviana has been inspired to pursue her master’s in elementary education.

“I know that in the future I want to teach theology. I want to use my degree to teach about the faith, the Eucharist, and the saints, and how children can incorporate that into their lives. It’s just so rewarding. They’re so curious all the time, they love God, and they want to love others.”

George, who teaches El Camino to first graders, has found grace in the challenges he has faced this year. “I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. But it’s been very rewarding. God has always provided the graces. He gives me what I need to get through.”

He finds encouragement in communal prayer with the other Fellows, including their nightly decade of the rosary. “We offer it up for all of our intentions, for our student disciples, for all the Lord’s disciples.”

Read more about Viviana, George, and the El Camino program at Brillante Academy: https://www.setonpartners.org/stories/how-el-camino-is-forming-faith-family-and-community/

Meet Mr. Mora, Math teacher at Brilla Schools!
04/15/2026

Meet Mr. Mora, Math teacher at Brilla Schools!

There is an undeniable bond that forms between students and Seton Teaching Fellows. Brillante Academy RGV first-grader F...
04/10/2026

There is an undeniable bond that forms between students and Seton Teaching Fellows. Brillante Academy RGV first-grader Fernando and his PreK-4 Fellow Irma are a shining example.

Irma, who has since joined Brillante’s full-time staff as School and Programs Associate, shared, “He’s the kind of student who stands up for justice if something is unfair. Or if somebody gets hurt, he’s willing to go and give a hand. He’s just that wise in a way. He’s recognized by the whole school.”

When the opportunity came for Fernando to be baptized, he chose someone very special to be his godmother: Ms. Irma.

When asked why, his answer was simple. “I didn’t choose her. God chose her.”

“It was an honor that I could guide Fernando,” said Irma. “Fernando was my student, and now he’s so much more than that. I get to be close to his family, and I’m rooting for him and praying for him all the time.”

Read more about Fernando, Irma, and the El Camino program at Brillante Academy: https://www.setonpartners.org/stories/how-el-camino-is-forming-faith-family-and-community/

Alleluia! He is risen! Wishing you a Happy Easter!
04/05/2026

Alleluia! He is risen! Wishing you a Happy Easter!

“Mom, I want to make an altar.”When Saira heard her second-grade daughter Fatima say this, she paused. The Catholic fait...
03/31/2026

“Mom, I want to make an altar.”

When Saira heard her second-grade daughter Fatima say this, she paused. The Catholic faith had always been important in their home, but she had never wanted to force it on her children. “It’s going to come to them,” she said.

And for Fatima, it had.

Saira smiled, “I just thought the whole concept of the altar was beautiful. She goes there to kneel down and pray.”

Fatima had seen the small prayer table during her El Camino classes, Brillante Academy RGV's after-school faith program. Inspired, she wanted one of her own. So her mother ordered a statue of Our Lady of Fatima—her namesake—and she carefully arranged a candle and rosaries around it.

“Every time I go to El Camino, there’s a little prayer table,” Fatima said. “So I wanted to do that at home, too!”

Read more about Fatima's story and other Brillante families: https://www.setonpartners.org/stories/how-el-camino-is-forming-faith-family-and-community/

Tune in as Seton CEO Aaron Brenner joins Monsignor Kevin Sullivan of Catholic Charities of New York on his radio show, "...
03/02/2026

Tune in as Seton CEO Aaron Brenner joins Monsignor Kevin Sullivan of Catholic Charities of New York on his radio show, "JustLove," to discuss the beginnings and growth of Seton and the Brilla Schools community.

JustLove Education, Character, and Community Well-Being February 7, 2026 / On today’s episode of JustLove, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan speaks with two guests on issues shaping education and community well-being. In the first segment, he sits down with Aaron Brenner, CEO of Seton Education Partners, t...

Roses are red, violets are blue, our schools shine brighter—all thanks to you!Your support, prayers, spirit, and partner...
02/14/2026

Roses are red, violets are blue, our schools shine brighter—all thanks to you!

Your support, prayers, spirit, and partnership fill the hearts of over 3,500 children with love, hope, and possibility, including 2nd grader Fatima, who drew this card.

Happy Valentine's Day from Seton Education Partners!

What did the impact of a Seton education look like in 2025 across our school networks and programs in New York, Ohio, an...
02/04/2026

What did the impact of a Seton education look like in 2025 across our school networks and programs in New York, Ohio, and Texas? Explore more of the numbers, growth, and stories behind the mission in our 2025 Impact Report: setonpartners.org/stories/2025-impact-report

Exciting news! Seton Education Partners has been named a 2025-2026 grantee of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation! With...
01/28/2026

Exciting news! Seton Education Partners has been named a 2025-2026 grantee of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation!

With their generous support, we can expand our work to develop Brilla Horizon Family Resource Center, a dedicated space that connects families at Brilla Schools in the Bronx to health, education, and community support. That’s not all, we will also develop an Alumni Career Pathway Program to offer opportunities for Brilla graduates to explore careers, gain professional development, and connect with mentors and employers, strengthening long-term economic mobility and community impact.

We are deeply grateful for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation team and look forward to sharing the impact we’re making together. Read more: https://www.setonpartners.org/news/seton-education-partners-awarded-180000-grant-from-mother-cabrini-health-foundation-to-advance-family-resource-and-career-pathway-initiatives/

Stepping into 2026, we’re celebrating a year of growth, faith, and impact across our schools and communities. These 2025...
01/15/2026

Stepping into 2026, we’re celebrating a year of growth, faith, and impact across our schools and communities. These 2025 highlights and more are featured in our 2025 Impact Report: setonpartners.org/stories/2025-impact-report

- 31% enrollment growth across our three geographies
- 45 Baptisms, 75 First Communions, 15 Confirmations
- Families served in 91+ zip codes
- 2 of 3 Seton Teaching Fellows continuing their mission as educators

01/14/2026

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