Very Good
#472 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 26% of private schools
Holy Cross School
Elementary School
150 EMMETT ST, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Santa Cruz. Learn more
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Santa Cruz
#3 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#262 of 1,102
About Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School serves 139 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Santa Cruz, California. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned an impressive 8.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #989 out of 1790 California schools, placing it in the 45th percentile statewide.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a supportive, small-school setting. Holy Cross School is located at 150 Emmett Street in a vibrant neighborhood where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused community environment. The area's median household income of $101,962 reflects a generally well-resourced community, though the 18.2% poverty rate indicates economic diversity among families.
As an elementary school in Santa Cruz's small city setting, Holy Cross School benefits from being part of a close-knit coastal community known for its natural beauty and family-friendly atmosphere. The school's size and location provide students with both academic opportunity and the charm of a smaller educational community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 139 students, Holy Cross School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
As a private school, Holy Cross School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Holy Cross School compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Santa Cruz, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Holy Cross School (this school) | 7.0 |
| Mission Hill Middle | 5.4 |
| Alternative Family Education | 3.9 |
| Ark Independent Studies | 3.2 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Community | 6.2 |
| Santa Cruz County Court | — |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch | 7.3 |
| Bay View Elementary | 7.3 |
| Westlake Elementary | 6.5 |
| Gault Elementary | 7.6 |
| Branciforte Middle | 6.0 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter | 9.0 |
| De Laveaga Elementary | 6.8 |
| Green Acres Elementary | 7.1 |
| Tierra Pacifica Charter | 3.9 |
| Ocean Alternative Education Center | 8.8 |
| Shoreline Middle | 6.7 |
| Del Mar Elementary | 5.8 |
| Live Oak Elementary | 4.3 |
| Brook Knoll Elementary | 7.1 |
Showing 20 of 23 schools. View all schools in Santa Cruz
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
150 EMMETT ST, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holy Cross School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gault Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bay View Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Santa Cruz, see our Santa Cruz schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Cross Santa Cruz | 0.0 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz High Santa Cruz | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Mission Hill Middle Santa Cruz | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| SPRING HILL-ADVANCED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SANTA CR Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Santa Cruz County Special Education Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Santa Cruz County Court Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | — |
| Santa Cruz County Community Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | — |
| Alternative Family Education Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Ark Independent Studies Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Costanoa Continuation High Santa Cruz | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Santa Cruz City Elementary Alternative Education-Monarch Santa Cruz | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Westlake Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Gault Elementary Santa Cruz | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Branciforte Middle Santa Cruz | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Santa Cruz Children's School Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | — |
| SANTA CRUZ CHILDRENS SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Pacific Collegiate Charter Santa Cruz | 2.1 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,040
Median Home Value
$1,189,300
Median Rent
$2,356/mo
Population
46,024
College Educated
55.2%
Homeownership
51.9%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holy Cross School has a median household income of $106,040. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,189,300, with a median rent of $2,356/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange, CA | 7.0 |
| El Mirage Adelanto, CA | 7.0 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA | 7.0 |
| Lake County International Charter Middletown, CA | 7.0 |
| Mountain View San Diego, CA | 7.0 |
| SOUTH BAY JUNIOR ACADEMY Torrance, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holy Cross School
What grades does Holy Cross School serve?
Holy Cross School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Holy Cross School?
Holy Cross School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Holy Cross School rank in CA?
Holy Cross School is ranked #472 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Holy Cross School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holy Cross School has a composite rating of 7.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Holy Cross School a private school?
Yes, Holy Cross School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Holy Cross School a religious school?
Holy Cross School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 139
- Gender Split
- 36% M / 64% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 182 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- SANTA CRUZ
- Phone
- (831) 423-5852
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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