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Average

#93 of 253 private schools in LA

Top 36% of private schools

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

Elementary School

509 PINE ST, Independence, LA 70443

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on LA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

117

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Louisiana elementary schools

#52 of 136

About Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is a vibrant educational institution located in the heart of Independence, Louisiana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this school offers a nurturing environment where young minds can grow and flourish. With an enrollment of 117 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, Mater Dolorosa provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs.

Mater Dolorosa is part of the Tangipahoa Parish School System and boasts nine full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic excellence and personal development. Though specific test scores are not available, the school continues to focus on student growth and improvement within its supportive community. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 41st percentile among Louisiana schools, Mater Dolorosa aims to provide a strong foundation for its students as they prepare for high school.

Situated in a small suburban area, the school is nestled amidst a tight-knit neighborhood where families often work together to support the educational experience. This close-knit community setting helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages collaboration between parents, teachers, and students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 117 students, Mater Dolorosa Catholic 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, Mater Dolorosa Catholic 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

Beta

How Mater Dolorosa Catholic School compares to the 2 public schools in Independence, LA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
This School
vs
17.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
117
This School
vs
549
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
4.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.2% vs 0%
Black 26.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.8% vs 0%
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School Independence Public Avg

All Schools in Independence

School Rating
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School (this school) 6.7
Independence Leadership Academy 4.5
Independence High Magnet 5.2

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 LA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 117
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 LA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 63.2%
Black 26.5%
Hispanic 6.8%
Two or More 3.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

509 PINE ST, Independence, LA 70443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dolorosa Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeastern LA University Lab School (rated 7.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hammond Westside Montessori (rated 7.9/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lucille Nesom Memorial (rated 6.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Tickfaw), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Independence Leadership Academy Independence 0.5 mi 4.5
Independence High Magnet Independence 0.6 mi 5.2
Lucille Nesom Memorial Tickfaw 4.2 mi 6.8
Midway Elementary School Tickfaw 5.6 mi 6.3
Amite High Magnet Amite 5.9 mi 6.3
Amite Elementary Magnet School Amite 6.0 mi 6.8
Amite Westside Middle Magnet Amite 6.2 mi 5.3
Natalbany Middle Tickfaw 6.5 mi 6.9
OAK FOREST ACADEMY Amite 6.8 mi 5.2
TRAFTON ACADEMY AT HAMMOND Hammond 6.9 mi 6.6
Loranger Middle School Loranger 6.1 mi 6.8
Loranger High School Loranger 6.2 mi 3.1
Loranger Elementary School Loranger 6.3 mi 6.4
ST THOMAS AQUINAS REGIONAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Hammond 7.5 mi 6.1
Southeastern LA University Lab School Hammond 8.5 mi 7.9
Roseland Montessori Roseland 9.0 mi 6.1
HOLY GHOST SCHOOL Hammond 9.2 mi 5.7
Greenville Park Leadership Academy Hammond 9.8 mi 5.5
Woodland Park Magnet Hammond 10.2 mi 4.8
Hammond Westside Montessori Hammond 10.5 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 70443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,333

Median Home Value

$145,700

Median Rent

$953/mo

Population

8,359

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

77.4%

Poverty Rate

21.7%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has a median household income of $59,333. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,700, with a median rent of $953/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ASCENSION CLASSICAL SCHOOL Shreveport, LA 6.7
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS Kenner, LA 6.7
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Bunkie, LA 6.7
MCMILLIAN'S FIRST STEPS CDC / ACADEMY New Orleans, LA 6.8
THE CHURCH ACADEMY Saint Amant, LA 6.8
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SOUTH CAMPUS Baton Rouge, LA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

What grades does Mater Dolorosa Catholic School serve?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Mater Dolorosa Catholic School?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 117 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mater Dolorosa Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mater Dolorosa Catholic School rank in LA?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is ranked #93 out of 253 private schools in LA.

What is Mater Dolorosa Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Mater Dolorosa Catholic School a private school?

Yes, Mater Dolorosa Catholic 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 Mater Dolorosa Catholic School a religious school?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (6,888/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
117
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Small Suburb
County
TANGIPAHOA
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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