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Average

#191 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 49% of private schools

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

Elementary School

25 MAPLE ST, Holyoke, MA 01040

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 11 schools in Holyoke. Learn more

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Holyoke

#4 of 7

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#76 of 200

About Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is a small elementary school located on Maple Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 126 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.6:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Mater Dolorosa Catholic School offers personalized attention to each child's educational needs.

While academic performance metrics are not available for the school, it is situated in a suburban area where community support and involvement can play a crucial role in student development. The school's setting allows students to experience a close-knit learning environment that fosters strong relationships between teachers and families. Mater Dolorosa Catholic School thrives in its welcoming suburban neighborhood, offering a nurturing atmosphere for young learners to grow and develop.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Mater Dolorosa Catholic School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

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 10 public schools serving similar grades in Holyoke, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
This School
vs
12.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
126
This School
vs
402
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 77.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.5% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School Holyoke Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School (this school) 6.3
Kelly Elementary 7.0
H.B. Lawrence School 7.0
Morgan Full Service Community School 6.0
E N White Elementary 8.0
Joseph Metcalf School 4.9
Lt Clayre Sullivan Elementary 5.4
Holyoke Community Charter School 4.5
Holyoke STEM Academy 6.2
Lt Elmer J McMahon Elementary 6.9
Maurice A Donahue Elementary 6.9

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 MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 36%
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 126
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 MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 77.8%
Hispanic 17.5%
Two or More 4.0%
Black 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

25 MAPLE ST, Holyoke, MA 01040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dolorosa Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. E N White Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kelly Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, H.B. Lawrence School (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Holyoke, see our Holyoke schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
LIGHTHOUSE HOLYOKE Holyoke 0.6 mi 6.0
SPRINGDALE EDUCATION CENTER Holyoke 0.6 mi 7.7
Kelly Elementary Holyoke 0.7 mi 7.0
NEW ENGLAND ADOLESCENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE Holyoke 0.7 mi 7.3
H.B. Lawrence School Holyoke 0.7 mi 7.0
Morgan Full Service Community School Holyoke 1.1 mi 6.0
Holyoke High Holyoke 1.2 mi 5.8
South Hadley High South Hadley 1.5 mi 5.7
E N White Elementary Holyoke 1.5 mi 8.0
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Holyoke 1.5 mi 4.7
Bellamy Middle Chicopee 1.7 mi 5.6
CENTER SCHOOL Holyoke 1.7 mi 8.2
Fairview Elementary Chicopee 1.6 mi 5.6
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School South Hadley 2.1 mi 3.7
Joseph Metcalf School Holyoke 1.8 mi 4.9
BLESSED SACRAMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Holyoke 1.8 mi 5.1
Streiber Memorial School Chicopee 1.8 mi 6.1
Plains Elementary South Hadley 1.9 mi 5.9
Holyoke Community Charter School Holyoke 2.1 mi 4.5
Lambert-Lavoie Chicopee 2.5 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,892

Median Home Value

$255,300

Median Rent

$1,016/mo

Population

37,949

College Educated

24.3%

Homeownership

41.6%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

23.7%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has a median household income of $51,892. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $255,300, with a median rent of $1,016/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Colrain Central Colrain, MA 6.3
GREENFIELD CENTER SCHOOL Greenfield, MA 6.3
ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville, MA 6.3
SU ESCUELA LANGUAGE ACADEMY/SELA THE INTERNATIONAL Hingham, MA 6.3
Walnut Square Haverhill, MA 6.3
Pelham Elementary Pelham, MA 6.2

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 126 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is 9.6:1. 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 MA?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is ranked #191 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Mater Dolorosa Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 (5,291/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
126
Gender Split
60% M / 40% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
HAMPDEN
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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