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Below Average

#349 of 389 private schools in MA

St John Paul II Catholic Academy

Elementary School

2222 DORCHESTER AVE, Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

408

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Dorchester Center

#2 of 2

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#170 of 200

About St John Paul II Catholic Academy

ST John Paul II Catholic Academy is a public elementary school located in Dorchester Center, Boston. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 408 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance data indicates that there is room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 1.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #373 out of 389 schools in Massachusetts.

Despite the challenges, ST John Paul II Catholic Academy offers a supportive educational environment where teachers can provide personalized attention to each student. The school is situated in a large city setting within Dorchester Center, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods that contribute to a rich community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, St John Paul II Catholic Academy 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.

Schools in Dorchester Center

No public schools found in Dorchester Center for comparison. 1 other private school in the area.

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)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 15.5:1
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)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 24%
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 408
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)

Black 86.5%
Two or More 10.8%
White 1.5%
Asian 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2222 DORCHESTER AVE, Dorchester Center, MA 02124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St John Paul II Catholic Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EPIPHANY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dorchester Center, see our Dorchester Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOHN PAUL LOWER MILLS Dorchester 0.0 mi 5.5
Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Upper Dorchester 0.5 mi 4.7
Taylor Elementary School Mattapan 0.6 mi 5.8
Lee Academy Dorchester 0.9 mi 7.9
TechBoston Academy Dorchester 0.9 mi 5.2
Glover Milton 1.0 mi 5.3
Boston International High School & Newcomers Academy Dorchester 0.8 mi 5.2
Codman Academy Charter Public School Dorchester 1.1 mi 5.9
FONTBONNE ACADEMY Milton 1.0 mi 6.4
ST BRENDAN SCHOOL Dorchester 1.0 mi 3.8
Kenny Elementary School Dorchester 1.1 mi 6.5
EPIPHANY SCHOOL Dorchester Center 1.3 mi 8.0
Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower Dorchester 1.4 mi 7.0
Shaw Elementary School Dorchester 1.1 mi 3.4
Lee K-8 School Dorchester 1.4 mi 5.0
BEREA SDA ACADEMY Mattapan 1.2 mi 5.6
Charles S Pierce Middle Milton 1.4 mi 7.0
Neighborhood House Charter School Dorchester 1.5 mi 5.1
ST MARY OF THE HILLS SCHOOL Milton 1.3 mi 6.2
Holmes Elementary School Dorchester 1.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,168

Median Home Value

$607,200

Median Rent

$1,783/mo

Population

55,897

College Educated

31.1%

Homeownership

42%

Avg Commute

35 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding St John Paul II Catholic Academy has a median household income of $79,168. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,200, with a median rent of $1,783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brightwood Springfield, MA 4.8
C A Farley Hudson, MA 4.8
Elizabeth S Brown Swansea, MA 4.8
George R Austin Intermediate School Lakeville, MA 4.8
Highlands Danvers, MA 4.8
John Avery Parker New Bedford, MA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St John Paul II Catholic Academy

What grades does St John Paul II Catholic Academy serve?

St John Paul II Catholic Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St John Paul II Catholic Academy?

St John Paul II Catholic Academy has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St John Paul II Catholic Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at St John Paul II Catholic Academy is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St John Paul II Catholic Academy rank in MA?

St John Paul II Catholic Academy is ranked #349 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is St John Paul II Catholic Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

St John Paul II Catholic Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 St John Paul II Catholic Academy a private school?

Yes, St John Paul II Catholic Academy 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 St John Paul II Catholic Academy a religious school?

St John Paul II Catholic Academy has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
408
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large City
County
SUFFOLK
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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