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Very Good

#78 of 379 private schools in MD

Top 20% of private schools

Academy of the Holy Cross

High School

4920 STRATHMORE AVE, Kensington, MD 20895

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

395

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Kensington

#1 of 4

public schools

Maryland high schools

#9 of 49

About Academy of the Holy Cross

Academy of the Holy Cross is a high school located in Kensington, Maryland. Serving grades 9 through 12, this public institution enrolls 395 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from its dedicated faculty of 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite the lack of specific test score data, Academy of the Holy Cross remains committed to fostering an educational environment focused on student development and growth.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 reflects areas where there may be room for academic improvement, but it also highlights the ongoing efforts by educators and administrators to enhance learning opportunities for its students. Academy of the Holy Cross is situated in a large suburban area that offers a vibrant community with access to various resources and activities. Overall, Academy of the Holy Cross provides a supportive educational setting within the heart of a dynamic suburban neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Academy of the Holy Cross 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 Academy of the Holy Cross compares to the 7 public schools in Kensington, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
This School
vs
12.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
395
This School
vs
752
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.3
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 62% vs 0%
White 21% vs 0%
Black 10.4% vs 0%
Asian 3% vs 0%
Academy of the Holy Cross Kensington Public Avg

All Schools in Kensington

School Rating
Academy of the Holy Cross (this school) 7.3
Garrett Park Elementary 7.2
Kensington Parkwood Elementary 7.6
Rock View Elementary 8.2
Silver Creek Middle 5.9
Albert Einstein High 6.4
Newport Mill Middle 6.2
Stephen Knolls School 6.7

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 MD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,357.2
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 56%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 395
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 MD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 62.0%
White 21.0%
Black 10.4%
Two or More 3.3%
Asian 3.0%
Pacific Islander 0.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4920 STRATHMORE AVE, Kensington, MD 20895

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Academy of the Holy Cross may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rock View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kensington Parkwood Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, STONE RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kensington, see our Kensington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Garrett Park Elementary Kensington 0.2 mi 7.2
GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL North Bethesda 0.5 mi 6.7
Kensington Parkwood Elementary Kensington 0.7 mi 7.6
Woodlin Elementary Bethesda 1.0 mi 6.7
WHITE FLINT CHILDREN'S HOUSE Rockville 1.2 mi
Viers Mill Elementary Silver Spring 1.4 mi 5.6
HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensington 1.4 mi 7.1
HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL KENSINGTON Kensington 1.4 mi 6.3
ROCHAMBEAU-THE FRENCH INTL SCHOOL Bethesda 1.4 mi 7.0
Rock View Elementary Kensington 1.3 mi 8.2
BETHESDA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 1.6 mi 4.9
ROCK CREEK MONTESSORI SCHL Silver Spring 1.4 mi
MANOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL-ROCKVILLE Rockville 1.4 mi
ST JANE DE CHANTAL SCHOOL Bethesda 1.6 mi 6.9
STONE RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Bethesda 1.8 mi 7.6
FERNWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethesda 1.5 mi
THE LOURIE CTR SCHOOL OF THE REGINALD S LOURIE Rockville 1.9 mi
EXECUTIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Rockville 1.7 mi
GRACE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Kensington 1.8 mi 7.3
ONENESS-FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON Kensington 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20895 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$169,527

Median Home Value

$744,000

Median Rent

$2,075/mo

Population

19,042

College Educated

73.8%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Academy of the Holy Cross has a median household income of $169,527. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $744,000, with a median rent of $2,075/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 7.2
CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac, MD 6.9
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE Baltimore, MD 6.8
CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Towson, MD 6.7
GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL North Bethesda, MD 6.7
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Academy of the Holy Cross

What grades does Academy of the Holy Cross serve?

Academy of the Holy Cross serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Academy of the Holy Cross?

Academy of the Holy Cross has an enrollment of approximately 395 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy of the Holy Cross?

The student-teacher ratio at Academy of the Holy Cross is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Academy of the Holy Cross rank in MD?

Academy of the Holy Cross is ranked #78 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Academy of the Holy Cross's MySchoolScout rating?

Academy of the Holy Cross has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Academy of the Holy Cross a private school?

Yes, Academy of the Holy Cross is a private all-girls 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 Academy of the Holy Cross a religious school?

Academy of the Holy Cross has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
60 Good Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
395
Gender Split
0% M / 100% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
private
Coed Status
all-girls
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
174 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
MONTGOMERY
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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