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Average

#38 of 64 private schools in ME

Holy Cross School

Elementary School

436 BROADWAY, South Portland, ME 04106

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In South Portland

#2 of 2

public schools

Maine elementary schools

#13 of 23

About Holy Cross School

Holy Cross School is a public elementary school located in the heart of South Portland, Cumberland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Holy Cross offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 148 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, ensuring each child receives individual attention. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school focuses on providing a strong educational foundation for its diverse community.

While specific academic test scores are not available, Holy Cross has earned recognition as one of the top schools in Maine according to MySchoolScout's ranking system. The school prioritizes student development and growth across all grade levels, fostering an inclusive learning atmosphere that encourages creativity and critical thinking. Holy Cross School is situated in a small city setting, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources while maintaining a close-knit campus feel.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 148 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Holy Cross 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, 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

Beta

How Holy Cross School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in South Portland, ME

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
This School
vs
8.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
148
This School
vs
190
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.0
This School
vs
4.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.1% vs 0%
Asian 3.4% vs 0%
Black 2.7% vs 0%
Holy Cross School South Portland Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Holy Cross School (this school) 6.0
Frank I Brown Elementary School 4.8
Dora L Small Elementary School 4.8
James Otis Kaler Elementary School 5.1
Dyer Elementary School 4.5
Waldo T Skillin Elementary School 5.2
Arthur R. Gould Sch--LCYDC

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 ME.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 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)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,085
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 20%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 148
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 ME

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 88.5%
Hispanic 4.1%
Asian 3.4%
Black 2.7%
Native American 0.7%
Pacific Islander 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

436 BROADWAY, South Portland, ME 04106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holy Cross School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEVEY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Presumpscot School (rated 6.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pond Cove Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Cape Elizabeth), with a very similar rating. For more schools in South Portland, see our South Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Frank I Brown Elementary School South Portland 0.1 mi 4.8
Dora L Small Elementary School South Portland 0.8 mi 4.8
AUCOCISCO SCHOOL Cape Elizabeth 1.2 mi
James Otis Kaler Elementary School South Portland 1.2 mi 5.1
Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland 1.4 mi 4.3
WAYNFLETE SCHOOL Portland 1.3 mi 7.5
South Portland High School South Portland 1.4 mi 5.2
Portland High School Portland 1.7 mi 5.4
Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences Portland 1.8 mi 6.3
Dyer Elementary School South Portland 1.7 mi 4.5
King Middle School Portland 2.0 mi 4.9
East End Community School Portland 2.5 mi 3.6
GREATER PORTLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL South Portland 2.1 mi 7.0
Pond Cove Elementary Cape Elizabeth 3.0 mi 5.8
Cape Elizabeth Middle School Cape Elizabeth 3.0 mi 6.6
LEVEY DAY SCHOOL Portland 2.7 mi 7.3
Cape Elizabeth High School Cape Elizabeth 3.3 mi 6.9
Presumpscot School Portland 3.4 mi 6.7
CHEVERUS HIGH SCHOOL Portland 3.4 mi 6.4
GLICKMAN ACADEMY Portland 3.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 04106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,744

Median Home Value

$403,500

Median Rent

$1,642/mo

Population

26,966

College Educated

49%

Homeownership

60.4%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holy Cross School has a median household income of $83,744. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,500, with a median rent of $1,642/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Fort Street School Mars Hill, ME 6.0
Harrington Elementary School Harrington, ME 6.0
Lubec Consolidated School Lubec, ME 6.0
Memorial School New Gloucester, ME 6.0
Russell School Gray, ME 6.0
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bangor, ME 5.9

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 148 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross School?

The student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross School rank in ME?

Holy Cross School is ranked #38 out of 64 private schools in ME.

What is Holy Cross School's MySchoolScout rating?

Holy Cross School has a composite rating of 6.0 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,444/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
148
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.2 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Small City
County
CUMBERLAND
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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