Average
#62 of 186 private schools in OR
Top 33% of private schools
Holy Cross Catholic School
Elementary School
5202 N BOWDOIN ST, Portland, OR 97203
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 144 schools in Portland. Learn more
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Portland
#27 of 55
public schools
Oregon elementary schools
#36 of 111
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Holy Cross Catholic School
Holy Cross Catholic School serves 199 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Portland's North Bowdoin neighborhood. Despite its name suggesting a religious affiliation, this is actually a regular public elementary school with a favorable 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio and 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school earns a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 104th among Oregon's 186 elementary schools, placing it in the 45th percentile statewide.
This middle-tier performance suggests a school that provides steady educational opportunities for its diverse student body. Located in the 97203 ZIP code, Holy Cross serves a community where the median household income reaches $74,493 and home values average $448,500. The surrounding neighborhood reflects Portland's educational aspirations, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
However, the area also shows economic diversity, with a poverty rate of 21.1% among the 33,327 residents. The school's prekindergarten through eighth grade structure allows students to develop lasting relationships with teachers and peers throughout their elementary and middle school years. Holy Cross Catholic School operates within Portland's vibrant urban landscape, serving families in this large city setting where educational choices abound.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 199 students, Holy Cross 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, Holy Cross 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
BetaHow Holy Cross Catholic School compares to 134 public schools serving similar grades in Portland, OR
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Holy Cross Catholic School (this school) | 6.9 |
| Cesar Chavez K-8 School | 6.1 |
| Astor Elementary School | 9.3 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Peninsula Elementary School | 9.2 |
| George Middle School | 7.2 |
| Portland Village School | 7.9 |
| James John Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Chief Joseph Elementary School | 9.1 |
| Sitton Elementary School | 9.2 |
| Ockley Green Middle School | 8.3 |
| The Ivy School | 7.6 |
| Beach Elementary School | 8.9 |
| Boise-Eliot Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Chapman Elementary School | 5.6 |
| Woodlawn Elementary School | 9.4 |
| Kairos PDX | 7.1 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School | 9.1 |
| Forest Park Elementary School | 8.3 |
| Harriet Tubman Middle School | 9.4 |
| Metropolitan Learning Center | 8.0 |
Showing 20 of 134 schools. View all schools in Portland
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 OR.
Data Unavailable
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 OR
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
5202 N BOWDOIN ST, Portland, OR 97203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holy Cross Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Astor Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Peninsula Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sitton Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cesar Chavez K-8 School Portland | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Astor Elementary School Portland | 0.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary School Portland | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| SHINING STAR WALDORF SCHOOL Portland | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Roosevelt High School Portland | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| George Middle School Portland | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Peninsula Elementary School Portland | 1.1 mi | 9.2 |
| THE MONTESORRI HOUSE OF ST JOHNS Portland | 1.5 mi | — |
| Portland Village School Portland | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| James John Elementary School Portland | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Chief Joseph Elementary School Portland | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| OREGON OUTREACH Portland | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Sitton Elementary School Portland | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Beach Elementary School Portland | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Ockley Green Middle School Portland | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| The Ivy School Portland | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| CLASS ACADEMY Portland | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| TRINITY ACADEMY Portland | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Chapman Elementary School Portland | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson High School Portland | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,619
Median Home Value
$468,600
Median Rent
$1,551/mo
Population
33,159
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
58.9%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
19.5%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holy Cross Catholic School has a median household income of $77,619. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $468,600, with a median rent of $1,551/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| ARBOR SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES Tualatin, OR | 6.9 |
| Oregon Trail Academy Sandy, OR | 6.9 |
| ST THERESE SCHOOL Portland, OR | 6.9 |
| Tri City Elementary School Myrtle Creek, OR | 6.9 |
| Victor Point Elementary School Silverton, OR | 6.9 |
| Central Elementary School Albany, OR | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holy Cross Catholic School
What grades does Holy Cross Catholic School serve?
Holy Cross Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Holy Cross Catholic School?
Holy Cross Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross Catholic School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holy Cross Catholic School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Holy Cross Catholic School rank in OR?
Holy Cross Catholic School is ranked #62 out of 186 private schools in OR.
What is Holy Cross Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holy Cross Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Catholic School a private school?
Yes, Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross Catholic School a religious school?
Holy Cross Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 199
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 179 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- MULTNOMAH
- Phone
- (503) 329-4868
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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