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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Holy Cross Catholic School compares to 134 public schools serving similar grades in Portland, OR

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
This School
vs
17.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
199
This School
vs
398
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.9
This School
vs
7.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 57.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 25.1% vs 0%
Asian 3.5% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
Holy Cross Catholic School Portland Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,109.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 59%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 199
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)

White 57.8%
Hispanic 25.1%
Two or More 9.0%
Asian 3.5%
Black 3.0%
Pacific Islander 1.5%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
99 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (6,288/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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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