Average
#146 of 381 private schools in WA
Top 38% of private schools
St Nicholas Catholic School
Elementary School
3555 EDWARDS DR, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 14 schools in Gig Harbor. Learn more
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Gig Harbor
#1 of 3
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#79 of 231
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About St Nicholas Catholic School
ST Nicholas Catholic School serves 137 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Gig Harbor's established suburban community. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 12:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 240th among Washington's 381 elementary schools, placing it in the 37th percentile statewide.
This elementary school provides a close-knit learning environment where teachers can develop meaningful relationships with students and families throughout their educational journey. St. Nicholas serves families in the 98335 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches nearly $120,000 and home values average just over $703,000.
The surrounding community demonstrates strong educational values, with 49% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and maintaining a low 3.2% poverty rate. These demographics reflect the family-oriented nature of the area and the community's investment in education. The school operates within Gig Harbor's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the stability of an established residential community that values educational excellence and family engagement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 137 students, St Nicholas 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, St Nicholas 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 St Nicholas Catholic School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Gig Harbor, WA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Nicholas Catholic School (this school) | 6.7 |
| Discovery Elementary School | 8.2 |
| Harbor Ridge Middle School | 6.0 |
| Pioneer Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Swift Water Elementary | 7.8 |
| Harbor Heights Elementary School | 9.2 |
| Goodman Middle School | 7.0 |
| Artondale Elementary School | 6.7 |
| Purdy Elementary School | 9.0 |
| Voyager Elementary | 7.2 |
| Kopachuck Middle School | 7.0 |
| Minter Creek Elementary | 7.7 |
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 WA.
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 WA
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
3555 EDWARDS DR, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Nicholas Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harbor Heights Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Purdy Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Point Defiance Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gig Harbor, see our Gig Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gig Harbor | 0.7 mi | — |
| Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Discovery Elementary School Gig Harbor | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Henderson Bay Alt High School Gig Harbor | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Gig Harbor | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Swift Water Elementary Gig Harbor | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Harbor Heights Elementary School Gig Harbor | 2.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Goodman Middle School Gig Harbor | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gig Harbor | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Artondale Elementary School Gig Harbor | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| GIG HARBOR ACADEMY Gig Harbor | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Science and Math Institute Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Purdy Elementary School Gig Harbor | 4.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Peninsula High School Gig Harbor | 4.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Point Defiance Elementary School Tacoma | 4.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Tacoma Online Elementary School Tacoma | 5.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Tacoma Online Middle School Tacoma | 5.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Tacoma Online High School Tacoma | 5.0 mi | — |
| Truman Middle School Tacoma | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98335 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$130,304
Median Home Value
$736,400
Median Rent
$1,971/mo
Population
27,956
College Educated
51.9%
Homeownership
78.3%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Nicholas Catholic School has a median household income of $130,304. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $736,400, with a median rent of $1,971/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| SPOKANE WINDSONG SCHOOL Spokane, WA | 6.7 |
| SPRUCE ST SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.7 |
| George Elementary Quincy, WA | 6.8 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION / OLPH Everett, WA | 6.8 |
| Palouse Elementary Palouse, WA | 6.8 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Nicholas Catholic School
What grades does St Nicholas Catholic School serve?
St Nicholas Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Nicholas Catholic School?
St Nicholas Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Nicholas Catholic School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Nicholas Catholic School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Nicholas Catholic School rank in WA?
St Nicholas Catholic School is ranked #146 out of 381 private schools in WA.
What is St Nicholas Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Nicholas Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Nicholas Catholic School a private school?
Yes, St Nicholas 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 St Nicholas Catholic School a religious school?
St Nicholas Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,183/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gig Harbor). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 137
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- PIERCE
- Phone
- (253) 858-7632
- 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.
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