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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How St Nicholas Catholic School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Gig Harbor, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
This School
vs
17.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
137
This School
vs
454
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 67.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 15.3% vs 0%
Asian 5.1% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
St Nicholas Catholic School Gig Harbor Public Avg

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.

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 12.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,206
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 49%
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 137
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)

White 67.9%
Hispanic 15.3%
Two or More 8.0%
Asian 5.1%
Black 2.2%
Native American 1.5%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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