We had great communication with teachers and our children loved the school. Horrible experiences with office staff/admin. (my rating ) Definitely a result of the pandemic and How tough this all is on everyone. Just ruined the whole Holy Cross School Experience I think we would have had. We love Holy Cross Preschool, maybe if the office up at the main school were more like the pre school admin/teachers it could have been a different year for me And my husband. But the schools teachers go above and beyond with the students. just was my experience. hope this whole thing passes. good luck and blessings read more

This is a horrible school. They lie to parents, they break labor laws and have no business being in education. The teachers are poor and under trained. Many don't have teaching credentials and lack teaching experience. They go through principals like a revolving door. Kimberly Chang was the worst of them all. Don't send your kids here if you want them to get an education or learn morals like honesty and faith. read more

Absolutely pleased with the education and moral values being taught to our child. Our child has been going to Holy Cross School for 3 years and this is a community of very supportive and non-judgmental parents and teachers. There are many events that support the values of the school. They have a big buddy system where the 8th graders and 7th graders are buddies to the little Kindergarteners and 1st Graders. The little kids love the interactions and attention from the big kids. The big kids learn valuable lessons by helping the little ones and 'guiding' them in different events. It's also a great way to help the new families meet other families who've had their kids in the school for longer. read more

I had never considered parochial school for our children, and only did so when the pandemic happened- when public schools went remote. We have been so incredibly thankful for this change. We LOVE this school, and our children, ages 9 and 7 years old, LOVE it. And my children are challenged academically and step up to it, and love the structure of their day. This is our second year. Growing up, even though I did well in school, I never actually wanted to go, and it's strange to see our children accountable, even asking to go to school when they are sick?!? It is seriously a wonderful and supportive community, with the staff, the principle who knows everyone's name, and all the parents within the school. It's evident how happy the children are, when they break out for lunch, and they are running around in recess. For a school that is smaller than public, the resources are amazing, and the spirit is incredible. A visit will make you believe, and you will feel the charm and the pride. It's also quite honestly much cheaper than other private schools in Santa Cruz, and I quite honestly do feel like I am paying for a better eduction than in public. My 4th grader is being given extra math homework, because he accepts it, and in turn, he is not bored, understands that he is "not good at everything, " and well, continues to try even when he gets things wrong. And in terms of the Catholicism. Whatever the religion, hopefully, it comes with faith. And I am thankful that my children are learning about that right now. That even when their lives feel hard, they are ultimately not alone, and they are always loved. They are learning about Love. It's a lesson that many adults have forgotten or never learned. read more

My son has been attending Holy Cross since pre-school and we've been very happy with the education, teachers, more recently the COVID-19 protocols and above all the community. I can see my son excited and relaxed to go to school, they've instilled a love for learning even if what they're learning can be challenging for him. We feel lucky to have found and become a part of Holy Cross. read more

It's been such a pleasure sending our daughters to Holy Cross. When we arrived a couple of years ago, we were looking for an exceptional school experience for our, then, three year old. We found Holy Cross Pre-school and never left. Our oldest daughter loves her school. She loves her classmates, teachers, staff, and curriculum. She asked to stay there until second grade, when they do their communion. Then, she asked to continue on to third grade because that's when the choir can go to the risers. Her faith is strong and I can honestly say that it is because of her school. She is now part of a girls running club and is looking forward to what other great opportunities she can be part of with her friends. My you hear daughter just started going to Holy Cross in their preschool and she LOVES it!!!!! I pick her up from school and she is as happy as when I left her. It truly is a great way to receive your children after a long day at work. Both my partner and I work full time, so having an extended care built in is a great way for the children to be part of other activities within the same school. I appreciate the dedication of the teachers, the principal, Ms. Catalina, the PARENT ASSOCIATION, staff, and the community. Go Panthers!!!!!!! read more

Holy Cross Elementary School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

In Junior High, my parents sent me to Holy Cross School. I went from public to Holy Cross. I was not happy at first, but it was the best experience. I was welcomed and made some life long friends. My kids who are in 5th and 7th, have been there since kindergarten. It's a sense of community, stability, kids are kind to each other. And the education that they are receiving is phenomenal. Field trips, Middle School science fair, Mission Report, Egyptian tomb project, learning Spanish, Religion (but you do not need to be Catholic). And then there is the athletic program which is the best. The children do not have to try out for the teams. They just get to be on them and experience team sportsmanship, learn the love of the sport, connection, sense of belonging, and it helps them get better at the sport as they start them young. I learned the love of basketball there as I played for HC, and when I went onto high school, I made the team, had to try out but made it. My children love the school, and so do we! read more

First rate education, loving environment. Highly recommend. My son started at Holy Cross in K. When I saw how amazing the students coming from their PK program were I immediately moved my daughter to the PreSchool. Greatest decision! What I love most is the class sizes and their ability to teach a wide range of subjects. Spanish classes start in preschool and carry all the way through 8th. The sports program rises above even the large public schools. It's truly an awesome school we get to call family. read more

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I have had many years of experience with Holy Cross school. The school is like no other. The staff really make you feel welcome and part of the schools community. Each teacher treats the children as their own. I am very happy with the curriculum and the way they teach it. If you are looking for a great private school that will teach your child morals and values along with a high level education, this is the place to go. Catholic school is a choice and you won't be sorry choosing this school for your child. read more

My son attended preschool for 2 years and is now in Kindergarten. He absolutely loves his teachers and his classmates. The faculty and staff are amazing. Principal Patano really cares about the students and it shows. I highly recommend Holy Cross Elementary. read more

In terms of strict academics, this school succeeds if your student doesn't have any particular learning differences. However, culturally and in terms of community, this school is really an enclave of snobbery and exclusion. (Maybe this is true of all private schools. I don't know) This is not a fault of the school administrators. The culture of exclusion, bullying and snobbery is what a dominant minority of parents/families bring to the school - Which also makes it impossible for the school administrators to solve. I've had kids at this school through a succession of principals and 2 of the 4 principals have confided in me their dismay over the impossible petty nastiness that seems to be an intractable element of the culture of the HC community. It's ironic that at the Catholic school the message of love and inclusion is trampled over in favor of a socioeconomic system of exclusion. read more

As an alumni myself, I was leaning towards Holy Cross, when it was time for my child to attend preschool in 2008. I was not disappointed. The morals, values and respect taught are unsurpassed. The academics are top of the line. The community the church, school and families create, is what we all wish for our children. We have now been parents at Holy Cross for 8 years and are very proud to be in the Holy Cross family. read more

Holy Cross Elementary is a warm, loving environment with an excellent academic program. Classes are small, and teachers are experienced in teaching children to be life long learners. My child attended Holy Cross from Kindergarten through 8th Grade, we were always treated like family, we both made friends for life. After attending a college prep High School, my Holy Cross Alumni is now a freshman in college, the wonderful education she received at Holy Cross gave her an excellent foundation for success. read more

Excellent local school with family atmosphere. First and foremost, the quality of our child's education here has been top notch. Principal Kimberly Cheng has put her stamp on the curriculum and her presence. We regularly see her around campus and she is very involved with teachers, parents, and kids alike. We are grateful that our child is being taught to excel in such a nurturing environment. Our first grader is being taught advanced curriculum supplemented by library/computer lab time, PE, character education assemblies, and courses rich in art/music/Spanish. The big buddy mentorship program also creates a life lasting bond of friendship among all students. An anticipated STEM-based series of science classes sets a level of expectations within an ideal 13:1 teacher/student ratio. Most of all, the diversity is refreshing compared to all Santa Cruz elementary schools. It's a global world and a global economy and Holy Cross is leading the charge with the motto to grow, nurture and achieve. We couldn't be happier. read more

Holy Cross Elementary School - Cookies for Courage-Annual celebration honoring the local servicemen and women of law enforcement on September 11th. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Our family had 2 exceptional years here, but the upward trajectory the school was finally on took a nose dive with the dismissal of Principal Hooper & will not likely rebound to the level it was at for some time. We left after this occured as did a large number of other families. read more