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Academy of the Holy Cross: Academy of the Holy Cross at Night
Photo: Communicationsahc at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

Academy of the Holy Cross

  • LocationKensington, MD
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 371 students
  • SponsorSisters of the Holy Cross

All-female

Official website

The Academy of the Holy Cross is an all-girls Catholic high school in Kensington, Maryland, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Its published faith life includes a weekly chapel schedule with a Thursday Mass, weekly Reconciliation, peer-led retreats that culminate in a senior Kairos retreat, daily prayer, and at least 75 service hours required for graduation.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Academy of the Holy Cross, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miHoly Cross Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Holy Redeemer Church: 1.5 mi2Saint Jane Frances de Chantal: 1.6 mi3Saint Catherine Laboure Church: 2.0 mi4Shrine of Saint Jude Catholic Church: 2.3 mi5Saint Elizabeths Catholic Church: 2.5 mi6Academy of the Holy Cross (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Cross Catholic Church — 0.1 mi · 4900 Strathmore Avenue, Garrett Park
  2. Holy Redeemer Church — 1.5 mi · 9705 Summit Avenue, Kensington
  3. Saint Jane Frances de Chantal — 1.6 mi · 9601 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda
  4. Saint Catherine Laboure Church — 2.0 mi · 11801 Claridge Road, Wheaton
  5. Shrine of Saint Jude Catholic Church — 2.3 mi · 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville
  6. Saint Elizabeths Catholic Church — 2.5 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

CSacramental life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

65 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The spirituality page says the school offers monthly Mass. Its weekly chapel schedule lists Mass on Thursdays, which is more often; the lower level both pages support is recorded.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Cross is dedicated to each girl's spiritual growth, offering monthly Mass, weekly Reconciliation, and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      The school offers monthly Mass and weekly Reconciliation.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNo (The weekly chapel schedule lists Monday through Friday, and Mass appears only on Thursday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thursday: Mass”
      The weekly chapel schedule lists Mass on Thursday.
      “Friday: Adoration or Rosary (alternating weeks)”
      The weekly chapel schedule lists adoration or Rosary on Fridays in alternating weeks.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (The school says it offers weekly Reconciliation; the weekly chapel schedule lists Reconciliation on Wednesdays.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Cross is dedicated to each girl's spiritual growth, offering monthly Mass, weekly Reconciliation, and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      The school offers monthly Mass and weekly Reconciliation.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Adoration or Rosary is scheduled on Fridays in alternating weeks; adoration is offered about every other week.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Friday: Adoration or Rosary (alternating weeks)”
      The weekly chapel schedule lists adoration or Rosary on Fridays in alternating weeks.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Cross is dedicated to each girl's spiritual growth, offering monthly Mass, weekly Reconciliation, and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation.”
      The school offers monthly Mass and weekly Reconciliation.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Years of theology or religion requiredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
BCampus culture: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (The site describes peer-led retreats and a senior Kairos retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students participate in peer-led retreats that culminate in Kairos, a transformative four-day senior retreat.”
      Students take peer-led retreats that end with a senior Kairos retreat.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One campus minister is named on the site.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Seniors may take the Peer Ministry course taught by our Campus Minister.”
      The school names a campus minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Bibles & Barbells (a weekly club with scripture discussion) and the Campus Ministry Committee are faith-based student groups.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/student-experience/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bibles and Barbells provides a time each week to flex your faith and your muscles.”
      Bibles & Barbells is a weekly student club with scripture discussion.
    2. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Juniors and seniors can join the Campus Ministry Committee (CMC) to assist with liturgies, prayer, and service activities.”
      The Campus Ministry Committee is a student group that assists with liturgies and prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Cross fosters spiritual growth with daily prayers and optional lunch activities like group prayer, Reconciliation, and Mass.”
      The school has daily prayers.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (The site says students complete at least 75 service hours by graduation, and that it is a graduation requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Holy Cross, students complete at least 75 service hours by graduation, serving diverse populations such as the elderly, youth, and those facing challenges.”
      Students must complete at least 75 service hours to graduate.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Jesuit Refugee Service Club advocates for policy change and raises funds for refugees.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/student-experience/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The mission of the Jesuit Refugee Service club is to change the negative tone and perception of refugees, advocate for policy change, and host fundraising events”
      The Jesuit Refugee Service Club advocates for refugees and raises funds for them.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Students complete at least 75 service hours by graduation, which the school calls a graduation requirement.
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Holy Cross, students complete at least 75 service hours by graduation, serving diverse populations such as the elderly, youth, and those facing challenges.”
      Students must complete at least 75 service hours to graduate.
  • Prayer is built into the school day, and peer-led retreats culminate in a senior Kairos retreat.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Cross fosters spiritual growth with daily prayers and optional lunch activities like group prayer, Reconciliation, and Mass.”
      The school has daily prayers.
      “students participate in peer-led retreats that culminate in Kairos, a transformative four-day senior retreat.”
      Students take peer-led retreats that end with a senior Kairos retreat.
  • Two faith-based student groups are listed: Bibles & Barbells and the Campus Ministry Committee.
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/student-experience/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bibles and Barbells provides a time each week to flex your faith and your muscles.”
      Bibles & Barbells is a weekly student club with scripture discussion.
    2. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Juniors and seniors can join the Campus Ministry Committee (CMC) to assist with liturgies, prayer, and service activities.”
      The Campus Ministry Committee is a student group that assists with liturgies and prayer.

Concerns

  • Retreats are described as peer-led and culminating in a senior retreat.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students participate in peer-led retreats that culminate in Kairos, a transformative four-day senior retreat.”
      Students take peer-led retreats that end with a senior Kairos retreat.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry at The Academy of the Holy Cross

  • Address: 4920 Strathmore Avenue, Kensington, MD
  • Location: On campus

Source: academyoftheholycross.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, academyoftheholycross.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Faith formation 1

Clubs and groups 1

  • Bibles & Barbells
    Each week
    A weekly club that pairs a 30-minute workout with discussion of a scripture passage.
    academyoftheholycross.org

Retreats 1

Service 1

  • Jesuit Refugee Service Club
    Advocates for refugees and hosts fundraising events for Jesuit Refugee Service.
    academyoftheholycross.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Spirituality | Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org/spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Seniors may take the Peer Ministry course taught by our Campus Minister.”
    The school names a campus minister.
    “Seniors may take the Peer Ministry course taught by our Campus Minister.”
    The school names a campus minister.
  2. Home | The Academy of the Holy Crossacademyoftheholycross.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “4920 Strathmore Avenue”
    The school's street address is 4920 Strathmore Avenue, Kensington.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
99 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.8.6 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Washington, DC
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)371
Students in grades 9–12371
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio8.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingCity

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Washington

His Eminence Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

Source: adw.org, adw.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Academy of the Holy Cross a Catholic high school?
Yes. Academy of the Holy Cross is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington. Its sponsor is Sisters of the Holy Cross.

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