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Aerial view of Holy Cross District High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Holy Cross District High School

  • LocationCovington, KY
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 314 students
Official website

Holy Cross District High School is a Catholic high school in Covington, Kentucky. All students attend school Masses, which the 2026-2027 handbook says are scheduled monthly, and every student takes religion courses in all four years. The school lists a campus minister, daily prayer reflections, a required Christian service program of 100 hours over four years, and a Pro-Life Club.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Holy Cross District High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miHoly Cross Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Holy Cross Catholic Church: 0.1 mi2Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church: 0.9 mi3Saint Anthony Catholic Church: 0.9 mi4Saint Augustine Catholic Church: 1.4 mi5Saint Benedict Catholic Church: 1.7 mi6Holy Cross District High School Campus Ministry: 0.1 miHoly Cross District High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Cross Catholic Church — 0.1 mi · 3612 Church Street, Latonia
  2. Holy Cross Catholic Church — 0.1 mi
  3. Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church — 0.9 mi
  4. Saint Anthony Catholic Church — 0.9 mi
  5. Saint Augustine Catholic Church — 1.4 mi
  6. Saint Benedict Catholic Church — 1.7 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

60 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 2026-2027 student handbook says school Masses are scheduled monthly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students must attend school Masses which are scheduled monthly.”
      School Masses are scheduled monthly for all students.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (The handbook lists Prayer and Reconciliation services without stating how often they are held.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Prayer and Reconciliation services”
      The spiritual program includes Prayer and Reconciliation services.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (School Masses are scheduled. A priest, Fr. Jeffrey VonLehmen, is listed on the Religion faculty.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students must attend school Masses which are scheduled monthly.”
      School Masses are scheduled monthly for all students.
    2. Faculty and Staff | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/home/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “VonLehmen, Fr. Jeffrey Religion Dept. Religion IV”
      A priest, Fr. Jeffrey VonLehmen, is listed on the Religion faculty; no chaplain is named.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Four units of religion are required for graduation, and Religion I through IV are one credit each, one per grade (grades 9 to 12). Four full-year equivalents; theology is taken in every grade.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Academic Structure | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/academics/academic-structure · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 Credits Religion”
      Four credits of religion are required to graduate.
    2. Holy Cross High School Course Descriptionshchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/uploads/documents/curriculum-guide.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion I Grades: 9 Credits: 1”
      Religion I is a one-credit course for grade 9.
      “The second semester students will have an option to study one of the following elective Religion courses”
      Religion IV includes a second-semester elective choice.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (The second-semester Religion IV elective options include World Religions and Catholic Faith: Ecumenism and Apologetics.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Course Descriptionshchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/uploads/documents/curriculum-guide.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “World Religions and Catholic Faith: Ecumenism and Apologetics.”
      An apologetics course is an elective option in Religion IV.
  • 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

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each senior makes a retreat each year. All students, grades 9 to 12, must take part in the Days of Recollection.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each year all members of the senior class make a retreat.”
      Every senior makes a retreat each year.
      “On “Days of Recollection”, all students must participate although it is not a requirement for graduation.”
      All students must take part in the Days of Recollection.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One campus minister is listed (Hannah Knox). The Christian Service program director is named separately and is not counted here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty and Staff | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/home/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Knox, Hannah Campus Minister River Cities Scholars Director”
      Hannah Knox is listed as Campus Minister.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The clubs page lists one faith-based student group: the Pro-Life Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs and Activities | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/student-life/co-curricular-activities/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Pro-Life club helps our students foster and grow a culture of life within our school and community.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The handbook lists school-wide prayer reflections each morning and afternoon.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School-wide prayer reflections each morning and afternoon”
      School-wide prayer reflections are held each morning and afternoon.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Required service is 10 hours (freshman), 20 (sophomore), 30 (junior) and 40 (senior), which totals 100 hours over four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students commit to a program of service in which they devote 10-40 hours of their time to others and their communities.”
      Students commit to a Christian service program of 10 to 40 hours a year.
    2. Academic Structure | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/academics/academic-structure · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To receive a diploma from Holy Cross, students must earn 26 1/2 units of credit and complete 100 service hours.”
      Graduation requires 100 service hours.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teaching is one of the Religion IV elective options. It is an elective, not a required course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Course Descriptionshchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/uploads/documents/curriculum-guide.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The name of this course is “Catholic Social Teaching.””
      Catholic Social Teaching is an elective option in Religion IV.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The Pro-Life Club takes part in diocesan pro-life events and raises funds for an annual March for Life trip.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs and Activities | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/student-life/co-curricular-activities/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Pro-Life club helps our students foster and grow a culture of life within our school and community.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club.
      “The Pro-Life club participates in various Diocesan pro-life events, such as the pro-life mass in October”
      The Pro-Life Club takes part in diocesan pro-life events, including a pro-life Mass in October.
      “We also organize car washes and bake sales to help pay for our annual trip to the "March for Life" trip to Washington D.C. in January.”
      The Pro-Life Club raises money for an annual March for Life trip to Washington, D.C., in January.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • All students attend school Masses, which are scheduled monthly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students must attend school Masses which are scheduled monthly.”
      School Masses are scheduled monthly for all students.
  • Students take religion courses in all four years, and four units are required for graduation.
    Sources (2)
    1. Academic Structure | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/academics/academic-structure · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 Credits Religion”
      Four credits of religion are required to graduate.
    2. Holy Cross High School Course Descriptionshchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/uploads/documents/curriculum-guide.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion I Grades: 9 Credits: 1”
      Religion I is a one-credit course for grade 9.
  • Students complete a required Christian service program of 100 hours over four years.
    Sources (2)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students commit to a program of service in which they devote 10-40 hours of their time to others and their communities.”
      Students commit to a Christian service program of 10 to 40 hours a year.
    2. Academic Structure | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/academics/academic-structure · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To receive a diploma from Holy Cross, students must earn 26 1/2 units of credit and complete 100 service hours.”
      Graduation requires 100 service hours.
  • The school holds prayer reflections each morning and afternoon, and every senior makes a retreat each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “School-wide prayer reflections each morning and afternoon”
      School-wide prayer reflections are held each morning and afternoon.
      “Each year all members of the senior class make a retreat.”
      Every senior makes a retreat each year.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Holy Cross District High School Campus Ministry

  • Address: 3617 Church St, Covington, KY 41015
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: hchscov.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, hchscov.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 4 location not published

Service 1

  • Christian Service ProgramOff campus
    10 to 40 hours a year, due by May 1
    Required service program: students serve with approved community agencies; examples listed include the Diocesan Children's Home, a parish kitchen and St. Vincent de Paul.
    hchscov.com, hchscov.com

Clubs and groups 1

  • Pro-Life Club
    Student club that fosters a culture of life, takes part in diocesan pro-life events and raises money for an annual March for Life trip.
    hchscov.com, hchscov.com, hchscov.com

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • School Masses
    Scheduled monthly
    All students attend school Masses; students walk to Holy Cross Church for them.
    hchscov.com, hchscov.com
  • Prayer and Reconciliation services
    Listed in the spiritual program.
    hchscov.com

Retreats 1

  • Days of Recollection and senior retreat
    All students take part in Days of Recollection; each senior class makes a retreat every year.
    hchscov.com, hchscov.com

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 (3)
  1. Holy Cross High School Student Handbook 2026-2027hchscov.com/sites/holycross/files/student_handbook_2026-2027_1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Campus Minister coordinates the activities that deal with the spiritual”
    The school has a Campus Minister who coordinates spiritual activities.
  2. Campus Ministry | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Requirements per year are as follows:”
    The campus ministry page sets out the Christian Service requirements by year.
    “Requirements per year are as follows:”
    The campus ministry page sets out the Christian Service requirements by year.
  3. Mission Statement | Holy Cross District HShchscov.com/home/mission-statement · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “3617 Church St / Covington, KY 41015”
    The school is at 3617 Church Street, Covington, Kentucky 41015.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
73 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.90%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.8 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Covington, KY
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)314
Students in grades 9–12314
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
SettingSuburb

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

Diocese of Covington

The Most Reverend John C. Iffert, Bishop of Covington

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Holy Cross District High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Holy Cross District High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Covington.
What is Holy Cross District High School’s Compass Score?
78 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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