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

Catholic high school

Holy Cross High School

  • LocationWaterbury, CT
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 495 students
Official website

Holy Cross High School is a Catholic college preparatory school in Waterbury, Connecticut, rooted in the educational philosophy of Blessed Basil Moreau. Its own pages describe masses, daily prayer and class retreats, and a four-year theology sequence that includes a required Catholic Social Teaching course for juniors.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Holy Cross High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miCatholic church (unnamed in OpenStreetMap): 1.3 mi1Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church: 1.5 mi2Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church: 1.8 mi3Shrine of St. Anne: 1.8 mi4Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: 2.2 mi5Sacred Heart: 2.5 mi6Campus Ministry, Holy Cross High School: 0.1 miHoly Cross High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Catholic church (unnamed in OpenStreetMap) — 1.3 mi
  2. Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 2071 Baldwin Street, Waterbury
  3. Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 581 Baldwin Street, Waterbury
  4. Shrine of St. Anne — 1.8 mi · 515 South Main Street, Waterbury
  5. Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — 2.2 mi · 74 West Main Street, Waterbury
  6. Sacred Heart — 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.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

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

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (The school calendar lists a 'Mass Day' on October 2, 2026. No page gives how often school Masses are held.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Calendar | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fri, October 02, 2026 View Details Mass Day”
      The school calendar lists a Mass Day on October 2, 2026.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot 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.
    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 confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
      The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
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 (Each grade takes one 1-credit theology course: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. Computed from the four required courses on the school's theology page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curricular Offerings - Theology | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/academics/curricular-offerings/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “INTRODUCTION to SCRIPTURE Course #822 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Freshmen”
      A 1-credit theology course is required of freshmen.
      “CHRISTIAN MORALITY Course #831 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Sophomores”
      A 1-credit Christian Morality course is required of sophomores.
      “Required of: Juniors Catholic Social Teaching: In this course, students explore the social teachings of the Catholic Church as they relate to the principles of protecting human life and dignity”
      A Catholic Social Teaching and World Religions course is required of juniors.
      “FAITH and Science / CATHOLIC ETHICS Course #825 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Seniors”
      A 1-credit Faith and Science / Catholic Ethics course is required of seniors.
  • 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 (Catholic Ethics is taught within the senior course 'Faith & Science / Catholic Ethics'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curricular Offerings - Theology | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/academics/curricular-offerings/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In this course, students explore the concept of ethics and ethical thinking to guide daily living”
      The senior theology course includes Catholic ethics.
  • 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.
CCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

68 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 Faith page says the school promotes faith through 'class retreats'. No page says which grades attend a retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
      The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One campus ministry staff member is listed: the Director of Campus Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Crusader Voices | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/crusader-voices · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kyle Piatak Director of Campus Ministry”
      Kyle Piatak is the school's Director of Campus Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Peer Ministry is listed among the on-campus groups.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service at Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Several on-campus groups including National Honor Society, Peer Ministry, Student Council, Helping Hands, Athletic Council, Crusade for a Cure and Student Activities have raised money and awareness for a variety of causes.”
      Peer Ministry is one of the on-campus student groups.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
      The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
DService and Catholic social teaching: Limited (grade D): 40 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

42 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required service hoursNo requirement (The service page says students serve 'because they want to do it; not because they have to do it'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service at Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our students donate their time because they want to do it; not because they have to do it.”
      The school states that service is not required.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The Catholic Social Teaching course is required of juniors.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curricular Offerings - Theology | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/academics/curricular-offerings/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Required of: Juniors Catholic Social Teaching: In this course, students explore the social teachings of the Catholic Church as they relate to the principles of protecting human life and dignity”
      A Catholic Social Teaching and World Religions course is required of juniors.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • The school states it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
      The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
  • Every grade takes a required theology course, and juniors take a Catholic Social Teaching course.
    Sources (1)
    1. Curricular Offerings - Theology | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/academics/curricular-offerings/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “INTRODUCTION to SCRIPTURE Course #822 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Freshmen”
      A 1-credit theology course is required of freshmen.
      “CHRISTIAN MORALITY Course #831 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Sophomores”
      A 1-credit Christian Morality course is required of sophomores.
      “Required of: Juniors Catholic Social Teaching: In this course, students explore the social teachings of the Catholic Church as they relate to the principles of protecting human life and dignity”
      A Catholic Social Teaching and World Religions course is required of juniors.
      “FAITH and Science / CATHOLIC ETHICS Course #825 Level: 2 Credit: 1 Required of: Seniors”
      A 1-credit Faith and Science / Catholic Ethics course is required of seniors.

Concerns

  • The school states that service is not required.
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service at Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our students donate their time because they want to do it; not because they have to do it.”
      The school states that service is not required.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Holy Cross High School

  • Address: 587 Oronoke Road, Waterbury, CT 06708
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Clubs and groups 1

  • Peer Ministry
    An on-campus student group listed on the school's service page.
    holycrossct.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. Faith | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
    The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
    “We promote the religious growth of our students through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.”
    The school says it promotes religious growth through masses, daily prayer and class retreats.
    “587 Oronoke Road, Waterbury, CT 06708”
    The school's address is 587 Oronoke Road, Waterbury, CT 06708.
  2. Crusader Voices | Holy Cross High Schoolholycrossct.org/our-experience/crusader-voices · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Kyle Piatak Director of Campus Ministry”
    Kyle Piatak is the school's Director of Campus Ministry.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: 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.
60 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.84%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.7 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 Hartford, CT
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)495
Students in grades 9–12495
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.7 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges84%
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 Hartford

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Holy Cross High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Holy Cross High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

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