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Aerial view of Our Lady of the Cross School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Our Lady of the Cross School

  • LocationLebanon, PA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 83 students
Official website

Our Lady of the Cross School is an independent, lay-operated Catholic school in Lebanon, PA, founded in 2021 and faithful to the Magisterium. Its home page says the Mass, Confession, adoration and daily prayer are offered, and its 2026-27 handbook requires four years of theology and includes retreats among required religious life.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Our Lady of the Cross School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 2.7 mi1Saint Cecilia's Catholic Church: 2.7 mi2Our Lady of the Cross School (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — 2.7 mi · 2 North 8th Street, Lebanon
  2. Saint Cecilia's Catholic Church — 2.7 mi · 120 East Lehman Street, Lebanon

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.

DSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

47 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 yearA few times a year (An older spiritual life page says monthly; its calendar is for 2023-24.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
  • 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 home page confirms the Sacrament of Confession is offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (The home page confirms opportunities for adoration.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Mass is offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
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 (Theology is 4 credits, and the handbook says it is required for each year a student is enrolled. Year-long courses carry 1 credit (English is 4 credits for four years); four years of theology.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student & Parent Handbook 2026-2027ourladyofthecross.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Student-Handbook-1.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology credits are required for the years that students are enrolled at Our Lady of the Cross.”
      Theology is a required subject for each year a student is enrolled, 4 credits in total.
  • 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.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The 2026-27 handbook requires all enrolled students to take part in retreats as part of required religious life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student & Parent Handbook 2026-2027ourladyofthecross.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Student-Handbook-1.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “regularly scheduled classes in religion, prayer, assemblies, liturgies, retreats or functions”
      Retreats are part of the required religious life and school activities for enrolled students.
      “All enrolled students will participate in all aspects of the religious education program and spiritual life of the school”
      All enrolled students are required to take part in the religious education program and spiritual life of the school.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus ministry staffNot 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-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The home page says daily prayer is offered as part of the school's spiritual life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot 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.
    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.
  • 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's home page says the Mass, Confession, adoration and daily prayer are offered.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Cross – Faith Reason Witnessourladyofthecross.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered regularly, along with the Sacrament of Confession, opportunities for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as daily prayer, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other prayer services.”
      The school offers Mass regularly, Confession, opportunities for adoration, and daily prayer.
  • Theology is required for every year a student is enrolled, four credits in total.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student & Parent Handbook 2026-2027ourladyofthecross.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Student-Handbook-1.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology credits are required for the years that students are enrolled at Our Lady of the Cross.”
      Theology is a required subject for each year a student is enrolled, 4 credits in total.

Concerns

None recorded.

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Catholic clubs and student life

3 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 3 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 2

Retreats 1

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

Reach out

Contact details for Deb Waters (Head of School) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.8.4 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
DioceseDiocese of Harrisburg, PA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)83
Students in grades 9–1223
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio8.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
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 Harrisburg

The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Our Lady of the Cross School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Our Lady of the Cross School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Harrisburg.

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