Academics

Recognizing that each student's learning journey is unique, Holy Cross provides academic support tailored to individual needs. We offer personalized learning plans designed both for students seeking additional challenges and for those requiring extra resources. 

Our full-time Learning Support Coordinator, Mrs. Teri Kay Johnson, collaborates closely with teachers and families to ensure every child receives the necessary guidance to thrive. 

Additionally, programs such as the Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexia and Title I support further exemplify our dedication to fostering each student's potential.

Holy Cross is a welcoming and inclusive community committed to supporting students with diverse learning needs. We strive to meet students where they are, providing individualized support for those with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, dysgraphia, sensory processing challenges, and other learning differences.

To address the diverse learning styles and paces of our students, Holy Cross employs a variety of differentiated learning strategies. 

One strategy is small-group differentiated learning for Math/Language Arts classes. This approach allows educators to tailor instruction, ensuring that content is both accessible and challenging, depending on individual student needs. 

By maintaining small class sizes, we create an environment where teachers can provide focused attention, adapt lessons dynamically, and engage students in meaningful, personalized learning experiences.

Mrs. Goldrick works with students in an advanced reading groupBeyond the core curriculum, Holy Cross offers a variety of enrichment programs designed to cultivate students' interests and talents. Opportunities in the arts, sciences, technology, and athletics provide avenues for students to explore new passions and develop a well-rounded skill set. These programs not only enhance the educational experience but also contribute to the development of confident, capable, and versatile individuals.

Holy Cross Catholic School in Portland, Oregon, is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the State of Oregon. Additionally, the entire faculty is state-certified, with over 80% holding master's degrees. 

Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in our students' outstanding achievements. Holy Cross students as a whole consistently perform above national averages on standardized tests, showcasing the effectiveness of our rigorous curriculum and dedicated teaching staff. These test scores are a testament to our holistic educational approach, which combines strong foundational knowledge with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Over the past decade, more than 95% of our 8th graders have been accepted into Portland-area Catholic high schools.

Holy Cross alumni have gone on to attend top colleges such as Notre Dame, ASU Law, University of Portland, Boston University and many others. Many have excelled in high school, earning honors like valedictorian at Roosevelt and end-of-the-year service awards at Central Catholic.

We are proud to have a team of gifted and dedicated teachers who continually seek innovative ways to engage and inspire students.

Understanding the importance of early childhood education, we provide full-time aides in Pre-K through 2nd grade classrooms. These aides collaborate closely with lead teachers to offer additional support, ensuring that our youngest students receive the guidance they need during these formative years. In grades 3 and above, part-time aides are available to help and maintain continuity in support as students progress through their educational experience.

At Holy Cross Catholic School, we recognize that academic success is deeply connected to a student’s emotional well-being. That’s why we are committed to providing a strong foundation of social and emotional support for all students. In addition to fostering a caring and faith-filled school environment, we have a Social Emotional Support Counselor on staff who works with students individually, in small groups, and in classroom settings to help them develop life skills such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, resilience, and healthy peer relationships. 

Holy Cross has invested in technology in every classroom to ensure students have the latest tools - smart boards that turn lessons into interactive adventures, and Chromebooks and iPads that transform learning into a touch-and-swipe journey. All students as early as Pre-K have technology classes where they are introduced to online safety and digital citizenship, beginning coding, and digital applications.  Some of the tools we use are listed below.

BrainPop
Fun, effective curriculum-aligned movies and learning activities that ignite curiosity and motivate learners to explore new ideas in the classroom

Google Classroom
Google Classroom provides a suite of tools that let our educators focus on teaching and our students focus on learning.

IXL
IXL's comprehensive curriculum allows personalized learning to meet the needs of each student.  IXL really deepens our knowledge of our students. With personalized learning to meet the needs of each student, our students know where they need improvement and how to boost their learning.

Chromebooks, Smart Boards, iPads, iMacs
Equipping our students with cutting-edge technology in the classroom is key. With the latest tools at their fingertips, learning transforms into a dynamic exploration - immediacy of information, interactive experiences, and collaborative platforms empowers students to delve deeper, think critically, and engage actively.

Mystery Science
Mystery Science isn't just your average learning tool – it's a passport to unlocking exciting concepts and making education a thrilling adventure! Our students don't just learn, they embark on a journey of discovery that makes every lesson fun!

Kami
In our classroom, Kami takes the lead by streamlining workflows, enabling versatile teaching methods, facilitating digital whiteboarding, and promoting an inclusive learning environment - every student has a voice!

Code.org
Code.org allows our students to become future trailblazers, master problem-solvers, and digital dynamos of tomorrow! Just like reading, writing, or math, computer science is a gateway countless other pursuits!