At a Glance
An all-girls Catholic education where young women grow into leaders
Best suited for
Families seeking an all-girls Catholic education in a diverse, community-oriented setting. This school is a strong match for parents who want their daughters to develop confidence and leadership in a single-gender environment, who value the structure and values of Catholic education, and who appreciate a school that reflects the real diversity of New York City rather than a homogenized private school population.
What stands out
- All-girls environment — every leadership role, athletic team, and classroom spotlight belongs to young women
- Roman Catholic tradition with Mass, service requirements, and values-based education
- Highly diverse student body that reflects East Harlem's community
- Moderate size (489 students) means genuine community rather than anonymity
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio allows for personal relationships between faculty and students
Things to consider
- Catholic school means daily or weekly religious observance — this is part of the experience, not optional
- All-girls may not be the right fit for every family
- At 16:1, the ratio is moderate — not as intimate as the smallest schools (5:1) but far better than large public schools
- As a private school, tuition applies — families should confirm current costs
- East Harlem is not the first neighborhood that comes to mind for many Manhattan parents, but it's well-served by transit and deeply rooted in community
Identity
An all-girls Catholic secondary school in East Harlem with 489 students and a 16:1 ratio — small enough for teachers to know each student by name.
Community
This school stands out for its diversity — with a Diversity Index of 0.6259, it's notably more diverse than many private schools in the city. Over 62% of students are Hispanic, 21% Black, and the remainder represent Asian, White, and multiracial backgrounds. This is a community where girls from different cultural backgrounds learn together.
Neighborhood
Cathedral High School sits in East Harlem, a neighborhood known for its vibrant Latino community, family density (97/100), and mix of residential and commercial life. It's steps from public transit and in an area where families have lived for generations.
Located in a densely populated, walkable Manhattan neighborhood with strong transit access
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews on Niche (3.81/5 rating from 295 reviews); positive feedback about supportive and academically rigorous environment, but some concerns about administrative issues and staff turnover
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in East Harlem (South).
- What grades does CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL serve?
- CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL?
- CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL in?
- CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL is in East Harlem (South), Manhattan.