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CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

116 EAST 97 STREET

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
IdentityRooted In Roman Catholic Tradition, Cathedral High School Educates Young Women In A Single-Gender Environment. The Philosophy Centers On Developing Confidence, Leadership, And Academic Excellence Within A Faith-Based Community. The All-Girls Setting Means Girls Take Center Stage In Every Classroom Discussion, Leadership Opportunity, And Extracurricular — No Sideshadowing.

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.

CommunityDiverse

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.

NeighborhoodEast Harlem (South)

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

STEM Academy (Design & Engineering Technology)Medical Gateways AcademyAdvanced Placement coursesCollege preparatory curriculum

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

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.
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