MOORE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Catholic families on Staten Island (or within driving distance) who want a faith-based, college-prep secondary education at a far more affordable price than most NYC private schools — especially families whose kids will gravitate toward athletics or performing arts.

• The Presentation Scholars Academy (PSA) gives gifted students a tracked, enriched academic path rare for a school this size.
• 10 AP courses plus a St. John's University partnership for college credit — meaningful academic acceleration for the price.
• 20 athletic teams for a school of 422 students — that's an unusually high ratio of teams to students, signaling serious sports culture.
• A dedicated Performing Arts program with 7 courses is uncommon for a mid-size Catholic high school.
• Tuition of $9,350 for 2025-26 is strikingly affordable compared to most NYC private secondary schools, which routinely exceed $25,000.

• Parent reviews are mixed — the family atmosphere and community service get praise, but some reviewers raise concerns about teacher quality and rigor, so it's worth sitting in on classes and talking to current families.
• There is no nearby subway, so a daily commute by car or bus is essentially required — this is a real constraint for families living outside Staten Island.
• The 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio is solid but not unusually small; you won't get the 6:1 intimacy of a top-tier Manhattan prep school here.
• With roughly 422 students across four grades, course offerings beyond the core and electives listed can be thinner than at larger Catholic or independent schools.
• The religious framework is real — students take theology and there's a faith-based mission, which won't be the right fit for secular families.