At a Glance
A Neighborhood Catholic Elementary School Where Faith and Academic Foundation Come First
St. Helen Catholic Academy is a strong match for families who want a values-based, academically solid elementary education in a tight-knit community. It's particularly well-suited for Catholic families in Howard Beach or nearby neighborhoods who want their children to receive religious formation alongside a traditional academic foundation. Families should be comfortable with a school where Catholicism is central to the identity and where the student body is less diverse than Queens overall. This is not the school for families seeking a progressive, secular, or highly diverse educational environment — but for those who want neighborhood roots, Catholic values, and academic structure, it's worth a serious look.
- Roman Catholic identity with daily prayer, regular Mass, and faith-based moral education
- Traditional academic approach with emphasis on core subjects and structured learning
- Uniform policy creating a cohesive, disciplined school culture
- Grades pre-K through 5th — families can keep children in the same school system through elementary
- Mid-sized enrollment (354 students) allows for community feel without being overly small
- Howard Beach location offers suburban neighborhood feel within NYC
- The student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1 is larger than at many private schools — some Catholic and progressive schools offer 10:1 or better
- Minimal racial diversity in the student body compared to Queens overall
- Religious affiliation means Catholic doctrine is central to the program — families should be comfortable with this
- The 64% white enrollment may feel homogeneous to families seeking a more diverse environment
- Transportation can be a factor if you're commuting from outside Howard Beach — this isn't a neighborhood where most families walk to school
St. Helen is a Roman Catholic elementary school operated by the Diocese. This means religion isn't just a subject on the schedule — it's woven into the school's culture through daily prayer, Mass attendance, and Catholic moral teaching. The academic program follows a structured, traditional approach with emphasis on core subjects like reading, math, and writing. It's the kind of school where you'll see students in uniforms, where discipline is taken seriously, and where parents expect teachers to hold kids to high standards.
The student body at St. Helen is notably homogeneous compared to the broader diversity of Queens. About 64% of students are white, 27% are Hispanic, with minimal Asian and Black representation. The diversity index of 0.53 places this school in the middle of the diversity spectrum — more diverse than a typical suburban Catholic school but less diverse than many Queens public schools. This reflects the neighborhood itself, which is predominantly white and Hispanic families who have deep roots in Howard Beach.
Howard Beach-Lindenwood is a residential neighborhood in southwestern Queens, known for its quiet, suburban feel within the city. It's the kind of place where neighbors know each other, where streets are tree-lined, and where families have lived for generations. The area skews toward working and middle-class families. The family density score of 38 out of 100 indicates this is a moderately family-dense neighborhood — not as young and child-heavy as some areas, but solid for families with school-age children.
Howard Beach is car-friendly more than walkable. Most families will drive or rely on buses to get to school. The area has a small-town feel despite being in NYC — your commute will likely involve a car, which is worth factoring in if you're coming from further afield.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Limited parent reviews available; GreatSchools shows 2.9 rating from 13 reviews but insufficient data for definitive sentiment
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Howard Beach-Lindenwood.
- What grades does ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY serve?
- ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY?
- ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
- ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY in?
- ST HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY is in Howard Beach-Lindenwood, Queens.
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