At a Glance
A Catholic Elementary Community in Riverdale Where Diversity Is the Norm
Families seeking a Catholic elementary education in a diverse, tight-knit community in the Riverdale area of the Bronx — particularly those who value faith-based formation and are comfortable with larger class sizes in a smaller school setting.
- Roman Catholic identity with daily prayer, religious education, and service learning
- Very high diversity for a Catholic school — nearly 57% non-white enrollment
- Small school community of ~200 students across Pre-K through 5th grade
- Located in Riverdale, a quiet, family-oriented Bronx neighborhood near Van Cortlandt Park
- Student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than typical for private schools — expect larger class sizes
- As a Catholic school, families should be comfortable with religious instruction and practice
- Private tuition applies — factor into budget
- Only serves elementary grades (Pre-K to 5th) — families will need to plan for middle school transition
A small Roman Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through 5th grade) in Riverdale where Catholic identity — prayer, service, and moral formation — shapes the culture. About 200 students across six grades.
This is a genuinely diverse Catholic school — nearly 57% of students are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or multiracial, with 43.5% white. The diversity index of 0.86 is notably high for a parochial school, reflecting a community that draws families from across the borough's demographic spectrum.
Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil sits in the northwest Bronx, known for its hilly terrain, tree-lined streets, and quiet residential character. It's one of the more family-oriented and affluent neighborhoods in the borough, with good access to green space and a community feel despite being part of the city.
Riverdale is a car-friendly neighborhood with moderate walkability to the school. Families living in the area can manage without a car, though many drive for errands.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews on GreatSchools (2.7/5 stars); positive feedback about attentive teachers and caring environment; concerns raised about principal responsiveness, discrimination issues, and bullying in middle school grades
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil.
- What grades does ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL serve?
- ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL?
- ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL in?
- ST MARGARET OF CORTONA SCHOOL is in Riverdale-Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx.
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