At a Glance
A large, welcoming Catholic elementary school in the Bronx that opens its doors to families of every background.
Best suited for
Catholic families (and families of any faith who want values-based structure) in the Bronx seeking an affordable, diverse elementary school with a traditional religious framework and a community that reflects the neighborhood.
What stands out
- Among the larger Catholic elementary schools in the Bronx at 517 students, which means a fuller elementary experience with more grade-level peers than tiny parish schools.
- Tuition tops out at $12,600 — markedly more accessible than most NYC private schools, especially for Catholic families seeking faith-based education.
- Offers a Bridge Program for individualized instruction and academic intervention, suggesting genuine support for students who need extra help or learn differently.
- Italian language instruction and a math initiative give the curriculum some enrichment beyond the standard Catholic school baseline.
- Explicitly welcomes children of all beliefs, so non-Catholic families don't need to feel like outsiders.
Things to consider
- The 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio is higher than many independent schools — your child won't get the same small-class intimacy as a 10:1 progressive program.
- Subway commutes require an 11-14 minute walk, which can feel long with little kids in bad weather; many families likely rely on bus or car.
- Parent reviews are mixed: academics and teacher warmth get praise, but some families flag inconsistency and communication gaps with administration.
- As a large parish school, the culture is more traditional Catholic than progressive — expect uniforms, religious instruction, and a structured day.
Identity
St Raymond is a coed Roman Catholic elementary school serving pre-K through grade 5, with an explicit mission of forming children in the Catholic faith while welcoming students of all beliefs. It holds accreditation from the National Catholic Educational Association and operates as a parish-based school with a traditional Catholic educational model.
Community
The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic (72%) and Black (22.4%), with small Asian, multiracial, White, and Native American representation — a mirror of the Parkchester neighborhood's demographics. The school draws families from across the Bronx who value a faith-based education in a community that feels familiar and culturally connected.
Neighborhood
Parkchester is a working- and middle-class Bronx neighborhood where median household income sits around $59,700 and roughly 23.6% of households live below the poverty line, with about 30% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The area is densely residential, family-oriented, and grounded by the large co-op complex that gives the neighborhood its name.
Subway access is via the 6 train, with Castle Hill Avenue about a 12-minute walk, Zerega Avenue about 11 minutes, and Parkchester station about 14 minutes — plan for a real walk or a bus-to-train combo on winter mornings.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews; parents praise academic preparation, caring teachers, and welcoming community for diverse learners including those with disabilities, while some cite concerns about teacher consistency and administrative communication
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Parkchester.
- What grades does ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL serve?
- ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?
- ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in?
- ST RAYMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is in Parkchester, Bronx.