Holy Cross School At San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura

Posted: June 26, 2025

A Truly Special School That Nurtures Both Heart and Mind

We feel incredibly grateful to have been part of the Holy Cross School community. This school does a remarkable job in nurturing our children both academicallyespecially in STEMand spiritually. Its clear that Catholic values are not just taught, but deeply integrated into everyday life, showing up in how the children treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion.

For the past two years, my son has had the joy of being in Mrs. Rachels class (pk), and we cannot speak highly enough of her. She is a wonderful caring, loving teachersomeone who truly sees each child and supports them with patience and joy. Our little boy comes home every day happy and excited to share what he learned, and even on weekends, he asks if he can still go to school. That says everything.

Our daughter, now in elementary, has had a fantastic experience with her teachers: Mrs. Perez (Faith & Homeroom), Mrs. C (Math), and Mrs. G (ESL). Each of them brings unique strength to their classrooms, and we love that she rotates through different class environmentseach one thoughtfully designed to fit the subject being taught. It has truly enriched her learning experience.

Mrs. Blanchard, the principal, leads with heart and purpose. She is consistently present, engaged, and deeply empathetic toward the students. Its clear she runs a strong, values-centered school where every child feels seen and supported.

Although we are now embarking on a homeschooling journey to see what best fits our family, we already deeply miss our Holy Cross family. We highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to be involved in their child's education, appreciates strong academic foundationsespecially in STEMand values a faith-based, close-knit community. Holy Cross has given our children beautiful memories, a strong start, and a deep love of learning and faith.

Posted: June 26, 2025

Posted: June 17, 2025

in my opinion, Holy Cross School was the best thing we did for our son. He was a student there from Tk to 8th grade.

Posted: June 17, 2025

Posted: May 28, 2025

Holy Cross STEM School is a beautiful school that strongly upholds the positive values and teachings of the Catholic faith. You notice the Catholic teachings radiating within the children themselves by observing how they treat one another with such kindness, respect, and love. Our son comes home with a smile every day. His confidence and eagerness to learn has grown immensely ever since he started attending HCS. His teacher, Mrs. Rachel, is a rare gem who knows how to make each of her students feel so special and loved. We are so grateful to have found Holy Cross School and would 110% recommend this school to anyone looking for a school in the area.

Posted: May 28, 2025

Posted: November 8, 2023

I am so grateful for this school. I transferred my child from a public elementary school that was plagued with fights, bullying, unresponsive teachers, and even drugs! Holy Cross is a great school where I feel my child can be safe and be around like minded families who care about community. The STEM program and smaller classrooms provide an ideal learning environment where my child has truly thrived. The principal is quick to respond to any questions or concerns as well as teachers and staff. They provide financial assistance for those who qualify or this would not have been possible for us. This school is the best decision I have made so far for my child. Enrollment is high this year and hopefully will grow in the years to come.

Posted: November 8, 2023

Posted: June 24, 2023

This school has had an ongoing problem of low enrollment, a high turnover of admin for very good reasons.

Posted: June 24, 2023

Posted: January 3, 2022

I used to be a student here from pre-K up until sixth grade. I enjoyed all my years here. Despite not being Catholic myself the community was very welcoming and mass was a nice space spent around teachers and friends. The teachers were nice and some have left a lasting impact on me. The school is quite small which allowed for more help with my studies. When I was there the average class size was about 15. I believe I benefitted greatly by attending a smaller school because bullying, forming friendships, and communicating with teachers was much easier than at a big school. Homework was always assigned but it was not an overbearing amount and questions I had on it would be answered the next day. During my time there at the school, they did go through many changes in staff, and some families left but the school has always managed to rise above and provide their students with a great education. A while after I stopped attending HCS, a family member of mine started going again. The classes sizes are still small but they enjoy their classes. HCS has implemented more science and technology into their program preparing kids for high school. While there are some flaws in the school like lack of staffing and funding it's not to take away from the education.

Posted: January 3, 2022

Posted: May 29, 2020

A new principal in 2019 was supposed to be a major improvement, but I'm sad to say that they were better with her predecessor. The current principal is cold and has no regard for anyone within the "family". She often does not even respond to parents or students. The website offers false promises about sports and clubs that don't exist. Administrative tasks fall through the cracks regularly and it does not appear that teachers are supported. It's a small environment and beautiful grounds, but it doesn't seem like anyone is happy.

Posted: July 1, 2019

They don't have the staff to deal with problems. The principal does not have an effective attitude or system for dealing with bullying/discipline problems.

Posted: July 1, 2019

All 4 years we were in attendance there was assigned homework. Typically 1 or 2 10 minute activities plus 20 min. reading in lower grades.

Posted: July 1, 2019

Most of the teachers left at the end of the 2018 school year. Some teachers aren't able to do a lot of teaching. Is this because there has been a "brain drain" over the past 3 years and teachers are left with a large number of students performing at below average standards? Also, the school seems to be attracting families that are not able to succeed at other schools. Not getting through texts or covering enough curriculum throughout the year. My daughter had only completed 4 chapters in her math book at the end of the year!

Posted: July 1, 2019

There is a small family-like atmosphere. The staff is mostly warm and genuine in their care for the kids.

Posted: July 1, 2019

There was a very effective principal for 5 years (2010-2015). When she left there was an interim principal for 1 year. During this year there was much frustration by parents and many "good" families left. The next principal was very compassionate and genuine but her personal mantra "let's just all get along while the kids hang out and maybe learn something" was NOT effective at dealing with discipline problems or creating an atmosphere of academic excellence. Most of the teachers left at the end of the 2018 school year. The preschool director left in 2018. I hear there will be (another) new principal in 2019-'20 school year. Good luck.

Posted: July 1, 2019

This school has been operating with a "skeleton staff" since 2015. They really don't have the personnel or staff to work with special needs/discipline problems.

Posted: July 1, 2019

2014-2015 was great! Since then, there has been a lot of staff turnover. Almost all the staff turned over in 2018! This has led to a lot of waiting around to see what will happen and not a lot happening!

Posted: June 8, 2019

The feel at the school is positive as new changes are being implemented and the school is re imagining what it is to the community. It truly is a blend of new and historic. The facilities are beautiful and the learning is innovative. Class sizes are small. The pre-school is reopening. All of this set in the beautiful and historic setting of the mission. It is a new time and everyone should look into being a part of it.

Posted: June 8, 2019

Posted: November 1, 2017

Unfortunately, this school is headed downhill at a fast pace. The principal is just horrid in classroom management. She will not let teachers do behavior enforcement like clipping up or down or sticker charts or classroom marble jars. That means that my child has to endure a sometimes chaotic classroom. The poor teachers have to deal with kids that need boundaries. Why? I am sad to see some good teachers gone this year - and now even the amazing PE coach that my child loved. This might have been a great school, but it is not anymore. Run fast. Unless you want your child mixed with rude, wild and bullying kids who will have NO accountability.

Posted: November 12, 2015

Holy Cross School is a hidden gem in the schools of Ventura. By chance, we enrolled our child in preschool there. We were blessed with a very small class size and a great teacher who provided many comprehensive learning activities.
The following year we stayed for TK and were lucky to have the same teacher who again offered an abundance of creative and academic learning opportunities for the students. Character development was always stressed and students were encouraged to choose and practice the more positive behavior.
Now, in kindergarten, once again, we have excellent instruction with clear goals is provided. Appropriate social behavior is taught with follow-through. Class is enriched with specific arts and foreign language. Kindergarteners even deliver monthly oral presentations which include a visual aid.
HCS offers a community spirit that connects older students as friends to younger kids. It is family-like. Holidays are celebrated in traditional ways and students are recognized for their accomplishments. Parent participation is welcomed.

Posted: April 15, 2015

Our experience was not good at the TK level and made us wary of continuing at this school despite our hopes for a Catholic education (both of my daughter's grandmothers were teachers in Catholic schools and my husband and I were both educated in the Catholic system in Canada). Our daughter learned so many bad words, had her hair pulled and was teased repeatedly at in the TK class at this school, all of which would have been easy to address had the teacher not denied every report and convinced the acting principals that our daughter's experience was a product of exaggeration. Having attended school since the age of 14 months at La Petite Academy and now attending Ventura Montessori after leaving Holy Cross in January 2015, our daughter has never encountered any problems with social rejection, teasing, or use of bad words. She now lives school again after her very traumatizing experience at Holy Cross. Perhaps other levels are better, but the TK class was truly a nightmare for our daughter, and those in charge let us down by dismissing our concerns and our desire to work with the teacher to address the problems our daughter was facing on a daily basis.

Posted: January 24, 2014

Holy cross! It was a blessing to find this school. My partner and I seen so many schools until we found HC and it was a perfect fit. The new transitional kindergarten program is awesome my son has learned so much in such little time. Keep up the good work HC!

Posted: March 5, 2013

Holy Cross is Ventura's best kept secret. My kids love their school, the education they are receiving is excellent. All the teachers from preschool through 8rh grade are excellent. The staff strive towards excellence in our children's educational as well are moral development. The teachers and principal do an excellent job in communicating concerns regarding our children's education as well as behavioral issues. I would highly recommend this school to families looking for small classroom sizes and individual attention. Enrolling our children at Holy Cross is one of the best decisions we have ever made, it may be on the West End of Ventura but it is the best Catholic School in Ventura County. Our students have the highest test scores for our region.

Posted: February 26, 2013

Call for a Shadow Day as soon as you can! We did and we are sooooo glad we came to Holy Cross in 5th grade. The switch was easy. She had new friends her first day there. The children are expected to be polite and respectful of one another! My daughter now loves going to school! Art class, Music class, Environmental Education field trips to the Santa Monica Mts, the Channel Islands, Los Padres Ntnl Forest...museums, theaters, boats, and more! All this and a college prep style education. Teachers who check in with you on a regular basis about your child's particular learning style. The Mission is a beautiful historic setting while, at the same time, the school building is completely modern! They even have SMART Boards! Career Day, Living History Museum, Science Fair . . . We could not be happier with Holy Cross!

Posted: February 7, 2013

All three of my kids went here and my two daughters graduated last June. All three are now at Villanova Prep in Ojai. Holy Cross is a special, not very well-known community. Most of the teachers are young and have very high standards. One was particularly influential in helping my daughters overcome aversion to reading and to LOVE math. The principal is a young alumna of the school, absolutely tireless and dedicated. The student body is diverse with parents from all walks of life. Teacher/student ratio is quite low, which means more individual attention. The biggest downside for the school is greenspace. The School and Parents are raising funds to expand the play areas. If you are looking for a school where character, community, faith and academics are important, Holy Cross was a great school for our kids.

Posted: February 6, 2013

Holy Cross School is a wonderful school that provides a well rounded education while still nurturing the needs of each individual child. All of the teachers are excellent, caring, and loving! The teacher to student ratio is amazing! My kids enjoy every moment of everyday at Holy Cross School!

Posted: February 6, 2013

Excellent little school with caring teachers and great curriculum. Each student gets lots of attention due to small class sizes. Children of all faiths are welcome - the school is open to non-Catholic families with no additional tuition fees (some Catholic schools have higher tuition fees for non-Catholic students and for those that do not belong to the school's parish). I highly recommend this school and urge any prospective families to come take a tour and see for themselves.

Posted: February 6, 2013

Love all of the teachers. The principal is thorough and efficient and knows what's right for the school. The school is well kept and the teacher to student ratio is low, which gives the children individualized instruction. I absolutely love the school.

Posted: February 6, 2013

My niece goes to Holy Cross and our family loves the school! I've gotten to know the teachers and staff through involvement opportunities and fully intend to send my daughter as soon as she is of age! All of the teachers are kind and make a great learning environment for the kids. The classrooms are bright and inviting and the curriculum is excellent! The selling point for me is the class size. Students get a lot of individual attention. The school feels like a great community! The principal and staff model amazing team work! They also are excellent educators (all of them, not just pre-school like another reviewer mentioned)! I also love that this school is part of the historic San Buenaventura Mission. :-)

Posted: February 6, 2013

Strong academics, a loving and kind environment and a broad range of extras including spanish language tuition for all grades make Holy Cross the best choice for my child in Ventura. Small class sizes, strong teacher involvement and an open welcoming atmosphere for all faiths develops a great culture. The quality of the education and the enthusiasm of the staff are evident every day. Thanks Holy Cross!

Posted: January 18, 2013

The only part of this school I am completely happy with is the pre-school, Mrs. Maria is the best. All her kids just love her!! The principle is not consistent, and never follows through. She seems to mean well but I think she just needs more experience. Compared to the other private schools in the area Holy Cross sadly gets a F. Our family will be moving on next year.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	RiverPark	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oxnard	CA	7.4 mi
2	Hollywood Beach	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Oxnard	CA	8.3 mi
3	Del Prado Town Homes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	12.8 mi
4	Camarillo	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	14.1 mi
5	Foothill Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Camarillo	CA	14.3 mi
6	Northridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Northridge	CA	45.6 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Ventura	Ventura	CA	3.8 mi
2	Oxnard	Oxnard	CA	8.9 mi
3	Central Camarillo	Camarillo	CA	14.1 mi

Base	Distance
Port Hueneme - Naval Base Ventura County	10.2 mi.
Point Mugu NAS - Naval Base Ventura County	16.5 mi.

Holy Cross School At San Buenaventura Mission

Ventura, CA 93001

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Holy Cross School At San Buenaventura Mission

Ventura, CA 93001

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