Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School

  • LocationArlington, MA
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades PK–12 · 851 students
Official website
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Arlington Catholic High School (grades 9-12, 16 Medford Street, Arlington, MA) is part of the Saint Agnes School campus. Its Campus Ministry office is led by a director, and two priests are named as chaplains. The school requires theology in all four years, a required Catholic social teaching course in grade 11, and 60 required service hours across four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Joseph's Church: 1.9 mi1St. John The Evangelist Church: 1.9 mi2Saints Joseph and Luke Collaborative Church: 2.0 mi3St. Camillus Church: 2.2 mi4Saint Francis Of Assisi: 2.6 mi5Saint Mary's Church: 2.9 mi6Campus Ministry, Arlington Catholic High School: 0.1 miArlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Joseph's Church — 1.9 mi · 118 High Street
  2. St. John The Evangelist Church — 1.9 mi · 2254 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
  3. Saints Joseph and Luke Collaborative Church — 2.0 mi · 130 Common Street, Belmont
  4. St. Camillus Church — 2.2 mi · 1185 Concord Turnpike West Service Road, Arlington
  5. Saint Francis Of Assisi — 2.6 mi · 441 Fellsway West, Medford
  6. Saint Mary's Church — 2.9 mi · 159 Washington Street, Winchester

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The Campus Ministry page lists First Friday Masses, along with a Freshmen Welcome Mass and other Masses listed by name.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “First Friday Masses Freshmen Welcome Mass Opening of School All Saints Day Immaculate Conception Christmas”
      The campus ministry lists First Friday Masses and other named Masses.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Two priests are named as chaplains on the staff directory: Rev. Alwin Chinnappan and Rev. Dominic Ngo.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/staff-faculty · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Rev. Alwin Chinnappan Chaplain, Parochial Vicar”
      A priest, Rev. Alwin Chinnappan, is listed as chaplain.
      “Rev. Dominic Ngo Chaplain”
      A priest, Rev. Dominic Ngo, is listed as chaplain.
BTheology and curriculum: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Four years of theology (Theology 1 through Theology 4, one credit each) are required in the 2025-26 Program of Studies. Theology is taken in every grade.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 years of Theology”
      Students must take four years of theology.
    2. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 1 Theology 2 United States History Theology 4”
      The grade-by-grade course grid lists theology courses and no philosophy course.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNo (The 2025-26 Program of Studies lists theology, science, math, English, social studies, world language, and fine arts courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 1 Theology 2 United States History Theology 4”
      The grade-by-grade course grid lists theology courses and no philosophy course.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The school says its program integrates Catholic values into every subject.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Unlike many private high schools, our program integrates Catholic values into every subject”
      The high school says Catholic values are integrated into every subject.
BCampus culture: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (Retreats are confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students engage in daily prayer, weekly liturgies, retreats, and service projects”
      The school says students have daily prayer, weekly liturgies, and retreats.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three professional ministry staff are listed: the Director of Campus Ministry and two priest chaplains.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/staff-faculty · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Stratton DeWitt-Coleman Director of Campus Ministry, Theology Teacher”
      Stratton DeWitt-Coleman is Director of Campus Ministry.
      “Rev. Alwin Chinnappan Chaplain, Parochial Vicar”
      A priest, Rev. Alwin Chinnappan, is listed as chaplain.
      “Rev. Dominic Ngo Chaplain”
      A priest, Rev. Dominic Ngo, is listed as chaplain.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is listed: the Liturgical Choir, which sings for school liturgies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Liturgical Choir at various times during the year learns music that enhances the school liturgies and prayer experiences”
      The Liturgical Choir sings for school liturgies.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students engage in daily prayer, weekly liturgies, retreats, and service projects”
      The school says students have daily prayer, weekly liturgies, and retreats.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (The Program of Studies requires 20 hours for freshmen, 20 for sophomores, 10 for juniors, and 10 for seniors (60 hours over four years). Up to half may be school-based service.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Required hours range from 10 to 20 annually, depending on grade level, with half allowed through school-based service.”
      Community service hours are a graduation requirement.
    2. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen: 20 hours Seniors: 10 hours Sophomores: 20 hours”
      Required community service hours by grade are listed in the Program of Studies.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Theology 3, a required course in grade 11, is Seeking Justice: Catholic Social Teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SEEKING JUSTICE: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING Students will learn of the body of doctrine collectively known as Catholic Social Teaching”
      Theology 3, taken in grade 11, is a Catholic social teaching course.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Pilgrimage for Life is listed among the campus ministry's past and present programs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Junior Ring Blessing Pilgrimage for Life Red Cross Blood Drive”
      Pilgrimage for Life is listed among campus ministry programs.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (A Christmas gifts drive for the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless is listed among the campus ministry's past and present programs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christmas Gifts Drive for the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless”
      A gifts drive for the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless is listed among campus ministry programs.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Theology is required in all four years of high school.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 years of Theology”
      Students must take four years of theology.
  • A required grade 11 course is on Catholic social teaching.
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SEEKING JUSTICE: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING Students will learn of the body of doctrine collectively known as Catholic Social Teaching”
      Theology 3, taken in grade 11, is a Catholic social teaching course.
  • The Program of Studies requires 60 community service hours across four years.
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshmen: 20 hours Seniors: 10 hours Sophomores: 20 hours”
      Required community service hours by grade are listed in the Program of Studies.

Concerns

  • No philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course appears in the 2025-26 Program of Studies.
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2025-2026 | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-2026-Program-of-Studies.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 1 Theology 2 United States History Theology 4”
      The grade-by-grade course grid lists theology courses and no philosophy course.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Arlington Catholic High School

  • Address: 16 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: achssas.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, achssas.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Advent and Lent Services and Reflections
    Prayer services and reflections for students and parents, listed by the campus ministry.
    achssas.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Liturgical Choir
    Learns music for school liturgies and prayer experiences at various times during the year.
    achssas.org
  • First Friday Masses
    First Fridays
    Listed among the campus ministry's Masses.
    achssas.org

Service 2

  • Pilgrimage for Life
    Listed among the campus ministry's past and present programs.
    achssas.org
  • Christmas Gifts Drive for the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless
    Listed among the campus ministry's past and present programs.
    achssas.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Clubs & Activities | Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry at Arlington Catholic High School is an integral part of school life.”
    Campus Ministry is a part of the high school's program.
    “Campus Ministry at Arlington Catholic High School is an integral part of school life.”
    Campus Ministry is a part of the high school's program.
  2. High School | Saint Agnes School | Arlington Catholic High Schoolachssas.org/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Arlington Catholic High School 16 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474”
    The high school's address is 16 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474.

Reach out

Contact details for Arlington Catholic High School, Upper School office (Main office (no Campus Ministry phone or email is published)) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
92 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.2 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseArchdiocese of Boston, MA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)851
Students in grades 9–12533
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
SettingSuburb

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Boston

The Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Boston.
What is Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School’s Compass Score?
87 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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