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Aerial view of Benilde-St. Margaret's School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Benilde-St. Margaret's School

  • LocationSaint Louis Park, MN
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 7–12 · 1,116 students
Official website
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Benilde-St. Margaret's is a Catholic, co-educational college-preparatory school for grades 6-12 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Its campus ministry team includes a named chaplain, Father Michael Maloney, and two campus ministers. The school publishes monthly all-school Masses, seasonal confession during Advent and Lent, monthly student adoration, grade-level retreats, and a required junior theology course on Catholic social teaching.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Benilde-St. Margaret's School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miHoly Family Catholic Church: 1.0 mi1Good Shepard Catholic Church: 1.8 mi2St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church: 2.7 mi3Basilica of Saint Mary: 3.0 mi4Benilde-St. Margaret's School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Family Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 5900 West Lake Street, Saint Louis Park
  2. Good Shepard Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 145 Jersey Avenue South, Golden Valley
  3. St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church — 2.7 mi
  4. Basilica of Saint Mary — 3.0 mi · 88 17th Street North, Minneapolis

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.

BSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

79 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (All-school Masses are held at least once a month in the Great Hall. Weekly before-school Masses in the chapel occur only during Advent and Lent and are sponsored by sports teams and clubs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-school Masses are held at least once a month in our Great Hall.”
      All-school Masses are held at least once a month in the Great Hall.
      “weekly before-school Masses are held in the chapel once per week during Advent and Lent at 7:20 a.m.”
      Before-school Masses are held weekly in the chapel during Advent and Lent.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent, with priests from neighboring parishes invited for the day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “BSM offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the seasons of Advent and Lent when we invite priests from neighboring parishes to join us for the day to minister to our faculty, staff, and students.”
      Confession is offered during Advent and Lent.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (The current worship page says adoration is generally offered for students on the first Friday of each month, in the BSM chapel. The dated adoration list on the adoration page covers 2024-25 and was not used.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “this unique and sacred prayer is generally offered for students on the first Friday of each month”
      Eucharistic adoration is generally offered for students on the first Friday of each month.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Father Michael Maloney is listed as Chaplain on the campus ministry team page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Michael Maloney Chaplain”
      Father Michael Maloney is the school's chaplain.
ATheology and curriculum: 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.

Theology and curriculum

100 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 (Theology classes are described for all students across high school (grades 9-12, a progressive model). Required junior theology course (Discipleship in Society) is also described on the social justice page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At BSM, all students experience service in a deep, personal and meaningful way through their theology classes.”
      All students take theology classes that include service.
      “The theology classes have a structured, tiered and progressive model that brings students from service to justice throughout their high school experience.”
      Theology classes follow a progressive model across the high school years.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 mission statement says faith permeates life and gives meaning to learning; the FAQ says faith is woven through the academic experience at every grade level.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Mission | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/who-we-are/our-mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We believe that faith permeates life, gives meaning to learning, and both are life-long processes.”
      The school's mission states that faith gives meaning to learning.
    2. Academics FAQs | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/academics/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Faith is woven through the academic experience at every grade level.”
      Faith is integrated into the academic program at every grade level.
ACampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Day-long retreats are organized and required for each grade level.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats & Events | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/retreats-and-events · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “These day-long gatherings are organized and required for each grade level and held at various locations around the Twin Cities.”
      Day-long retreats are required for each grade level.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three professional ministry staff are listed: the chaplain, the campus ministry coordinator, and a campus minister. The theology teacher on the team page is not counted as ministry staff.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Michael Maloney Chaplain”
      Father Michael Maloney is the school's chaplain.
      “Peg Hodapp Campus Ministry Coordinator”
      Peg Hodapp is the campus ministry coordinator.
      “Mike Jeremiah Campus Minister”
      Mike Jeremiah is a campus minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Peer Ministry, Eucharistic Ministry, and the liturgical choir are student faith groups listed on official pages.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Ministry Groups | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/student-ministry-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer Ministry at BSM is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who have a desire to grow their own spiritual life and lead others to do the same.”
      Peer Ministry is a student faith group for grades 10-12.
    2. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The ministry is open to faculty, staff, and senior students who are baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church”
      Eucharistic Ministry is a student and staff liturgical ministry.
      “BSM is blessed to have students who are always willing to share their musical talent and gifts during school liturgies.”
      A liturgical choir of students sings at school liturgies.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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

85 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Service is required through theology classes and a basic hours-of-service requirement.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Volunteering | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/student-volunteering · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A commitment to meeting the basic hours of service requirement”
      Students are required to meet a basic hours-of-service requirement; the total is not stated.
    2. Service Learning | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At BSM, all students experience service in a deep, personal and meaningful way through their theology classes.”
      All students take theology classes that include service.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The required junior theology course Discipleship in Society is described as covering the Church's social teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Social Justice | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/social-justice · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “commitment to social justice is rooted in the seven tenets of Catholic Social Teaching”
      The school's social justice commitment is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.
      “Through this required junior theology course, students will deepen and broaden their understanding of the Gospel message”
      A required junior theology course covers the Gospel message and the Church's social teaching.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Students for Human Life is a listed student organization.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Ministry Groups | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/student-ministry-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students for Human Life is a BSM organization providing students with an opportunity to advocate for life at all of its stages and pursue a variety of ways to raise awareness that all life is sacred from conception till natural death.”
      Students for Human Life is a student pro-life organization.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Guatemala Service Immersion and the Red Knight Volunteer Corps are listed service and justice programs.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Guatemala Service Immersion | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/mission-trip · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “where students and chaperones help create a home for a local family”
      The school runs an annual service immersion trip to Guatemala.
    2. Social Justice | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/social-justice · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The largest co-curricular program at the school, RKVC has over 500 student members.”
      The Red Knight Volunteer Corps is a large student service program.

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

Strengths

  • Monthly all-school Masses, Advent and Lent confession, and first-Friday adoration for students are published.
    Sources (1)
    1. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-school Masses are held at least once a month in our Great Hall.”
      All-school Masses are held at least once a month in the Great Hall.
      “BSM offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the seasons of Advent and Lent when we invite priests from neighboring parishes to join us for the day to minister to our faculty, staff, and students.”
      Confession is offered during Advent and Lent.
      “this unique and sacred prayer is generally offered for students on the first Friday of each month”
      Eucharistic adoration is generally offered for students on the first Friday of each month.
  • A named chaplain and two campus ministers are listed on the campus ministry team page.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Michael Maloney Chaplain”
      Father Michael Maloney is the school's chaplain.
      “Peg Hodapp Campus Ministry Coordinator”
      Peg Hodapp is the campus ministry coordinator.
      “Mike Jeremiah Campus Minister”
      Mike Jeremiah is a campus minister.
  • Day-long retreats are required for each grade level.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats & Events | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/retreats-and-events · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “These day-long gatherings are organized and required for each grade level and held at various locations around the Twin Cities.”
      Day-long retreats are required for each grade level.

Concerns

  • Service is required.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Volunteering | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/student-volunteering · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A commitment to meeting the basic hours of service requirement”
      Students are required to meet a basic hours-of-service requirement; the total is not stated.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Benilde-St. Margaret's

  • Address: 2501 Highway 100, St Louis Park, MN 55416
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel (Our Lady of Peace Chapel)

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

Catholic clubs and student life

15 groups and regular activities · 5 on campus, 2 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 1

  • Grade-level class retreatsOff campus
    Day-long, during the school day
    Required day-long retreats for each grade level, held at various locations around the Twin Cities.
    bsmschool.org

Service 4

  • Guatemala Service ImmersionOff campus
    July 13-21, 2026 (planned)
    Service immersion trip to Guatemala in which students help build a home for a local family.
    bsmschool.org, bsmschool.org
  • Red Knight Volunteer Corps
    Co-curricular student volunteer program with over 500 members.
    bsmschool.org
  • Common Basket
    Philanthropy program that combines an educational component on a justice issue with student giving.
    bsmschool.org
  • Caring for the Courageous
    Club that makes gift bags for children in hospitals around the Twin Cities.
    bsmschool.org

Faith formation 3

  • Friday morning prayerOn campus
    Fridays before school
    Morning prayer in Our Lady of Peace Chapel, open to all students.
    bsmschool.org
  • Walking labyrinth meditationOn campus
    Advent, Lent, and May
    A canvas labyrinth is set up in the Great Hall for walking meditation.
    bsmschool.org
  • Peer Ministry
    Grades 10-12
    Student ministry that supports prayer, retreats, and faith-based programming.
    bsmschool.org

Liturgy and prayer 5

  • All-school MassOn campus
    At least once a month
    All-school Masses held in the Great Hall, planned and led by students.
    bsmschool.org
  • Before-school Mass (Advent and Lent)On campus
    Weekly during Advent and Lent, 7:20 a.m.
    Before-school Masses in the chapel, sponsored by sports teams and clubs.
    bsmschool.org
  • Eucharistic adorationOn campus
    Generally the first Friday of each month
    Half-hour adoration in the BSM chapel, offered for students and supported by the Parent Association.
    bsmschool.org, bsmschool.org
  • Eucharistic Ministry
    Lay ministry that assists with distributing the Eucharist at school liturgies; open to faculty, staff, and senior students.
    bsmschool.org
  • Liturgical Choir
    Students who sing and play at school liturgies.
    bsmschool.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Students for Human Life
    Student organization that advocates for life at all stages.
    bsmschool.org
  • Red Knights for Social Justice
    Open to grades 7-12
    Club that raises awareness of social justice issues and plans action for social change.
    bsmschool.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 (3)
  1. Campus Ministry | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Father Michael Maloney Chaplain”
    Father Michael Maloney is the school's chaplain.
    “Peg Hodapp Campus Ministry Coordinator”
    Peg Hodapp is the campus ministry coordinator.
  2. Worship & Prayer Opportunities | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/student-life/campus-ministry/worshipandprayer-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Most prominent among them is our chapel, which is used regularly for gatherings of large groups as well as for individual prayer.”
    The campus has a chapel used for prayer and gatherings.
  3. Our Campus | Benilde-St. Margaret'sbsmschool.org/who-we-are/bsm-campus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “2501 Highway 100 St Louis Park, MN 55416”
    The campus address is 2501 Highway 100, St Louis Park, MN 55416.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
85 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.97%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.6 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 Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN
Grades7–12
Students (all grades)1,116
Students in grades 9–12910
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges97%
SettingCity

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 Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Saint Paul

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Benilde-St. Margaret's School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Benilde-St. Margaret's School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
What is Benilde-St. Margaret's School’s Compass Score?
89 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Benilde-St. Margaret's School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Benilde-St. Margaret's School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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