Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Bishop Dunne Catholic School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Bishop Dunne Catholic School

  • LocationDallas, TX
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 6–12 · 395 students
  • SponsorSisters of St. Mary of Namur
Official website

Bishop Dunne Catholic School is a college preparatory school for grades 6 to 12 on a campus in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, founded in 1961. The school celebrates Mass weekly as a school, begins each school day with prayer, and says every student takes an annual retreat.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Bishop Dunne Catholic School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Parish: 0.5 mi1Saint James Catholic Church: 2.6 mi2Campus Ministry (Faith Formation), Bishop Dunne Catholic School chapel: 0.1 miBishop Dunne Catholic School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Parish — 0.5 mi · 4015 South Hampton Road, Dallas
  2. Saint James Catholic Church — 2.6 mi · 1002 East Saner Avenue, Dallas

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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The school Mass is celebrated weekly; grade levels 6-9 and 10-12 each attend every other week, which the page describes as bi-weekly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We celebrate Mass weekly as a school, with alternating grade levels (6–9 and 10–12) attending bi-weekly.”
      The school celebrates Mass weekly, with each grade band attending every other week.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (A school Mass is confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We celebrate Mass weekly as a school, with alternating grade levels (6–9 and 10–12) attending bi-weekly.”
      The school celebrates Mass weekly, with each grade band attending every other week.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The school requires 4 credits in Theology. Using the school's own pattern (4 credits in English for four years), a full-year course is 1 credit; this is four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/academics/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 credits each in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Theology.”
      Graduation requires 4 credits in Theology.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student at Bishop Dunne participates in an annual spiritual retreat”
      Every student takes part in an annual spiritual retreat.
      “Junior and Senior retreats serve as milestone experiences, including the beloved Junior Ring Mass and the Senior Kairos Retreat”
      Juniors and seniors attend milestone retreats, including the Junior Ring Mass and the Senior Kairos Retreat.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus ministry staffNot 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.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each school day begins in prayer, guided by a daily meditation and monthly spiritual focus.”
      Each school day begins with prayer and a daily meditation.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

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.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Weekly community service is part of the school's program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/academics/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly community service further shapes students into young adults who serve others and live their faith.”
      Students perform weekly community service.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot 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.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not 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.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • The school celebrates Mass weekly as a school, and students take part as altar servers, lectors, musicians and ministers.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We celebrate Mass weekly as a school, with alternating grade levels (6–9 and 10–12) attending bi-weekly.”
      The school celebrates Mass weekly, with each grade band attending every other week.
  • Every student takes an annual spiritual retreat, and the school begins each day with prayer.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student at Bishop Dunne participates in an annual spiritual retreat”
      Every student takes part in an annual spiritual retreat.
      “Each school day begins in prayer, guided by a daily meditation and monthly spiritual focus.”
      Each school day begins with prayer and a daily meditation.
  • Graduation requires 4 credits in Theology.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/academics/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 credits each in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Theology.”
      Graduation requires 4 credits in Theology.

Concerns

  • The pages reviewed name no priest chaplain for the school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We celebrate Mass weekly as a school, with alternating grade levels (6–9 and 10–12) attending bi-weekly.”
      The school celebrates Mass weekly, with each grade band attending every other week.
  • Weekly community service is part of the program.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/academics/high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly community service further shapes students into young adults who serve others and live their faith.”
      Students perform weekly community service.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry (Faith Formation), Bishop Dunne Catholic School chapel

  • Address: 3900 Rugged Drive, Dallas, TX 75224
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 6 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Dallas Catholic Youth ConferenceOff campus
    Each February
    Students join thousands of young Catholics for a weekend of worship, community and renewal.
    bdcs.org
  • Catholic pilgrimageOff campus
    Every three years
    Campus Ministry leads an international pilgrimage for high school students.
    bdcs.org
  • Junior Ring Mass and Senior Kairos Retreat
    Junior and senior years
    Milestone retreat experiences for juniors and seniors, including the Junior Ring Mass and the Senior Kairos Retreat.
    bdcs.org
  • Annual student spiritual retreat
    Annually
    Every student takes part in an annual spiritual retreat tailored to the student's stage of life.
    bdcs.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekly school Mass, with student altar servers, lectors, musicians, ushers and extraordinary ministers of Holy CommunionOn campus
    Weekly; grade levels 6-9 and 10-12 attend bi-weekly
    Students take part as altar servers, lectors, musicians, ushers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
    bdcs.org, bdcs.org
  • Special school prayer services for Thanksgiving, Advent and Lent
    Thanksgiving, Advent and Lent
    The whole school gathers for prayer services in these seasons. These are prayer services, not Masses.
    bdcs.org

Faith formation 2

  • Peer Ministry
    Course for juniors and seniors
    A leadership course in which upper school students deepen their spiritual formation, help organize liturgies, support retreats and mentor younger students.
    bdcs.org
  • Lenten Stations of the Cross
    Weekly during Lent
    The school prays the Stations of the Cross weekly during Lent.
    bdcs.org

Service 1

  • Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
    Lent
    The school takes part in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program during Lent.
    bdcs.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. Faith Formation - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/the-bishop-dunne-experience/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “We celebrate Mass weekly as a school, with alternating grade levels (6–9 and 10–12) attending bi-weekly.”
    The school celebrates Mass weekly, with each grade band attending every other week.
    “Junior and Senior retreats serve as milestone experiences, including the beloved Junior Ring Mass and the Senior Kairos Retreat”
    Juniors and seniors attend milestone retreats, including the Junior Ring Mass and the Senior Kairos Retreat.
  2. Our Campus - Bishop Dunne Catholic Schoolbdcs.org/about/our-campus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “At the heart of campus is the chapel, a daily reminder that Bishop Dunne is first and foremost a Catholic community where students gather for prayer, Mass, and reflection.”
    The campus chapel is where students gather for prayer and Mass.
    “At the heart of campus is the chapel, a daily reminder that Bishop Dunne is first and foremost a Catholic community where students gather for prayer, Mass, and reflection.”
    The campus chapel is where students gather for prayer and Mass.
    “The school’s address is 3900 Rugged Drive, Dallas, Texas 75224, just off Loop 12 and Highway 67”
    The school is at 3900 Rugged Drive, Dallas, Texas 75224.

Reach out

Contact details are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
55 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.77%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.8.9 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
DioceseDiocese of Dallas, TX
Grades6–12
Students (all grades)395
Students in grades 9–12287
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio8.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges77%
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

Diocese of Dallas

The Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, Bishop of Dallas

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Bishop Dunne Catholic School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Bishop Dunne Catholic School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Dallas. Its sponsor is Sisters of St. Mary of Namur.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Texas · Texas rankings