Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Bishop Watterson High: Columbus Bishop Watterson High School
Photo: FunksBrother, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

Bishop Watterson High

  • LocationColumbus, OH
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 864 students
  • Catholic83% Catholic
Official website
Recommended badge

Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio, is a Catholic school of the Diocese of Columbus. Its prayer page lists weekly Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, Eucharistic adoration on Wednesdays, and Reconciliation on Wednesdays and the first and third Fridays. Fr. Sam Severance is listed as chaplain, and students take four years of theology.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Tuesday, Friday7:15 AM · Before school; the page lists these days.

Adoration 1

  • Wednesday7:30 AM–1:30 PM · Concludes with Benediction at 1:30 p.m.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Weekly Mass: Mondays during 7th period Tuesdays, Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.”
    Weekly Mass is listed on Mondays during seventh period and on Tuesdays and Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.
    “Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays Begins at 7:30 a.m. Concludes with Benediction at 1:30 p.m.”
    Eucharistic adoration is offered on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to Benediction at 1:30 p.m.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Bishop Watterson High, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miOur Lady of Peace Catholic Church: 0.4 mi1Immaculate Conception Catholic Church: 1.3 mi2Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church: 1.9 mi3Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church: 1.9 mi4Saint Michael Catholic Church: 2.0 mi5Saint Mathias Catholic Church: 2.2 mi6Campus Ministry: 0.0 miBishop Watterson High (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church — 0.4 mi
  2. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  3. Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church — 1.9 mi
  4. Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church — 1.9 mi
  5. Saint Michael Catholic Church — 2.0 mi
  6. Saint Mathias Catholic Church — 2.2 mi

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.

CSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

65 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 yearA few times a year (All-school Masses are listed, with dates on the calendar.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-School Masses: Click on the CALENDAR button above”
      All-school Masses are offered; the page directs readers to the calendar for dates.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNo (The published Mass schedule lists Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays only.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass: Mondays during 7th period Tuesdays, Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.”
      Weekly Mass is listed on Mondays during seventh period and on Tuesdays and Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Reconciliation is listed on Wednesdays and the first and third Fridays during fifth period.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesdays during 5th period 1st and 3rd Fridays during 5th period”
      Reconciliation is offered on Wednesdays and on the 1st and 3rd Fridays during fifth period.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Eucharistic adoration is listed on Wednesdays.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays Begins at 7:30 a.m. Concludes with Benediction at 1:30 p.m.”
      Eucharistic adoration is offered on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to Benediction at 1:30 p.m.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Sam Severance is named as chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Sam Severance ’14 Chaplain”
      Fr. Sam Severance is listed as the school 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 (Graduation requires four years of theology. The curriculum guide lists Theology 9, 10, 11 and 12 at one credit each.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/guidance/academic-guidance/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | 4 years including Sophomore Service Training Program and a Junior Retreat and Senior Urban Plunge”
      Theology is four years and includes a junior retreat and a senior Urban Plunge.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Philosophical Foundations for Catholic Theology is a listed course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Philosophical Foundations for Catholic Theology”
      A philosophy course for Catholic theology is listed in the theology course list.
  • 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 program of studies says faculty and staff teach in light of Catholic doctrine and morals.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum Guide 26-27 | Bishop Watterson High Schooldocs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQxr3k9VCE1cSDJFUIeSQw4GwLpALBP1bBb1gVADLOhrcylW439cbbui4w_vG4vDeU3s8ObBJEMFhbI/pub · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bishop Watterson High School faculty and staff understand and respect Catholic doctrine and morals in their research and teaching.”
      The curriculum guide says faculty and staff teach in light of Catholic doctrine and morals.
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 listed for freshmen, juniors and seniors (Kairos is optional).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The freshmen class participates in a day of reflection to encourage them to build a strong community”
      Freshmen take part in a day of reflection.
      “Juniors participate in an overnight retreat which invites them to come to a deeper understanding of God’s love for them”
      Juniors take part in an overnight retreat.
      “Kairos is a 3 ½ day retreat held several times during the school year.”
      Kairos is an optional retreat for seniors.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (The chaplain and the campus minister are both listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Sam Severance ’14 Chaplain”
      Fr. Sam Severance is listed as the school chaplain.
      “Beth Simmonds Campus Minister”
      Beth Simmonds is listed as Campus Minister.
  • 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, the Prayer Club, is listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Prayer Opportunities Morning Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to start the day Prayer at the start of each class period Prayer Club”
      A Prayer Club is listed among the prayer opportunities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The school says it begins and ends each day with communal prayer and prays at the start of each class period.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We begin and end our days with communal prayer.”
      The school begins and ends each day with communal prayer.
      “Prayer at the start of each class period”
      Prayer is offered at the start of each class period.
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 (A sophomore service project is required to return as a junior, and the Urban Plunge is a senior graduation requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a student must participate in and successfully complete this program in order to return as a junior at Bishop Watterson High School”
      The sophomore service program is required to return as a junior.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Fill Up the Truck Fridays is a student team that responds to hunger, and a volunteer service program is open to every student.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Fill Up the Truck Fridays | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/fill-truck-fridays · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “As Christians we must respond to the need of the hungry; we are our brothers’ keepers.”
      Fill Up the Truck Fridays is a student team that responds to hunger in the community.
    2. Service | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Volunteer Service Program is open to any student of every grade who wishes to volunteer time and talent in the community”
      A volunteer service program is open to students of every grade.

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

Strengths

  • Eucharistic adoration is listed weekly on Wednesdays, and Reconciliation is listed monthly or more often.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays Begins at 7:30 a.m. Concludes with Benediction at 1:30 p.m.”
      Eucharistic adoration is offered on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to Benediction at 1:30 p.m.
      “Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesdays during 5th period 1st and 3rd Fridays during 5th period”
      Reconciliation is offered on Wednesdays and on the 1st and 3rd Fridays during fifth period.
  • A priest, Fr. Sam Severance, is named as chaplain.
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Sam Severance ’14 Chaplain”
      Fr. Sam Severance is listed as the school chaplain.
  • Theology is required for four years, with a philosophy course for Catholic theology offered.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/guidance/academic-guidance/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | 4 years including Sophomore Service Training Program and a Junior Retreat and Senior Urban Plunge”
      Theology is four years and includes a junior retreat and a senior Urban Plunge.
    2. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Philosophical Foundations for Catholic Theology”
      A philosophy course for Catholic theology is listed in the theology course list.
  • Prayer is listed daily, at the start of each class period.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We begin and end our days with communal prayer.”
      The school begins and ends each day with communal prayer.
      “Prayer at the start of each class period”
      Prayer is offered at the start of each class period.

Concerns

  • The published Mass schedule lists Monday, Tuesday and Friday Masses only, with no daily Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass: Mondays during 7th period Tuesdays, Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.”
      Weekly Mass is listed on Mondays during seventh period and on Tuesdays and Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry

  • Address: 99 East Cooke Road, Columbus, OH 43016
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: bishopwatterson.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, bishopwatterson.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

13 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 12 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Morning prayer and class prayerOn campus
    Each school day
    Morning prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance start the day, and each class period begins with prayer.
    bishopwatterson.com, bishopwatterson.com
  • Reconciliation
    Wednesdays and 1st and 3rd Fridays
    Offered during fifth period.
    bishopwatterson.com

Clubs and groups 1

  • Prayer Club
    A student prayer club listed among the school's prayer opportunities.
    bishopwatterson.com

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Worship Band
    Participates in all school Masses through vocal and instrumental music.
    bishopwatterson.com
  • Weekly Mass
    Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays
    Mass is listed on Mondays during seventh period and Tuesdays and Fridays before school.
    bishopwatterson.com
  • Eucharistic adoration
    Wednesdays
    Adoration begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes with Benediction at 1:30 p.m.
    bishopwatterson.com

Retreats 3

Service 4

  • Sophomore service project
    A required service project each sophomore commits to, with guidance from a teacher and the Service Director.
    bishopwatterson.com, bishopwatterson.com
  • Fill Up the Truck Fridays
    A student team that collects food for pantries in response to hunger.
    bishopwatterson.com
  • Volunteer Service Program
    Open to any student of any grade who wants to volunteer in the community or at their church.
    bishopwatterson.com
  • Senior Urban Plunge
    A senior requirement under the theology graduation requirements.
    bishopwatterson.com

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 (4)
  1. Campus Ministry | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mrs. Beth Simmonds at mrs.simmonds@bwhs.org”
    Beth Simmonds is a published campus ministry contact.
  2. Theology | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/academics/academic-departments/theology-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Sam Severance ’14 Chaplain”
    Fr. Sam Severance is listed as the school chaplain.
  3. School Profile 2025-26 | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/School-Profile-2025-26-1.21.26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “99 East Cooke Road”
    The school is at 99 East Cooke Road, Columbus, Ohio.
  4. Prayer Life | Bishop Watterson High Schoolbishopwatterson.com/student-life/faith-life/prayer-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Weekly Mass: Mondays during 7th period Tuesdays, Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.”
    Weekly Mass is listed on Mondays during seventh period and on Tuesdays and Fridays before school at 7:15 a.m.

Reach out

Contact details for Beth Simmonds (Campus Minister) and 3 official social and news channels 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

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.
84 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.95%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.2 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
DioceseCatholic Diocese of Columbus, OH
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)864
Students in grades 9–12864
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges95%
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

Catholic Diocese of Columbus

The Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Bishop Watterson High a Catholic high school?
Yes. Bishop Watterson High is a Catholic high school in the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
What is Bishop Watterson High’s Compass Score?
82 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Bishop Watterson High Compass Recommended?
Yes. Bishop Watterson High meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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 Ohio · Ohio rankings