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

Catholic high school

Boylan Catholic High School

  • LocationRockford, IL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 586 students
Official website

Boylan Catholic High School is a diocesan Catholic high school in Rockford, Illinois, opened in 1960. Its Faith Life page describes daily Mass available to students and staff, several all-school Masses, Reconciliation and adoration in the chapel, a yearly retreat for each student, four years of theology, and 25 service hours a year. The school's Dean of Spirituality is a priest, and student groups include Peer Ministry and a Pro Life Club.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Boylan Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Bridget Roman Catholic Church: 1.6 mi1Saint Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church: 1.6 mi2Saint Peter Cathedral: 2.4 mi3Pope Saint John Paul II Campus Ministry Program (JPII Campus Ministry): 0.2 miBoylan Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Bridget Roman Catholic Church — 1.6 mi
  2. Saint Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 2400 Bell Avenue, Rockford
  3. Saint Peter Cathedral — 2.4 mi · 1243 North Church Street, Rockford

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 (Several all-school Masses are listed for the year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass is available for all students and staff to attend, along with several all-school Masses throughout the year.”
      Daily Mass is available to students and staff, along with several all-school Masses each year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Daily Mass is available in the chapel on campus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass is available for all students and staff to attend, along with several all-school Masses throughout the year.”
      Daily Mass is available to students and staff, along with several all-school Masses each year.
      “our chapel, which sits at the heart of our 60-year old building and serves as a place for students and faculty to spend time with the Lord before and participate in Adoration, Confession, and daily Mass.”
      The campus chapel is used for adoration, confession, and daily Mass.
  • 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 in the chapel.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We also offer opportunities for our community to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”
      Reconciliation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are offered to the school community.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered in the chapel.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We also offer opportunities for our community to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”
      Reconciliation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are offered to the school community.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Connor Orabutt, a priest, is listed as Dean of Spirituality.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Directory | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Connor Orabutt - Dean of Spirituality”
      Fr. Connor Orabutt is the Dean of Spirituality.
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 Faith Life page says each student completes four years of theology classes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each of our students attend a yearly retreat with their classmates, and each of our students complete 4 years of theology classes along with 25 service hours each year.”
      Each student attends a yearly retreat, completes four years of theology, and completes 25 service hours each year.
  • 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.
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

87 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each student attends a yearly retreat with classmates.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each of our students attend a yearly retreat with their classmates, and each of our students complete 4 years of theology classes along with 25 service hours each year.”
      Each student attends a yearly retreat, completes four years of theology, and completes 25 service hours each year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One named ministry leader, the Dean of Spirituality, is listed. Faculty moderators of faith clubs were not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Directory | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Connor Orabutt - Dean of Spirituality”
      Fr. Connor Orabutt is the Dean of Spirituality.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Peer Ministry and the Pro Life Club (Voice for the Unborn) are listed as student groups.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer Ministry is for sophomore through senior students who desire to grow in their faith and then lead their peers to do the same.”
      Peer Ministry is a student group for sophomores through seniors that supports faith growth.
      “Voice for the Unborn promotes pro-life principles in the Boylan community and beyond through education, action, and prayer.”
      The Pro Life Club promotes pro-life principles through education, action, and prayer.
  • 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

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 Faith Life page says each student completes 25 service hours each year, which is 100 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each of our students attend a yearly retreat with their classmates, and each of our students complete 4 years of theology classes along with 25 service hours each year.”
      Each student attends a yearly retreat, completes four years of theology, and completes 25 service hours each year.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Voice for the Unborn promotes pro-life principles in the Boylan community and beyond through education, action, and prayer.”
      The Pro Life Club promotes pro-life principles through education, action, and prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Healthy Global Communities Club raises awareness of health inequities and runs fundraisers and projects. The Diversity Club addresses social justice topics.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Healthy Global Communities Club will actively raise awareness for health inequities in underprivileged and developing communities and countries”
      The Healthy Global Communities Club raises awareness of health inequities in developing communities.
      “Diversity Club will help educate individuals on various racial and social justice topics”
      The Diversity Club educates members on racial and social justice topics.

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

Strengths

  • Daily Mass is available on campus, and adoration and Reconciliation are offered in the chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass is available for all students and staff to attend, along with several all-school Masses throughout the year.”
      Daily Mass is available to students and staff, along with several all-school Masses each year.
      “our chapel, which sits at the heart of our 60-year old building and serves as a place for students and faculty to spend time with the Lord before and participate in Adoration, Confession, and daily Mass.”
      The campus chapel is used for adoration, confession, and daily Mass.
  • Each student completes four years of theology and 25 service hours each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each of our students attend a yearly retreat with their classmates, and each of our students complete 4 years of theology classes along with 25 service hours each year.”
      Each student attends a yearly retreat, completes four years of theology, and completes 25 service hours each year.
  • Student groups include Peer Ministry and a Pro Life Club.
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer Ministry is for sophomore through senior students who desire to grow in their faith and then lead their peers to do the same.”
      Peer Ministry is a student group for sophomores through seniors that supports faith growth.
      “Voice for the Unborn promotes pro-life principles in the Boylan community and beyond through education, action, and prayer.”
      The Pro Life Club promotes pro-life principles through education, action, and prayer.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Pope Saint John Paul II Campus Ministry Program (JPII Campus Ministry)

  • Address: 4000 Saint Francis Drive, Rockford, IL 61103
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel, campus ministry room for small groups, mentoring, and fellowship

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Adoration and Reconciliation in the chapelOn campus
    Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of Reconciliation are offered in the campus chapel.
    boylan.org

Faith formation 1

  • Peer Ministry
    Sophomores through seniors
    A group for students who want to grow in faith and lead peers. Members form retreat teams, help plan Mass and other liturgies, and organize faith-based activities.
    boylan.org, boylan.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Pro Life Club - Voice for the Unborn
    Promotes pro-life principles in the school and beyond through education, action, and prayer.
    boylan.org
  • Diversity Club
    Educates members on racial and social justice topics and works to unite the school community.
    boylan.org

Retreats 1

  • Yearly class retreat
    Yearly
    Each student attends a yearly retreat with classmates.
    boylan.org

Service 1

  • Healthy Global Communities Club
    Raises awareness of health inequities in underprivileged and developing communities and hosts fundraisers and projects for health-related items.
    boylan.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 Life | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Pope Saint John Paul II Campus Ministry Program (JPII Campus Ministry) was established to support Boylan Catholic's mission to educate the whole person.”
    The JPII Campus Ministry is the school's campus ministry program.
    “The heart of the program is the JPII Campus Ministry room, which serves as a place where students can gather for small groups, mentoring, and fellowship before and after school.”
    The JPII Campus Ministry room serves as a gathering place for small groups, mentoring, and fellowship.
    “The heart of the program is the JPII Campus Ministry room, which serves as a place where students can gather for small groups, mentoring, and fellowship before and after school.”
    The JPII Campus Ministry room serves as a gathering place for small groups, mentoring, and fellowship.
    “our chapel, which sits at the heart of our 60-year old building and serves as a place for students and faculty to spend time with the Lord before and participate in Adoration, Confession, and daily Mass.”
    The campus chapel is used for adoration, confession, and daily Mass.
  2. Visit Boylan | Boylan Catholic High Schoolboylan.org/visit · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “4000 Saint Francis DriveRockford, IL 61103”
    The school's address is 4000 Saint Francis Drive, Rockford, IL 61103.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Connor Orabutt (Dean of Spirituality) 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.
72 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.90%
  • 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
DioceseDiocese of Rockford, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)586
Students in grades 9–12586
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
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 Rockford

The Most Reverend David J. Malloy, Bishop of Rockford

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Boylan Catholic High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Boylan Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Rockford.
What is Boylan Catholic High School’s Compass Score?
81 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Boylan Catholic High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Boylan Catholic High School 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 Illinois · Illinois rankings