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Aerial view of Cardinal Newman School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Cardinal Newman School

  • LocationColumbia, SC
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 7–12 · 562 students
Official website
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Cardinal Newman School is a Catholic school for grades 7 through 12 on Alpine Road in Columbia, SC. It holds a weekly all-school Mass, offers Reconciliation weekly and adoration once a month, and names a campus chaplain. Theology is taught every year, every grade takes a grade-specific retreat, and required service rises to 40 hours in grades 11 and 12.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Cardinal Newman School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint John Neumann Catholic Church: 2.3 mi1Cardinal Newman Campus Ministry: 0.1 miCardinal Newman School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint John Neumann Catholic Church — 2.3 mi · 100 Polo Road, Columbia

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.

ASacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The page lists a Weekly All-School Mass for the whole student body.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly All-School Mass Students gather as a full community to celebrate the Eucharist”
      The school holds a Weekly All-School Mass.
      “Led by our chaplain and rotating priests.”
      The all-school Mass is led by the school's chaplain and rotating priests.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Reconciliation is offered weekly and throughout the year, especially Advent and Lent, with multiple priests available.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation: Offered weekly and throughout the year, especially Advent and Lent, with multiple priests available.”
      Confession is offered weekly and throughout the year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Adoration is offered once a month, all day, with grade-level or class visits.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration: Once a month all day adoration is available”
      Eucharistic adoration is available once a month, all day.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Father Paul LaCombe is named as campus chaplain.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members of the Campus Ministry outreach team include: Father Paul LaCombe – Campus Chaplain Lara Druffner – Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service, Retreat & Service Team Moderator, M18's & C3's Moderator Tony Haughey – Liturgy Coordinator Benjamin Jett – Students for Life Director”
      Four ministry staff are listed, including Father Paul LaCombe as campus chaplain.
    2. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Led by our chaplain and rotating priests.”
      The all-school Mass is led by the school's chaplain and rotating priests.
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 (A Theology course is required each year. Theology is taken in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In addition, students are also required to take a Theology course each year.”
      Students are required to take a Theology course 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Christian Apologetics and Applications of Moral Theology are offered, and Introduction to Philosophy is an elective.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “12th Grade--Christian Apologetics--Mr. Jett”
      Christian Apologetics is a theology course offered in grade 12.
  • 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 (Stated on the school's Theology page rather than in the program of studies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students at Cardinal Newman can expect to have faith, either overtly or in theme, woven in to every class they take.”
      Faith is woven into every class at the school.
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
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student participates in a grade-specific retreat each year.”
      Every grade has a grade-specific retreat each year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Four professional ministry staff are listed: the campus chaplain, the Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service, the Liturgy Coordinator and the Students for Life Director.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members of the Campus Ministry outreach team include: Father Paul LaCombe – Campus Chaplain Lara Druffner – Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service, Retreat & Service Team Moderator, M18's & C3's Moderator Tony Haughey – Liturgy Coordinator Benjamin Jett – Students for Life Director”
      Four ministry staff are listed, including Father Paul LaCombe as campus chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Faith-based groups listed include Molokai Men, Students for Life, and the Young Men's Group and Girls Rosary Group.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Molokai Men Club brings together high school young men for prayer, Bible study, discussion, and fellowship with our school Chaplin.”
      The Molokai Men Club is a high school men's prayer and Bible study group.
      “Students for Life is one of the activities that is administered through the Campus Ministry Outreach Program.”
      Students for Life is run through the Campus Ministry Outreach Program.
      “One activity in which the group participates each year is the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. each January.”
      Students for Life attends the March for Life each January.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The school day begins with morning prayer over the intercom, with class prayers.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Morning prayer over the intercom.”
      Morning prayer is said each school day over the intercom.
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 (Required service hours by grade: 20 (grade 9), 30 (grade 10), and 40 (grades 11 and 12).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Middle school students – 15hrs 9th grade – 20hrs 10th grade – 30hrs 11th & 12th grades – 40hrs”
      Required service hours are 20 in grade 9, 30 in grade 10, and 40 in grades 11 and 12.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The 11th-grade Catholic Social Justice course is one of the theology courses offered each year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “11th Grade--Catholic Social Justice--Mr. Jett”
      A Catholic Social Justice theology course is offered in grade 11.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Students for Life, administered through the Campus Ministry Outreach Program, attends the March for Life each January.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “One activity in which the group participates each year is the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. each January.”
      Students for Life attends the March for Life each January.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Domestic and international mission trips are offered, beginning in grades 9 and 10.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are eligible to travel on most domestic mission trips starting in 9th grade, and most international mission trips starting in 10th grade.”
      Students may join domestic and international mission trips starting in grades 9 and 10.

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

Strengths

  • A weekly all-school Mass, weekly Reconciliation and monthly all-day adoration are published.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly All-School Mass Students gather as a full community to celebrate the Eucharist”
      The school holds a Weekly All-School Mass.
      “Reconciliation: Offered weekly and throughout the year, especially Advent and Lent, with multiple priests available.”
      Confession is offered weekly and throughout the year.
      “Adoration: Once a month all day adoration is available”
      Eucharistic adoration is available once a month, all day.
  • A named campus chaplain and four professional ministry staff are listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members of the Campus Ministry outreach team include: Father Paul LaCombe – Campus Chaplain Lara Druffner – Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service, Retreat & Service Team Moderator, M18's & C3's Moderator Tony Haughey – Liturgy Coordinator Benjamin Jett – Students for Life Director”
      Four ministry staff are listed, including Father Paul LaCombe as campus chaplain.
  • Theology is required each year, and every grade takes a grade-specific retreat.
    Sources (2)
    1. Theology - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In addition, students are also required to take a Theology course each year.”
      Students are required to take a Theology course each year.
    2. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student participates in a grade-specific retreat each year.”
      Every grade has a grade-specific retreat each year.
  • Required service rises to 40 hours in grades 11 and 12, and mission trips are offered.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Middle school students – 15hrs 9th grade – 20hrs 10th grade – 30hrs 11th & 12th grades – 40hrs”
      Required service hours are 20 in grade 9, 30 in grade 10, and 40 in grades 11 and 12.
      “Students are eligible to travel on most domestic mission trips starting in 9th grade, and most international mission trips starting in 10th grade.”
      Students may join domestic and international mission trips starting in grades 9 and 10.

Concerns

  • The published Mass, Reconciliation and adoration pages give no weekday or time.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation: Offered weekly and throughout the year, especially Advent and Lent, with multiple priests available.”
      Confession is offered weekly and throughout the year.
      “Adoration: Once a month all day adoration is available”
      Eucharistic adoration is available once a month, all day.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Cardinal Newman Campus Ministry

  • Address: 2945 Alpine Rd, Columbia, South Carolina 29223
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel, prayer garden

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 7 location not published

Service 2

  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Domestic and international service trips, beginning in grade 9 or 10.
    cnhs.org
  • Key Club
    Kiwanis-sponsored service club that organizes food drives at Thanksgiving and Easter and smaller community projects.
    cnhs.org

Faith formation 1

  • Young Men's Group
    Weekly
    Weekly group for grades 7 to 9 for prayer, Scripture, fellowship, discussion and service.
    cnhs.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Molokai Men
    High school young men's club for prayer, Bible study, discussion and fellowship with the school chaplain.
    cnhs.org
  • Students for Life
    Pro-life student group run through the Campus Ministry Outreach Program; attends the national March for Life each January.
    cnhs.org, cnhs.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Weekly All-School Mass
    Weekly
    Mass for the full school community, led by the chaplain and rotating priests, with students serving as lectors and altar servers.
    cnhs.org, cnhs.org

Retreats 2

  • Kairos retreat
    Grade 11
    Four-day, three-night Ignatian-style retreat for the junior class, run by a student retreat team.
    cnhs.org
  • Grade-level retreats
    Each year
    Grade-specific retreat for every grade; each begins with Mass, adoration and reconciliation.
    cnhs.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. Campus Ministry - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Members of the Campus Ministry outreach team include: Father Paul LaCombe – Campus Chaplain Lara Druffner – Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service, Retreat & Service Team Moderator, M18's & C3's Moderator Tony Haughey – Liturgy Coordinator Benjamin Jett – Students for Life Director”
    Four ministry staff are listed, including Father Paul LaCombe as campus chaplain.
    “2945 Alpine Rd Columbia South Carolina 29223”
    The school and its campus ministry are at 2945 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223.
  2. Student Faith Formation - Cardinal Newman Schoolcnhs.org/faith/student-faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Chapel available for students and staff throughout the day.”
    The chapel is available to students and staff throughout the day.
    “Outdoor prayer garden.”
    The campus has an outdoor prayer garden.

Reach out

Contact details for Campus Ministry Office (Reached through the school's main line; Lara Druffner is Director of Campus Ministry & Community Service) 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.
93 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.99%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.6 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 Charleston, SC
Grades7–12
Students (all grades)562
Students in grades 9–12363
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges99%
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

Diocese of Charleston

The Most Reverend Jacques Fabre-Jeune, Bishop of Charleston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Cardinal Newman School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Cardinal Newman School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Charleston.
What is Cardinal Newman School’s Compass Score?
98 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Cardinal Newman School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Cardinal Newman School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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