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Aerial view of Cedar Valley Catholic School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Cedar Valley Catholic School

  • LocationWaterloo, IA
  • Type and sizeParish school · Grades PK–12 · 733 students
Official website

Columbus Catholic High School is the high school of Cedar Valley Catholic Schools in Waterloo, Iowa, within the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Its campus ministry lists weekly Mass for students, Reconciliation, adoration and retreats for sophomores, juniors and seniors, with a renewal day for freshmen. A campus chaplain and a campus minister are named on the school's staff page, and the school describes one theology course per semester.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Cedar Valley Catholic School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Edward Catholic Church: 1.1 mi1Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1.9 mi2Queen of Peace Catholic Church: 2.6 mi3Campus Ministry, Columbus Catholic High School: 0.1 miCedar Valley Catholic School (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Edward Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 1423 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo
  2. Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 1.9 mi
  3. Queen of Peace Catholic Church — 2.6 mi · 320 Mulberry Street, Waterloo

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

82 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 school says students celebrate Mass weekly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Columbus Catholic High School - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/columbus-catholic-high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students celebrate the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at Mass weekly.”
      Students celebrate Mass weekly.
  • 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 listed as offered or frequency given.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Columbus Catholic High School - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/columbus-catholic-high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students also have the opportunity to participate in Reconciliation, Mass Ministry, Senior Faith Leadership Team, service projects, and more.”
      Students may take part in Reconciliation, Mass Ministry and a Senior Faith Leadership Team.
    2. Faith Life at CVCS - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faith-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “These opportunities include weekly Mass, Reconciliation, service opportunities, Serva Fidem, bible studies, prayer services, Adoration, renewal days, Sophomore Retreat, Kairos Retreat, Senior Retreat, spiritual direction, and the Senior Leadership Team.”
      Campus ministry lists weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, Bible studies, prayer services, retreats and the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Adoration is listed among campus ministry opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life at CVCS - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faith-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “These opportunities include weekly Mass, Reconciliation, service opportunities, Serva Fidem, bible studies, prayer services, Adoration, renewal days, Sophomore Retreat, Kairos Retreat, Senior Retreat, spiritual direction, and the Senior Leadership Team.”
      Campus ministry lists weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, Bible studies, prayer services, retreats and the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Greg Lambert is listed as the campus chaplain on the staff page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Greg Lambert Campus Chaplian”
      Fr. Greg Lambert is listed as the campus 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 (One theology course per semester over eight semesters is four full-year equivalents (semesters divided by 2).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Columbus Catholic High School - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/columbus-catholic-high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students take one theology course per semester.”
      Students take one theology course each semester.
  • 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 (A statement on the system's home page covers its schools, including this high school: an academic program grounded in faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cedar Valley Catholic Schools - Columbus HScvcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student is a child of God and Cedar Valley Catholic Schools is committed to providing a rigorous academic experience for our students that is grounded in our faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
      The school system's mission says its academic program is grounded in faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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 (Sophomore, junior (Kairos) and senior retreats are overnight. Freshmen have a one-day Freshman Renewal Day, which the school lists with its retreats.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats & Conferences Offered - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Freshman Renewal Day is designed to help students successfully transition into high school while strengthening their faith.”
      Freshmen have a Freshman Renewal Day to strengthen their faith.
      “The Sophomore Retreat is a two-and-a-half-day overnight experience”
      Sophomores have a two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat.
      “The Kairos Retreat is a three-and-a-half-day overnight experience that invites juniors”
      Juniors have the Kairos retreat, a three-and-a-half-day overnight experience.
      “The Senior Retreat is a two-and-a-half-day overnight experience”
      Seniors have a two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (A campus chaplain and a campus minister are listed on the staff page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Greg Lambert Campus Chaplian”
      Fr. Greg Lambert is listed as the campus chaplain.
      “Haleigh Schmidt Campus Minister”
      Haleigh Schmidt is listed as campus minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Senior Leadership Team, Kairos Leadership Team and Mass Ministry are listed as student faith groups.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Columbus Catholic High School - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/columbus-catholic-high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students also have the opportunity to participate in Reconciliation, Mass Ministry, Senior Faith Leadership Team, service projects, and more.”
      Students may take part in Reconciliation, Mass Ministry and a Senior Faith Leadership Team.
    2. Academics - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kairos Leadership Team”
      A Kairos Leadership Team is listed among student leadership opportunities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders, and the school says it begins and ends each day with prayer.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Prayer with our students - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each day, morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders at each of our schools.”
      Morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders each day.
    2. Cedar Valley Catholic Schools - Columbus HScvcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student is a child of God and Cedar Valley Catholic Schools is committed to providing a rigorous academic experience for our students that is grounded in our faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
      The school system's mission says its academic program is grounded in faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot 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.
    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

  • Students celebrate Mass weekly, and campus ministry lists Reconciliation and Adoration.
    Sources (2)
    1. Columbus Catholic High School - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/columbus-catholic-high-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students celebrate the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at Mass weekly.”
      Students celebrate Mass weekly.
    2. Faith Life at CVCS - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faith-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “These opportunities include weekly Mass, Reconciliation, service opportunities, Serva Fidem, bible studies, prayer services, Adoration, renewal days, Sophomore Retreat, Kairos Retreat, Senior Retreat, spiritual direction, and the Senior Leadership Team.”
      Campus ministry lists weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, Bible studies, prayer services, retreats and the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Retreats are listed for sophomores, juniors and seniors, with a renewal day for freshmen.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats & Conferences Offered - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sophomore Retreat is a two-and-a-half-day overnight experience”
      Sophomores have a two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat.
      “The Kairos Retreat is a three-and-a-half-day overnight experience that invites juniors”
      Juniors have the Kairos retreat, a three-and-a-half-day overnight experience.
      “The Senior Retreat is a two-and-a-half-day overnight experience”
      Seniors have a two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat.
      “The Freshman Renewal Day is designed to help students successfully transition into high school while strengthening their faith.”
      Freshmen have a Freshman Renewal Day to strengthen their faith.
  • A campus chaplain and a campus minister are named on the staff page.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Greg Lambert Campus Chaplian”
      Fr. Greg Lambert is listed as the campus chaplain.
      “Haleigh Schmidt Campus Minister”
      Haleigh Schmidt is listed as campus minister.
  • Morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders each day.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer with our students - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each day, morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders at each of our schools.”
      Morning and afternoon prayer is led by student leaders each day.

Concerns

  • The 160-hour Silver Cord of Service is an optional award.
    Sources (1)
    1. Serving those in need - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Service Cord is a distinguished service award available to Columbus Catholic High School students who earn at least 160 hours of community volunteer service”
      A Silver Cord of Service award recognizes 160 hours of community volunteer service.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Columbus Catholic High School

  • Address: 3231 West 9th Street, Waterloo, IA 50702
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 10 location not published

Faith formation 3

  • Senior Leadership Team
    Student faith leadership team. It leads reflections and witness talks at the school's renewal days.
    cvcatholic.org, cvcatholic.org
  • Kairos Leadership Team
    Student leadership team listed among the school's leadership opportunities.
    cvcatholic.org
  • Bible studies
    Listed among campus ministry opportunities.
    cvcatholic.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Mass Ministry
    Student ministry listed among the school's faith opportunities.
    cvcatholic.org

Other 1

Retreats 4

  • Sophomore Retreat
    Sophomore year
    Two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat with Eucharist and Reconciliation.
    cvcatholic.org
  • Kairos Retreat
    Junior year
    Three-and-a-half-day overnight retreat for juniors.
    cvcatholic.org
  • Senior Retreat
    Senior year
    Two-and-a-half-day overnight retreat led by young adult alumni and staff.
    cvcatholic.org
  • Freshman Renewal Day
    Freshman year
    One-day renewal to help freshmen transition to high school and strengthen their faith.
    cvcatholic.org

Service 1

  • Silver Cord of Service
    Optional award for 160 or more hours of community volunteer service from grade 9 through May of the graduating year.
    cvcatholic.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. Faith Life at CVCS - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faith-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Columbus Catholic High School Campus Ministry program strives to help all students develop their faith and to grow as disciples of Christ.”
    Campus Ministry at Columbus Catholic High School works to help students develop their faith.
    “The Columbus Catholic High School Campus Ministry program strives to help all students develop their faith and to grow as disciples of Christ.”
    Campus Ministry at Columbus Catholic High School works to help students develop their faith.
  2. Faculty & Staff - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Greg Lambert Campus Chaplian”
    Fr. Greg Lambert is listed as the campus chaplain.
  3. Contact Us - Cedar Valley Catholic Schoolscvcatholic.org/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “3231 West 9th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50702”
    Columbus Catholic High School is at 3231 West 9th Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50702.

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Academic Excellence

FAcademic Excellence: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
15 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.48%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.9 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

TypeParish school
DioceseArchdiocese of Dubuque, IA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)733
Students in grades 9–12231
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges48%
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 Dubuque

The Most Reverend Thomas Zinkula, Archbishop of Dubuque

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Cedar Valley Catholic School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Cedar Valley Catholic School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
What is Cedar Valley Catholic School’s Compass Score?
74 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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