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Aerial view of Chelsea Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Chelsea Academy

  • LocationFront Royal, VA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades K–12 · 256 students
Official website

Chelsea Academy is a Catholic K-12 school in Front Royal, Virginia, that places liturgical and devotional life at the center of the school. Students and faculty attend Mass each week on campus at St. Thomas More Chapel, and the school day opens with prayer at morning convocation. Graduation requires four years of theology.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Chelsea Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miChrist the King Chapel: 0.8 mi1SS Joachim and Anna Ukrainian Catholic Church: 1.9 mi2Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church: 2.6 mi3St. Thomas More Chapel: 0.1 miChelsea Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Christ the King Chapel — 0.8 mi · 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal
  2. SS Joachim and Anna Ukrainian Catholic Church — 1.9 mi · 1396 Linden Street, Front Royal
  3. Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church — 2.6 mi · 120 West Main Street, Front Royal

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

86 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 (Mass is offered each week for all students and faculty on campus; the handbook says the school hopes to offer as many Masses as possible.)
    Sources (2)
    1. The Catholic Faith | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/about/spiritual-formation.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students and faculty attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each week on campus at the St. Thomas More Chapel.”
      Students and faculty attend Mass each week on campus at St. Thomas More Chapel.
    2. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “In cooperation with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and our area pastors, Chelsea Academy offers an opportunity for weekly Mass for all students.”
      The school offers a weekly Mass for all students, in cooperation with a parish and area pastors.
  • 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 (The 2025-26 handbook (the newest edition found) lists regularly scheduled monthly confession opportunities; the school website says confession is available on a regular basis.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Penance is made available to students regularly throughout the school year. In particular, students will have the opportunity to confess during the seasons of Advent and Lent as well as regularly scheduled monthly opportunities.”
      Confession is offered regularly, including regularly scheduled monthly opportunities.
  • 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 (Weekly Mass is offered in cooperation with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “In cooperation with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and our area pastors, Chelsea Academy offers an opportunity for weekly Mass for all students.”
      The school offers a weekly Mass for all students, in cooperation with a parish and area pastors.
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 (four full-year equivalents; four years).)
    Sources (1)
    1. K-12 Curriculum | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/academics/curriculum.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Four years of theology”
      Graduation requires four years of 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.
  • 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 handbook describes the curriculum as an integrated Catholic liberal arts plan of study in which students engage faith and reason.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Chelsea Academy curriculum is an integrated, Catholic liberal arts plan of study. Students are invited to engage both their faith and reason in knowing and ascertaining the truth of things.”
      The curriculum is described as an integrated Catholic liberal arts plan of study that engages faith and reason.
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.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (Students and faculty take part in retreats each year, normally during Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each year students and faculty participate in retreats. They normally occur during Lent.”
      Students and faculty take part in retreats each year, normally during Lent.
  • 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 (Students begin each day with prayer at morning convocation, and each class begins with prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. The Catholic Faith | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/about/spiritual-formation.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students and faculty open each day together in prayer at the morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.”
      The whole school prays together each day at morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.
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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The handbook names the March for Life as an event the school formally approves.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbookchelseaacademy.org/editoruploads/files/2025-26/2025-2026%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook%2011_2025%20(1).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Events which Chelsea formally approves (March for Life)”
      The school formally approves March for Life events.
  • 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

  • Mass is offered each week on campus and the school day opens with prayer.
    Sources (1)
    1. The Catholic Faith | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/about/spiritual-formation.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students and faculty attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each week on campus at the St. Thomas More Chapel.”
      Students and faculty attend Mass each week on campus at St. Thomas More Chapel.
      “All students and faculty open each day together in prayer at the morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.”
      The whole school prays together each day at morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.
  • Four years of theology are required for graduation.
    Sources (1)
    1. K-12 Curriculum | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/academics/curriculum.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Four years of theology”
      Graduation requires four years of theology.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

St. Thomas More Chapel

  • Address: 1190 Progress Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: chelseaacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, chelseaacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

3 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus, 1 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Morning convocation prayerOn campus
    Start of each school day
    The whole school prays together at the beginning of each school day.
    chelseaacademy.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Weekly Mass on campusOn campus
    Each week
    Mass for students, faculty and staff at St. Thomas More Chapel on campus.
    chelseaacademy.org

Retreats 1

  • Annual student retreats
    Each year, normally during Lent
    Students and faculty take part in retreats each year.
    chelseaacademy.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. The Catholic Faith | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/about/spiritual-formation.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Students and faculty attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each week on campus at the St. Thomas More Chapel.”
    Students and faculty attend Mass each week on campus at St. Thomas More Chapel.
    “All students and faculty open each day together in prayer at the morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.”
    The whole school prays together each day at morning convocation, and classes begin in prayer.
    “Students and faculty attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each week on campus at the St. Thomas More Chapel.”
    Students and faculty attend Mass each week on campus at St. Thomas More Chapel.
  2. Contact Us | Chelsea Academychelseaacademy.org/about/contact-us.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Mailing Address Chelsea Academy 1190 Progress Drive Front Royal, VA 22630 Telephone (540) 635-0622 Fax (540)274-3169 Email frontoffice@chelseaacademy.org”
    The school's address, telephone and front office email are published.

Reach out

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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.
68 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.88%
  • 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseDiocese of Arlington, VA
GradesK–12
Students (all grades)256
Students in grades 9–12101
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges88%
SettingRural

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 Arlington

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Thomas More

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Chelsea Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Chelsea Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Arlington.

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