Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Chesterton Academy of St. James
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Chesterton Academy of St. James

  • LocationRedwood City, CA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 12 students
Official website

Chesterton Academy of St. James is a new independent classical high school on the campus of the Archbishop's Residence at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California (its mailing address is in Redwood City). Its website states that every school day begins with Mass, lists weekly opportunities for adoration, and names a Pro-Life Club and a Faith & Service club. The website says faith is incorporated into every subject.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Chesterton Academy of St. James, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church: 1.2 mi1Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church: 1.4 mi2Saint Francis of Assisi Church: 1.5 mi3Saint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church: 1.5 mi4Saint Anthonys Catholic Church: 2.0 mi5Chesterton Academy of St. James campus chapel: 0.3 miChesterton Academy of St. James (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church — 1.2 mi
  2. Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto
  3. Saint Francis of Assisi Church — 1.5 mi · 1425 Bay Road
  4. Saint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church — 1.5 mi
  5. Saint Anthonys Catholic Church — 2.0 mi · 3500 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park

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 website states that every school day begins with Mass. Recorded at the highest level the scale offers.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Mass begins every school day at the school.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Mass begins every school day at the school.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.”
      The school states that daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
  • 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 (Confession is listed among the offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Retreats, Confession, and Spiritual Formation”
      Confession is one of the spiritual offerings listed for students, with no frequency stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Weekly opportunities for adoration; the website describes a campus chapel for adoration and prayer.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly opportunities for Adoration”
      Eucharistic adoration is offered weekly.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “At the heart of the house is a small chapel for adoration and prayer.”
      The campus has a small chapel for adoration and prayer.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Chaplains or regular visits from priests are mentioned without any priest named as chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
      The school says chaplains or regular priest visits are part of its spiritual life, without naming a priest.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Years of theology or religion requiredNot 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.
    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 (Philosophy is a taught subject with its own description on the academics page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Philosophy, “the love of wisdom,” exercises the brain while it elevates the soul.”
      Philosophy is a taught subject of the academic program.
  • 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
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith incorporated into every subject”
      The school states that faith is incorporated into every subject.
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

84 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 (Annual retreats are offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Other important ways we live the faith include annual pilgrimages and retreats”
      Annual retreats are part of the school's faith life, with no grades stated.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Faith & Service and Pro-Life Club are both listed among the school's clubs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith & Service Retreats Pro-Life Club Pilgrimages”
      The school lists a Faith & Service club and a Pro-Life Club among its clubs and activities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Mass begins each school day; daily prayer and liturgical life are part of the school day.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Mass begins every school day at the school.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.”
      The school states that daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
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 Pro-Life Club is listed among the school's clubs, and the school lists its participation in the 2026 West Coast Walk for Life.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith & Service Retreats Pro-Life Club Pilgrimages”
      The school lists a Faith & Service club and a Pro-Life Club among its clubs and activities.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “West Coast Walk for Life 2026”
      The school lists the West Coast Walk for Life 2026 among its current news items.
  • 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 begins every school day, according to the school's website.
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Mass begins every school day at the school.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.”
      The school states that daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
  • Eucharistic adoration is offered weekly, in a campus chapel set aside for adoration and prayer.
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly opportunities for Adoration”
      Eucharistic adoration is offered weekly.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “At the heart of the house is a small chapel for adoration and prayer.”
      The campus has a small chapel for adoration and prayer.
  • Faith is incorporated into every subject, according to the school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith incorporated into every subject”
      The school states that faith is incorporated into every subject.
  • Clubs include a Pro-Life Club and a Faith & Service club.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith & Service Retreats Pro-Life Club Pilgrimages”
      The school lists a Faith & Service club and a Pro-Life Club among its clubs and activities.

Concerns

  • The pages mention chaplains and priest visits in general terms.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
      The school says chaplains or regular priest visits are part of its spiritual life, without naming a priest.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Chesterton Academy of St. James campus chapel

  • Address: 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: small chapel for adoration and prayer

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 3 off campus, 5 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 3

Other 2

  • Pilgrimage to Rome and AssisiOff campus
    Senior year (opportunity)
    Seniors have the opportunity to travel to Rome and Assisi, Italy.
    chestertonstjames.org
  • House System
    Students belong to houses, each with senior and junior prefects and faculty advisors.
    chestertonstjames.org

Service 2

  • West Coast Walk for Life 2026Off campus
    2026
    The school lists its participation in the West Coast Walk for Life 2026.
    chestertonstjames.org
  • Faith & Service club
    A club listed among the school's clubs and activities.
    chestertonstjames.org

Clubs and groups 1

Retreats 1

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. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
    Mass begins every school day at the school.
    “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
    The school says chaplains or regular priest visits are part of its spiritual life, without naming a priest.
  2. Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “At the heart of the house is a small chapel for adoration and prayer.”
    The campus has a small chapel for adoration and prayer.
    “At the heart of the house is a small chapel for adoration and prayer.”
    The campus has a small chapel for adoration and prayer.
  3. Contact | Chesterton Academy of St. Jameschestertonstjames.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Campus Location 320 Middlefield Road Menlo Park, CA 94025-3563”
    The school's campus address is 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park.

Reach out

Contact details for Chesterton Academy of St. James office (General office) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

N/AAcademic Excellence: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Not enough information
Federal data covers too few of the measures to score this school.

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.Not reported
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.2.4 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
DioceseArchdiocese of San Francisco, CA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)12
Students in grades 9–1212
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio2.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges—
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

Archdiocese of San Francisco

The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Chesterton Academy of St. James a Catholic high school?
Yes. Chesterton Academy of St. James is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

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