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

Catholic high school

Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's

  • LocationHollywood, MD
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 37 students
Official website

Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's is a classical high school in St. Mary's County, Maryland, part of the Chesterton Schools Network. Its website says every school day begins with Mass and lists weekly opportunities for adoration, with retreats and confession offered as part of spiritual formation. A Pro-Life Club and March for Life participation are listed, and Catholic theology is said to be integrated into each subject. Chaplaincy is described as regular visits from priests, with no named chaplain.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miImmaculate Conception Catholic Church: 0.0 mi1Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church — 0.0 mi

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 (Every school day begins with Mass; the highest listed frequency is used.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day”
      The school states Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
    2. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Every school day begins with Mass.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes
    Sources (2)
    1. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day”
      The school states Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
    2. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Every school day begins with 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 (Confession is listed with retreats and spiritual formation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Retreats, Confession, and Spiritual Formation”
      The school lists confession among its spiritual offerings, with no frequency given.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Weekly opportunities for adoration are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly opportunities for Adoration”
      The school lists weekly opportunities for adoration.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Chaplains or visits from priests are described.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
      Chaplaincy is described as chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious; no priest is named.
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
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We study the development of philosophy from its classical roots focusing on Plato and Aristotle”
      Philosophy is part of the school's curriculum.
  • 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. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholic theology integrated into each subject”
      The school states that Catholic theology is integrated into each subject.
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 (Retreats are listed as an opportunity.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “annual pilgrimages and retreats”
      The school says it offers annual retreats.
  • 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 (Every school day begins with Mass.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Every school day begins with Mass.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day”
      The school states 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 (A Pro-Life Club is listed, and the March for Life is named among the pilgrimages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith & Service Retreats Pro-Life Club Pilgrimages”
      Faith and Service lists retreats, a Pro-Life Club, and pilgrimages.
      “In addition to the March for Life and local pilgrimages, seniors have the opportunity to travel to Rome and Assisi, Italy.”
      The school names the March for Life among its pilgrimages, and seniors can travel to Rome and Assisi.
  • 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

  • Every school day begins with Mass, according to the school.
    Sources (2)
    1. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day”
      The school states Daily Mass is the foundation of each school day.
    2. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “For this reason, every school day begins with Mass.”
      Every school day begins with Mass.
  • Weekly opportunities for adoration and confession are listed among the school's faith offerings.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly opportunities for Adoration”
      The school lists weekly opportunities for adoration.
      “Retreats, Confession, and Spiritual Formation”
      The school lists confession among its spiritual offerings, with no frequency given.
  • A Pro-Life Club is listed, and the March for Life is named among the pilgrimages.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith & Service Retreats Pro-Life Club Pilgrimages”
      Faith and Service lists retreats, a Pro-Life Club, and pilgrimages.
      “In addition to the March for Life and local pilgrimages, seniors have the opportunity to travel to Rome and Assisi, Italy.”
      The school names the March for Life among its pilgrimages, and seniors can travel to Rome and Assisi.
  • Philosophy and Catholic theology are described as part of the curriculum.
    Sources (2)
    1. Academics | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We study the development of philosophy from its classical roots focusing on Plato and Aristotle”
      Philosophy is part of the school's curriculum.
    2. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's (home)chestertonstmarys.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholic theology integrated into each subject”
      The school states that Catholic theology is integrated into each subject.

Concerns

  • Chaplaincy is described as regular visits from priests and religious.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
      Chaplaincy is described as chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious; no priest is named.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's chaplaincy

  • Address: 21335 Colton Point Rd., Avenue, MD 20609
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Other 1

  • Pilgrimage to Rome and AssisiOff campus
    Seniors have the opportunity to travel to Rome and Assisi, Italy.
    chestertonstmarys.org

Faith formation 1

Clubs and groups 1

Liturgy and prayer 2

Retreats 1

Service 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 (2)
  1. Student Life | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
    Chaplaincy is described as chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious; no priest is named.
    “Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious”
    Chaplaincy is described as chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious; no priest is named.
  2. Contact | Chesterton Academy of St. Mary'schestertonstmarys.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “21335 Colton Point Rd. Avenue, MD 20609”
    The school's physical address is 21335 Colton Point Rd., Avenue, MD 20609, as published.

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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.
25 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.50%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.4.9 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Washington, DC
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)37
Students in grades 9–1237
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio4.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges50%
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

Archdiocese of Washington

His Eminence Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's a Catholic high school?
Yes. Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington.

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