Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Cistercian Preparatory School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Cistercian Preparatory School

  • LocationIrving, TX
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 5–12 · 352 students

All-male

Official website

Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas, is a Catholic school for boys in grades 5-12 and an apostolate of Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey. Each Form attends Mass weekly, the Upper School has a Mass monthly, and each Form has a required retreat. Priests hear confessions in the school chapel several days a week, and the campus ministry director is a priest.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Thursday7:45 AM–8:20 AMSchool chapel · Listed on the campus ministry Chapel Schedule.

Confession 3

  • Tuesday7:50 AM–8:20 AMSchool chapel · Confessor listed as Fr. Raphael on the Chapel Schedule.
  • Wednesday7:50 AM–8:20 AMSchool chapel · Confessor listed as Fr. Raphael on the Chapel Schedule.
  • Wednesday12:35 PM–12:55 PMSchool chapel · Confessor listed as Fr. Augustine on the Chapel Schedule.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 13, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Thursdays | 7:45-8:20 a.m.”
    Mass is listed on Thursdays from 7:45 to 8:20 a.m. in the chapel schedule.
    “Tuesdays | Fr. Raphael | 7:50-8:20 a.m.”
    Confessions are listed on Tuesdays from 7:50 to 8:20 a.m.
    “Wednesdays | Fr. Raphael | 7:50-8:20 a.m.”
    Confessions are listed on Wednesdays from 7:50 to 8:20 a.m.
    “Wednesdays | Fr. Augustine | 12:35-12:55 p.m.”
    Confessions are listed on Wednesdays from 12:35 to 12:55 p.m.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Cistercian Preparatory School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miCistercian Monastery - Our Lady of Dallas Chapel: 0.1 mi1Church of the Incarnation: 0.6 mi2Saint Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church: 2.3 mi3Campus Ministry Department, Cistercian Preparatory School: 0.0 miCistercian Preparatory School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Cistercian Monastery - Our Lady of Dallas Chapel — 0.1 mi · 3550 Cistercian Road, Irving
  2. Church of the Incarnation — 0.6 mi · 1809 Maher Lane, Irving
  3. Saint Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church — 2.3 mi · 1118 East Union Bower Road, Irving

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 (Each Form attends Mass with its Form Master once a week, and the handbook says Mass is celebrated weekly for each Form.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each Form attends Mass with their Form Master once a week.”
      Each Form attends Mass once a week with its Form Master.
    2. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Mass is also celebrated weekly for each Form and monthly for the whole Upper School”
      The handbook says Mass is celebrated weekly for each Form and monthly for the Upper School.
  • 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 handbook says priests are available for confession in the School Chapel several days each week, and the Chapel Schedule lists weekly confession times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “priests are available for individual confession and/or spiritual direction in the School Chapel several days each week.”
      Priests are available for individual confession in the School Chapel several days each week.
    2. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Tuesdays | Fr. Raphael | 7:50-8:20 a.m.”
      Confessions are listed on Tuesdays from 7:50 to 8:20 a.m.
      “Wednesdays | Fr. Raphael | 7:50-8:20 a.m.”
      Confessions are listed on Wednesdays from 7:50 to 8:20 a.m.
      “Wednesdays | Fr. Augustine | 12:35-12:55 p.m.”
      Confessions are listed on Wednesdays from 12:35 to 12:55 p.m.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Augustine Hoelke is named as Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy. The Form Masters page is labeled 2025-26; the current faculty directory also lists him in that role.)
    Sources (1)
    1. The Form Master System | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/the-form-master-system · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Augustine Hoelke , O.Cist.”
      Fr. Augustine Hoelke is a priest on the school's Form Master list.
      “Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy;”
      Fr. Augustine Hoelke is the Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy.
CTheology and curriculum: 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.

Theology and curriculum

67 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredTwo years (The 2026-27 handbook lists 2 theology credits for graduation. The religion page describes a theology course in each Form from V to VIII; theology is taken in more than two grades. Recorded at the handbook's graduation figure, as the most specific current source; the conflict is listed in gaps.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Graduation requirements are the following: Subject Credits Theology 2 credits English 4 credits”
      Graduation requires 2 credits 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (A philosophy elective is listed among the courses taught in the religion department.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religion | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/academics/religion · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Philosophy Elective.”
      A philosophy elective is listed among the religion department's courses.
  • 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 school's philosophy statement says it seeks to integrate every variety of learning into the journey toward God.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & Philosophy | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/about/philosophy · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “They also sought to promote true human values and integrate every variety of learning into the journey toward God.”
      The school's philosophy seeks to integrate all learning into the journey toward God.
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

88 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The Campus Ministry Department organizes a retreat for each Form, and attendance at Form retreats is required. Forms I-VIII cover grades 5-12, including all of grades 9-12.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Campus Ministry Department, together with the Form Masters and other lay faculty leaders, organizes a retreat for each Form.”
      The Campus Ministry Department organizes a retreat for each Form.
      “Attendance at Form retreats is required of all students.”
      Attendance at Form retreats is required of all students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One ministry director is named (Fr. Augustine Hoelke). Form Masters and lay faculty help with retreats.)
    Sources (1)
    1. The Form Master System | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/the-form-master-system · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Augustine Hoelke , O.Cist.”
      Fr. Augustine Hoelke is a priest on the school's Form Master list.
      “Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy;”
      Fr. Augustine Hoelke is the Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy.
  • 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 (Two traditional prayers mark the beginning and end of each school day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Two traditional prayers mark the beginning and end of each day.”
      Two traditional prayers mark the start and end of each school day.
DService and Catholic social teaching: Limited (grade D): 40 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

53 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required service hoursNo requirement (The community service page says there is no service requirement to graduate. Students are encouraged to serve and track their hours.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “there is no service requirement to graduate from Cistercian”
      The school has no service requirement to graduate.
  • 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 community service page lists pro-life activities among the projects the Community Service Council chooses, and the religion page names a Pro-Life Club sponsor.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Community Service | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “pro-life activities, solidarity (like our Down Syndrome Dance)”
      Community service projects include pro-life activities and solidarity projects.
    2. Religion | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/academics/religion · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Pro-Life Club Sponsor.”
      A Pro-Life Club has a faculty sponsor.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Projects include corporal works of mercy and solidarity, and the school takes part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “there is no service requirement to graduate from Cistercian”
      The school has no service requirement to graduate.
      “Every year on Martin Luther King Day we cancel class and head out as students, teachers and staff to serve together at various places in our area.”
      The school takes part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service each year.

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

Strengths

  • Each Form attends Mass once a week, and each Form has a required annual retreat.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each Form attends Mass with their Form Master once a week.”
      Each Form attends Mass once a week with its Form Master.
    2. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Attendance at Form retreats is required of all students.”
      Attendance at Form retreats is required of all students.
  • Priests hear confessions in the school chapel several days each week.
    Sources (2)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “priests are available for individual confession and/or spiritual direction in the School Chapel several days each week.”
      Priests are available for individual confession in the School Chapel several days each week.
    2. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Tuesdays | Fr. Raphael | 7:50-8:20 a.m.”
      Confessions are listed on Tuesdays from 7:50 to 8:20 a.m.
  • The theology program has a course in each Form from V to VIII, and the campus ministry director is a priest.
    Sources (2)
    1. Religion | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/academics/religion · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The first course (Form V) covers the history of the Church. The subsequent two courses treat basic Catholic Christian doctrine (Form VI) and morality (Form VII).”
      The theology program has a course in Forms V, VI, VII and VIII.
    2. The Form Master System | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/the-form-master-system · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy;”
      Fr. Augustine Hoelke is the Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy.

Concerns

  • Graduation requires 2 theology credits.
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Graduation requirements are the following: Subject Credits Theology 2 credits English 4 credits”
      Graduation requires 2 credits of theology.
  • No service requirement to graduate is in place.
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “there is no service requirement to graduate from Cistercian”
      The school has no service requirement to graduate.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry Department, Cistercian Preparatory School

  • Address: 3660 Cistercian Road, Irving, TX 75039
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: School Chapel (a small chapel in the heart of campus, open to students and faculty during free time), Abbey Church (larger Masses)

View on map ↗

Source: school.cistercian.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, school.cistercian.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, school.cistercian.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day of ServiceOff campus
    Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (class is canceled)
    Students, teachers and staff serve together at various places in the area.
    school.cistercian.org
  • Community Service Council
    Ten student representatives choose the school's service projects, which focus on corporal works of mercy, mentoring and tutoring, pro-life activities and solidarity.
    school.cistercian.org, school.cistercian.org

Faith formation 1

  • Confession and spiritual directionOn campus
    Several days each week for individual confession; once each quarter for each Form as a group
    Priests are available in the School Chapel for individual confession and spiritual direction.
    school.cistercian.org, school.cistercian.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

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 (4)
  1. Campus Ministry | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Two traditional prayers mark the beginning and end of each day.”
    Two traditional prayers mark the start and end of each school day.
    “Two traditional prayers mark the beginning and end of each day.”
    Two traditional prayers mark the start and end of each school day.
  2. The Form Master System | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/student-support/the-form-master-system · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy;”
    Fr. Augustine Hoelke is the Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy.
  3. Our Location | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/contact-us/our-location · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “3660 Cistercian Road Irving, Texas 75039”
    The school is at 3660 Cistercian Road, Irving, Texas 75039.
  4. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | Cistercian Preparatory Schoolschool.cistercian.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260827-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “there is a small Chapel in the heart of the campus which is open to students and faculty”
    A small chapel on campus is open to students and faculty during free time.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Augustine Hoelke, O.Cist. (Director of Campus Ministry/Liturgy) and the campus ministry 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.
100 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.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.6.3 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 Dallas, TX
Grades5–12
Students (all grades)352
Students in grades 9–12176
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio6.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
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

Diocese of Dallas

The Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, Bishop of Dallas

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Cistercian Preparatory School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Cistercian Preparatory School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Dallas.
What is Cistercian Preparatory School’s Compass Score?
83 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Cistercian Preparatory School?
Mass is listed at School chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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