Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Convent and Academy of the Visitation
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Convent and Academy of the Visitation

  • LocationMendota Heights, MN
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 513 students
  • SponsorSisters of the Visitation
Official website

The Convent and Academy of the Visitation, published as Visitation School, is a Catholic school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, with an all-girls upper school for grades 9-12. Its Salesian Studies program co-coordinates Masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister, and its four-year planner includes religion courses and an ethics course.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Convent and Academy of the Visitation, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miHoly Family Maronite Church: 1.3 mi1Church of Saint Peter's: 2.1 mi2Campus Ministry, Visitation School: 0.1 miConvent and Academy of the Visitation (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Family Maronite Church — 1.3 mi · 1960 Lexington Avenue South, Mendota Heights
  2. Church of Saint Peter's — 2.1 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.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

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.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (The Salesian Studies page says the program co-coordinates masses and prayer services.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Salesian Spirituality | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “co-coordinating masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister”
      The Salesian Studies program co-coordinates masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot 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.
    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 (Masses are confirmed; the campus minister is named only as a role.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Salesian Spirituality | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “co-coordinating masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister”
      The Salesian Studies program co-coordinates masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Religion is listed as 4 credits in the graduation requirements. The four-year planner lists religion courses in grades 9 through 11, and the grade 12 course is listed as Salesian Leadership, not as religion.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum & Course Catalog | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/academics/upper-school/curriculum-course-catalog · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion — 4 Credits”
      Religion is a 4-credit graduation requirement.
  • 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 (Ethical and Moral Issues is listed in the grade 11 planner.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum & Course Catalog | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/academics/upper-school/curriculum-course-catalog · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Literature of the United States Ethical and Moral Issues World Religions”
      Ethical and Moral Issues is listed in the grade 11 planner.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
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 (Retreat experiences are said to be integrated into Upper School.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Salesian Education | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality/salesian-education · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreat experiences are integrated into Middle School and Upper School”
      Retreat experiences are part of 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.
    Campus ministry staffNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (A Faith Club is listed among the upper-school co-curriculars.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Co-Curriculars | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/campus-life/co-curriculars · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Faith Club Habitat for Humanity Club”
      A Faith Club is listed among upper-school co-curricular clubs.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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 Life Club is a pro-life student club for grades 9-12.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Co-Curriculars | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/campus-life/co-curriculars · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Life Club works for the protection and enrichment of life from conception to natural death. While focusing on the protection of the unborn, the group also works to promote a culture of life in the school, educate people about Pro-Life issues, pray for those who are vulnerable, and serve families in need. Typically meets each week during lunch.”
      The Life Club is a pro-life student club that meets weekly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The VISTORY Service Trip is a week-long service trip to Camden, New Jersey, for upper-school students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum & Course Catalog | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/academics/upper-school/curriculum-course-catalog · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “VISTORY Service Trip: Partner with students from other Visitation schools to form friendships and perform service during a week-long, Salesian-centered trip to Camden, New Jersey.”
      The VISTORY Service Trip is a week-long service trip to Camden, New Jersey.

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

Strengths

  • Masses and prayer services are co-coordinated with the Campus Minister, and the community gathers in prayer or liturgy.
    Sources (2)
    1. Salesian Spirituality | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “co-coordinating masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister”
      The Salesian Studies program co-coordinates masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister.
    2. Salesian Education | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality/salesian-education · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The community gathers in prayer or liturgy as a whole and in smaller groups Teachers encourage prayer in the classroom”
      The community gathers in prayer or liturgy, and teachers encourage prayer in class.
  • A pro-life student club and a service trip are listed for upper-school students.
    Sources (2)
    1. Co-Curriculars | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/campus-life/co-curriculars · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Life Club works for the protection and enrichment of life from conception to natural death. While focusing on the protection of the unborn, the group also works to promote a culture of life in the school, educate people about Pro-Life issues, pray for those who are vulnerable, and serve families in need. Typically meets each week during lunch.”
      The Life Club is a pro-life student club that meets weekly.
    2. Curriculum & Course Catalog | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/academics/upper-school/curriculum-course-catalog · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “VISTORY Service Trip: Partner with students from other Visitation schools to form friendships and perform service during a week-long, Salesian-centered trip to Camden, New Jersey.”
      The VISTORY Service Trip is a week-long service trip to Camden, New Jersey.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Visitation School

  • Address: 2455 Visitation Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: visitation.net, verified Oct. 12, 2026, visitation.net, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • VISTORY Service TripOff campus
    A week-long Salesian-centered service trip to Camden, New Jersey, with students from other Visitation schools.
    visitation.net
  • Life Club
    Weekly, during lunch
    Works for the protection and enrichment of life from conception to natural death, educates about pro-life issues, prays for the vulnerable and serves families in need.
    visitation.net

Clubs and groups 1

  • Faith Club
    An upper-school co-curricular club listed among the Upper School clubs.
    visitation.net

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. Salesian Spirituality | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/salesian-spirituality · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “co-coordinating masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister”
    The Salesian Studies program co-coordinates masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister.
    “co-coordinating masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister”
    The Salesian Studies program co-coordinates masses and prayer services with the Campus Minister.
  2. Contact Us | Visitation Schoolvisitation.net/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Visitation School is located at 2455 Visitation Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120.”
    The school is at 2455 Visitation Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120.

Reach out

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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.6.1 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 Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)513
Students in grades 9–12249
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio6.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
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.

Your state may help pay for this school

Minnesota has a program that helps families pay private school tuition. Ask the school whether it takes part.

  • Tax credit or deductionK-12 Education Subtraction (private school tuition)Minnesota parents who pay private school tuition for a dependent in grades K-12 (the school must be in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin); available regardless of income.Official page, amounts and how to apply

Not tax, legal or financial advice. More about each state’s programs at our sister site, ChooseAPrivateSchool.com.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Saint Paul

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Convent and Academy of the Visitation a Catholic high school?
Yes. Convent and Academy of the Visitation is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its sponsor is Sisters of the Visitation.

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