Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Cristo Rey San Diego High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Cristo Rey San Diego High School

  • LocationSan Diego, CA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 180 students
Official website

Cristo Rey San Diego High School is a Catholic college-preparatory school in San Diego that accepts students of all faiths and no faith. Its Campus Ministry requires a retreat program for students, holds an all-school liturgy once a month, and offers Reconciliation during Advent and Lent. Religion is required for four credits, and the school lists one campus minister who also teaches theology.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Cristo Rey San Diego High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Jude Shrine of the West: 0.0 mi1Christ the King Catholic Church: 1.1 mi2Saint Mary Catholic Church: 1.3 mi3Saint Anne Catholic Church: 1.4 mi4Saint Rita Catholic Church: 1.8 mi5Saint Anthonys Catholic Church: 1.9 mi6Cristo Rey San Diego Campus Ministry: 0.0 miCristo Rey San Diego High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Jude Shrine of the West — 0.0 mi · 1129 South 38th Street, San Diego
  2. Christ the King Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 29 32nd Street, San Diego
  3. Saint Mary Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 426 East 7th Street, National City
  4. Saint Anne Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 2337 Irving Avenue, San Diego
  5. Saint Rita Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 5124 Churchward Street, San Diego
  6. Saint Anthonys Catholic Church — 1.9 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.

CSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

60 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The student handbook for 2026-2027 says students attend all-school liturgy once a month. A liturgy counts as a Mass for this indicator.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students have opportunities to pray throughout the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.”
      Students pray during the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.
  • 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.
  • 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 (The handbook says Reconciliation is formally provided during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Opportunities for reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Catholic students are formally provided during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent.
  • 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 (All-school liturgy is held monthly.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students have opportunities to pray throughout the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.”
      Students pray during the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.
    2. Heather Kelsey | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/hkelsey · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Heather Kelsey Campus Minister & Theology Teacher”
      Heather Kelsey is a campus minister and theology teacher.
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 (Theology is listed as 4 credits for graduation. The handbook counts English as 1 credit per school year; a full-year course is 1 credit and theology is taken for four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology-4 credits”
      Theology is a 4-credit graduation requirement.
      “English-4 credits (1 credit per school year)”
      One graduation credit is earned per school year of English.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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

73 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 (The handbook says all students must participate in the retreat program, and also names required retreats for junior and senior year. These two statements conflict; the value both support is used. See gaps.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in our retreat program as part of the graduation expectations.”
      All students are required to take part in the retreat program.
      “they must have attended their required retreats (junior and senior year).”
      Required retreats are named for the junior and senior years.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One campus minister is listed on the school's staff pages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Heather Kelsey | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/hkelsey · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Heather Kelsey Campus Minister & Theology Teacher”
      Heather Kelsey is a campus minister and theology teacher.
  • 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 (The handbook says students have opportunities to pray throughout the day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students have opportunities to pray throughout the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.”
      Students pray during the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.
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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not 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.
    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

  • The school states it is Catholic and welcomes students of all faiths and no faith.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Cristo Rey San Diego is a Catholic school, which, in the finest of Catholic traditions, accepts students of all faiths and no faith.”
      The school is Catholic and accepts students of all faiths and no faith.
  • Theology is a four-credit graduation requirement.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology-4 credits”
      Theology is a 4-credit graduation requirement.
  • Students have a monthly all-school liturgy and a retreat program.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students have opportunities to pray throughout the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.”
      Students pray during the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.
      “All students are required to participate in our retreat program as part of the graduation expectations.”
      All students are required to take part in the retreat program.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Cristo Rey San Diego Campus Ministry

  • Address: 1228 S 38th Street, San Diego, CA 92113
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Reconciliation during Advent and Lent
    Advent and Lent
    Opportunities for reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are provided during Advent and Lent.
    cristoreysandiego.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • All-school liturgy
    Once a month
    An all-school liturgy is held once a month, according to the student handbook.
    cristoreysandiego.org

Retreats 1

Service 1

  • Community service opportunities
    Students are offered opportunities to serve the community during their time at the school.
    cristoreysandiego.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 (3)
  1. Heather Kelsey | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/hkelsey · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Heather Kelsey Campus Minister & Theology Teacher”
    Heather Kelsey is a campus minister and theology teacher.
    “Heather Kelsey Campus Minister & Theology Teacher”
    Heather Kelsey is a campus minister and theology teacher.
  2. Student and Family Handbook 2026-2027 | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CRSD-Student-and-Family-Handbook-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Students have opportunities to pray throughout the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.”
    Students pray during the day and attend all-school liturgy once a month.
    “does not permit the use of cell phones inside the church/chapel”
    The school has a chapel on campus.
  3. Contact Us | Cristo Rey San Diego High Schoolcristoreysandiego.org/contact-us · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Phone 619-432-1899 School Address 1228 S 38th Street San Diego, CA 92113”
    The school's main phone number and address.

Reach out

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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.10.1 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
DioceseDiocese of San Diego, CA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)180
Students in grades 9–12180
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges—
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 San Diego

The Most Reverend Michael Pham, Bishop of San Diego

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Cristo Rey San Diego High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Cristo Rey San Diego High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of San Diego.

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