Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
DeMatha Catholic High School: Dematha stained glass
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Globalglenn~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

DeMatha Catholic High School

  • LocationHyattsville, MD
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 838 students

All-male

Official website

DeMatha Catholic High School is a Trinitarian boys' school in Hyattsville, Maryland. Students take theology in every year, complete a Christian service requirement of 65 hours over four years, and attend a grade-level retreat. The Campus Ministry Office, led in part by a priest chaplain, holds school liturgies throughout the year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of DeMatha Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Jerome Catholic Church: 0.3 mi1Saint Bernard Catholic Church: 1.4 mi2Catholic Student Center: 1.6 mi3Saint James Catholic Church: 1.6 mi4Saint Mark's Church: 1.8 mi5Saint Cecilia Chapel (ruin): 2.0 mi6DeMatha Campus Ministry Office: 0.1 miDeMatha Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Jerome Catholic Church — 0.3 mi · 5205 43rd Avenue, Hyattsville
  2. Saint Bernard Catholic Church — 1.4 mi
  3. Catholic Student Center — 1.6 mi
  4. Saint James Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 3700 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier
  5. Saint Mark's Church — 1.8 mi · 7501 Adelphi Road, Adelphi
  6. Saint Cecilia Chapel (ruin) — 2.0 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.

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 (Liturgies are held throughout the year, including the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Opening School Mass.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Liturgies are throughout the school year, to commemorate major events (beginning of the year, end of the year, St. John DeMatha Day) and Catholic holy days of obligation.”
      Liturgies are held throughout the school year, including on Catholic holy days of obligation, with no frequency stated.
    2. About | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass of the Holy Spirit and Opening School Mass, presided over by the Most Reverend Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States”
      An all-school Opening School Mass was celebrated at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T., is listed as Chaplain, Campus Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Josh Warshak Chaplain, Campus Ministry”
      Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T., is the chaplain of Campus Ministry.
      “The service program, retreat program and liturgies are run out of this office by the three campus ministers, Mr. Pablo Maldonado (service), Mrs. Erin Bright (retreats) and Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T. (liturgies).”
      The Campus Ministry Office runs the service, retreat, and liturgy programs under three named campus ministers.
ATheology and curriculum: 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.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Theological Studies requires 4 credits; students earn 1 credit each year; theology is taken in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 Credits Students entering after the 9th grade earn 1 credit each year at DeMatha”
      Theological Studies is a graduation requirement of 4 credits, earned one credit per year.
  • 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 (Grade 11 Christian Ethics is required; the theology department also teaches Philosophy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/program-of-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Grade 11: Christian Ethics/Sacraments Grade 12: Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching”
      The theology sequence includes Christian Ethics in grade 11 and Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching in grade 12.
      “This is accomplished through the study of Scripture, Church Teaching, Christian Spirituality, Philosophy, and Moral Theology.”
      The Theology Department teaches philosophy as part of its 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. Mission & Philosophy | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/about/pillars-of-dematha · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “DeMatha Catholic High School offers to young men in the Washington area a college preparatory program in which faith and knowledge complement each other.”
      The school's stated philosophy is that faith and knowledge complement each other within its academic program.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each grade (9-12) has a yearly grade-level retreat, which students are required to attend.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to attend their yearly, grade level retreat.”
      Students are required to attend a retreat each year for their grade level.
      “The Freshman Retreat is held at the very beginning of the year, the Sophomore Retreat is held in the spring, and the Junior Retreats are small group-based and held in the winter.”
      Freshman, sophomore, and junior classes each have a scheduled retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three campus ministers are named: service, retreats, and liturgies, plus the chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The service program, retreat program and liturgies are run out of this office by the three campus ministers, Mr. Pablo Maldonado (service), Mrs. Erin Bright (retreats) and Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T. (liturgies).”
      The Campus Ministry Office runs the service, retreat, and liturgy programs under three named campus ministers.
      “Fr. Josh Warshak Chaplain, Campus Ministry”
      Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T., is the chaplain of Campus Ministry.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNone (The official club directory lists its clubs; none is a faith-based student group.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Explore Clubs | DeMatha Clubsdemathaclubs.com/explore-clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Explore all of the clubs that DeMatha offers below.”
      The official club directory lists DeMatha's clubs, and none of them is a faith-based group.
  • 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.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (65 total service hours are required over the four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “65 Hours Total number required during Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior years.”
      Christian Service totals 65 hours required across the four high school years.
    2. Christian Service Program | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/christian-service-program · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Completion of service hours and the service reflection paper are graduation requirements.”
      Service hours and a senior reflection paper are graduation requirements.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Grade 12 theology course is Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/program-of-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Grade 11: Christian Ethics/Sacraments Grade 12: Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching”
      The theology sequence includes Christian Ethics in grade 11 and Catholic Tradition and Social Teaching in grade 12.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. Global Experiences | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/global-experiences · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Road to Civil Rights Summer Course is an opportunity for DeMatha students to encounter first hand historical and sacred places which were significant to the Civil Rights Movement.”
      The school runs a summer justice immersion course on the history of the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Strengths

  • Students take theology in every grade and earn 4 credits in theology before graduation.
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 Credits Students entering after the 9th grade earn 1 credit each year at DeMatha”
      Theological Studies is a graduation requirement of 4 credits, earned one credit per year.
  • Christian Service totals 65 hours over four years, and a senior reflection is also required.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “65 Hours Total number required during Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior years.”
      Christian Service totals 65 hours required across the four high school years.
    2. Christian Service Program | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/christian-service-program · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Completion of service hours and the service reflection paper are graduation requirements.”
      Service hours and a senior reflection paper are graduation requirements.
  • A yearly, grade-level retreat is required for students in each grade.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to attend their yearly, grade level retreat.”
      Students are required to attend a retreat each year for their grade level.
      “The Freshman Retreat is held at the very beginning of the year, the Sophomore Retreat is held in the spring, and the Junior Retreats are small group-based and held in the winter.”
      Freshman, sophomore, and junior classes each have a scheduled retreat.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

DeMatha Campus Ministry Office

  • Address: 4313 Madison Street, Hyattsville, MD
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: dematha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, dematha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • Road to Civil Rights Summer CourseOff campus
    Summer
    A seven-day course traveling through nine states to historic Civil Rights sites, with students reading, journaling, and presenting.
    dematha.org
  • Christian Service Program
    Campus Ministry service program with grade-level hour requirements, service-site lists, and a senior reflection.
    dematha.org, dematha.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • School liturgies
    Throughout the school year
    Liturgies for the beginning and end of the year, St. John DeMatha Day, and Catholic holy days of obligation.
    dematha.org, dematha.org

Retreats 1

  • Class retreats
    Yearly, by grade level
    Freshman retreat at the start of the year, sophomore retreat in spring, small-group junior retreats in winter, and a two-day overnight senior retreat near the end of November.
    dematha.org, dematha.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 (2)
  1. Campus Ministry Office | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/student-life/campus-ministry-office · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The service program, retreat program and liturgies are run out of this office by the three campus ministers, Mr. Pablo Maldonado (service), Mrs. Erin Bright (retreats) and Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T. (liturgies).”
    The Campus Ministry Office runs the service, retreat, and liturgy programs under three named campus ministers.
    “The service program, retreat program and liturgies are run out of this office by the three campus ministers, Mr. Pablo Maldonado (service), Mrs. Erin Bright (retreats) and Fr. Josh Warshak, O.SS.T. (liturgies).”
    The Campus Ministry Office runs the service, retreat, and liturgy programs under three named campus ministers.
  2. The Campus | DeMatha Catholic High Schooldematha.org/admissions/dematha-campus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “DeMatha Catholic High School is located at 4313 Madison Street in historic Hyattsville, Maryland, less than two miles south of the University of Maryland.”
    The school is located at 4313 Madison Street in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Reach out

Contact details for Pablo Maldonado (Director of Christian Service) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
73 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.89%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.9 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)838
Students in grades 9–12838
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio10.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges89%
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 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 DeMatha Catholic High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. DeMatha Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington.
What is DeMatha Catholic High School’s Compass Score?
87 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is DeMatha Catholic High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. DeMatha Catholic High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Maryland · Maryland rankings