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

Catholic high school

Don Bosco Preparatory High School

  • LocationRamsey, NJ
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 786 students
  • SponsorSalesians (Society of St. Francis de Sales)

All-male

Official website
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Don Bosco Preparatory High School is a Salesian Catholic high school in Ramsey, New Jersey, founded in 1915. Confession is offered every morning before school, and Eucharistic adoration is held monthly. A Salesian community lives on campus. Students complete 100 hours of community service and four years of theology. A rosary club and a youth ministry are listed among student clubs.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Don Bosco Preparatory High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church: 1.1 mi1St. Paul Roman Catholic Church: 1.7 mi2Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church: 2.0 mi3Church of the Presentation: 2.3 mi4Tagaste Monastery: 2.8 mi5Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church: 3.0 mi6Don Bosco Preparatory High School (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church — 1.1 mi
  2. St. Paul Roman Catholic Church — 1.7 mi
  3. Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church — 2.0 mi
  4. Church of the Presentation — 2.3 mi · 271 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River
  5. Tagaste Monastery — 2.8 mi
  6. Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church — 3.0 mi · 125 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern

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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    All-school or class Masses 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.
    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 (Confession is offered every morning before school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions: Every morning before school, Theology class three times throughout the year, during monthly adoration, or whenever it is asked for”
      Confession is offered every morning before school.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Eucharistic adoration is held monthly, with confession.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration: Monthly Eucharistic Adoration with confession”
      Eucharistic adoration is held monthly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (A Salesian priest community lives on campus. The leadership page lists Fr. Abraham Feliciano, SDB, as Director and Fr. James Mulloy, SDB, as a theology teacher.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Working directly with the Salesian Community who live on campus and the Academic Administration”
      A Salesian community lives on campus and works with the school's administration.
      “FR. ABRAHAM FELICIANO, SDB Director”
      Fr. Abraham Feliciano, SDB, is listed as Director under Ecclesiastic Leadership.
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 (Four years of theology are required for graduation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 years of Theology”
      Four years of theology are required for graduation.
  • 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.
  • 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 academics page lists knowledge of the Catholic faith among the school's principles.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Knowledge of the Catholic faith and an appreciation for the beliefs and teachings of the Salesian order”
      Knowledge of the Catholic faith is one of the school's academic principles.
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

84 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 (Class retreats are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats: Salesian leadership retreats, class retreats, faculty retreats, mother-son retreat”
      Class retreats are offered; the grades attending are not stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (The staff directory lists a coordinator of youth ministry and a brother who teaches theology and is in youth ministry; the faith page also names a youth ministry contact.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff Directory | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Arcede, Francis Coordinator of Youth Ministry”
      Francis Arcede is Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
      “White, Br. Kevin Theology Teacher Theology, Youth Ministry”
      Br. Kevin White teaches theology and is listed in Youth Ministry.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Community Rosary Club and Youth Ministry are both listed among student clubs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations & Clubs | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/student-organizations-clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Gathers every Wednesday in the Sacred Heart Chapel at 1:45 pm to recite the rosary.”
      The Community Rosary Club meets every Wednesday at 1:45 pm in Sacred Heart Chapel.
      “Service projects, shared experiences and discussions help foster spiritual growth and community.”
      Youth Ministry is a listed student club for spiritual growth and service projects.
  • 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 (100 hours of community service are required over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to perform a minimum of 100 hours of community service during their four years at Don Bosco.”
      Students must complete 100 hours of community service over four years.
  • 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 and a January march in Washington, DC are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Pro-life club and January march in Washington, DC”
      The school lists a pro-life club and a January march in Washington, DC.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Mission trips and feeding programs in Jersey City and New York City are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Feed the Poor and Homeless: Jersey City and New York City”
      Students take part in feeding programs in Jersey City and New York City.
      “Mission trips: Domestic and international locations”
      The school offers domestic and international mission trips.

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

Strengths

  • Confession is offered every morning before school, and Eucharistic adoration is held monthly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions: Every morning before school, Theology class three times throughout the year, during monthly adoration, or whenever it is asked for”
      Confession is offered every morning before school.
      “Adoration: Monthly Eucharistic Adoration with confession”
      Eucharistic adoration is held monthly.
  • Four years of theology and 100 hours of community service are required.
    Sources (2)
    1. Curriculum | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 years of Theology”
      Four years of theology are required for graduation.
    2. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to perform a minimum of 100 hours of community service during their four years at Don Bosco.”
      Students must complete 100 hours of community service over four years.
  • A Salesian priest community lives on campus, and a rosary club and a youth ministry are listed among student clubs.
    Sources (2)
    1. Leadership | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Working directly with the Salesian Community who live on campus and the Academic Administration”
      A Salesian community lives on campus and works with the school's administration.
    2. Student Organizations & Clubs | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/student-organizations-clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Gathers every Wednesday in the Sacred Heart Chapel at 1:45 pm to recite the rosary.”
      The Community Rosary Club meets every Wednesday at 1:45 pm in Sacred Heart Chapel.
      “Service projects, shared experiences and discussions help foster spiritual growth and community.”
      Youth Ministry is a listed student club for spiritual growth and service projects.

Concerns

  • Class retreats are listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats: Salesian leadership retreats, class retreats, faculty retreats, mother-son retreat”
      Class retreats are offered; the grades attending are not stated.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Sacred Heart Chapel (Immaculata Hall) and Office of Youth Ministry

  • Address: Ramsey, NJ (no street address published on the pages reviewed)
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 3 off campus, 7 location not published

Service 5

  • January march in Washington, DCOff campus
    January
    Pro-life march in Washington, DC, listed with the pro-life club.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Domestic and international mission trips.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Feed the Poor and HomelessOff campus
    Feeding programs in Jersey City and New York City.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Mission Club
    Helps people in need in the school community, the Salesian family and the wider community.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Summer service retreats (Gospel Roads and B.E.S.T. Program)
    Summer
    Summer service retreats for students.
    donboscoprep.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Community Rosary ClubOn campus
    Wednesdays, 1:45 pm
    Students gather in Sacred Heart Chapel to recite the rosary.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Pro-life club
    Pro-life club listed among the school's community service activities.
    donboscoprep.org

Faith formation 1

  • Youth Ministry
    Service projects, shared experiences and discussions that foster spiritual growth and community.
    donboscoprep.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Monthly Eucharistic Adoration
    Monthly
    Eucharistic adoration with confession offered each month.
    donboscoprep.org
  • Prayer services and school-wide rosary
    Thanksgiving, Advent, Easter and Stations of the Cross services, and a school-wide rosary.
    donboscoprep.org

Retreats 1

  • Mother and son retreat
    Annually
    A day of prayer, reflection and relationship building for mothers and sons.
    donboscoprep.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. Staff Directory | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Arcede, Francis Coordinator of Youth Ministry”
    Francis Arcede is Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
  2. Student Organizations & Clubs | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/student-organizations-clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Service projects, shared experiences and discussions help foster spiritual growth and community.”
    Youth Ministry is a listed student club for spiritual growth and service projects.
  3. Campus | Don Bosco Prepdonboscoprep.org/campus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Immaculata Hall also houses one of our high school campus jewels, Sacred Heart Chapel.”
    Sacred Heart Chapel is located in Immaculata Hall on campus.
    “Nestled in a wooded area of Ramsey, New Jersey”
    The campus is in Ramsey, New Jersey.

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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.
98 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.99%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.6.6 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 Newark, NJ
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)786
Students in grades 9–12786
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio6.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges99%
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 Newark

His Eminence Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Don Bosco Preparatory High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Don Bosco Preparatory High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Newark. Its sponsor is Salesians (Society of St. Francis de Sales).
What is Don Bosco Preparatory High School’s Compass Score?
96 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Don Bosco Preparatory High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Don Bosco Preparatory High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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