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

Catholic high school

Donovan Catholic High School

  • LocationToms River, NJ
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 553 students
  • SponsorParish of Saint Joseph, Diocese of Trenton
Official website
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Donovan Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in Toms River, New Jersey, commissioned by the Parish of Saint Joseph in the Diocese of Trenton. The school chapel hosts a weekly Thursday Mass, confession is offered monthly during Flex, and religion is required for four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Donovan Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miSaint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Donovan Catholic Campus Ministry (School Chapel): 0.1 miDonovan Catholic High School (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church — 0.1 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.

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

57 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 yearA few times a year (Individual class Masses are held in the school chapel, and the calendar lists a Thanksgiving Mass for the high school and a Junior Class Retreat and Blessing Mass. It is not counted here.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Individual class masses in the school chapel”
      Individual class Masses are held in the school chapel.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “11/24: Tuesday Thanksgiving Mass for HS and Grade School”
      A Thanksgiving Mass is held for the high school and grade school.
      “3/8: Monday Junior Class Retreat and Blessing Mass”
      A Mass is held as part of the junior class retreat.
  • 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 (Confessions with Fr. Bridges during Flex are offered once a month. Advent and Lent reconciliation services are also held for individual religion classes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions with Fr. Bridges during Flex offered once a month”
      Confession with Fr. Bridges is offered once a month during Flex.
  • 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 (Fr. Bridges hears confessions during Flex once a month and celebrates school Masses. Fr. Scott Shaffer is named as the school's Director, which is not a chaplain role.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions with Fr. Bridges during Flex offered once a month”
      Confession with Fr. Bridges is offered once a month during Flex.
    2. Meet Our Administration | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/about-us/meet-our-administration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “work closely with our Director, Rev. Scott Shaffer and our Principal”
      Rev. Scott Shaffer is the school's Director.
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 (Religion is a graduation requirement of 20 credits, five per academic year, which is four full years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Program of Studies | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/academics/course-offering-guide/file · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion 20 Credits – Core Classes Only (5 per Academic Year)”
      Religion is a core graduation requirement of 5 credits per academic year.
      “Religion Courses - Graduation Requirements (Minimum of 20 Credits)”
      Religion courses are graduation requirements for a minimum of 20 credits.
  • 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 school's Catholic identity page says faith is integrated within the curriculum.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Catholic Identity | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/our-catholic-identity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “integrating faith within the curriculum and encouraging prayer and worship as a school community”
      The school integrates faith within the curriculum and encourages prayer and worship.
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

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat. The calendar lists a senior class retreat (October 2), a sophomore retreat (October 16), and a junior class retreat (March 8).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Grade Level Retreats | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/grade-level-retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat.”
      Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10/16: Friday Sophomore Retreat”
      A sophomore retreat is scheduled for October 16.
      “10/2: Friday Senior Class Retreat & Freshman Class Day of Service”
      A senior class retreat is scheduled for October 2.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One campus ministry staff member is listed: Tom Ball, Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/about-us/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Minister: Mr. Tom Ball tball@donovancatholic.org”
      Tom Ball is listed as Campus Minister with a school email address.
    2. 2026-2027 Program of Studies | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/academics/course-offering-guide/file · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tom Ball Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service”
      Tom Ball is Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is listed: the Young Women's Advent and Lenten Bible Study. The Christian Service Team is a service club and is recorded under HV4.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Young Women’s Advent and Lenten Bible Study”
      Campus ministry lists a Young Women's Advent and Lenten Bible Study.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Campus ministry lists daily prayer, liturgies, and reconciliation services for students, and a Mass every Thursday in the school chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats, liturgies, reconciliation services, and daily prayer enable students to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”
      Campus ministry says daily prayer is part of student faith formation.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Thursday we will have Mass in our school Chapel.”
      A Mass is held every Thursday in the school chapel.
      “Advent and Lent Reconciliation Services for individual religion classes”
      Advent and Lent reconciliation services are held for individual religion classes.
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 (The minimum requirement is 10 hours in freshman year and 20 hours in each of the next three years, which totals 70 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service Program | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/christian-service-program · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10 hours of Christian Service completed during freshmen year 20 hours of Christian Service completed during sophomore year”
      The service requirement is 10 hours in freshman year and 20 hours in sophomore year.
      “Donovan Catholic students are required to meet the following minimum Christian Service Hours Requirements in order to graduate.”
      Christian service hours are required to graduate.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teaching (College Prep or Honors) is the 11th-grade religion course in the graduation requirement sequence.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Program of Studies | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/academics/course-offering-guide/file · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “11th Grade - Catholic Social Teaching CP or Catholic Social Teaching H”
      The 11th-grade religion course is Catholic Social Teaching.
      “Religion Courses - Graduation Requirements (Minimum of 20 Credits)”
      Religion courses are graduation requirements for a minimum of 20 credits.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The 2026-27 calendar lists a Respect Life Mass and March at the Cathedral on October 8.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10/8: Thursday Respect Life Mass and March at the Cathedral”
      A Respect Life Mass and march is scheduled for October 8 at the Cathedral.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Christian Service Program includes volunteer work with local needy families through Habitat for Humanity, and the Christian Service Team attends Mission Reach-out sponsored by the Propagation of the Faith.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Service Program | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/christian-service-program · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our school-based chapter that assists with building homes for local needy families.”
      A school-based Habitat for Humanity chapter builds homes for local needy families.
    2. Clubs | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students also attend the Mission Reach-out sponsored by the Propagation of the Faith”
      The Christian Service Team attends a Mission Reach-out sponsored by the Propagation of the Faith.

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

Strengths

  • A Mass is held every Thursday in the school chapel, and confession is offered once a month during Flex.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Thursday we will have Mass in our school Chapel.”
      A Mass is held every Thursday in the school chapel.
      “Confessions with Fr. Bridges during Flex offered once a month”
      Confession with Fr. Bridges is offered once a month during Flex.
  • Religion is a core graduation requirement of 5 credits per year, and the 11th-grade religion course is Catholic Social Teaching.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Program of Studies | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/academics/course-offering-guide/file · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion 20 Credits – Core Classes Only (5 per Academic Year)”
      Religion is a core graduation requirement of 5 credits per academic year.
      “11th Grade - Catholic Social Teaching CP or Catholic Social Teaching H”
      The 11th-grade religion course is Catholic Social Teaching.
  • Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat.
    Sources (1)
    1. Grade Level Retreats | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/grade-level-retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat.”
      Every student is required to attend a yearly class retreat.
  • Christian service is required, with a minimum of 70 hours over four years.
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service Program | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/christian-service-program · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10 hours of Christian Service completed during freshmen year 20 hours of Christian Service completed during sophomore year”
      The service requirement is 10 hours in freshman year and 20 hours in sophomore year.
      “Donovan Catholic students are required to meet the following minimum Christian Service Hours Requirements in order to graduate.”
      Christian service hours are required to graduate.

Concerns

  • The school lists Mass every Thursday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Thursday we will have Mass in our school Chapel.”
      A Mass is held every Thursday in the school chapel.
  • Only one campus ministry staff member is listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/about-us/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Minister: Mr. Tom Ball tball@donovancatholic.org”
      Tom Ball is listed as Campus Minister with a school email address.
    2. 2026-2027 Program of Studies | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/academics/course-offering-guide/file · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tom Ball Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service”
      Tom Ball is Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Donovan Catholic Campus Ministry (School Chapel)

  • Address: 711 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: school chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Service 3

  • Respect Life Mass and MarchOff campus
    October 8
    Respect Life Mass and march at the Cathedral.
    donovancatholic.org
  • Christian Service Team
    Club that serves the needs of people locally and globally through hands-on projects and attends Mission Reach-out sponsored by the Propagation of the Faith.
    donovancatholic.org
  • Christian Service Program
    Required service program with Mobile Serve tracking; opportunities include Big Brother Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity, and parish religious education aides.
    donovancatholic.org, donovancatholic.org, donovancatholic.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

Faith formation 1

  • Young Women's Advent and Lenten Bible Study
    Advent and Lent
    Bible study for young women during Advent and Lent.
    donovancatholic.org

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 (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Retreats, liturgies, reconciliation services, and daily prayer enable students to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”
    Campus ministry says daily prayer is part of student faith formation.
    “711 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753”
    The school's address is 711 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753.
  2. Liturgical Schedule | Donovan Catholic High Schooldonovancatholic.org/student-life/campus-ministry/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Every Thursday we will have Mass in our school Chapel.”
    A Mass is held every Thursday in the school chapel.

Reach out

Contact details for Tom Ball (Campus Minister and Coordinator of Christian Service) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
82 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.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.6 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Trenton, NJ
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)553
Students in grades 9–12553
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio14.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
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

Diocese of Trenton

The Most Reverend David M. O'Connell, Bishop of Trenton

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Donovan Catholic High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Donovan Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Trenton. Its sponsor is Parish of Saint Joseph, Diocese of Trenton.
What is Donovan Catholic High School’s Compass Score?
84 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Donovan Catholic High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Donovan Catholic High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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