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

Catholic high school

Fairfield College Preparatory

  • LocationFairfield, CT
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 787 students
  • SponsorSociety of Jesus (Jesuits)

All-male

Official website

Fairfield College Preparatory School is a Jesuit, Catholic all-boys high school in Fairfield, Connecticut, founded in 1942 by the Society of Jesus. An optional Mass is offered each morning before school in St. Joseph Chapel, and confession is held there every Wednesday. Four years of theology are required, and class retreats are held for each grade. Students must complete service hours to graduate.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Fairfield College Preparatory, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Emery Church: 1.2 mi1Saint Pius X Church: 1.3 mi2Holy Family Church: 1.4 mi3Saint Thomas Aquinas R. C. Church: 1.4 mi4Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish: 1.5 mi5Saint Ann Church: 1.5 mi6Office of Campus Ministry and St. Joseph Chapel: 0.0 miFairfield College Preparatory (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Emery Church — 1.2 mi
  2. Saint Pius X Church — 1.3 mi
  3. Holy Family Church — 1.4 mi
  4. Saint Thomas Aquinas R. C. Church — 1.4 mi
  5. Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish — 1.5 mi
  6. Saint Ann Church — 1.5 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

65 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 (Class Masses are mentioned without dates.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fairfield Prep gathers as an entire school community — students and adults — for Mass during each Holy Day of Obligation.”
      The whole school gathers for Mass on each Holy Day of Obligation.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (An optional Mass is offered each morning before school in St. Joseph Chapel.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each morning, an optional, 25 minute Mass is offered before regular school hours”
      An optional Mass is offered each morning before school.
      “offer daily Mass before school in St. Joseph's Chapel”
      Daily Mass is offered before school in St. Joseph's Chapel.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Confession is held every Wednesday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession is held every Wednesday at St. Joseph Chapel at Fairfield Prep.”
      Confession is held every Wednesday in St. Joseph Chapel.
  • 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 (A daily Mass is offered before school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each morning, an optional, 25 minute Mass is offered before regular school hours”
      An optional Mass is offered each morning before school.
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 (Theology is required in all four years (four full-year courses, one per grade).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/academics/curriculum/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Four years of theology is required for each student.”
      Four years of theology are required.
  • 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 (Senior theology requires one of three Social Ethics courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (Select one of three Social Ethics courses)”
      Senior year requires one of three Social Ethics theology courses.
  • 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 curriculum page states the school forms young men of intellect, faith, and character.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “dedicated to forming young men of intellect, faith, and character”
      The curriculum is dedicated to forming young men of intellect, faith, and character.
ACampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Required class retreats are held for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Freshman Retreat is one of the first major events for the each new Prep class”
      Freshmen take a required class retreat.
      “The Sophomore Retreat takes place in the spring each year”
      Sophomores take a class retreat each spring.
      “The Junior Retreat takes place in the winter”
      Juniors take a class retreat in the winter.
      “Senior Retreat is held in May”
      Seniors take a class retreat in May.
      “During these required retreats, Prep students reflect, pray and deepen their faith, together.”
      Class retreats are required.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three staff members in the Campus Ministry department are listed in the school directory: the director of campus ministry, the dean of mission and ministry, and the director of Ignatian service and formation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/about/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Devon McCormick Titles: Director of Campus Ministry”
      Devon McCormick is Director of Campus Ministry.
      “Elliott Gualtiere Titles: Dean of Mission and Ministry”
      Elliott Gualtiere is Dean of Mission and Ministry; the directory places him in Campus Ministry.
      “Christopher Haddad Class of: 1987 Titles: Director of Ignatian Service & Formation”
      Christopher Haddad is Director of Ignatian Service and Formation in Campus Ministry.
  • 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 (School-wide prayer is held every day during third period.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fairfield Prep gathers in school-wide prayer every day during third period.”
      School-wide prayer is held daily during third period.
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.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Service hours are required for graduation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to complete service hours to graduate from Prep”
      Service hours are required for graduation; the number is not stated.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Service immersion trips include an overnight Urban Plunge in Bridgeport and an annual Ignatian justice gathering.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Urban Plunge is a service opportunity in which Prep students stay overnight in Bridgeport”
      Students take an overnight service trip to Bridgeport (Urban Plunge).
      “The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is an annual gathering”
      The school takes part in an annual Ignatian justice gathering.

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

Strengths

  • A daily Mass is offered before school, and confession is held every Wednesday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each morning, an optional, 25 minute Mass is offered before regular school hours”
      An optional Mass is offered each morning before school.
      “Confession is held every Wednesday at St. Joseph Chapel at Fairfield Prep.”
      Confession is held every Wednesday in St. Joseph Chapel.
  • Theology is required in all four years, and senior theology includes a Social Ethics course.
    Sources (2)
    1. Theology | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/academics/curriculum/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Four years of theology is required for each student.”
      Four years of theology are required.
    2. Curriculum | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (Select one of three Social Ethics courses)”
      Senior year requires one of three Social Ethics theology courses.
  • Class retreats are required for every class, and immersion trips include an overnight service program in Bridgeport.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During these required retreats, Prep students reflect, pray and deepen their faith, together.”
      Class retreats are required.
      “Urban Plunge is a service opportunity in which Prep students stay overnight in Bridgeport”
      Students take an overnight service trip to Bridgeport (Urban Plunge).

Concerns

  • Students must complete service hours to graduate.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to complete service hours to graduate from Prep”
      Service hours are required for graduation; the number is not stated.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Office of Campus Ministry and St. Joseph Chapel

  • Address: 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 2 off campus, 4 location not published

Service 4

  • Urban PlungeOff campus
    Overnight service in Bridgeport supporting food shelters and schools.
    fairfieldprep.org
  • LA Immersion TripOff campus
    Trip to Los Angeles to see the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and poverty; students visit Homeboy Industries.
    fairfieldprep.org
  • Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
    Annual gathering of Ignatian schools and the Church to learn about and advocate for social justice.
    fairfieldprep.org
  • Great Ignatian Challenge
    Annual Thanksgiving food drive.
    fairfieldprep.org

Faith formation 1

  • School-wide prayer and weekly ExamenOn campus
    Every day during third period; the Examen on Fridays
    Student volunteers read prayers and intentions; students pray the Examen each Friday.
    fairfieldprep.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Morning MassOn campus
    Each morning before regular school hours
    Optional 25-minute Mass in St. Joseph's Chapel.
    fairfieldprep.org, fairfieldprep.org
  • ConfessionOn campus
    Wednesdays
    Confession in St. Joseph Chapel; all students and adults are welcome.
    fairfieldprep.org

Retreats 2

  • Class retreats
    Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years
    Required retreats for each class, including Mass and reflection.
    fairfieldprep.org, fairfieldprep.org
  • Kairos retreat
    Voluntary retreat for juniors and seniors built on prayer, discussion and fellowship.
    fairfieldprep.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. Faith Life | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/experience/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Confession is held every Wednesday at St. Joseph Chapel at Fairfield Prep.”
    Confession is held every Wednesday in St. Joseph Chapel.
    “Confession is held every Wednesday at St. Joseph Chapel at Fairfield Prep.”
    Confession is held every Wednesday in St. Joseph Chapel.
  2. Faculty & Staff Directory | Fairfield Prepfairfieldprep.org/about/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Address: 1073 North Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824”
    The school's address is 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

Reach out

Contact details for Christian Service Office (General office for service opportunities (listed in the school directory)) and 2 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.
79 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.17.1 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 Bridgeport, CT
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)787
Students in grades 9–12787
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio17.1 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

Diocese of Bridgeport

The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Fairfield College Preparatory a Catholic high school?
Yes. Fairfield College Preparatory is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Its sponsor is Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
What is Fairfield College Preparatory’s Compass Score?
86 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Fairfield College Preparatory Compass Recommended?
Yes. Fairfield College Preparatory meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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