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Aerial view of Father Ryan High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Father Ryan High School

  • LocationNashville, TN
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 833 students
Official website

Father Ryan High School is a Catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1925. The school's Chapel of St. James hosts morning Mass before school, adoration every Friday, and penance services in Advent and Lent, and the school holds an all-school Mass once a month. The school also runs faith-based student groups and a pro-life trip to the March for Life.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Father Ryan High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miCampus Ministry at the Chapel of St. James: 0.1 miFather Ryan High School (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

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.

BSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

72 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 (All-School Mass is celebrated once a month.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Father Ryan, we encourage students to be present with God daily, as we offer morning Mass before school in the Chapel of St. James. Additionally, we come together once a month to celebrate the Eucharist in All-School Mass in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.”
      Morning Mass is offered daily before school in the Chapel of St. James, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Morning Mass is offered before school in the Chapel of St. James.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Father Ryan, we encourage students to be present with God daily, as we offer morning Mass before school in the Chapel of St. James. Additionally, we come together once a month to celebrate the Eucharist in All-School Mass in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.”
      Morning Mass is offered daily before school in the Chapel of St. James, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
  • 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 (Penance services are held at school-wide liturgies in Advent and Lent; reconciliation is also offered by appointment with the chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration is an essential part of our Penance Services and is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James. Reconciliation is offered by appointment with our Chaplain. In addition, we celebrate the sacrament at school-wide Penance Services in the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Adoration is offered every Friday; penance services are held in Advent and Lent; reconciliation is available by appointment with the chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Adoration is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration is an essential part of our Penance Services and is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James. Reconciliation is offered by appointment with our Chaplain. In addition, we celebrate the sacrament at school-wide Penance Services in the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Adoration is offered every Friday; penance services are held in Advent and Lent; reconciliation is available by appointment with the chaplain.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Christian Hamrick is listed as Chaplain; daily Mass is offered on a published basis; recorded at parttime.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/about/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christian Hamrick Chaplain”
      Christian Hamrick is listed in the school's directory as Chaplain.
    2. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Father Ryan, we encourage students to be present with God daily, as we offer morning Mass before school in the Chapel of St. James. Additionally, we come together once a month to celebrate the Eucharist in All-School Mass in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.”
      Morning Mass is offered daily before school in the Chapel of St. James, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
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 (one credit each year) is required; the curriculum lists Theology I through Theology IV, one per grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (One credit each year)”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of one credit per year, for four 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.
  • 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.
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 (Class retreats are held for each class.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Class retreats strengthen the members of that year and help students grow closer to one another.”
      Retreats are held for each class.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two ministry staff are named: a Director of Campus Ministry and a Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/about/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Louisa Bateman Director of Campus Ministry”
      Louisa Bateman is listed in the school's directory as Director of Campus Ministry.
      “Christian Hamrick Chaplain”
      Christian Hamrick is listed in the school's directory as Chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Brotherhood (men's faith group) and Magnificat (girls' faith group) are listed in the clubs directory, along with the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Interested in deepening your faith alongside the men of Father Ryan? Come join the Brotherhood! We meet once a week during break to build community, read scripture, reflect, and work on becoming men of Christ.”
      Brotherhood is a men's faith group that meets weekly during break.
      “Come join a fun Girls Faith Group where female students gather once a month to talk about faith, choices, relationships, and discernment.”
      Magnificat is a girls' faith group that meets monthly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We begin each day in prayer, pray before meals and in classes, and offer the Rosary at various points throughout the year.”
      Prayer begins each school day and is part of daily school life.
BService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (A service-learning requirement exists.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “While built into the curriculum, our students go above the service learning requirements, setting an example for their peers and community.”
      Service learning is built into the curriculum as a requirement; the required hours are 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Ryan students travel to Washington, D.C. each January on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade for the national March for Life.”
      Students travel to the national March for Life each January.
    2. Clubs | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members join the Pro-Life campaign by participating in monthly activities and traveling to Washington, D.C., for the Right to Life March in January.”
      The Respect for Life club takes part in monthly pro-life activities and travels to the March in January.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through the lens of the Catholic faith, examine injustices in our society and learn how to advocate for change, serve those impacted, and seek to stop the problems at the root.”
      The Social Justice Club examines injustice through the Catholic faith and serves those affected.
    2. Service Learning | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Ryan Mission Trips serve as a long-standing tradition that deepens our students' faith.”
      The school runs mission trips, including Catholic Heart Work Camp and Alternative Spring Break.

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

Strengths

  • Morning Mass is offered daily before school, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At Father Ryan, we encourage students to be present with God daily, as we offer morning Mass before school in the Chapel of St. James. Additionally, we come together once a month to celebrate the Eucharist in All-School Mass in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.”
      Morning Mass is offered daily before school in the Chapel of St. James, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
  • Adoration is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration is an essential part of our Penance Services and is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James. Reconciliation is offered by appointment with our Chaplain. In addition, we celebrate the sacrament at school-wide Penance Services in the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Adoration is offered every Friday; penance services are held in Advent and Lent; reconciliation is available by appointment with the chaplain.
  • Four years of theology are required, one credit each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (One credit each year)”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of one credit per year, for four credits.

Concerns

  • Confession is offered by appointment and in seasonal penance services.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration is an essential part of our Penance Services and is offered every Friday in the Chapel of St. James. Reconciliation is offered by appointment with our Chaplain. In addition, we celebrate the sacrament at school-wide Penance Services in the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.”
      Adoration is offered every Friday; penance services are held in Advent and Lent; reconciliation is available by appointment with the chaplain.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry at the Chapel of St. James

  • Address: 700 Norwood Dr., Nashville, TN 37204
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 3 off campus, 6 location not published

Service 4

  • March for Life tripOff campus
    January
    Students travel to Washington, D.C. for the national March for Life.
    fatherryan.org
  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Mission trips including Catholic Heart Work Camp, Alternative Spring Break, and international mission trips.
    fatherryan.org
  • Service DaysOff campus
    Each semester
    Students travel off campus to local organizations to volunteer.
    fatherryan.org
  • St. Joseph of Arimathea Society
    A student service group that helps students put their faith in action through the Works of Mercy.
    fatherryan.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Morning MassOn campus
    Daily, before school
    Morning Mass offered in the Chapel of St. James before school.
    fatherryan.org
  • All-School MassOn campus
    Monthly
    A monthly Eucharist for the whole school community in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.
    fatherryan.org
  • Adoration and Penance ServicesOn campus
    Every Friday (adoration); Advent and Lent (penance services)
    Adoration in the Chapel of St. James; school-wide penance services in Advent and Lent; reconciliation by appointment with the chaplain.
    fatherryan.org

Faith formation 2

  • Brotherhood: Men's Faith Group
    Once a week during break
    A men's faith group that reads scripture and reflects together.
    fatherryan.org
  • Magnificat: Girls Faith Group
    Once a month
    A girls' faith group for conversation about faith, choices, relationships, and discernment.
    fatherryan.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Respect for Life
    Monthly activities; March for Life in January
    Pro-life club with monthly activities and travel to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
    fatherryan.org
  • Social Justice Club
    Examines injustices through the Catholic faith and serves those affected.
    fatherryan.org

Retreats 1

  • Class retreats
    Retreats for each class that build community and offer prayer and the sacraments.
    fatherryan.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. Faculty & Staff Directory | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/about/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Louisa Bateman Director of Campus Ministry”
    Louisa Bateman is listed in the school's directory as Director of Campus Ministry.
  2. Faith in Action | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/faith-service/faith-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “We begin each day in prayer, pray before meals and in classes, and offer the Rosary at various points throughout the year.”
    Prayer begins each school day and is part of daily school life.
    “At Father Ryan, we encourage students to be present with God daily, as we offer morning Mass before school in the Chapel of St. James. Additionally, we come together once a month to celebrate the Eucharist in All-School Mass in the Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse.”
    Morning Mass is offered daily before school in the Chapel of St. James, and an All-School Mass is held monthly.
  3. Contact & Directions | Father Ryan High Schoolfatherryan.org/about/contact-directions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “700 Norwood Dr. Nashville, TN 37204”
    The school's published address is 700 Norwood Dr., Nashville, Tennessee 37204.

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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.
89 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.96%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.5 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 Nashville, TN
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)833
Students in grades 9–12833
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio9.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges96%
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 Nashville

The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Father Ryan High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Father Ryan High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Nashville.
What is Father Ryan High School’s Compass Score?
85 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Father Ryan High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Father Ryan High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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