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

Catholic high school

Fenwick High School

  • LocationOak Park, IL
  • Type and sizeParish school · Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students
  • SponsorDominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Order of Preachers)

Fenwick High School in Oak Park is a Catholic college-preparatory school owned and sponsored by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great. Mass is offered daily in the school chapel and all-school Masses are held monthly. Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P., directs a seven-member campus ministry team that includes a chaplain. Freshmen and sophomores make annual retreats, Kairos is mandatory for seniors, and juniors complete a 30-hour Christian Service Project.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Fenwick High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Edmund's Roman Catholic Church: 0.4 mi1Ascension Church: 0.5 mi2Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church: 0.7 mi3Saint Bernardine's Church: 1.1 mi4Saint Luke Roman Catholic Church: 1.5 mi5Saint Mary of Celle Church: 1.5 mi6Campus Ministry and St. Dominic Chapel, Fenwick High School: 0.0 miFenwick High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Edmund's Roman Catholic Church — 0.4 mi · 188 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park
  2. Ascension Church — 0.5 mi · 808 South East Avenue, Oak Park
  3. Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church — 0.7 mi · 38 North Austin Boulevard, Oak Park
  4. Saint Bernardine's Church — 1.1 mi · Harrison Street, Forest Park
  5. Saint Luke Roman Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 7600 Lake Street, River Forest
  6. Saint Mary of Celle 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.

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

79 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (Campus Ministry describes a monthly all-school Mass. 2026-27 all-school Masses so far: the first Mass of the year (Aug. 13, 2026) and Sept. 16, 2026; in 2025-26 the school's blog records all-school Masses in each month from August to April (e.g. Dec. 8, 2025 and Mar. 19, 2026).)
    Sources (5)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
      Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
      “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
      Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
    2. Student Reflection: All-School Mass Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/news-detail?pk=1631393&fromId=283866 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Dominican Preaching Team member Kiera Harris '27 provided the student reflection at the first all-school Mass of the 2026-2027 school year.”
      The first all-school Mass of 2026-27 was held (posted Aug. 13, 2026), with a reflection by a Preaching Team member.
    3. Student Reflection: Memorial of St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/news-detail?pk=1637248&fromId=283866 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Dominican Preaching Team member Josaphat Urytskyy '27 provided the student reflection at all-school Mass on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.”
      An all-school Mass was held on September 16, 2026.
    4. Student Reflections: 2025-2026 - The Friar Filesblog.fenwickfriars.com/news/student-reflections-2025-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Kiera Harris '27 provided the Dominican Preaching Team reflection before Fenwick's all-school Mass on Thursday, March 19, 2026.”
      An all-school Mass was held on March 19, 2026, part of a 2025-26 series of all-school Masses from August to April.
    5. Calendar Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/calendar · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat 10/28/2026 Fenwick Priory Campus Fr. Christopher Johnson”
      The 2026-27 freshman retreat begins October 28, 2026, at the Fenwick Priory Campus, led by Fr. Christopher Johnson.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes ('Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
      Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
      “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
      Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
  • Partly: 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 (Campus Ministry lists 'Twice yearly Reconciliation services'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
      Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
  • Not enough information: 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: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P., is Director of Campus Ministry. The Campus Ministry list also names Matthew Strabala, O.P., as 'Teacher, Chaplain' (no page states whether he is a priest), and Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., is Director of Dominican Mission.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher Johnson O.P. Director of Campus Ministry Mary Beth May Christian Service Project Coordinator Maria Nowicki Asst. Director of Kairos, Math/CS Department Chair Katherine Whitman 01 Kairos Director, Teacher Matthew Strabala O.P. Teacher, Chaplain Claire Jakubisin Teacher, Music & Liturgy Coordinator Charbel Joseph O.P. Campus Minister”
      Seven people are listed in Campus Ministry, including Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry), Matthew Strabala, O.P. (Teacher, Chaplain) and Charbel Joseph, O.P. (Campus Minister).
    2. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher "Fr. Christopher" Johnson Director of Campus Ministry”
      The Director of Campus Ministry, Christopher Johnson, is a priest (Fr. Christopher).
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.

  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Years of theology or religion requiredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: 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: 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: 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 philosophy of education is based on four foci, including the Catholic theological tradition and Dominican spirituality; the school describes a 'Dominican, Catholic, college preparatory curriculum'; the academic goals expect every graduate to know the traditions, doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mission, Vision, and Philosophy Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/about/mission-vision-and-philosophy · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick's philosophy of education is based on four foci: the flourishing of the human person, the Catholic theological tradition, the spirituality of the Dominican Order and the liberal arts.”
      The school's philosophy of education is based on the Catholic theological tradition and Dominican spirituality, among four foci.
      “Fenwick commits itself to welcoming every student who would flourish by embracing our Dominican, Catholic, college preparatory curriculum.”
      The school describes its curriculum as Dominican, Catholic and college preparatory.
    2. Welcome Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/academics/welcome · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The Fenwick graduate should have a knowledge of the traditions, doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church and should continue to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.”
      One of the school's five educational goals is that graduates know the traditions, doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church.
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

88 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (An annual freshman retreat (2026-27: Oct. 28-29 at the Fenwick Priory Campus), an annual service-focused sophomore retreat and the mandatory senior Kairos retreat. Not every grade is shown to have one (as Cardinal Gibbons, Raleigh).)
    Sources (4)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The annual freshman retreat seeks to build connections between students as well as to help them to connect to God and self. The annual sophomore retreat is focused on service and when circumstances allow, students go out into the community in small groups to participate in volunteer work with local service organizations. The Kairos retreat is a three day, two night retreat for seniors and is a capstone for a Fenwick student's faith formation.”
      There is an annual freshman retreat, an annual service-focused sophomore retreat, and a three-day Kairos retreat for seniors.
    2. Kairos Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/kairos · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Kairos is a nationally recognized Catholic retreat program for high school seniors. It is a two-and-a-half day off campus retreat experience.”
      Kairos is an off-campus retreat of two and a half days for seniors.
    3. Why Fenwick Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/admissions/admissions-at-fenwick/why-fenwick · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “This environment highlights the Dominican pillar of Prayer in many ways, but especially through the mandatory Kairos retreat program, which many students describe as the most profound and transformational of their Fenwick experiences.”
      The Kairos retreat program is mandatory.
    4. Calendar Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/calendar · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat 10/28/2026 Fenwick Priory Campus Fr. Christopher Johnson”
      The 2026-27 freshman retreat begins October 28, 2026, at the Fenwick Priory Campus, led by Fr. Christopher Johnson.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (7 listed on the Campus Ministry page: Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry), Mary Beth May (Christian Service Project Coordinator), Maria Nowicki (Asst. Director of Kairos), Katherine Whitman (Kairos Director), Matthew Strabala, O.P. (Teacher, Chaplain), Claire Jakubisin (Music & Liturgy Coordinator) and Charbel Joseph, O.P. (Campus Minister).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher Johnson O.P. Director of Campus Ministry Mary Beth May Christian Service Project Coordinator Maria Nowicki Asst. Director of Kairos, Math/CS Department Chair Katherine Whitman 01 Kairos Director, Teacher Matthew Strabala O.P. Teacher, Chaplain Claire Jakubisin Teacher, Music & Liturgy Coordinator Charbel Joseph O.P. Campus Minister”
      Seven people are listed in Campus Ministry, including Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry), Matthew Strabala, O.P. (Teacher, Chaplain) and Charbel Joseph, O.P. (Campus Minister).
    2. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher "Fr. Christopher" Johnson Director of Campus Ministry”
      The Director of Campus Ministry, Christopher Johnson, is a priest (Fr. Christopher).
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Respect Life Club and Bible Study Club (Pilot) in the club directory, and the Dominican Preaching Team, a formation group of juniors and seniors who meet for prayer and formation and preach at all-school Masses.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Respect Life Club Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/list-detail?pk=233737&fromId=292647 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick's Respect Life Club seeks to promote and uphold the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death.”
      The Respect Life Club promotes the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
    2. Clubs and Activities Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Aviation Club Bible Study Club (Pilot) Culinary Club (Pilot)”
      A Bible Study Club (pilot) is listed in the club directory.
    3. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The Preaching Team participates in summer programming focused on building relationships and learning more about Catholic leadership. The team meets monthly for prayer and formation sessions. Members read morning prayer, write Mass intentions, help lead freshman and sophomore retreats, and most notable give reflections before all-school Mass as student preachers.”
      The Dominican Preaching Team meets for prayer and formation, reads morning prayer, helps lead freshman and sophomore retreats and gives reflections before all-school Mass.
      “The Dominican Preaching Team is formation experience designed to train a small group of juniors and seniors to become faith leaders at Fenwick. Their purpose is to assist the Director of Campus Ministry in promoting the Dominican identity of the school.”
      The Dominican Preaching Team trains a small group of juniors and seniors as faith leaders.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Each school day the community pauses for a daily morning prayer led by students, read over the Fenwick PA by members of the Preaching Team.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
      Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
    2. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Serve as faith leaders in Fenwick community Lead daily prayer on Fenwick PA”
      Preaching Team members lead daily prayer over the school PA.
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: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Required service: a freshman Theology class project sponsoring a child at Christmas with Catholic Charities, a Sophomore Service Day at one or two community sites, and 30 hours of service at one site in junior year. The only stated hour count is 30; a service day does not clearly bring the total past 40; it is recorded below the 40-hour line.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Freshman year, students work together to sponsor a child for Christmas in collaboration with Catholic Charities. During their sophomore year, each student will participate in a Sophomore Service Day in the community, as they learn about the Christian call to serve God's presence in others. In their junior year, students are required to complete 30 hours of service at one service site in order for students to build relationships with community members.”
      Required service: a freshman Christmas sponsorship with Catholic Charities, a Sophomore Service Day, and 30 hours at one site in junior year.
    2. Service Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Students will work in groups as a part of the Freshman Theology Class to sponsor a child during the Advent season and purchase toys through a collaboration with Catholic Charities.”
      As part of the freshman theology class, students sponsor a child in Advent with Catholic Charities.
      “Students will participate in a Sophomore Service Day in which they are introduced to the Corporal Works of Mercy, and will have the opportunity to serve at one to two sites in the local community. Students can participate either in the summer before Sophomore year or during the school year.”
      Sophomores take part in a service day at one or two community sites, introduced through the Corporal Works of Mercy.
      “Christian Service Project: The Christian Service Project helps students to develop the habit of putting their Christian faith into action while growing in understanding and compassion for others. Junior students are required to complete 30 hours of service at one service site.”
      Juniors must complete 30 hours of service at one site in the Christian Service Project.
  • Not enough information: 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: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The Respect Life Club promotes the dignity of human life from conception until natural death and communicates a pro-life message in the school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Respect Life Club Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/list-detail?pk=233737&fromId=292647 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick's Respect Life Club seeks to promote and uphold the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death.”
      The Respect Life Club promotes the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
      “The main objective of the Respect Life Club is to communicate a comprehensive, inclusive pro-life message in our school and to help build what St. John Paul II called a "culture of life" at Fenwick.”
      The club communicates a pro-life message in the school.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The SCSL Tutoring Program (students work in the after-school program of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy School), the Friar Philanthropy Forum (service, fundraising and awareness for partners such as Misericordia and Meals on Wheels), and the Christian Service Program built on the Works of Mercy; the Dominican identity statement calls students to service to the poor and solidarity with those excluded from society.)
    Sources (4)
    1. SCSL Tutoring Program Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/list-detail?pk=220432&fromId=292647 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick students attend St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy School to work with the boys and girls in their after-school program.”
      Students tutor in the after-school program of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy School.
    2. Friar Philanthropy Forum (Pilot) Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/list-detail?pk=233736&fromId=292647 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The Philanthropy Club is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those in need through service, volunteering, fundraising and spreading awareness.”
      The Friar Philanthropy Forum serves people in need through service, fundraising and awareness.
    3. Service Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Students will participate in a Sophomore Service Day in which they are introduced to the Corporal Works of Mercy, and will have the opportunity to serve at one to two sites in the local community. Students can participate either in the summer before Sophomore year or during the school year.”
      Sophomores take part in a service day at one or two community sites, introduced through the Corporal Works of Mercy.
      “Christian Service Project: The Christian Service Project helps students to develop the habit of putting their Christian faith into action while growing in understanding and compassion for others. Junior students are required to complete 30 hours of service at one service site.”
      Juniors must complete 30 hours of service at one site in the Christian Service Project.
    4. Dominican Charism Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/dominican-charism · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “St. Martin de Porres, St. Juan Macias, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and St. Margaret of Hungary in lives of service to the poor and a call to be in solidarity with those excluded from society.”
      Campus ministry's Dominican identity calls students to service to the poor and solidarity with those excluded from society.

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

Strengths

  • Mass is offered daily in the school chapel, and a monthly all-school Mass has students serving as musicians, lectors, servers and Eucharistic ministers.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
      Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
      “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
      Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
  • Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P., directs a seven-member campus ministry team that includes a chaplain and two other Dominicans; the school is sponsored by the Dominican Friars.
    Sources (3)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher Johnson O.P. Director of Campus Ministry Mary Beth May Christian Service Project Coordinator Maria Nowicki Asst. Director of Kairos, Math/CS Department Chair Katherine Whitman 01 Kairos Director, Teacher Matthew Strabala O.P. Teacher, Chaplain Claire Jakubisin Teacher, Music & Liturgy Coordinator Charbel Joseph O.P. Campus Minister”
      Seven people are listed in Campus Ministry, including Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry), Matthew Strabala, O.P. (Teacher, Chaplain) and Charbel Joseph, O.P. (Campus Minister).
    2. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christopher "Fr. Christopher" Johnson Director of Campus Ministry”
      The Director of Campus Ministry, Christopher Johnson, is a priest (Fr. Christopher).
    3. Leadership Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/about/leadership · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick High School is owned and sponsored by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Chicago) and is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of lay men and women of the Fenwick community and leaders of the Dominican Province.”
      The Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great own and sponsor the school.
  • Freshmen and sophomores make annual retreats, and the Kairos retreat is mandatory for seniors.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The annual freshman retreat seeks to build connections between students as well as to help them to connect to God and self. The annual sophomore retreat is focused on service and when circumstances allow, students go out into the community in small groups to participate in volunteer work with local service organizations. The Kairos retreat is a three day, two night retreat for seniors and is a capstone for a Fenwick student's faith formation.”
      There is an annual freshman retreat, an annual service-focused sophomore retreat, and a three-day Kairos retreat for seniors.
    2. Why Fenwick Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/admissions/admissions-at-fenwick/why-fenwick · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “This environment highlights the Dominican pillar of Prayer in many ways, but especially through the mandatory Kairos retreat program, which many students describe as the most profound and transformational of their Fenwick experiences.”
      The Kairos retreat program is mandatory.
  • Students lead daily morning prayer and preach before all-school Masses through the Dominican Preaching Team, and a Respect Life Club promotes a pro-life message.
    Sources (3)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
      Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
    2. Preaching Team Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/preaching-team · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The Preaching Team participates in summer programming focused on building relationships and learning more about Catholic leadership. The team meets monthly for prayer and formation sessions. Members read morning prayer, write Mass intentions, help lead freshman and sophomore retreats, and most notable give reflections before all-school Mass as student preachers.”
      The Dominican Preaching Team meets for prayer and formation, reads morning prayer, helps lead freshman and sophomore retreats and gives reflections before all-school Mass.
    3. Respect Life Club Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/list-detail?pk=233737&fromId=292647 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fenwick's Respect Life Club seeks to promote and uphold the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death.”
      The Respect Life Club promotes the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

Concerns

  • Required service counted in hours is 30 hours in junior year, with a sophomore service day and a freshman class project; the stated total does not reach 40 hours.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Freshman year, students work together to sponsor a child for Christmas in collaboration with Catholic Charities. During their sophomore year, each student will participate in a Sophomore Service Day in the community, as they learn about the Christian call to serve God's presence in others. In their junior year, students are required to complete 30 hours of service at one service site in order for students to build relationships with community members.”
      Required service: a freshman Christmas sponsorship with Catholic Charities, a Sophomore Service Day, and 30 hours at one site in junior year.
    2. Service Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Christian Service Project: The Christian Service Project helps students to develop the habit of putting their Christian faith into action while growing in understanding and compassion for others. Junior students are required to complete 30 hours of service at one service site.”
      Juniors must complete 30 hours of service at one site in the Christian Service Project.
  • Confession is offered through twice-yearly reconciliation services.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
      Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
  • Published retreats cover grades 9, 10 and 12.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The annual freshman retreat seeks to build connections between students as well as to help them to connect to God and self. The annual sophomore retreat is focused on service and when circumstances allow, students go out into the community in small groups to participate in volunteer work with local service organizations. The Kairos retreat is a three day, two night retreat for seniors and is a capstone for a Fenwick student's faith formation.”
      There is an annual freshman retreat, an annual service-focused sophomore retreat, and a three-day Kairos retreat for seniors.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry and St. Dominic Chapel, Fenwick High School

  • Address: 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: St. Dominic Chapel, described as the central feature of the school, with carved choir stalls for the Liturgy of the Hours, Mass offered daily in the Fenwick chapel

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Source: fenwickfriars.com, verified Oct. 8, 2026, fenwickfriars.com, verified Oct. 8, 2026, fenwickfriars.com, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

17 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 5 off campus, 10 location not published

Retreats 3

Service 5

  • Sophomore Service DayOff campus
    Summer before sophomore year or during the year (2026-27 dates include Oct. 1)
    Required service day at one or two community sites, introducing the Corporal Works of Mercy.
  • Christian Service ProjectOff campus
    Junior year
    Required 30 hours of service at one community service site, coordinated by the Christian Service Project Coordinator.
  • SCSL Tutoring ProgramOff campus
    Students work with children in the after-school program of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy School.
  • Freshman Christmas sponsorship with Catholic Charities
    Advent, freshman year
    Freshman Theology classes sponsor a child and buy toys in collaboration with Catholic Charities.
  • Friar Philanthropy Forum (Pilot)
    Two semesters
    Service, volunteering, fundraising and awareness for charitable partners chosen each year.

Liturgy and prayer 6

Faith formation 1

  • Dominican Preaching Team
    Regular meetings during the year, plus summer programming
    Juniors and seniors chosen by application who meet for prayer and formation, read morning prayer, write Mass intentions, help lead freshman and sophomore retreats and preach before all-school Masses.

Clubs and groups 2

  • Respect Life Club
    Promotes the dignity of human life from conception until natural death and a pro-life message in the school.
  • Bible Study Club (Pilot)
    Bible study club listed in the club directory as a pilot.

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 (4)
  1. Campus Ministry Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
    Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
    “Christopher Johnson O.P. Director of Campus Ministry Mary Beth May Christian Service Project Coordinator Maria Nowicki Asst. Director of Kairos, Math/CS Department Chair Katherine Whitman 01 Kairos Director, Teacher Matthew Strabala O.P. Teacher, Chaplain Claire Jakubisin Teacher, Music & Liturgy Coordinator Charbel Joseph O.P. Campus Minister”
    Seven people are listed in Campus Ministry, including Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry), Matthew Strabala, O.P. (Teacher, Chaplain) and Charbel Joseph, O.P. (Campus Minister).
    “Daily Mass and monthly all-school Masses Twice yearly Reconciliation services Daily Prayer Occasional liturgical services for athletic teams and clubs”
    Campus Ministry events include daily Mass, monthly all-school Masses, twice-yearly reconciliation services, daily prayer and occasional liturgical services for teams and clubs.
    “Each school day, the Fenwick community pauses for a Daily morning prayer led by students. Monthly all-school Mass allows for student participation as musicians, choir members, lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers. Mass is offered daily for faculty, staff, and students in the Fenwick chapel.”
    Students lead daily morning prayer each school day; an all-school Mass is held monthly with student liturgical ministers; Mass is offered daily in the school chapel.
    “505 Washington Blvd. Oak Park, IL, 60302 Phone: (708) 386-0127”
    The school is at 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302; its main phone is 386-0127.
  2. Dominican Charism Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/student-life/campus-ministry/dominican-charism · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “The vision is for young men and women to leave Fenwick High School formed in the truths and practices of the Catholic faith, and equipped to be leaders in their future faith communities.”
    Campus ministry aims to form students in the truths and practices of the Catholic faith.
  3. Leadership Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/about/leadership · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Fenwick High School is owned and sponsored by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Chicago) and is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of lay men and women of the Fenwick community and leaders of the Dominican Province.”
    The Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great own and sponsor the school.
    “His leadership team at Fenwick High School consists of: Principal Dr. John Finan; Director of Dominican Mission Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P.; and Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development, Ms. Katie Vanaria.”
    Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P., serves on the leadership team as Director of Dominican Mission.
  4. History Fenwick High Schoolfenwickfriars.com/about/history · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Fenwick's St. Dominic Chapel is the central feature of the school. Built in the 1940s, the chapel is designed in the Neo-gothic architectural style. Within the chapel are rows of carved choir stalls for the singing and recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours.”
    St. Dominic Chapel is the central feature of the school, with choir stalls for the Liturgy of the Hours.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Christopher Johnson, O.P. (Director of Campus Ministry (no direct line published; school main number)) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.99%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.4 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

TypeParish school
DioceseArchdiocese of Chicago, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)1,024
Students in grades 9–121,024
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.4 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 Chicago

His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Fenwick High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Fenwick High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Its sponsor is Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Order of Preachers).
What is Fenwick High School’s Compass Score?
84 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Fenwick High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Fenwick High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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