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

Catholic high school

Garces Memorial High School

  • LocationBakersfield, CA
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 529 students
Official website

Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield, California, is a Catholic, coeducational college preparatory school founded in 1947 by the Christian Brothers and Dominican Sisters of St. Thomas of Aquinas. Its campus ministry lists weekly Eucharistic adoration on campus, Mass, confession, and retreats for each grade. Four years of theology are required, and a priest is named as chaplain.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Garces Memorial High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Clement Catholic Church: 1.3 mi1Chapman Street Roman Catholic Church: 2.9 mi2Campus Ministry, Garces Memorial High School: 0.1 miGarces Memorial High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Clement Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  2. Chapman Street Roman Catholic Church — 2.9 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

67 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 (All-school Masses are named as part of the campus ministry program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The class trains students to be peer ministers on campus through all-school Masses, school prayer services, retreats for all grade levels, & spiritual activities.”
      The senior Campus Ministry course trains peer ministers for all-school Masses, school prayer services, and retreats for all grade levels.
  • 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.
  • 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 (Confession is listed among the on-campus offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we offer weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, confessions, bible studies, class retreats and prayer groups.”
      Campus ministry offers weekly adoration on campus, and lists Mass, confessions, Bible studies, and prayer groups among its on-campus activities. Confession and Mass frequency is not stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Weekly Eucharistic adoration is listed among the on-campus offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we offer weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, confessions, bible studies, class retreats and prayer groups.”
      Campus ministry offers weekly adoration on campus, and lists Mass, confessions, Bible studies, and prayer groups among its on-campus activities. Confession and Mass frequency is not stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. David Lopez is listed on the staff page as Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership, Faculty, & Staff | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/LeaderFacultyStaff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. David Lopez Chaplain”
      Fr. David Lopez is listed as the school's Chaplain.
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 (Four years of theology are required for graduation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All Students who graduate from Garces Memorial High School must successfully complete 4 years of Theology.”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of four years.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    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 (Catholic Morality & Ethics is a senior theology course, offered as a semester course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Morality & Ethics: This course enables students to examine Aristotelianism, the pre-Christian model of morality incorporated by the Church.”
      Catholic Morality & Ethics is a theology course offered to seniors.
  • 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

87 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Retreats are listed for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and Kairos is open to juniors and seniors.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The class trains students to be peer ministers on campus through all-school Masses, school prayer services, retreats for all grade levels, & spiritual activities.”
      The senior Campus Ministry course trains peer ministers for all-school Masses, school prayer services, and retreats for all grade levels.
    2. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat is a one-day, off-campus experience focused on building unity within the class and fostering a shared identity as young Christians.”
      Freshmen have a one-day off-campus retreat.
      “Sophomore Retreat is an overnight retreat held at Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers.”
      Sophomores have an overnight retreat at Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers.
      “Junior Retreat is an overnight, coeducational retreat held at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park.”
      Juniors have an overnight retreat at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park.
      “Kairos Retreat is a four-day, three-night experience open to juniors and seniors. Garces offers three opportunities to attend: two at Serra Retreat Center in Malibu and one at Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.”
      Kairos is a four-day retreat open to juniors and seniors, held at retreat centers in Malibu and Rancho Palos Verdes.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two campus ministry staff are listed: the Director of Campus Ministry and the Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership, Faculty, & Staff | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/LeaderFacultyStaff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tonya Abbott Director of Campus Ministry”
      Tonya Abbott is listed as Director of Campus Ministry.
      “Fr. David Lopez Chaplain”
      Fr. David Lopez is listed as the school's Chaplain.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Prayer groups and Bible studies are listed as campus ministry offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we offer weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, confessions, bible studies, class retreats and prayer groups.”
      Campus ministry offers weekly adoration on campus, and lists Mass, confessions, Bible studies, and prayer groups among its on-campus activities. Confession and Mass frequency 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.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Students complete 40 required service hours during their first three years, which meets the 40-hour threshold over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In total, students complete 40 hours of service during their first three years at Garces.”
      Students complete 40 service hours during their first three years.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teaching is a senior theology course that students take to meet the theology requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the student's senior year, they will study in the college preparatory classes, Ethics/Catholic Morality and Catholic Social Teachings.”
      Seniors study Catholic Social Teachings in their theology classes.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • Weekly Eucharistic adoration is offered as part of the on-campus campus ministry program.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we offer weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, confessions, bible studies, class retreats and prayer groups.”
      Campus ministry offers weekly adoration on campus, and lists Mass, confessions, Bible studies, and prayer groups among its on-campus activities. Confession and Mass frequency is not stated.
  • Retreats are listed for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and Kairos is open to juniors and seniors.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat is a one-day, off-campus experience focused on building unity within the class and fostering a shared identity as young Christians.”
      Freshmen have a one-day off-campus retreat.
      “Sophomore Retreat is an overnight retreat held at Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers.”
      Sophomores have an overnight retreat at Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers.
      “Junior Retreat is an overnight, coeducational retreat held at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park.”
      Juniors have an overnight retreat at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park.
      “Kairos Retreat is a four-day, three-night experience open to juniors and seniors. Garces offers three opportunities to attend: two at Serra Retreat Center in Malibu and one at Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.”
      Kairos is a four-day retreat open to juniors and seniors, held at retreat centers in Malibu and Rancho Palos Verdes.
  • Four years of theology are required, and seniors take Catholic Social Teachings and Catholic Morality & Ethics.
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SubjectContent.aspx?SubjectId=8 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All Students who graduate from Garces Memorial High School must successfully complete 4 years of Theology.”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of four years.
      “Catholic Morality & Ethics: This course enables students to examine Aristotelianism, the pre-Christian model of morality incorporated by the Church.”
      Catholic Morality & Ethics is a theology course offered to seniors.
      “During the student's senior year, they will study in the college preparatory classes, Ethics/Catholic Morality and Catholic Social Teachings.”
      Seniors study Catholic Social Teachings in their theology classes.
  • A priest is named as chaplain, and the campus ministry has a director and a chaplain on staff.
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership, Faculty, & Staff | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/LeaderFacultyStaff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. David Lopez Chaplain”
      Fr. David Lopez is listed as the school's Chaplain.
      “Tonya Abbott Director of Campus Ministry”
      Tonya Abbott is listed as Director of Campus Ministry.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Garces Memorial High School

  • Address: 2800 Loma Linda Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 5 off campus, 2 location not published

Other 1

  • Off-campus religious conferencesOff campus
    Students are encouraged to attend LA RECongress and the National Catholic Youth Conference.
    garces.org

Retreats 4

  • Freshman RetreatOff campus
    One day
    One-day retreat for the freshman class focused on unity within the class.
    garces.org
  • Sophomore RetreatOff campus
    Overnight
    Overnight retreat at Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers. Boys and girls take part in separate activities and talks.
    garces.org
  • Junior RetreatOff campus
    Overnight
    Overnight, coeducational retreat at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park.
    garces.org
  • Kairos RetreatOff campus
    Four days, three nights
    Four-day retreat open to juniors and seniors, offered at Serra Retreat Center in Malibu and Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.
    garces.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Weekly Eucharistic adorationOn campus
    Weekly
    Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament offered as part of the campus ministry's on-campus activities.
    garces.org

Faith formation 2

  • Peer ministry course (Campus Ministry)
    Senior course that trains students to be peer ministers through all-school Masses, school prayer services, and retreats. Open to seniors who are confirmed Catholics.
    garces.org
  • Adoration and rosary services, praise and worship, and fellowship events
    Faith formation activities offered throughout the year to deepen students' faith.
    garces.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. Spiritual Life | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/SpiritualLife.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “we offer weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, confessions, bible studies, class retreats and prayer groups.”
    Campus ministry offers weekly adoration on campus, and lists Mass, confessions, Bible studies, and prayer groups among its on-campus activities. Confession and Mass frequency is not stated.
    “In addition to a quiet chapel for students to spend time in during breaks or before and after school”
    The school has a quiet chapel where students can pray during breaks and before and after school.
    “we offer many on-campus activities for our students”
    Campus ministry offers many activities on campus.
  2. Leadership, Faculty, & Staff | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/LeaderFacultyStaff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Tonya Abbott Director of Campus Ministry”
    Tonya Abbott is listed as Director of Campus Ministry.
  3. Contact | Garces Memorial High Schoolgarces.org/v1/contact.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “2800 Loma Linda Drive Bakersfield, CA 93305 Phone: (661) 327-2578”
    The school is at 2800 Loma Linda Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305, with phone 327-2578.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

FAcademic Excellence: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
12 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.40%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.1 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Fresno, CA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)529
Students in grades 9–12529
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio14.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges40%
SettingCity

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 Fresno

The Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan, Bishop of Fresno

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Garces Memorial High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Garces Memorial High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Fresno.
What is Garces Memorial High School’s Compass Score?
67 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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