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

Catholic high school

Holy Family Academy

  • LocationManchester, NH
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 7–12 · 108 students
Official website
Recommended badge

Holy Family Academy is a private Catholic school at 281 Cartier Street in Manchester, New Hampshire, serving grades 7 to 12 in the classical tradition. Its admissions page says students take part in daily Mass before classes, and its About page names weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Theology is required in each high school year, and the school's clubs include a Pro-Life Club and a Chapel Guard.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Holy Family Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSt. Marie Church: 0.1 mi1St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church: 0.3 mi2Saint Raphael Roman Catholic Church: 0.7 mi3Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church: 0.8 mi4Saint Joseph Cathedral: 0.9 mi5Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church: 1.0 mi6Holy Family Academy Chapel: 0.1 miHoly Family Academy (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Marie Church — 0.1 mi · 378 Notre Dame Avenue, Manchester
  2. St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church — 0.3 mi · 138 #3 Coolidge Avenue, Manchester
  3. Saint Raphael Roman Catholic Church — 0.7 mi
  4. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 50 South Main Street
  5. Saint Joseph Cathedral — 0.9 mi · 145 Lowell Street, Manchester
  6. Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church — 1.0 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.

ASacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

88 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The admissions page says students take part in daily Mass before classes, and the handbook refers to homeroom groups being seated before Mass. A daily all-school Mass is recorded at the highest level on this scale (weekly).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
      Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    2. HFA Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027holyfamilyacademy.org/s/HFA-Parent-Student-Handbook-2026-2027-adgp.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “they are late for Mass if they are not seated with their homeroom before Mass begins”
      Homeroom groups attend Mass together before it begins.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Daily Mass before classes is stated on the admissions page and the About page.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
      Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    2. About | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/about-2 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “participation in Daily Mass and weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      The school names daily Mass and weekly availability of Reconciliation as part of its Catholic identity.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (The About page says the school embraces weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. About | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/about-2 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “participation in Daily Mass and weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      The school names daily Mass and weekly availability of Reconciliation as part of its Catholic identity.
  • 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 (Daily Mass is offered. The faculty and staff list names a deacon as a teacher, not a chaplain.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
      Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    2. Faculty & Staff | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/faculty · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faculty and Staff”
      The faculty and staff page lists the school's staff, and no campus minister, chaplain or priest is listed on it.
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 (Computed from the graduation table: Theology is 4 credits, and each grade (9 to 12) has one full-year theology course; four years. Theology is taken in every high school grade. The 2026-27 handbook is the source for the grade-by-grade courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. HFA Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027holyfamilyacademy.org/s/HFA-Parent-Student-Handbook-2026-2027-adgp.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Creed and Sacraments Moral Theology”
      The handbook's course grid lists theology courses for grades 9 and 10.
      “Theology 4 Great Books/American Literature 5”
      The graduation requirements include 4 credits of theology.
      “Life of Christ Christian Anthropology”
      The handbook's course grid lists theology courses for grade 11 (Life of Christ) and grade 12 (Christian Anthropology).
  • 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 (The academics page lists Philosophy among the curriculum's subjects. Moral Theology is also taught in grade 10.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Subjects include: Latin, Literature, Composition, Science, Mathematics, History, Philosophy, and Theology.”
      Philosophy is one of the curriculum's subjects.
  • 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 academics page says the curriculum aims to cultivate a world view that is intelligently Catholic, and the handbook says the curriculum is imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Academics | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “to cultivate a world view that is intelligently Catholic”
      The curriculum aims to cultivate a Catholic world view.
    2. HFA Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027holyfamilyacademy.org/s/HFA-Parent-Student-Handbook-2026-2027-adgp.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum”
      The school's curriculum is imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout.
CCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

64 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    RetreatsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Campus ministry staffNone (The deacon listed teaches history and theology.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/faculty · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faculty and Staff”
      The faculty and staff page lists the school's staff, and no campus minister, chaplain or priest is listed on it.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (The student clubs page lists the St. Vincent de Paul Club, Pro-Life Club, Knights Club and Chapel Guard among the school's clubs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Vincent de Paul Club Pro-Life Club Knights Club Chapel Guard”
      The school lists a St. Vincent de Paul Club, a Pro-Life Club, a Knights Club and a Chapel Guard among its service clubs.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Daily Mass before classes is part of the school day, and the Student Servant Leadership Council meets in the chapel daily to pray.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
      Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    2. Student Life | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Meets in the Chapel daily as a group to pray the Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker.”
      The Student Servant Leadership Council meets in the chapel daily to pray.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot 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.
    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 (The school's own Pro-Life Club is listed on the student clubs page and in the 2026-27 handbook.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Vincent de Paul Club Pro-Life Club Knights Club Chapel Guard”
      The school lists a St. Vincent de Paul Club, a Pro-Life Club, a Knights Club and a Chapel Guard among its service clubs.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school's St. Vincent de Paul Club, a charity and solidarity club, is listed on the student clubs page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Vincent de Paul Club Pro-Life Club Knights Club Chapel Guard”
      The school lists a St. Vincent de Paul Club, a Pro-Life Club, a Knights Club and a Chapel Guard among its service clubs.

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

Strengths

  • Students take part in daily Mass before classes, and the school names weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
    Sources (2)
    1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
      Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    2. About | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/about-2 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “participation in Daily Mass and weekly availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      The school names daily Mass and weekly availability of Reconciliation as part of its Catholic identity.
  • Theology is required in each high school grade, four credits in all.
    Sources (1)
    1. HFA Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027holyfamilyacademy.org/s/HFA-Parent-Student-Handbook-2026-2027-adgp.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Creed and Sacraments Moral Theology”
      The handbook's course grid lists theology courses for grades 9 and 10.
      “Theology 4 Great Books/American Literature 5”
      The graduation requirements include 4 credits of theology.
  • The school lists a Pro-Life Club and a St. Vincent de Paul Club among its clubs.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Vincent de Paul Club Pro-Life Club Knights Club Chapel Guard”
      The school lists a St. Vincent de Paul Club, a Pro-Life Club, a Knights Club and a Chapel Guard among its service clubs.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Holy Family Academy Chapel

  • Address: 281 Cartier Street, Manchester, NH 03102
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: holyfamilyacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, holyfamilyacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, holyfamilyacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Student Servant Leadership CouncilOn campus
    Meets in the chapel daily to pray
    The student leadership council that promotes service and oversees the service clubs. Its members pray the Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker in the chapel daily.
    holyfamilyacademy.org

Clubs and groups 2

Liturgy and prayer 1

Retreats 1

  • Student Lenten Retreat
    March 19, 2027 (2026-27 calendar)
    A one-day student retreat on the 2026-27 calendar.
    holyfamilyacademy.org

Service 1

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Admissions | Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org/admissions · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
    Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
    “Students center their hearts and attention on the person of Jesus in daily Mass before classes.”
    Students take part in daily Mass before classes.
  2. HFA Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027holyfamilyacademy.org/s/HFA-Parent-Student-Handbook-2026-2027-adgp.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Make visits to the chapel to meditate on the passages of 1 Corinthians 13”
    The school has a chapel in its building.
    “Make visits to the chapel to meditate on the passages of 1 Corinthians 13”
    The school has a chapel in its building.
  3. Holy Family Academyholyfamilyacademy.org · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Holy Family Academy 281 Cartier Street Manchester, NH 03102 Phone: 603-644-7247”
    The school's address is 281 Cartier Street, Manchester, NH 03102.

Reach out

Contact details for Mark Gillis (Head of School) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

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.
76 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.90%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.4 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseDiocese of Manchester, NH
Grades7–12
Students (all grades)108
Students in grades 9–1266
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
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 Manchester

The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: St. Joseph Cathedral

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Holy Family Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Holy Family Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Manchester.
What is Holy Family Academy’s Compass Score?
82 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Holy Family Academy Compass Recommended?
Yes. Holy Family Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in New Hampshire · New Hampshire rankings