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

Catholic high school

Junipero Serra High School

  • LocationSan Mateo, CA
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 859 students
  • SponsorArchdiocese of San Francisco

All-male

Official website

Junípero Serra High School is an all-boys Catholic college preparatory school in San Mateo, California, in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The chaplain, Father David Mees, leads a Mass in the school chapel each Wednesday after school, and retreats are offered in every grade. Service of at least 20 hours is required each year.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Wednesday2:45 PMSchool chapel · Weekly, after school; the extended Serra community is invited.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Liturgy | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Weekly Mass is offered in our chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.”
    Mass is offered in the school chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Junipero Serra High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Gregory Roman Catholic Church: 0.6 mi1St Matthew's Catholic Church: 0.9 mi2Saint Bartholomews Roman Catholic Church: 1.2 mi3Saint Timothys Roman Catholic Church: 2.0 mi4St. Mark's Catholic Church: 2.4 mi5Saint Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church: 2.6 mi6Campus Ministry and on-campus chapel: 0.1 miJunipero Serra High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Gregory Roman Catholic Church — 0.6 mi
  2. St Matthew's Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 1 Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo
  3. Saint Bartholomews Roman Catholic Church — 1.2 mi
  4. Saint Timothys Roman Catholic Church — 2.0 mi
  5. St. Mark's Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 325 Marine View Avenue, Belmont
  6. Saint Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church — 2.6 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.

DSacramental life: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

46 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 (Some liturgies bring the entire school together for significant events, feast days and holy days, and each class has a mother/son Mass. A voluntary Mass is also offered in the chapel every Wednesday after school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Some liturgies bring the entire school together to honor significant events, feast days or holy days of obligation.”
      Some Masses bring the entire school together.
      “Each class also shares in mother/son Masses”
      Each class has a mother/son Mass.
      “Weekly Mass is offered in our chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.”
      Mass is offered in the school chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNo
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly Mass is offered in our chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.”
      Mass is offered in the school chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.
      “During the year, our community gathers to celebrate Mass.”
      The community gathers for Mass during the year.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot 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.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Father David Mees is named as the Serra chaplain on the liturgy and campus ministry staff pages.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Liturgy | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Serra Chaplain Father David Mees”
      Father David Mees is the Serra chaplain.
    2. Faith & Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father David Mees Chaplain”
      Father David Mees is listed as chaplain on the campus ministry staff page.
CTheology and curriculum: 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.

Theology and curriculum

57 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredOne year (The theology department page says all students must take Theology 1. Other theology courses are listed; no page states that they are required; the minimum every student takes is one year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology Department | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/academics/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to take Theology 1: Siempre Adelante: Becoming Men of Faith, Wisdom, and Service.”
      All students must take Theology 1.
  • 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 (Theology 3A, Catholic Ethics and Morality, is listed as an offered course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology Department | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/academics/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 3A: Catholic Ethics and Morality”
      The theology department offers Catholic Ethics and Morality.
  • 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 Faith & Service page states that students encounter spirituality across all program areas, not only in theology classes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students encounter spirituality in theology classes, across all program areas, in the liturgies they help plan and lead, and in the Christian service they perform each year.”
      Faith is integrated across program areas, not only theology classes.
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

90 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 offered in all four years: the Camino de Padres freshman retreat, the sophomore overnight retreat, the Imago Dei junior retreat and the senior Kairos retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered to all students throughout their four years at Serra.”
      Retreats are offered in all four years.
      “The Camino de Padres freshman retreat takes place each August during Welcome Weekend”
      The freshman retreat is held each August during Welcome Weekend.
      “Set in the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains”
      The sophomore overnight retreat is set in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
      “The theme and focus of this retreat come from the phrase in Genesis: Imago Dei.”
      The junior retreat (Imago Dei) is based on Genesis.
      “Held at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center”
      The senior Kairos retreat is held at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (The campus ministry staff page names a Director of Campus Ministry, a chaplain and a Retreat and Liturgy Coordinator, plus two other campus ministry staff.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Billy Byrnes Director of Campus Ministry”
      Billy Byrnes is Director of Campus Ministry.
      “Father David Mees Chaplain”
      Father David Mees is listed as chaplain on the campus ministry staff page.
      “Steven Olujic '13 Retreat and Liturgy Coordinator”
      Steven Olujic is Retreat and Liturgy Coordinator.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The official clubs list includes the Christian Service and Justice Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Serra Clubs and Organizations | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/padre-life/clubs-and-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Christian Service and Justice Club helps plan the fall and spring justice projects.”
      The Christian Service and Justice Club plans justice projects.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Students are invited to pray during daily announcements, and the on-campus chapel is open for prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During daily announcements, Encounter leaders invite everyone in the school community to join in prayer and silent reflection.”
      Students are invited to join in prayer during daily announcements.
      “When not in use by others, our on-campus chapel is open to anyone seeking a quiet retreat from the noise of the day.”
      The on-campus chapel is open for prayer when not in use.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (The school requires at least 20 service hours each year, which totals at least 80 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to complete at least 20 service hours each year as part of Serra's graduation requirements.”
      Students must complete at least 20 service hours each year.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school runs an annual social justice campaign, Adopt-a-Family, Generation Alive, immersion travel and a junior service day with St. Anthony Foundation.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Social Justice | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/justice · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each fall, Campus Ministry runs a social justice campaign that focuses on a specific issue.”
      Campus Ministry runs an annual social justice campaign.
      “During Advent, we participate in the Adopt-a-Family program.”
      The school participates in Adopt-a-Family during Advent.
      “During Lent, we support the Generation Alive program”
      The school supports Generation Alive during Lent.
    2. Immersion Travel | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/immersion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Destinations have included Guatemala”
      Immersion travel has included Guatemala, the Arizona–Mexico border and Homeboy Industries.
    3. Christian Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Juniors, for example, spend a day in San Francisco's Tenderloin, partnering with St. Anthony Foundation”
      Juniors serve a day in the Tenderloin with St. Anthony Foundation.

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

Strengths

  • Retreats are offered to each grade, from freshman through senior year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered to all students throughout their four years at Serra.”
      Retreats are offered in all four years.
  • A named chaplain, Father David Mees, is listed on the school's official pages, and students are offered a weekly Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Serra Chaplain Father David Mees”
      Father David Mees is the Serra chaplain.
      “Weekly Mass is offered in our chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.”
      Mass is offered in the school chapel every Wednesday after school at 2:45 p.m.
  • Service is required each year (at least 20 hours), and the school runs immersion travel and a justice campaign.
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to complete at least 20 service hours each year as part of Serra's graduation requirements.”
      Students must complete at least 20 service hours each year.
    2. Social Justice | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service/justice · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each fall, Campus Ministry runs a social justice campaign that focuses on a specific issue.”
      Campus Ministry runs an annual social justice campaign.

Concerns

  • Only Theology 1 is explicitly required of all students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology Department | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/academics/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to take Theology 1: Siempre Adelante: Becoming Men of Faith, Wisdom, and Service.”
      All students must take Theology 1.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry and on-campus chapel

  • Address: 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: on-campus chapel

View on map ↗

Source: serrahs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, serrahs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 3 off campus, 7 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Sophomore Overnight Leadership RetreatOff campus
    Two-day overnight retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
    serrahs.com
  • Kairos senior retreatOff campus
    Optional four-day retreat at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park.
    serrahs.com, serrahs.com
  • Camino de Padres freshman retreat
    August, Welcome Weekend
    Freshman retreat with prayer and shared activities.
    serrahs.com
  • Imago Dei junior retreat
    Junior retreat on the theme of being made in the image of God.
    serrahs.com

Service 5

  • Immersion travelOff campus
    Service immersion trips, with destinations that have included Guatemala and the Arizona–Mexico border.
    serrahs.com
  • Christian Service and Justice Club
    Plans the fall and spring justice projects and helps coordinate Christian service.
    serrahs.com
  • Social justice campaign
    Each fall
    Annual campus campaign focused on a specific justice issue.
    serrahs.com
  • Adopt-a-Family
    Advent
    Gifts and food for families through the Redwood City Catholic Worker.
    serrahs.com
  • Generation Alive
    Lent
    Students raise money and assemble meals for the San Mateo County Food Bank.
    serrahs.com

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Weekly Mass (Wednesday)On campus
    Wednesdays after school, 2:45 PM
    Weekly Mass in the school chapel, open to the extended Serra community.
    serrahs.com, serrahs.com
  • Chapel prayerOn campus
    The on-campus chapel is open to students for prayer when not in use.
    serrahs.com
  • Class mother/son Masses and Legacy Mass
    Each class has a mother/son Mass, and alumni fathers and grandfathers join students at the annual Legacy Mass.
    serrahs.com

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

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Faith & Service | Junipero Serra High Schoolserrahs.com/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Billy Byrnes Director of Campus Ministry”
    Billy Byrnes is Director of Campus Ministry.
    “Father David Mees Chaplain”
    Father David Mees is listed as chaplain on the campus ministry staff page.
    “When not in use by others, our on-campus chapel is open to anyone seeking a quiet retreat from the noise of the day.”
    The on-campus chapel is open for prayer when not in use.
  2. Junípero Serra High School | Bay Area College Prepserrahs.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “451 West 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94403”
    The school's published address is 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
49 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.84%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.18.2 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
DioceseArchdiocese of San Francisco, CA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)859
Students in grades 9–12859
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio18.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges84%
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

Archdiocese of San Francisco

The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Junipero Serra High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Junipero Serra High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Its sponsor is Archdiocese of San Francisco.
What is Junipero Serra High School’s Compass Score?
61 out of 100 (grade C). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Junipero Serra High School?
Mass is listed at School chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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