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Aerial view of Marquette Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Marquette Academy

  • LocationOttawa, IL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades PK–12 · 334 students
Official website

Marquette Academy's high school in Ottawa, Illinois, is a Roman Catholic school community under the direction of the Bishop of Peoria. Its chaplain, Fr. Nicolas Wilson, oversees the school's religious and sacramental life. Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel, and graduation requires four credits of religion and 120 service hours.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Marquette Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Columba Roman Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church: 0.6 mi2Saint Francis of Assisi Church: 0.9 mi3Marquette Academy High School Chapel: 0.0 miMarquette Academy (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Columba Roman Catholic Church — 0.1 mi · 122 West Washington Street, Ottawa
  2. Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church — 0.6 mi
  3. Saint Francis of Assisi Church — 0.9 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.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (Weekly Mass for high school students on Tuesdays in the school chapel (student life page), plus all-academy Masses quarterly and on Holy Days. The Christian service page also mentions chapel Mass on Tuesday and Thursday; the Tuesday schedule is recorded here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
      Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
      “All Academy masses are held quarterly and on all Holy Days of Obligation.”
      All-academy Masses are held quarterly and on Holy Days.
  • 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.
  • 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 (Fr. Nicolas Wilson is named as chaplain in the 2026-27 high school handbook and on the faculty page.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Chaplain provides spiritual leadership for the Marquette Academy community and oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.”
      The chaplain, Fr. Nicolas Wilson, oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.
    2. Faculty / Staff | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/our-school/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Nicolas Wilson fr.wilson@marquetteacademy.net”
      Fr. Nicolas Wilson is the chaplain, with a school email address.
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 (Graduation requires 4.0 credits of religion (2026-27 handbook). A full-credit class is one credit per year; four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religion 4.0 Mathematics 3.0”
      Religion is a graduation requirement of 4.0 credits.
      “Students must pass at least 25 credit hours of coursework each week (five full-credit classes).”
      A full-credit class counts as one of five classes in the weekly load.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 high school mission says it integrates eternal truth and values into its academic program, and the handbook says the Catholic faith must be fully integrated throughout the curricula.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/high-school.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “integrating eternal truth and values into a strong academic program”
      The high school mission integrates eternal truth and values into its academic program.
    2. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The principles, practices, and beliefs of the Catholic Faith must be fully integrated throughout the school's curricula,”
      The handbook says Catholic faith principles must be integrated throughout the curricula.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each secondary school must hold at least one day of recollection a year for grades 9, 10 and 11, and a retreat for seniors.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “each secondary school of the diocese will provide for not less than one day of recollection each year for its 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and days of retreat for all seniors.”
      Grades 9 to 11 have a recollection day each year, and seniors have a retreat.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One priest chaplain is named.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Chaplain provides spiritual leadership for the Marquette Academy community and oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.”
      The chaplain, Fr. Nicolas Wilson, oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.
    2. Faculty / Staff | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/our-school/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Nicolas Wilson fr.wilson@marquetteacademy.net”
      Fr. Nicolas Wilson is the chaplain, with a school email address.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The handbook says each school must provide time to pray daily, and the Christian service page refers to prayer times built into the school schedule.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each school of the diocese must provide time for students to reflect and to pray on a daily basis.”
      Each diocesan school must provide daily time for prayer and reflection.
    2. Christian Service Hours | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/christian-service-hours.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “outside of the mandatory times of prayer built into the school schedule”
      The school schedule has mandatory times of prayer.
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 (30 service hours each school year, 120 hours for graduation.)
    Sources (2)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All high school students are required to complete a minimum of 30 service hours each school year and 120 total service hours as a graduation requirement.”
      High school students must complete 30 service hours each year and 120 in total.
    2. Christian Service Hours | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/christian-service-hours.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Living Faith Service Program requires students to complete 30 hours of service per academic year, totalling 120 hours for the four years.”
      The Living Faith program requires 30 service hours a year, 120 over 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.
    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 (An annual January trip to Washington, D.C. for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, with the school's pro-life focus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Every January, a group of students travel to Washington D.C., on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade court decision to legalize abortion.”
      Students travel to Washington, D.C. each January for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
  • 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

  • Mass for high school students is held weekly on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
      Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
  • A chaplain is named, and oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.
    Sources (2)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Chaplain provides spiritual leadership for the Marquette Academy community and oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.”
      The chaplain, Fr. Nicolas Wilson, oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.
    2. Faculty / Staff | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/our-school/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Nicolas Wilson fr.wilson@marquetteacademy.net”
      Fr. Nicolas Wilson is the chaplain, with a school email address.
  • Graduation requires 4.0 credits of religion and 120 service hours.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religion 4.0 Mathematics 3.0”
      Religion is a graduation requirement of 4.0 credits.
      “All high school students are required to complete a minimum of 30 service hours each school year and 120 total service hours as a graduation requirement.”
      High school students must complete 30 service hours each year and 120 in total.
  • Each grade has a day of recollection or a retreat each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “each secondary school of the diocese will provide for not less than one day of recollection each year for its 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and days of retreat for all seniors.”
      Grades 9 to 11 have a recollection day each year, and seniors have a retreat.
  • The school's handbook says the Catholic faith must be fully integrated throughout the curricula.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The principles, practices, and beliefs of the Catholic Faith must be fully integrated throughout the school's curricula,”
      The handbook says Catholic faith principles must be integrated throughout the curricula.

Concerns

  • The pages give a weekly high school Mass day; no Mass times, and no confession or adoration schedule.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
      Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
  • Two school pages give different chapel Mass days: Tuesday only on one, and Tuesday and Thursday on the other.
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
      Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
    2. Christian Service Hours | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/christian-service-hours.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “attending chapel Mass on Tuesday and Thursday”
      A chapel Mass is attended on Tuesday and Thursday, according to this page.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Marquette Academy High School Chapel

  • Address: 1000 Paul Street, Ottawa, IL 61350
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: marquetteacademy.net, verified Oct. 13, 2026, marquetteacademy.net, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 4 location not published

Service 2

  • March for Life tripOff campus
    Every January
    Students travel to Washington, D.C. for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
    marquetteacademy.net
  • Living Faith service program
    Each school year
    The required Christian service program, run by the chaplain, which requires 30 hours a year.
    marquetteacademy.net, marquetteacademy.net

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekly Mass for high school studentsOn campus
    Tuesdays
    Weekly Mass for high school students in the school chapel.
    marquetteacademy.net
  • All-academy Mass
    Quarterly and on Holy Days of Obligation
    Masses for the whole academy, held quarterly and on Holy Days.
    marquetteacademy.net

Clubs and groups 1

Retreats 1

  • Days of recollection and retreats
    Each year
    A day of recollection each year for grades 9 to 11, and a retreat for seniors.
    marquetteacademy.net

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. Student Life | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith/student-life.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
    Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
    “Weekly mass at the High School is held for students on Tuesdays in our Chapel.”
    Weekly Mass for high school students is held on Tuesdays in the school chapel.
  2. High School Parent Student Handbook 2026-27 | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/editoruploads/files/26-27%20MAHS%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “The Chaplain provides spiritual leadership for the Marquette Academy community and oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.”
    The chaplain, Fr. Nicolas Wilson, oversees the school's religious and sacramental life.
  3. Faith | Marquette Academymarquetteacademy.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “1000 Paul Street Ottawa, IL 61350”
    The high school is at 1000 Paul Street, Ottawa, Illinois.

Reach out

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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.
93 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.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.5 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Peoria, IL
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)334
Students in grades 9–12137
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingTown

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 Peoria

The Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Marquette Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Marquette Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Peoria.

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