Is McDonell Central Catholic High School a Catholic high school?

Yes. McDonell Central Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of La Crosse.

Where is Mass celebrated at McDonell Central Catholic High School?

Mass is listed at McDonell Central Catholic High School chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Catholic high school

McDonell Central Catholic High School

LocationChippewa Falls, WI
Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 198 students

Official website

McDonell Central Catholic High School in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is part of McDonell Area Catholic Schools and serves grades 9-12. Its handbook requires students to attend liturgies during the school day, the school publishes Mass in its chapel several days a week, and its chaplain is named as Father Alex Kren. Theology is a four-credit graduation requirement.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday2:50 PMMcDonell Central Catholic High School chapel · Per the school's Mass schedule page, which says times are subject to change for holy days. Course book and handbook 2026-27 pages do not restate this schedule.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 13, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)

School Mass Times | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/schoolmasstimes.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
“McDonell Central Catholic High School Chapel Schedule Tuesday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel Thursday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel Friday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel”
The school's chapel has Mass on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:50 p.m.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church — 0.6 mi
Notre Dame Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
Holy Ghost Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 412 South Main Street, Chippewa Falls

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.

Sacramental life

89 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The handbook requires students to attend school liturgies and invites the community to weekly Mass; the Mass page lists a Wednesday school Mass. The Wednesday times differ between the two pages; the time is left out of the schedule.)
Sources (2)
1. Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027 (Notre Dame Middle School and McDonell Central Catholic High School)mcdonellareacatholicschools.org/editoruploads/files/NDMcD%20Handbook26_27(3).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “All students are required to attend all school assemblies and liturgies which occur during the school day.”
  Students are required to attend school liturgies during the school day.
  “we extend an invitation to all in this community to worship and pray with us at weekly Mass”
  The 2026-27 handbook invites the school community to weekly Mass and schedules all-school Masses.
2. School Mass Times | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/schoolmasstimes.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Wednesday School Mass 12:40-1:25 p.m.”
  A school Mass is held on Wednesdays for the middle school and high school.
Not enough information:
Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent and by request during the school year.)
Sources (1)
1. School Mass Times | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/schoolmasstimes.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “There are also opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent and by request anytime during the school year.”
  Confession is offered during Advent and Lent and by request.
Not enough information:
Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Father Alex Kren is named as the school's chaplain.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Father Alex Kren Chaplain”
  Father Alex Kren is the chaplain.

N/A

Theology and curriculum

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

Yes:
Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The course book requires 4.0 theology credits to graduate. Each theology course is 0.5 credit; this is four full-year equivalents. The required courses are in grades 9-11, with Vocations and one elective.)
Sources (1)
1. Course Offerings and Graduation Requirements 2025-2026, McDonell Central Catholic High Schoolmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/editoruploads/files/25-26%20Coursebook%20(2).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Theology 4.0 Credits Electives 5.0 Credits CREDITS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE 31 Credits”
  Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement.
  “(All 9-11 Theology, Vocations, and one elective)”
  The required theology courses are Scripture, Christology, Ecclesiology, Sacraments, Apologetics I and Morality, plus Vocations and one elective.
Not enough information:
Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Apologetics I is a required theology course, and Intro to Philosophy is listed as an elective.)
Sources (1)
1. Course Offerings and Graduation Requirements 2025-2026, McDonell Central Catholic High Schoolmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/editoruploads/files/25-26%20Coursebook%20(2).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Apologetics I (11)”
  Apologetics I is a required theology course, and Intro to Philosophy is a theology elective.
Not enough information:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

Campus culture

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The retreats page says high school students take part in one retreat each year. The retreat is read as covering every high school grade.)
Sources (1)
1. Retreats | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/retreats.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “McDonell High School students participate in one retreat each year.”
  High school students take part in one retreat each year.
Yes:
Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Three ministry staff are named: a chaplain, a Director of Campus Ministry, and a Ministry and Mission Director.)
Sources (2)
1. Catholic Life | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/catholic.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Lily Rozeski, Director of Campus Ministry”
  Campus ministry staff include Lily Rozeski as Director of Campus Ministry and Michael Van Hemert as Ministry and Mission Director.
2. Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Father Alex Kren Chaplain”
  Father Alex Kren is the chaplain.
Partly:
Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Campus ministry runs small groups for high school men and women, listed as one program.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Small groups for high school men and women are established by the campus ministry team”
  Campus ministry runs small groups for high school men and women.
Yes:
Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Every school begins the day in prayer, and the community prays the Angelus at noon at the McDonell and Notre Dame building.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Every school begins the day in prayer together and prays a meal prayer before lunch.”
  The school community prays at the start of each day and before lunch.

N/A

Service and Catholic social teaching

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

Not enough information:
Required service hoursNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Students and staff travel to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and help with the pro-life flag display.)
Sources (1)
1. Pro-Life | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/prolife.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “A group of students and staff travel to Washington D.C. for the March for Life”
  Students and staff travel to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and help with a pro-life flag display.
Yes:
Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Faith and Service page lists service trips aimed at serving life and the sick.)
Sources (1)
1. Faith & Service | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “service trips aimed at serving life and the sick”
  The school's faith and service program includes service trips.

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

Strengths

Students are required to attend school liturgies during the school day, and a school Mass is published each week.
Sources (2)
1. Parent-Student Handbook 2026-2027 (Notre Dame Middle School and McDonell Central Catholic High School)mcdonellareacatholicschools.org/editoruploads/files/NDMcD%20Handbook26_27(3).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “All students are required to attend all school assemblies and liturgies which occur during the school day.”
  Students are required to attend school liturgies during the school day.
2. School Mass Times | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/schoolmasstimes.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Wednesday School Mass 12:40-1:25 p.m.”
  A school Mass is held on Wednesdays for the middle school and high school.
Theology is a four-credit graduation requirement, and Apologetics I is required.
Sources (1)
1. Course Offerings and Graduation Requirements 2025-2026, McDonell Central Catholic High Schoolmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/editoruploads/files/25-26%20Coursebook%20(2).pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Theology 4.0 Credits Electives 5.0 Credits CREDITS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE 31 Credits”
  Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement.
  “Apologetics I (11)”
  Apologetics I is a required theology course, and Intro to Philosophy is a theology elective.
A named chaplain and two campus ministry leaders are listed, and retreats and a March for Life trip are published.
Sources (4)
1. Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Father Alex Kren Chaplain”
  Father Alex Kren is the chaplain.
2. Catholic Life | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/catholic.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Lily Rozeski, Director of Campus Ministry”
  Campus ministry staff include Lily Rozeski as Director of Campus Ministry and Michael Van Hemert as Ministry and Mission Director.
3. Retreats | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/retreats.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “McDonell High School students participate in one retreat each year.”
  High school students take part in one retreat each year.
4. Pro-Life | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/prolife.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “A group of students and staff travel to Washington D.C. for the March for Life”
  Students and staff travel to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and help with a pro-life flag display.

Concerns

No official page says Mass is offered every school day or that eucharistic adoration is offered at the school.
Sources (1)
1. School Mass Times | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/schoolmasstimes.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “McDonell Central Catholic High School Chapel Schedule Tuesday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel Thursday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel Friday: 2:50 p.m. Mass in Chapel”
  The school's chapel has Mass on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:50 p.m.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, McDonell Central Catholic High School

Address: 1316 Bel Air Blvd., Chippewa Falls, WI
Location: On campus
Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 5

March for Life tripOff campus
Students and staff travel to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org
Pro-life flag displayOn campus
Students help set up the pro-life flag display on the McDonell front lawn.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org
Student Ambassador Program
Service, leadership and hospitality program open to grades 7-12. Ambassadors have a minimum of six activities per school year.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org, mcdonellareacatholicschools.org, mcdonellareacatholicschools.org
Service trips
Service trips aimed at serving life and the sick, listed on the Faith and Service page.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org
Service Learning (senior elective)
Grade 12, one trimester
Seniors serve at a placement site for a trimester and reflect on their faith in relation to the work.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org

Clubs and groups 1

Campus ministry small groups for high school men and women
Weekly to monthly
Small groups set up by the campus ministry team on topics of interest and need.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.org

Retreats 1

High school retreat
Once each year
Annual retreat for high school students focused on spiritual growth.
mcdonellareacatholicschools.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

Campus Ministry

Sources (2)

Campus Ministry | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/faith-service/campus-ministry.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
“Every school begins the day in prayer together and prays a meal prayer before lunch.”
The school community prays at the start of each day and before lunch.
“Father Alex Kren Chaplain”
Father Alex Kren is the chaplain.
“Every school begins the day in prayer together and prays a meal prayer before lunch.”
The school community prays at the start of each day and before lunch.
McDonell Central Catholic High School | McDonell Area Catholic Schoolsmcdonellareacatholicschools.org/academics/high.cfm · verified Oct. 13, 2026
“1316 Bel Air Blvd. Chippewa Falls, WI 715.723.9126”
The school is at 1316 Bel Air Blvd. in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Reach out

Contact details for Father Alex Kren (Chaplain (school phone is the school office line)) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

79 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of score90%
Students per teacher 25% of score9.3 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

Type	Diocesan school
Diocese	Diocese of La Crosse, WI
Grades	9–12
Students (all grades)	198
Students in grades 9–12	198
Coed or single-sex	Coed
Student–teacher ratio	9.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges	90%
Setting	Suburb

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 La Crosse

The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Bishop of La Crosse

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

NCES school ID 01510291
1316 Bel Air Blvd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 723-0538
Report an error or a newer source
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Questions families ask

Is McDonell Central Catholic High School a Catholic high school?: Yes. McDonell Central Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of La Crosse.
Where is Mass celebrated at McDonell Central Catholic High School?: Mass is listed at McDonell Central Catholic High School chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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