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

Catholic high school

Messmer Catholic Schools

  • LocationMilwaukee, WI
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 1,180 students
Official website

Messmer High School is a Catholic high school in Milwaukee that describes faith as central to its mission, with daily prayer and weekly prayer services during the school day. Students take part in a monthly Mass, and each class attends an annual retreat. Four years of theology are required, and a campus ministry club coordinates a service project about once a month.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Messmer Catholic Schools, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Martin De Porres: 1.1 mi1Holy Family Parish: 1.6 mi2St. Robert Parish: 2.0 mi3St. Monica Ministry Center: 2.2 mi4Saint Francis of Assisi Church: 2.3 mi5Saint Francis of Assisi Parish: 2.4 mi6Campus Ministry, Messmer High School: 0.0 miMessmer Catholic Schools (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Martin De Porres — 1.1 mi
  2. Holy Family Parish — 1.6 mi · 4825 North Wildwood Avenue, Whitefish Bay
  3. St. Robert Parish — 2.0 mi · 4019 North Farwell Avenue, Shorewood
  4. St. Monica Ministry Center — 2.2 mi
  5. Saint Francis of Assisi Church — 2.3 mi
  6. Saint Francis of Assisi Parish — 2.4 mi · 1927 North Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee

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.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The faith page says students take part in monthly Mass.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students take part in monthly Mass and explore their faith more deeply through theology courses”
      Students take part in a monthly Mass.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are published. The named staff member is listed as Campus Minister.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students take part in monthly Mass and explore their faith more deeply through theology courses”
      Students take part in a monthly Mass.
    2. School Calendar | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/families/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Annual Retreats for All Students”
      The school calendar lists annual retreats for all students in October 2026.
    3. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “joined Campus Minister Michael Radakovich at All Saints Catholic Church”
      Michael Radakovich serves as Campus Minister.
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 (Theology is 4 credits. Each English course is one credit and is taken each year; four credits of theology is recorded as four years. The four required theology courses are Theology 1, Theology 2, Morality and Social Justice.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at Messmer | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/academics/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (4 credits and annual retreat participation)”
      Graduation requires 4 credits of theology and annual retreat participation.
      “Theology 1* | Theology 2* | Morality* | Social Justice*”
      Theology 1, Theology 2, Morality and Social Justice are required for graduation.
  • 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 (Morality is a required course, recorded as the ethics course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at Messmer | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/academics/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 1* | Theology 2* | Morality* | Social Justice*”
      Theology 1, Theology 2, Morality and Social Justice are required for graduation.
  • 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 mission statement says faith is integrated in every aspect of life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Mission | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/discover/mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We integrate faith in every aspect of our lives”
      The mission integrates faith across all of school life.
BCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The retreat page says each class has its own retreat, and the calendar lists annual retreats for all students.)
    Sources (2)
    1. All News | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/fs/pages/793 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “each class participates in a unique, age-appropriate retreat designed to guide them through their high school journey”
      Each class has its own age-appropriate retreat.
    2. School Calendar | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/families/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Annual Retreats for All Students”
      The school calendar lists annual retreats for all students in October 2026.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One staff member is listed on the campus ministry pages reviewed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “joined Campus Minister Michael Radakovich at All Saints Catholic Church”
      Michael Radakovich serves as Campus Minister.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is named: the Campus Ministry Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The service opportunity was organized through Messmer’s Campus Ministry Club, which coordinates a service project approximately once each month”
      The Campus Ministry Club coordinates a service project about once a month, including the All Saints Hot Meal Program.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The faith page says every day begins and ends with prayer, and weekly prayer services are held.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every day begins and ends with prayer, grounding our community in gratitude and reflection. Weekly prayer services featuring student and teacher-led reflections offer time to pause”
      Prayer begins and ends each school day, and weekly prayer services are held.
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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Social Justice is a required theology course, and the faith page says Catholic Social Teaching is woven through lessons.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Teachers weave faith and Catholic Social Teaching throughout their lessons”
      Teachers include Catholic Social Teaching in their lessons.
    2. Academics at Messmer | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/academics/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 1* | Theology 2* | Morality* | Social Justice*”
      Theology 1, Theology 2, Morality and Social Justice are required for graduation.
  • 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 Campus Ministry Club coordinates a monthly service project at a parish hot meal program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The service opportunity was organized through Messmer’s Campus Ministry Club, which coordinates a service project approximately once each month”
      The Campus Ministry Club coordinates a service project about once a month, including the All Saints Hot Meal Program.

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

Strengths

  • Four years of theology are required, and the required courses include Morality and Social Justice.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at Messmer | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/academics/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (4 credits and annual retreat participation)”
      Graduation requires 4 credits of theology and annual retreat participation.
      “Theology 1* | Theology 2* | Morality* | Social Justice*”
      Theology 1, Theology 2, Morality and Social Justice are required for graduation.
  • Each class attends an annual, age-appropriate retreat.
    Sources (2)
    1. All News | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/fs/pages/793 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “each class participates in a unique, age-appropriate retreat designed to guide them through their high school journey”
      Each class has its own age-appropriate retreat.
    2. School Calendar | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/families/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Annual Retreats for All Students”
      The school calendar lists annual retreats for all students in October 2026.
  • Students take part in a monthly Mass, and prayer begins and ends each school day.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students take part in monthly Mass and explore their faith more deeply through theology courses”
      Students take part in a monthly Mass.
      “Every day begins and ends with prayer, grounding our community in gratitude and reflection. Weekly prayer services featuring student and teacher-led reflections offer time to pause”
      Prayer begins and ends each school day, and weekly prayer services are held.
  • A campus ministry club coordinates a service project about once a month.
    Sources (1)
    1. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The service opportunity was organized through Messmer’s Campus Ministry Club, which coordinates a service project approximately once each month”
      The Campus Ministry Club coordinates a service project about once a month, including the All Saints Hot Meal Program.

Concerns

  • No service-hour requirement appears in the graduation requirements.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at Messmer | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/academics/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology (4 credits and annual retreat participation)”
      Graduation requires 4 credits of theology and annual retreat participation.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Messmer High School

  • Address: 742 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • Monthly service project at the All Saints Hot Meal ProgramOff campus
    Approximately once each month
    Students help prepare and package free meals at All Saints Catholic Church, which serves meals Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    messmerhigh.org
  • Senior Day of Service
    Annual
    Seniors serve the community during an annual day of service.
    messmerhigh.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Campus Ministry Club
    Service projects about once a month
    Student club that coordinates service projects; any Messmer student can sign up.
    messmerhigh.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekly prayer services
    Weekly
    Student and teacher-led reflections.
    messmerhigh.org
  • Gospel Choir
    Choir that performs at school liturgies, community events and special celebrations.
    messmerhigh.org

Retreats 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. Faith and Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/student-life/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Students take part in monthly Mass and explore their faith more deeply through theology courses”
    Students take part in a monthly Mass.
    “Students take part in monthly Mass and explore their faith more deeply through theology courses”
    Students take part in a monthly Mass.
  2. Putting Faith Into Action Through Service | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/p/~board/featured-news/post/putting-faith-into-action-through-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “joined Campus Minister Michael Radakovich at All Saints Catholic Church”
    Michael Radakovich serves as Campus Minister.
  3. Directory | Messmer High Schoolmessmerhigh.org/discover/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “742 W. Capitol Drive”
    The school is located at 742 W. Capitol Drive.

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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.
23 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.65%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.5 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Milwaukee, WI
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)1,180
Students in grades 9–12522
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges65%
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 Milwaukee

The Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Messmer Catholic Schools a Catholic high school?
Yes. Messmer Catholic Schools is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

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