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

Catholic high school

Nativity BVM High School

  • LocationPottsville, PA
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 199 students
Official website

Nativity BVM High School is a coeducational Catholic diocesan high school in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, serving the Diocese of Allentown. Its chaplain, Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin, leads campus ministry, which the school describes as covering liturgy, retreats and community service. Students have daily prayer, periodic Masses, opportunities for Reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration led by the chaplain, a required retreat each school year, and four credits of theology for graduation.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Nativity BVM High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miMary Queen of Peace Catholic Chapel: 0.4 mi1Saint Patrick Catholic Church: 0.6 mi2Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church: 0.9 mi3Saint Francis de Sales Church: 1.2 mi4Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church: 1.9 mi5Saint Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church: 2.1 mi6Campus Ministry, Nativity BVM High School: 0.1 miNativity BVM High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Chapel — 0.4 mi · 730 North Centre Street, Pottsville
  2. Saint Patrick Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville
  3. Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 913 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville
  4. Saint Francis de Sales Church — 1.2 mi
  5. Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church — 1.9 mi · 131 South Morris Street, St. Clair
  6. Saint Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church — 2.1 mi · 250 East Hancock Street, Saint Clair

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.

CSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

59 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 (The school names periodic Masses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We remain rooted in God’s presence and our Catholic identity through daily prayer, periodic Masses, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and other devotions”
      The school offers daily prayer, periodic Masses and opportunities for Reconciliation.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are named.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We remain rooted in God’s presence and our Catholic identity through daily prayer, periodic Masses, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and other devotions”
      The school offers daily prayer, periodic Masses and opportunities for Reconciliation.
      “My role at Nativity includes celebrating Mass, providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, leading our school community in Eucharistic Adoration and other forms of prayer”
      The chaplain celebrates Mass, provides Reconciliation and leads Eucharistic adoration for the school community.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (The chaplain's message says he leads the school community in Eucharistic Adoration.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High School (Chaplain's Message)nativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “My role at Nativity includes celebrating Mass, providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, leading our school community in Eucharistic Adoration and other forms of prayer”
      The chaplain celebrates Mass, provides Reconciliation and leads Eucharistic adoration for the school community.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (The school names a priest, Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin, as its chaplain. He is also pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Pottsville.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Reverend Kevin J. Bobbin, Chaplain”
      Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin is the school chaplain.
      “My role at Nativity includes celebrating Mass, providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, leading our school community in Eucharistic Adoration and other forms of prayer”
      The chaplain celebrates Mass, provides Reconciliation and leads Eucharistic adoration for the school community.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The 2025-26 course booklet requires 4 credits of theology for graduation, with theology listed as a required course for every grade. Each theology course is 0.5 credit; one theology course per grade over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Descriptions 2025-2026 (Requirements for Graduation)nativitybvm.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/COURSE-booklet-25-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Twenty-seven and one-quarter credits (27.25) are required for Graduation: 4 credits in Theology”
      Graduation requires 4 credits of theology.
      “Required Courses for all Freshmen Theology”
      Theology is a required course for freshmen.
      “Required Courses for all Seniors Theology English Physical Education”
      Theology is a required course for seniors.
  • 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 course booklet lists Advanced Apologetics (grade 12) and Christian Morality (grade 11) as theology electives.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Descriptions 2025-2026 (Elective Courses for Juniors and Seniors)nativitybvm.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/COURSE-booklet-25-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Advanced Apologetics”
      Advanced Apologetics is offered to seniors as an elective.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
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 (All students must take at least one retreat each school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in at least one retreat each school year.”
      Every student must attend at least one retreat each school year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One named ministry leader, the chaplain. The page also names theology teachers and an Evangelization Team without listing their staff roles.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Campus Ministry is under the leadership of the Chaplain, Theology teachers, and Evangelization Team, which is made up of students, faculty, and administrators.”
      Campus ministry is led by the chaplain, theology teachers and an Evangelization Team.
      “Reverend Kevin J. Bobbin, Chaplain”
      Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin is the school chaplain.
  • 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 school names daily prayer as part of its Catholic identity.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We remain rooted in God’s presence and our Catholic identity through daily prayer, periodic Masses, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and other devotions”
      The school offers daily prayer, periodic Masses and opportunities for Reconciliation.
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 (Required service is 10 hours for freshmen, 20 for sophomores, 30 for juniors and 40 for seniors; at least 40 hours by senior year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “School policy requires that Freshmen provide a minimum of 10 hours of Community Service; Sophomores: 20 hours; Juniors: 30 hours; and Seniors: 40 hours.”
      Required community service is 10, 20, 30 and 40 hours by grade.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Every student must attend at least one retreat each school year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in at least one retreat each school year.”
      Every student must attend at least one retreat each school year.
  • A priest, Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin, serves as the school chaplain and celebrates Mass for the school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Reverend Kevin J. Bobbin, Chaplain”
      Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin is the school chaplain.
      “My role at Nativity includes celebrating Mass, providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, leading our school community in Eucharistic Adoration and other forms of prayer”
      The chaplain celebrates Mass, provides Reconciliation and leads Eucharistic adoration for the school community.
  • Required service totals at least 40 hours by senior year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “School policy requires that Freshmen provide a minimum of 10 hours of Community Service; Sophomores: 20 hours; Juniors: 30 hours; and Seniors: 40 hours.”
      Required community service is 10, 20, 30 and 40 hours by grade.
  • Four credits of theology are required for graduation, with theology taken in every grade.
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Descriptions 2025-2026 (Requirements for Graduation)nativitybvm.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/COURSE-booklet-25-26.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Twenty-seven and one-quarter credits (27.25) are required for Graduation: 4 credits in Theology”
      Graduation requires 4 credits of theology.
      “Required Courses for all Freshmen Theology”
      Theology is a required course for freshmen.
      “Required Courses for all Seniors Theology English Physical Education”
      Theology is a required course for seniors.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Nativity BVM High School

  • Address: One Lawtons Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901
  • Distance from campus: 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Faith formation 1

  • Eucharistic adoration led by the chaplain
    The chaplain leads the school community in Eucharistic Adoration and other forms of prayer.
    nativitybvm.net

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • School Masses
    Periodic school Masses; students may serve as altar servers, readers or gift bearers, and may sing in the choir.
    nativitybvm.net
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation opportunities
    Opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
    nativitybvm.net

Retreats 1

  • Campus ministry retreats
    At least one each school year, required for all students
    Retreats are opportunities to focus on one's relationship with God; details are given as each retreat arises.
    nativitybvm.net

Service 1

  • Community service requirement
    Required service by grade: 10 hours for freshmen, 20 for sophomores, 30 for juniors and 40 for seniors.
    nativitybvm.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 (1)
  1. Faith - Nativity BVM High Schoolnativitybvm.net/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Campus Ministry is under the leadership of the Chaplain, Theology teachers, and Evangelization Team, which is made up of students, faculty, and administrators.”
    Campus ministry is led by the chaplain, theology teachers and an Evangelization Team.
    “Nativity BVM High School • One Lawtons Hill • Pottsville, PA 17901 • 570.622.8110”
    The school is at One Lawtons Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901.
    “Jesus Christ is present Sacramentally in the beautiful Chapel”
    The school has a chapel where Christ is present in the Sacrament.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin (Chaplain (reach through the school's main line)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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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.
81 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.5.9 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 Allentown, PA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)199
Students in grades 9–12199
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio5.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
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 Allentown

The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Nativity BVM High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Nativity BVM High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Allentown.

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