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

Catholic high school

Nazareth Prep High School

  • LocationEmsworth, PA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 104 students
Official website

Nazareth Prep is an independent Catholic high school in Pittsburgh, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, that welcomes students of all faiths. Its website says religion classes, masses and liturgical celebrations are part of the student experience, and 2025-26 news posts report Masses for Holy Week and the final day of school, celebrated by Father Philip Farrell. Religious studies is taken in every academic year, and the school describes its service work as grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Nazareth Prep High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSacred Heart Church: 0.1 mi1Archangel Gabriel Parish (St. Malachy Church): 2.1 mi2Saint Mary Church: 2.1 mi3Church of the Assumption: 2.4 mi4Nazareth Prep Chapel: 0.0 miNazareth Prep High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Sacred Heart Church — 0.1 mi
  2. Archangel Gabriel Parish (St. Malachy Church) — 2.1 mi · 343 Forest Grove Road, Coraopolis
  3. Saint Mary Church — 2.1 mi · 444 Glenfield Road, Sewickley
  4. Church of the Assumption — 2.4 mi · 42 North Sprague Avenue, Bellevue

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 yearA few times a year (Whole-school Masses are reported for Holy Week and the final day of school in 2025-26.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Happy Easter! | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/easter-service-2026 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Nazareth Prep students celebrated Holy Week with a mass presided over by Rev. Philip Farrell.”
      Students celebrated a Holy Week Mass presided over by Rev. Philip Farrell in 2026.
    2. Enduring Community and Cherished Traditions at Nazareth Prep | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/enduring-community-and-cherished-traditions-at-nazareth-prep · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On the final day of school, students, teachers, and staff gathered for the final Mass of the year, celebrated by Father Philip Farrell from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.”
      Students, teachers and staff gathered for the final Mass of the 2025-26 year.
    3. That's a Wrap on 2025-26! | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/thats-a-wrap-on-2025-26 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On Wednesday, students celebrated the last day of school at mass with Father Philip Farrell”
      Students celebrated Mass with Father Philip Farrell on the last day of the 2025-26 school year.
  • 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 (A priest, Father Philip Farrell, celebrates school Masses; no page names a chaplain.)
    Sources (3)
    1. That's a Wrap on 2025-26! | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/thats-a-wrap-on-2025-26 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On Wednesday, students celebrated the last day of school at mass with Father Philip Farrell”
      Students celebrated Mass with Father Philip Farrell on the last day of the 2025-26 school year.
    2. Happy Easter! | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/easter-service-2026 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Nazareth Prep students celebrated Holy Week with a mass presided over by Rev. Philip Farrell.”
      Students celebrated a Holy Week Mass presided over by Rev. Philip Farrell in 2026.
    3. Enduring Community and Cherished Traditions at Nazareth Prep | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/enduring-community-and-cherished-traditions-at-nazareth-prep · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On the final day of school, students, teachers, and staff gathered for the final Mass of the year, celebrated by Father Philip Farrell from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.”
      Students, teachers and staff gathered for the final Mass of the 2025-26 year.
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 (Religious studies is a core course every academic year for all students; it is counted in each of four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/curriculum · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each academic year, all students take core courses in the disciplines of science, math, humanities, and religious studies.”
      All students take religious studies as a core course in each academic year.
  • 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.
  • 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.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

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.
    RetreatsNot 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.
    Campus ministry staffNot 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.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot 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.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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.
  • 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 (School-wide service initiatives in 2025-26 include Project Linus blankets, a holiday blessing bag initiative and Love for Our Elders letters.)
    Sources (1)
    1. An Ethic of Service: Rooted in Tradition, Radiating through Nazareth Prep | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/an-ethic-of-service-at-nazareth-prep · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, students actively engage in service that fosters solidarity with those facing hardship.”
      The school describes its service work as grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and solidarity with people facing hardship.
      “In December, Nazareth Prep students continued their work with Love for Our Elders, a Cleveland-based nonprofit dedicated to combating social isolation among older adults across the nation.”
      Students wrote letters to older adults through Love for Our Elders in December 2025.
      “Students poured their creativity and care into crafting handmade blankets for children in need”
      Students made handmade blankets for children in need through Project Linus.
      “In November, a beloved tradition continued: the holiday blessing bag initiative.”
      Students took part in a holiday blessing bag initiative for local shelters.

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

Strengths

  • The school describes itself as a Catholic school where religion classes, masses and liturgical celebrations are part of the experience.
    Sources (1)
    1. Frequently Asked Questions | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/faq · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “No, students of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome at Nazareth Prep. However, families and students should understand that Nazareth Prep is a Catholic school, and religion classes, masses, and liturgical celebrations are part of the Nazareth Prep experience.”
      The school describes itself as a Catholic school where religion classes, masses and liturgical celebrations are part of the experience.
  • All students take religious studies as a core course in each academic year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/curriculum · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each academic year, all students take core courses in the disciplines of science, math, humanities, and religious studies.”
      All students take religious studies as a core course in each academic year.
  • Service initiatives are described as grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.
    Sources (1)
    1. An Ethic of Service: Rooted in Tradition, Radiating through Nazareth Prep | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/an-ethic-of-service-at-nazareth-prep · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, students actively engage in service that fosters solidarity with those facing hardship.”
      The school describes its service work as grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and solidarity with people facing hardship.

Concerns

  • The Masses reported are school events in Holy Week and at the end of the year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Enduring Community and Cherished Traditions at Nazareth Prep | Nazareth Prepnazarethprep.org/news/enduring-community-and-cherished-traditions-at-nazareth-prep · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “On the final day of school, students, teachers, and staff gathered for the final Mass of the year, celebrated by Father Philip Farrell from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.”
      Students, teachers and staff gathered for the final Mass of the 2025-26 year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Nazareth Prep Chapel

  • Address: 8235 Ohio River Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Holy Week and year-end school Masses
    Holy Week and the final day of school
    Masses for students, teachers and staff in 2025-26, celebrated by Father Philip Farrell.
    nazarethprep.org, nazarethprep.org

Service 3

  • Project Linus blanket service
    September
    Students craft handmade blankets for children in need in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
    nazarethprep.org
  • Holiday blessing bag initiative
    November
    Students fill blessing bags for local homeless shelters.
    nazarethprep.org
  • Love for Our Elders letters
    December
    Students write encouragement letters to isolated older adults through a Cleveland-based nonprofit.
    nazarethprep.org

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

Reach out

Contact details for Nazareth Prep main office (General office) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
30 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.70%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.9 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseDiocese of Pittsburgh, PA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)104
Students in grades 9–12104
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio14.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges70%
SettingSuburb

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 Pittsburgh

The Most Reverend Mark Eckman, Bishop of Pittsburgh

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Nazareth Prep High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Nazareth Prep High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

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