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

Catholic high school

Newman Central Catholic High School

  • LocationSterling, IL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 182 students
  • CatholicAbout 85% Catholic

Sponsor: Diocese of Rockford

Official website

Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling, Illinois is governed by the Diocese of Rockford. Its Liturgy and Worship page lists a weekly Mass in the school chapel, a monthly all-school Mass, Eucharistic adoration on Mondays and Thursdays, and Reconciliation on Monday lunch periods. The staff pages name a priest as spiritual director, and clubs include a pro-life group and a liturgical choir.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Wednesday12:00 PMSchool chapel · Listed on the Liturgy and Worship page as 12:00pm-12:30pm. The page says weekly Masses are in the school chapel.

Confession 1

  • Monday12:00 PMNot stated on the page · Offered during lunch periods; the page lists Monday 12:00pm-1:00pm.

Adoration 1

  • Monday12:00 PMNot stated on the page · Listed with Reconciliation on Mondays, 12:00pm-1:00pm.

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)
  1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Wednesday - Mass (12:00pm-12:30pm)”
    A Mass is listed on Wednesdays from 12:00pm to 12:30pm.
    “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Monday during lunch periods.”
    Reconciliation is offered on Monday lunch periods.
    “Monday - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation (12:00pm-1:00pm)”
    Eucharistic adoration and Reconciliation are listed on Mondays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Newman Central Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSacred Heart Catholic Church: 0.2 mi1Saint Marys Catholic Church: 1.3 mi2Saint Andrew Catholic Church: 2.4 mi3Newman Central Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 0.2 mi · 2224 Avenue J, Sterling
  2. Saint Marys Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  3. Saint Andrew Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 708 10th Avenue, Rock 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.

ASacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

88 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 yearMonthly (The page says the school celebrates a monthly all-school Mass and lists the months; most dates are still marked TBA.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Reconciliation is offered every Monday during lunch periods (listed 12:00pm-1:00pm).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Monday during lunch periods.”
      Reconciliation is offered on Monday lunch periods.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Eucharistic adoration is offered each Monday (12:00pm-1:00pm) and each Thursday (listed as all day).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
      “Monday - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation (12:00pm-1:00pm)”
      Eucharistic adoration and Reconciliation are listed on Mondays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed as the school's spiritual advisor (staff directory) and spiritual director (leadership page).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/staff-directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle Spiritual Advisor 815-625-1134”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed as Spiritual Advisor with a school phone number.
    2. Leadership | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle - Spiritual”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed on the leadership team as Spiritual Director.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Years of theology or religion requiredNot 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.
    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.
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

90 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 page says the school offers one class retreat each year for all students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “we offer a one class retreat each year for all students to experience spiritual renewal and peer connection.”
      The school offers a retreat each year for all students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One priest is listed in a ministry role (spiritual advisor or spiritual director). Theology teachers are not counted as ministry staff.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/staff-directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle Spiritual Advisor 815-625-1134”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed as Spiritual Advisor with a school phone number.
    2. Leadership | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle - Spiritual”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed on the leadership team as Spiritual Director.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two faith-based student groups are listed: the Liturgical Choir and Newman Students for Life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Separate from Choir Class, the Liturgical Choir sings at all masses and meets 20 minutes before Mass to practice.”
      The Liturgical Choir is a student club that sings at all Masses.
      “Newman Students for Life is a club that promotes pro-life principles in the Newman community and beyond through education, action, and prayer.”
      Newman Students for Life is a student club promoting pro-life principles through education, action and prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The page says the school begins and ends each day with prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Newman Students for Life takes part in the Illinois March for Life and the Life Chain, and raises money for pregnancy centers.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Newman Students for Life is a club that promotes pro-life principles in the Newman community and beyond through education, action, and prayer.”
      Newman Students for Life is a student club promoting pro-life principles through education, action and prayer.
      “we take part in events such as the Illinois March for Life, the Life Chain, and fundraising for pregnancy centers in our area.”
      Newman Students for Life takes part in the Illinois March for Life and the Life Chain and raises money for pregnancy centers.
      “Meetings are held the first club day of the month in the cafeteria.”
      Newman Students for Life meets on the first club day of each month in the cafeteria.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (BLIND states an aim to help tear down racism and bullying, and Key Club runs community drives and food pantry volunteering.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “create lasting friendships with other schools and help tear down racism, bullying, hatred, and other issues that plague our youth today”
      B.L.I.N.D. is a youth club whose aims include helping to tear down racism and bullying.
      “We serve the community with different events during the year, like: blood drive, coat drive, we volunteer in the food pantry”
      Key Club runs community service events, including drives and food pantry volunteering.

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

Strengths

  • A weekly Mass in the school chapel and a monthly all-school Mass are listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
      “Wednesday - Mass (12:00pm-12:30pm)”
      A Mass is listed on Wednesdays from 12:00pm to 12:30pm.
  • Eucharistic adoration is listed on Mondays and Thursdays, and Reconciliation is offered on Monday lunch periods.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
      The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
      “Monday - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation (12:00pm-1:00pm)”
      Eucharistic adoration and Reconciliation are listed on Mondays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
  • A priest is listed as the school's spiritual advisor or spiritual director.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/staff-directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle Spiritual Advisor 815-625-1134”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed as Spiritual Advisor with a school phone number.
    2. Leadership | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/leadership · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Thomas Doyle - Spiritual”
      Fr. Thomas Doyle is listed on the leadership team as Spiritual Director.
  • A pro-life student club takes part in the Illinois March for Life and the Life Chain.
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “we take part in events such as the Illinois March for Life, the Life Chain, and fundraising for pregnancy centers in our area.”
      Newman Students for Life takes part in the Illinois March for Life and the Life Chain and raises money for pregnancy centers.

Concerns

  • The published schedule shows one weekly Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Wednesday - Mass (12:00pm-12:30pm)”
      A Mass is listed on Wednesdays from 12:00pm to 12:30pm.
  • Confession is listed only on Monday lunch periods.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Monday during lunch periods.”
      Reconciliation is offered on Monday lunch periods.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

School chapel (Liturgy and Worship)

  • Address: West 23rd Street (St. Mary's Road), Sterling, IL
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 7 location not published

Clubs and groups 2

  • Newman Students for LifeOn campus
    First club day of the month
    Pro-life club that takes part in the Illinois March for Life and the Life Chain and raises money for pregnancy centers. Meets in the cafeteria.
    newmancchs.org, newmancchs.org, newmancchs.org
  • B.L.I.N.D. (Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die)
    Youth leadership group with students from several area public and Catholic schools; yearly summer and fall retreats.
    newmancchs.org

Faith formation 1

  • St. John Henry Newman House System
    Four houses with faith formation through prayer and reflection, mentoring, and leadership.
    newmancchs.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Liturgical Choir
    Meets 20 minutes before Mass
    Sings at all Masses and meets 20 minutes before Mass to practice.
    newmancchs.org
  • Eucharistic adoration and Reconciliation
    Mondays 12:00pm-1:00pm; Thursdays (all day)
    Adoration on Mondays and Thursdays. Reconciliation on Monday lunch periods.
    newmancchs.org, newmancchs.org
  • Monthly all-school Mass
    Monthly; dates listed on the Liturgy and Worship page
    All-school Masses in the school year, with some dates still marked TBA.
    newmancchs.org

Service 2

  • Illinois March for Life and Life Chain
    Pro-life events the Newman Students for Life club takes part in.
    newmancchs.org
  • Key Club
    Meets once a month at 2:00pm
    Community service club: blood drive, coat drive and food pantry volunteering.
    newmancchs.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

Sources (2)
  1. Liturgy and Worship | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/liturgyandworship · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
    The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
    “We begin and end each day with prayer, offer weekly Masses in our chapel, celebrate monthly all-school Mass, and offer Eucharistic adoration each Monday and Thursday.”
    The school begins and ends each day with prayer, offers weekly Masses in its chapel, celebrates a monthly all-school Mass, and offers adoration on Mondays and Thursdays.
  2. At a Glance | Newman Central Catholic High Schoolnewmancchs.org/about-us · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “the student body moved to the present facility on West 23rd Street”
    The school's present facility is on West 23rd Street in Sterling.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Thomas Doyle (Spiritual Advisor (listed as Spiritual Director on the leadership page)) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

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

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: 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.
66 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.89%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.4 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 Springfield in Illinois, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)182
Students in grades 9–12182
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio14.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges89%
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 Springfield in Illinois

The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

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

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Illinois · Illinois rankings