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Northwest Catholic High School: Northwest Catholic High School, West Hartford CT
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

Northwest Catholic High School

  • LocationWest Hartford, CT
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 401 students
Official website

Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, Connecticut is a diverse, Catholic, co-ed college preparatory school and an educational ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford. It has a school chaplain and a Director of Formation & Ministry. The 2026-27 calendar lists school Masses on several dates, the religion department requires four years of religion, and the handbook requires 45 hours of service.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Northwest Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miConnor Chapel Of Our Lady: 1.6 mi1Saint Thomas the Apostle Church: 2.6 mi2Saint Justin-Saint Michael Parish: 2.9 mi3Faith & Services (Northwest Catholic High School): 0.0 miNorthwest Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Connor Chapel Of Our Lady — 1.6 mi · Asylum Avenue, West Hartford
  2. Saint Thomas the Apostle Church — 2.6 mi · 872 Farmington Avenue
  3. Saint Justin-Saint Michael Parish — 2.9 mi · 250 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford

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 (The 2026-27 calendar lists school Masses on eight dates: Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 10, Nov 17 (junior investiture), Dec 7, Jan 6, May 6 and May 23 (baccalaureate). Recorded as a few times a year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 School Calendar | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/copy-of-26-27-school-calendar.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sept 9 Mass of the Holy Spirit”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a school Mass of the Holy Spirit on September 9.
      “Nov 10 All Saints Day Mass”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a school All Saints Day Mass on November 10.
      “All other School Masses- Oct 7, Jan 6”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists other school Masses on October 7 and January 6.
      “Dec 7 Immaculate Conception Mass”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a school Immaculate Conception Mass on December 7.
      “May 6 Ascension Mass”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a school Ascension Mass on May 6.
      “Nov 17 Junior Investiture Mass”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a junior class Mass on November 17.
      “May 23 Baccalaureate Mass”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a baccalaureate Mass on May 23.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (The faith overview page names Fr. Daniel Hackenjos as School Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Services Overview | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/faith-services-overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Daniel Hackenjos School Chaplain”
      Fr. Daniel Hackenjos is named as the school chaplain.
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 (Four years: the handbook lists 4.0 credits of religion, and the religion department requires four years of religion, one course sequence for each grade from 9 to 12.)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Student Handbook | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/Academics/studenthandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion 4.0”
      The handbook's graduation table requires 4.0 credits of religion.
    2. Religion | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/academics/departments/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to take four years of religion.”
      Students are required to take four years of religion, in a sequence from 9th to 12th grade.
  • 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 (Recorded from the 11th-grade course Christian Morality and Conscience Formation, and from the HILL seminar on moral and ethical challenges.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Religion | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/academics/departments/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “11th Grade-Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ and Christian Morality and Conscience Formation”
      The 11th-grade religion sequence includes Christian Morality and Conscience Formation.
    2. HILL | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/hill · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the consideration of current problems and moral/ethical challenges”
      The HILL seminar considers current problems and moral and ethical challenges through the lens of faith.
  • 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 who we are page says faith and service grow out of the school's religious tradition and are reflected in its college preparatory program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Who We Are | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/about/who-we-are · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Faith and service at Northwest Catholic grow out of our religious tradition and is reflected in our rigorous, college preparatory program.”
      The school says faith and service grow out of its religious tradition and are reflected in its academic program.
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

86 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two ministry leaders are named on the faith overview page: Director of Formation & Ministry Elizabeth Farnham and School Chaplain Fr. Daniel Hackenjos.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Services Overview | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/faith-services-overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Daniel Hackenjos School Chaplain”
      Fr. Daniel Hackenjos is named as the school chaplain.
      “Elizabeth Farnham Director of Formation & Ministry”
      Elizabeth Farnham is the Director of Formation & Ministry.
  • 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 listed: Peer Ministry (Leadership Orientation, August 19, 2026).)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 School Calendar | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/copy-of-26-27-school-calendar.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Aug 19 Peer Ministry Leadership Orientation”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a Peer Ministry Leadership Orientation on August 19.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The who we are page says the daily morning prayer reminds students to respect and protect one another.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Who We Are | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/about/who-we-are · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our daily morning prayer reminds us to respect and protect one another.”
      The school holds a daily morning prayer.
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 (The handbook requires 45 hours of service over four years. The per-year figures listed add to 40 (sophomores 10, juniors 15, seniors 10, freshmen 5); the requirement is at least 40 hours either way.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student Handbook | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/Academics/studenthandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwest Catholic students are required to complete 45 hours of service to graduate”
      The handbook requires 45 hours of service to graduate.
      “Seniors will complete 10 hours of service.”
      The handbook lists 10 hours of service for seniors in the senior-year section.
  • 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 (Seniors can take the A Chance to Serve elective (five days of service in the Hartford area), the school partners with food and elder-care ministries, and a class day of service was held with Catholic Charities in October 2026.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Faith & Services Overview | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/faith-services-overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Seniors can apply for the elective "A Chance to Serve" and spend five days of intense service in the Hartford area.”
      Seniors can apply for the A Chance to Serve elective, which includes five days of service in the Hartford area.
    2. Service Opportunities | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/service-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “On an annual basis over 10.000 hours of community service are performed by Northwest Catholic students throughout central Connecticut.”
      Students perform over 10,000 hours of community service each year with partner ministries in central Connecticut.
    3. Northwest Catholic Class Experiences Day of Service with Catholic Charities | Archdiocese of Hartfordarchdioceseofhartford.org/northwest-catholic-class-experiences-day-of-service-with-catholic-charities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwest Catholic Class Experiences Day of Service with Catholic Charities”
      A class day of service with Catholic Charities was posted by the archdiocese on October 5, 2026.

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

Strengths

  • The school names a school chaplain and a Director of Formation & Ministry.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Services Overview | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/faith-services-overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Daniel Hackenjos School Chaplain”
      Fr. Daniel Hackenjos is named as the school chaplain.
      “Elizabeth Farnham Director of Formation & Ministry”
      Elizabeth Farnham is the Director of Formation & Ministry.
  • Religion is required for all four years, and the handbook requires 4.0 credits of religion for graduation.
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Student Handbook | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/Academics/studenthandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion 4.0”
      The handbook's graduation table requires 4.0 credits of religion.
    2. Religion | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/academics/departments/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to take four years of religion.”
      Students are required to take four years of religion, in a sequence from 9th to 12th grade.
  • Service is required, and the school lists a partnership-based service program with over 10,000 hours of student service each year.
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Student Handbook | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/Academics/studenthandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Northwest Catholic students are required to complete 45 hours of service to graduate”
      The handbook requires 45 hours of service to graduate.
    2. Service Opportunities | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/service-opportunities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “On an annual basis over 10.000 hours of community service are performed by Northwest Catholic students throughout central Connecticut.”
      Students perform over 10,000 hours of community service each year with partner ministries in central Connecticut.
  • A daily morning prayer is part of the school day, and the 2026-27 calendar lists school Masses on several dates.
    Sources (2)
    1. Who We Are | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/about/who-we-are · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our daily morning prayer reminds us to respect and protect one another.”
      The school holds a daily morning prayer.
    2. 2026-2027 School Calendar | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/uploads/files/copy-of-26-27-school-calendar.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sept 9 Mass of the Holy Spirit”
      The 2026-27 calendar lists a school Mass of the Holy Spirit on September 9.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Faith & Services (Northwest Catholic High School)

  • Address: 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Faith formation 1

  • HILL (Honors Institute for Leadership in Life)
    A seminar course on Christian leadership that considers moral and ethical challenges, and includes a second-semester study of ecumenism. Students are selected through an application and interview.
    northwestcatholic.org, northwestcatholic.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Peer Ministry
    Leadership orientation on August 19, 2026
    A peer ministry program for students, with a leadership orientation at the start of the school year.
    northwestcatholic.org

Service 3

  • A Chance to Serve (ACTS)
    Senior year (elective; five days of service)
    An elective in which seniors spend five days of intense service in the Hartford area, taught as an honors religion course.
    northwestcatholic.org
  • Community service partners
    Service with partners that include Hands On Hartford's Manna Meals, St. Joseph's Cathedral Food Pantry and Little Sisters of the Poor (elderly care, Enfield).
    northwestcatholic.org
  • Class Day of Service with Catholic Charities
    October 2026
    A class experience day of service with Catholic Charities, announced by the Archdiocese of Hartford.
    archdioceseofhartford.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 (1)
  1. Faith & Services Overview | Northwest Catholic High Schoolnorthwestcatholic.org/faith-services/faith-services-overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Daniel Hackenjos School Chaplain”
    Fr. Daniel Hackenjos is named as the school chaplain.
    “Elizabeth Farnham Director of Formation & Ministry”
    Elizabeth Farnham is the Director of Formation & Ministry.
    “Fr. Daniel Hackenjos School Chaplain”
    Fr. Daniel Hackenjos is named as the school chaplain.
    “Elizabeth Farnham Director of Formation & Ministry”
    Elizabeth Farnham is the Director of Formation & Ministry.
    “29 Wampanoag Drive West Hartford, CT 06117”
    The school's address is 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: 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.
90 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.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.1 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
DioceseArchdiocese of Hartford, CT
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)401
Students in grades 9–12401
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
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 Hartford

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Northwest Catholic High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Northwest Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

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