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Aerial view of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School

  • LocationWaterford, MI
  • Type and sizeParish school · Grades PK–12 · 365 students
Official website

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School in Waterford has a high school, served by the parish of Our Lady of the Lakes on the same campus, in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Its 2026-27 high school handbook says worship is offered through daily prayer and weekly Mass, and that all students are required to take part in an annual retreat. Four credits of religion are required, and high school students complete Christian Service Experiences at each grade level.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miOur Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Our Lady of the Lakes campus ministry and Religious Studies department: 0.1 miOur Lady of the Lakes Catholic School (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church — 0.1 mi

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.

BSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

71 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The 2026-27 high school handbook says Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly. The handbook also treats Mass as class time for attendance.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Worship opportunities are offered through daily prayer. Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.”
      Worship is offered through daily prayer, and Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.
  • 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 (Private confession is listed on the faith page. The faith page's layout does not make clear how often it is held.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Adoration is listed on the faith page. The faith page's layout does not make clear how often it is held.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are offered on campus.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Worship opportunities are offered through daily prayer. Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.”
      Worship is offered through daily prayer, and Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.
    2. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
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 (The handbook lists 4.0 credits of religion for graduation. Theology courses are 1.0 credit full-year courses, and grade 9 and 10 theology is required, with senior electives. Computed as four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religion 4.0”
      Religion is 4.0 credits required for graduation.
    2. 2026-27 High School Course Flowcharts and Descriptionsdocs.google.com/document/d/1jpGacVDKYhPoSJOfDuxioi8WdVOk6hIvqU9_zmxW3yw/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “1.0 Credits Prerequisite: Grade 9 & 10 Theology”
      Theology courses are 1.0 credit full-year courses, and grade 9 and 10 theology is the prerequisite for senior theology electives.
  • 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 Morality course (1.0 credit, grade 9 and 10 theology prerequisite) teaches the moral concepts and precepts that govern the lives of Christ's disciples. Counted as an ethics course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 High School Course Flowcharts and Descriptionsdocs.google.com/document/d/1jpGacVDKYhPoSJOfDuxioi8WdVOk6hIvqU9_zmxW3yw/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Life in Jesus Christ helps students understand that it is only through Christ that they can fully live out God’s plans for their lives. Students are to learn the moral concepts and precepts that govern the lives of Christ’s disciples.”
      The Morality course teaches the moral concepts and precepts that guide the lives of disciples.
  • 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 handbook says all curriculum, activities, advocacy and training must align with the teachings of the Catholic Church.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholic school leaders, staff, and community members must ensure that all curriculum, activities, advocacy, and training align with the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
      The handbook requires all curriculum and activities to align with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The handbook says all students are required to take part in an annual retreat. The faith page lists K-12 retreats.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each year, our K–12 students participate in age-appropriate retreats designed to strengthen their faith”
      Students in grades K through 12 take part in age-appropriate retreats each year.
    2. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in an annual retreat experience.”
      All high school students are required to take part in an annual retreat.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The campus life page says faith is integrated daily through daily prayer, weekly Mass, grade-level retreats and the sacraments.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Life | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/campus-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Through daily prayer, weekly Mass, grade-level retreats, and opportunities to receive and celebrate the sacraments”
      Daily prayer is part of the school's faith life for students, along with weekly Mass and retreats.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

85 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Christian Service Experiences are required at each grade level; the school does not count the hours. required service not counted in hours is recorded as some.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students are required to complete Christian Service Experiences at each grade level.”
      Christian Service Experiences are required at each grade level.
    2. Our Lady of the Lakes: Faith and Future | Our Lady of the Lakes Schoolollcatholicschool.org/highschool · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We will not count how long these events last, but rather present opportunities each year for our students to participate in meaningful acts of service.”
      The school does not count service hours; it offers service experiences each year instead.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The course descriptions say the Living as a Disciple course teaches the social teaching of the Church. It is a senior theology elective that the school has traditionally offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 High School Course Flowcharts and Descriptionsdocs.google.com/document/d/1jpGacVDKYhPoSJOfDuxioi8WdVOk6hIvqU9_zmxW3yw/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “In Living as a Disciple, students will learn about the social teaching and the mission of the Church.”
      The Living as a Disciple course teaches the Church's social teaching.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The faith page lists the Michigan March for Life and the D.C. March for Life for high school students, and Life Remodeled for high school students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school's own service programs include food and clothing drives, charitable collections, and community outreach and service projects.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
      “School & Parish coordinated food drives & charities”
      The school and parish coordinate food drives and charities for students to take part in.

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

Strengths

  • Religion is required for four credits, with theology courses in each high school year.
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Religion 4.0”
      Religion is 4.0 credits required for graduation.
    2. 2026-27 High School Course Flowcharts and Descriptionsdocs.google.com/document/d/1jpGacVDKYhPoSJOfDuxioi8WdVOk6hIvqU9_zmxW3yw/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “1.0 Credits Prerequisite: Grade 9 & 10 Theology”
      Theology courses are 1.0 credit full-year courses, and grade 9 and 10 theology is the prerequisite for senior theology electives.
  • The school lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students, and a required annual retreat for all students.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michigan March for Life & D.C. March for Life (High School) Life Remodeled (High School)”
      The school's faith page lists March for Life and Life Remodeled programs for high school students.
    2. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in an annual retreat experience.”
      All high school students are required to take part in an annual retreat.
  • Worship is offered through daily prayer and weekly Mass, and Christian Service Experiences are required at each grade level.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Worship opportunities are offered through daily prayer. Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.”
      Worship is offered through daily prayer, and Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.
      “Students are required to complete Christian Service Experiences at each grade level.”
      Christian Service Experiences are required at each grade level.

Concerns

  • Masses are offered on campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly Masses Adoration Private Confessions”
      The school's faith page lists weekly Masses, adoration and private confessions among the sacramental opportunities on campus.
  • The school does not count service hours.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Lakes: Faith and Future | Our Lady of the Lakes Schoolollcatholicschool.org/highschool · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “We will not count how long these events last, but rather present opportunities each year for our students to participate in meaningful acts of service.”
      The school does not count service hours; it offers service experiences each year instead.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Our Lady of the Lakes campus ministry and Religious Studies department

  • Address: 5495 Dixie Hwy., Waterford, MI 48329
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: ollcatholicschool.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, files.ecatholic.com, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 4 location not published

Other 2

  • March for Life tripsOff campus
    Michigan March for Life and D.C. March for Life, listed for high school students.
    ollcatholicschool.org
  • Life Remodeled
    A pro-life program listed for high school students on the school's faith page.
    ollcatholicschool.org

Service 3

  • Senior Capstone projectOff campus
    Seniors research a need in the community and carry out a service project off campus.
    files.ecatholic.com
  • Christian Service Experiences
    Each grade level
    Service experiences required at each grade level as a graduation requirement. Hours are not counted.
    files.ecatholic.com, ollcatholicschool.org
  • Food and clothing drives
    School and parish food drives, clothing drives and charitable collections.
    ollcatholicschool.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Liturgical ministries (Eucharistic minister, lector, altar server)On campus
    Students who complete training may serve as Eucharistic ministers; all students are invited to serve as lectors and altar servers.
    files.ecatholic.com

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 (2)
  1. Faith in Action | Our Lady of the Lakes School | Waterford, MIollcatholicschool.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Weekly Masses Adoration Private Confessions”
    The school's faith page lists weekly Masses, adoration and private confessions among the sacramental opportunities on campus.
    “Weekly Masses Adoration Private Confessions”
    The school's faith page lists weekly Masses, adoration and private confessions among the sacramental opportunities on campus.
  2. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/35776/documents/2026/9/HS%20Handbook%202026_2027.pdf?t=1789729163000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Worship opportunities are offered through daily prayer. Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.”
    Worship is offered through daily prayer, and Mass and other liturgical celebrations are offered weekly.
    “Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic High School 5495 Dixie Hwy. Waterford, MI 48329”
    The school is at 5495 Dixie Hwy., Waterford, MI 48329.

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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.
80 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.8.8 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

TypeParish school
DioceseArchdiocese of Detroit, MI
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)365
Students in grades 9–1282
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio8.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
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

Archdiocese of Detroit

The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of Detroit

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
What is Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School’s Compass Score?
84 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School Compass Recommended?
Yes. Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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