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

Catholic high school

Pacelli Catholic Schools

  • LocationAustin, MN
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades PK–12 · 251 students
Official website

Pacelli High School in Austin, Minnesota, is part of Pacelli Catholic Schools. Its mission page describes a weekly all-school Mass, faith integrated into each academic subject, and a daily religion class for all students. The 2026-27 student handbook requires all students to attend weekly school Mass and to take religion classes for credit, and the high school program lists one religion course in each of grades 9 through 12.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Pacelli Catholic Schools, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miSaint Augustine Parish (parish home to Pacelli students): 0.1 miPacelli Catholic Schools (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

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 mission page lists a weekly all-school Mass, and the 2026-27 handbook requires all students to attend weekly school Mass. Its times are not recorded.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly all-school Mass with student leadership rotating between all classes.”
      The school holds a weekly all-school Mass, with student leadership rotating between classes.
    2. Pacelli Family-Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/28637/documents/2026/8/Pacelli%20Family-Student%20Handbook%202026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students, regardless of religious tradition, must attend weekly school masses.”
      The 2026-27 handbook requires all students to attend weekly school Mass.
  • 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 (The mission page lists school-wide opportunities for Reconciliation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “School-wide opportunities for Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school offers school-wide opportunities for Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration, with no frequency stated.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (The mission page lists school-wide opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “School-wide opportunities for Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school offers school-wide opportunities for Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration, with no frequency stated.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (A school Mass is confirmed. The staff page lists pastoral staff, including a pastoral associate, without a chaplain title.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly all-school Mass with student leadership rotating between all classes.”
      The school holds a weekly all-school Mass, with student leadership rotating between classes.
    2. Pacelli Family-Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/28637/documents/2026/8/Pacelli%20Family-Student%20Handbook%202026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students, regardless of religious tradition, must attend weekly school masses.”
      The 2026-27 handbook requires all students to attend weekly school Mass.
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 high school program lists one religion course in each of grades 9 to 12. The handbook says religion courses are required for graduation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/high-school · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “9th Religion- The Blessed Trinity”
      Grade 9 required courses include a religion course.
      “10th Religion- Understanding Scriptures”
      Grade 10 required courses include a religion course.
      “11th Religion- Catholic Moral Theology”
      Grade 11 required courses include a religion course.
      “12th Religion- History of the Church”
      Grade 12 required courses include a religion course.
  • 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.
  • 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 mission page states that faith is integrated into each academic subject.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith integrated into each academic subject along with daily religion class for all students.”
      Faith is integrated into each academic subject, with a daily religion class for all students.
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 must participate in retreats, which covers every grade.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Pacelli Family-Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/28637/documents/2026/8/Pacelli%20Family-Student%20Handbook%202026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “all students must participate in liturgies, retreats, other religious functions, and religion classes for credit”
      The 2026-27 handbook requires all students to take part in retreats and religion classes for credit.
    2. Clubs & Activities | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Historic Fort Snelling & St. Peter's Catholic Church Local Day Retreat”
      The school lists a Local Day Retreat for middle and high school students.
  • 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.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNone (The high school activities list has no faith-based student group. Students for Life is a pro-life club and is counted under HV3 only.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students for Life Teacher Assistant / Classroom Aid / Librarian”
      Students for Life is listed among the high school activities.
  • 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.
BService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

80 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 (The handbook refers to service requirements that students must complete.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Pacelli Family-Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/28637/documents/2026/8/Pacelli%20Family-Student%20Handbook%202026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “failure to complete the service requirements”
      The 2026-27 handbook refers to required service that students must complete.
  • 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 (Students for Life is listed among the high school activities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students for Life Teacher Assistant / Classroom Aid / Librarian”
      Students for Life is listed among the high school activities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school lists a Calvary Cemetery Service Project for grades 7 to 12 and a student-led Christmas Basket program for families in need.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Calvary Cemetery Service Project (Grades 7-12)”
      The school lists a Calvary Cemetery Service Project for grades 7 to 12.
    2. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Raising money, shopping for, and wrapping gifts for families in need through the Christmas Basket program which has been student led since 1977.”
      A student-led Christmas Basket program supports families in need.

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

Strengths

  • A weekly all-school Mass, and all students must attend it, according to the 2026-27 handbook.
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Weekly all-school Mass with student leadership rotating between all classes.”
      The school holds a weekly all-school Mass, with student leadership rotating between classes.
    2. Pacelli Family-Student Handbook 2026-2027files.ecatholic.com/28637/documents/2026/8/Pacelli%20Family-Student%20Handbook%202026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students, regardless of religious tradition, must attend weekly school masses.”
      The 2026-27 handbook requires all students to attend weekly school Mass.
  • Faith is integrated into each academic subject, along with a daily religion class for all students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Mission | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-mission · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Faith integrated into each academic subject along with daily religion class for all students.”
      Faith is integrated into each academic subject, with a daily religion class for all students.
  • The high school program lists one religion course in each of grades 9 to 12.
    Sources (1)
    1. High School | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/high-school · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “9th Religion- The Blessed Trinity”
      Grade 9 required courses include a religion course.
      “10th Religion- Understanding Scriptures”
      Grade 10 required courses include a religion course.
      “11th Religion- Catholic Moral Theology”
      Grade 11 required courses include a religion course.
      “12th Religion- History of the Church”
      Grade 12 required courses include a religion course.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Saint Augustine Parish (parish home to Pacelli students)

  • Address: 405 4th Street NW, Austin, MN 55912
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 2 off campus, 4 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Annual Faith Foundations Field TripOff campus
    Annual rotation, grades 7 to 12
    Annual faith field trip on a rotation of sites, listed for grades 7 to 12.
    pacellischools.org

Service 2

  • Calvary Cemetery Service ProjectOff campus
    Service project for grades 7 to 12 at Calvary Cemetery.
    pacellischools.org
  • Christmas Basket program
    Student-led program raising money and gathering gifts for families in need, running since 1977.
    pacellischools.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Students for Life
    Pro-life student group listed among the high school activities.
    pacellischools.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Retreats 1

  • Local Day Retreat
    Local day retreat listed for middle and high school students.
    pacellischools.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. Our Parish | Pacelli Catholic Schoolpacellischools.org/our-parish · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Parish Home to the students of Pacelli Catholic School”
    Saint Augustine Parish is the parish home to Pacelli students.
    “Address: 405 4th Street NW Austin MN 55912”
    Saint Augustine Parish is at 405 4th Street NW, Austin, MN 55912.
    “Parish Home to the students of Pacelli Catholic School”
    Saint Augustine Parish is the parish home to Pacelli students.
    “Address: 405 4th Street NW Austin MN 55912”
    Saint Augustine Parish is at 405 4th Street NW, Austin, MN 55912.

Reach out

Contact details for Pacelli Catholic Schools office (Office Manager and Enrollment Coordinator (school office)) and 2 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.
18 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.33%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.5 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 Winona-Rochester, MN
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)251
Students in grades 9–1256
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges33%
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 Winona-Rochester

The Most Reverend Robert Barron, Bishop of Winona-Rochester

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Pacelli Catholic Schools a Catholic high school?
Yes. Pacelli Catholic Schools is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
What is Pacelli Catholic Schools’s Compass Score?
67 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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