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Aerial view of Padua Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Padua Academy

  • LocationWilmington, DE
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 424 students

All-female

Official website

Padua Academy is a private all-girls Catholic college preparatory high school in Wilmington, Delaware, rooted in the Gospel and in the values of St. Francis de Sales and St. Francis of Assisi. Its Campus Ministry says prayer begins every class, gathering and activity; every student takes class retreats in all four years; and each class holds a special Mass each year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Padua Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church: 0.2 mi1Saint Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church: 0.8 mi2Cathedral of Saint Peter: 0.8 mi3Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church: 1.0 mi4Saint Joseph Catholic Church: 1.0 mi5Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church: 1.3 mi6Campus Ministry, Padua Academy: 0.0 miPadua Academy (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church — 0.2 mi · 901 North Dupont Street, Wilmington
  2. Saint Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 408 South Harrison Street, Wilmington
  3. Cathedral of Saint Peter — 0.8 mi · 500 North West Street at West 6th Street, Wilmington
  4. Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 1500 Cedar Street, Wilmington
  5. Saint Joseph Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 1012 North French Street, Wilmington
  6. Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church — 1.3 mi · 600 East 6th Street, Wilmington

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 (Four class Masses a year are listed (Freshman Convocation, White Lily Mass, Junior Ring Mass, Baccalaureate Mass), one for each class. A few times a year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each class at Padua, along with their families, participates in a special Mass each year.”
      Each class holds a special Mass each year, so the whole school has class Masses during the 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 (School Masses are confirmed. The Campus Ministry director is listed as a staff member, not a priest. Recorded as parttime.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Opening Liturgy 2026 | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/news-detail?pk=1687222&fromId=248533 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Padua Academy community gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church to officially begin the new school year with our Opening Liturgy, led by Fr. Vincent Kumar, OSFS.”
      The school held an Opening Liturgy on 9/21/2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, led by a priest who is not named as chaplain.
    2. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Karen Duppel Director of Campus Ministry and Family Engagement Coordinator”
      Karen Duppel is listed as the only member of the Campus Ministry staff, as 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 (Class retreats are required for each student through all four years, which covers grades 9 to 12.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through her four years at Padua, each student will participate in class retreats to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and spirituality.”
      Every student takes part in class retreats during all four years, and overnight retreat programs are open to students who choose them.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (The Campus Ministry staff list shows one member: the director.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Karen Duppel Director of Campus Ministry and Family Engagement Coordinator”
      Karen Duppel is listed as the only member of the Campus Ministry staff, as director.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two faith-based student clubs are on the 2026-2027 activity list: Music Ministry and Paths to Peace Through Prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/clubs--activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Music Ministry”
      Music Ministry is on the 2026-2027 student activity list.
      “Paths to Peace Through Prayer”
      Paths to Peace Through Prayer is on the 2026-2027 student activity list.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Padua engages in prayer as a community every day. Prayer begins every class, gathering, and activity to instill an ongoing relationship with God.”
      Prayer is offered every school day and begins every class.
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 service page lists a minimum of 10 hours of community service among the requirements that apply each year ("each year's requirements"). Ten hours each year over four years is 40 hours. Reading the annual requirement this way is a judgment's wording, not a stated four-year total.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A minimum of 10 hours of community service”
      The service requirements include a minimum of 10 hours of community service.
      “All students are required to complete a minimum of five service events each year.”
      Students are required to meet the service requirements each year.
  • 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 (Students in Action is a student-led service program rooted in Catholic social teaching, with regular volunteer opportunities in the local community.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Padua’s Students in Action (SIA) program seeks to cultivate servant leadership while being rooted in the core elements of Catholic Social Teaching.”
      Students in Action is a service program rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.
      “As a member of SIA, students serve as leaders of regular volunteer opportunities in Padua's local community.”
      Students in Action leads regular volunteer opportunities in the local community.

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

Strengths

  • Prayer begins every class, gathering and activity, and the school prays together every day.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Padua engages in prayer as a community every day. Prayer begins every class, gathering, and activity to instill an ongoing relationship with God.”
      Prayer is offered every school day and begins every class.
  • Every student takes class retreats during all four years of high school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through her four years at Padua, each student will participate in class retreats to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and spirituality.”
      Every student takes part in class retreats during all four years, and overnight retreat programs are open to students who choose them.
  • Each class holds its own special Mass each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each class at Padua, along with their families, participates in a special Mass each year.”
      Each class holds a special Mass each year, so the whole school has class Masses during the school year.
  • Service is required each year, and the Students in Action program is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A minimum of 10 hours of community service”
      The service requirements include a minimum of 10 hours of community service.
      “Padua’s Students in Action (SIA) program seeks to cultivate servant leadership while being rooted in the core elements of Catholic Social Teaching.”
      Students in Action is a service program rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Padua Academy

  • Address: 905 North Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 6 location not published

Service 2

  • Students in ActionOff campus
    Student-led service program rooted in Catholic Social Teaching; members lead regular volunteer opportunities in the local community.
    paduaacademy.org, paduaacademy.org
  • Service retreat
    Part of the tiered service program that all students take part in.
    paduaacademy.org

Faith formation 1

  • Paths to Peace Through Prayer
    Student club on the 2026-2027 activity list.
    paduaacademy.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Music Ministry
    Student club on the 2026-2027 activity list. The opening liturgy article says Padua's Music Ministry led the community in song and prayer.
    paduaacademy.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Class Masses (Freshman Convocation, White Lily Mass, Junior Ring Mass, Baccalaureate Mass)
    Once a year for each class
    A special Mass for each class each year, held with families. The Freshman Convocation Mass was held at St. Anthony of Padua Church.
    paduaacademy.org, paduaacademy.org

Retreats 2

  • Class retreats
    Each of the four years
    Class retreats that every student takes part in during her four years at Padua.
    paduaacademy.org
  • Overnight retreat programs
    Optional overnight retreat programs for students who choose to invest in their own faith.
    paduaacademy.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. Campus Ministry | Padua Academypaduaacademy.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Each class at Padua, along with their families, participates in a special Mass each year.”
    Each class holds a special Mass each year, so the whole school has class Masses during the school year.
    “Karen Duppel Director of Campus Ministry and Family Engagement Coordinator”
    Karen Duppel is listed as the only member of the Campus Ministry staff, as director.
    “905 North Broom Street Wilmington, DE 19806”
    The school's published street address is 905 North Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806.

Reach out

Contact details for Karen Duppel (Director of Campus Ministry and Family Engagement Coordinator) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
93 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.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.2 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
DioceseCatholic Diocese of Wilmington, DE
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)424
Students in grades 9–12424
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio11.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
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

Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

The Most Reverend William E. Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Padua Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Padua Academy is a Catholic high school in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

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