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Aerial view of Pope John XXIII High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Pope John XXIII High School

  • LocationSparta, NJ
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 8–12 · 711 students
Official website

Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta Township, New Jersey, publishes an optional daily Mass in the school chapel on school days, Masses once or twice a month for the whole school, weekly confession and adoration, and a day-long retreat for each class during the school year. Theology is required for each year of enrollment, and Christian service is required before graduation.

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

80 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 (All-school Mass once or twice a month, and attendance is required; recorded at monthly, the nearest option.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Once or twice a month students, faculty, and staff gather as one community to celebrate mass.”
      Students, faculty and staff gather for Mass once or twice a month.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (An optional Mass is held on school days in the school chapel during advisory.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “An optional daily Mass is held during first advisory on A-days and second advisory on B-days in the school chapel.”
      An optional daily Mass is held on school days in the school chapel during advisory.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Confession is available weekly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In addition to daily mass, weekly confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are available.”
      Confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are available weekly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is available weekly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In addition to daily mass, weekly confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are available.”
      Confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are available weekly.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Fr. Calabro is named on the campus ministry page and as advisor to faith-based clubs; no page names him as chaplain.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Overview | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Calabro is available for pastoral guidance.”
      Fr. Calabro is the priest listed for pastoral guidance under Campus Ministry Staff.
    2. Clubs & Activities Booklet 2025-26 | Pope John XXIIIresources.finalsite.net/images/v1777666371/popejohnorg/popejohnorg/w5m9lhptkhtd3svcf9cf/PJHS_Activities_Booklet_25-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. John Calabro frcalabro@popejohn.org”
      Fr. John Calabro is listed as advisor for several faith-based clubs and the Search retreat.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Theology is required for one credit year for each year of enrollment; the course list runs Theology I to IV.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology: One (1) credit year for each year of enrollment”
      Theology is required for one credit year for each year of enrollment.
      “THE 110 Theology I”
      The course list includes THE 110 Theology I for ninth grade.
      “THE 410 Theology IV”
      The course list includes THE 410 Theology IV for twelfth 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.
  • 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

87 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each class goes on a day-long retreat during the school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each individual class goes on a day-long retreat during the school year”
      Each class goes on a day-long retreat during the school year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One priest is named under Campus Ministry Staff.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Overview | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Calabro is available for pastoral guidance.”
      Fr. Calabro is the priest listed for pastoral guidance under Campus Ministry Staff.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (The Holy Rosary Club, Catholic Athletes for Christ and the FIERCE Athlete Club are listed in the 2025-26 booklet.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities Booklet 2025-26 | Pope John XXIIIresources.finalsite.net/images/v1777666371/popejohnorg/popejohnorg/w5m9lhptkhtd3svcf9cf/PJHS_Activities_Booklet_25-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “praying the Rosary and spreading the Gospel message of her love”
      The Holy Rosary Club prays the Rosary and does works of charity.
      “Catholic Athletes for Christ is a national organization whose mission is to serve Catholic athletes and share the Gospel of Christ in and through athletics.”
      Catholic Athletes for Christ is a student club that shares the Gospel through athletics.
      “Based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, we aim to radically influence the culture of female athletics”
      The FIERCE Athlete Club is a Catholic-based club for female athletes.
  • 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.
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.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Christian service hours are required before graduation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Service | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/christian-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “students are required to complete Christian Service hours prior to graduation”
      Christian Service hours are required before graduation; the hours are not stated on the page.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • An optional daily Mass is offered on school days in the school chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “An optional daily Mass is held during first advisory on A-days and second advisory on B-days in the school chapel.”
      An optional daily Mass is held on school days in the school chapel during advisory.
  • Each class goes on a day-long retreat every school year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each individual class goes on a day-long retreat during the school year”
      Each class goes on a day-long retreat during the school year.
  • Theology is required for each year of enrollment, through Theology IV.
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology: One (1) credit year for each year of enrollment”
      Theology is required for one credit year for each year of enrollment.
      “THE 410 Theology IV”
      The course list includes THE 410 Theology IV for twelfth grade.

Concerns

  • The campus ministry staff listing names one priest and no other staff.
    Sources (1)
    1. Overview | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Calabro is available for pastoral guidance.”
      Fr. Calabro is the priest listed for pastoral guidance under Campus Ministry Staff.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Pope John XXIII Campus Ministry (school chapel)

  • Address: 28 Andover Road, Sparta Township, NJ 07871
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Retreats 3

  • Optional off-campus retreats (Mount 2000, diocesan youth conference, Search)Off campus
    Optional off-campus retreat experiences for students.
    popejohn.org
  • Class retreat
    During the school year
    Day-long retreat for each class.
    popejohn.org
  • SEARCH retreats
    Weekend retreats oriented to the SEARCH for Christian maturity.
    resources.finalsite.net

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Optional daily Mass in the school chapelOn campus
    First advisory on A-days; second advisory on B-days
    Optional Mass held on school days in the school chapel.
    popejohn.org
  • All-school Mass
    Once or twice a month
    Students, faculty and staff gather for Mass; attendance is required.
    popejohn.org
  • Weekly confession and adoration
    Weekly
    Confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are available weekly.
    popejohn.org

Clubs and groups 3

Service 1

  • Christian Service
    Christian Service hours are required before graduation.
    popejohn.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 (3)
  1. Overview | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/overview · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Calabro is available for pastoral guidance.”
    Fr. Calabro is the priest listed for pastoral guidance under Campus Ministry Staff.
  2. Liturgical Activities | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/religious-life/liturgical-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “An optional daily Mass is held during first advisory on A-days and second advisory on B-days in the school chapel.”
    An optional daily Mass is held on school days in the school chapel during advisory.
    “An optional daily Mass is held during first advisory on A-days and second advisory on B-days in the school chapel.”
    An optional daily Mass is held on school days in the school chapel during advisory.
  3. Contact Us | Pope John XXIII Regional High Schoolpopejohn.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “28 Andover Road Sparta Township, NJ 07871”
    The school's address is 28 Andover Road, Sparta Township, New Jersey 07871.

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Contact details for Fr. John Calabro (Priest listed under Campus Ministry Staff; advisor to faith-based clubs) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
51 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.80%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.5 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 Paterson, NJ
Grades8–12
Students (all grades)711
Students in grades 9–12591
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges80%
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 Paterson

The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of Paterson

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Pope John XXIII High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Pope John XXIII High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Paterson.

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