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

Catholic high school

Rhodora J Donahue Academy

  • LocationAve Maria, FL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades PK–12 · 395 students
Official website

Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, now called Ave Maria Catholic Academy on its own website, is a classical Catholic school in Ave Maria, Florida, that serves Grades 9 to 12 as part of a school for children from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school says all students take part in daily Mass, daily Confession is available, the Eucharistic chapel is open all day, and there is a monthly Holy Hour and Eucharistic adoration. Each high school grade has a theology course, and the Pro-Life Club is the largest student club.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Rhodora J Donahue Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 miAve Maria Catholic Church: 0.3 mi1Ave Maria Catholic Academy campus ministry and chapel: 0.1 miRhodora J Donahue Academy (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Ave Maria Catholic Church — 0.3 mi · 5068 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria

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.

ASacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

90 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 (All students take part in daily Mass, which is recorded at the top level (weekly).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All Donahue Academy students participate in daily Mass.”
      All students take part in daily Mass.
    2. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (The pages state that daily Mass is celebrated.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
    2. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All Donahue Academy students participate in daily Mass.”
      All students take part in daily Mass.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Daily Confession is offered, and a monthly Confession opportunity at school is listed in the curriculum guide.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Monthly Eucharistic adoration and a monthly Holy Hour with Benediction in the school chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
    2. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Once per month, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12”
      Once a month, students from kindergarten through grade 12 observe a Holy Hour with Benediction in the school chapel.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All Donahue Academy students participate in daily Mass.”
      All students take part in daily 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 (A theology course is listed for each of grades 9 to 12 in the curriculum guide, one full-year course per grade; four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Sacred Scripture”
      The Grade 9 curriculum includes a theology course on Sacred Scripture.
      “Theology: Christology/Ecclesiology/Sacraments”
      The Grade 10 curriculum includes a theology course on Christology, the Church and the Sacraments.
      “Theology: Moral Theology”
      The Grade 11 curriculum includes a Moral Theology course.
      “Theology: Spiritual Theology & Apologetics”
      The Grade 12 curriculum includes a theology course on Spiritual Theology and Apologetics.
  • 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 grade 12 theology course is titled Spiritual Theology and Apologetics, and the grade 11 course is Moral Theology.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Spiritual Theology & Apologetics”
      The Grade 12 curriculum includes a theology course on Spiritual Theology and Apologetics.
  • 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 school's Catholic identity page states that all instruction is faithful to Catholic teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholic schools form students for relationship with God and with others in love and in service. All instruction is faithful to Catholic teaching.”
      The school states that all instruction is faithful to Catholic teaching.
BCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The school says each trivium stage has a retreat twice a year; the Rhetoric stage covers grades 9 to 12.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each trivium stage enjoys a bi-annual retreat, and the whole school participates in the annual Our Lady of the Rosary procession.”
      Each trivium stage, including the high school Rhetoric stage, has a retreat twice a year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional ministry staff member is listed: the Campus Minister.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Directory | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Martin Doman, B.S. Campus Minister”
      Martin Doman is the school's Campus Minister.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The Pro-Life Club is the only faith-based student club named.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Pro-Life Club is the largest club in the school. It gathers more than 120 students at the Logic and Rhetoric stages and faculty who respect the dignity of life from conception to natural death. The goal is, with the help of Jesus, to take action against abortion through prayer vigils and to support all lives through acts of charity. Students also fundraise to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club, and students fundraise to attend the March for Life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Daily prayer over the public address system and daily Mass are part of each school day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with 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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot 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.
    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
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Pro-Life Club is the largest club in the school. It gathers more than 120 students at the Logic and Rhetoric stages and faculty who respect the dignity of life from conception to natural death. The goal is, with the help of Jesus, to take action against abortion through prayer vigils and to support all lives through acts of charity. Students also fundraise to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club, and students fundraise to attend the March for Life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Service trips and service projects include the Guadalupe Center soup kitchen in Immokalee, Florida.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Ave Maria Catholic Academy has developed, among others, a special relationship with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, FL. Each year brings recurring and new opportunities to serve”
      The school has a service relationship with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee and recurring service opportunities.

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

Strengths

  • All students take part in daily Mass, and daily prayer begins each school day.
    Sources (2)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All Donahue Academy students participate in daily Mass.”
      All students take part in daily Mass.
    2. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
  • A theology course is listed for each of grades 9 to 12, including a grade 12 course in Spiritual Theology and Apologetics.
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum Guide, Donahue Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DA-Curriculum-Guide-f.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Sacred Scripture”
      The Grade 9 curriculum includes a theology course on Sacred Scripture.
      “Theology: Spiritual Theology & Apologetics”
      The Grade 12 curriculum includes a theology course on Spiritual Theology and Apologetics.
  • The Pro-Life Club has more than 120 students, and students fundraise to attend the March for Life.
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The Pro-Life Club is the largest club in the school. It gathers more than 120 students at the Logic and Rhetoric stages and faculty who respect the dignity of life from conception to natural death. The goal is, with the help of Jesus, to take action against abortion through prayer vigils and to support all lives through acts of charity. Students also fundraise to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club, and students fundraise to attend the March for Life.

Concerns

  • Service is encouraged.
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Ave Maria Catholic Academy has developed, among others, a special relationship with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, FL. Each year brings recurring and new opportunities to serve”
      The school has a service relationship with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee and recurring service opportunities.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Ave Maria Catholic Academy campus ministry and chapel

  • Address: 4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, FL 34142
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • Guadalupe Center soup kitchen serviceOff campus
    Bi-weekly for Rhetoric Stage students
    Rhetoric Stage students serve lunch at the Guadalupe Social Services soup kitchen in nearby Immokalee.
    avemariacatholicacademy.org
  • Lourdes service pilgrimageOff campus
    Every other year, 10 days
    Rising freshmen through seniors may elect a 10-day pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, serving the sick.
    avemariacatholicacademy.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Monthly Holy Hour with BenedictionOn campus
    Once a month
    Students from kindergarten to grade 12 observe a Holy Hour with Benediction in the school chapel.
    avemariacatholicacademy.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Pro-Life Club
    The largest club in the school, with more than 120 students in the Logic and Rhetoric stages; it holds prayer vigils and fundraises to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
    avemariacatholicacademy.org

Retreats 1

  • Student retreats
    Two per year in each stage
    Each trivium stage has two retreats a year, arranged by the Campus Minister.
    avemariacatholicacademy.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. Catholic | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
    The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
    “Each morning at Ave Maria Catholic Academy starts with daily prayer over the PA system. We celebrate daily Mass and offer students the opportunity for daily Confession. Our Eucharistic chapel is open all day and students enjoy monthly Eucharistic Adoration.”
    The school says it celebrates daily Mass, offers daily Confession, has an open Eucharistic chapel and monthly Eucharistic adoration, and begins each day with prayer.
  2. Directory | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Martin Doman, B.S. Campus Minister”
    Martin Doman is the school's Campus Minister.
  3. Curriculum Guide | Ave Maria Catholic Academyavemariacatholicacademy.org/curriculum-guide · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, Fl. 34142”
    The school's address is 4955 Seton Way, Ave Maria, Florida 34142.

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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.
82 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.16.5 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 Venice in Florida, FL
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)395
Students in grades 9–12127
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio16.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingRural

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 Venice in Florida

The Most Reverend Emilio Biosca Agüero, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop of Venice in Florida

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Rhodora J Donahue Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Rhodora J Donahue Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Venice in Florida.
What is Rhodora J Donahue Academy’s Compass Score?
88 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Rhodora J Donahue Academy Compass Recommended?
Yes. Rhodora J Donahue Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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