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Aerial view of Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

  • LocationAtherton, CA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades PK–12 · 1,144 students
  • Catholic52% Catholic

Sponsor: Society of the Sacred Heart

Official website

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for preschool through grade 12, founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart. Its high school, Sacred Heart Preparatory (grades 9-12), holds all-school Masses at the start and end of the year, a Class Mass for each grade, and prayer at the first period each day, with student-led Espacio prayer gatherings. Religious studies is required in four semesters that include a Social Ethics course, and service learning is required for four years, including a 25-hour sophomore project and a 25-hour senior capstone.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Sacred Heart Schools Atherton, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church: 0.4 mi1Saint Anthonys Catholic Church: 1.4 mi2Saint Denis Catholic Church: 1.6 mi3Saint Pius Catholic Church: 1.9 mi4Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church: 2.2 mi5Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church: 2.8 mi6Faith and Service, Sacred Heart Schools Atherton: 0.1 miSacred Heart Schools Atherton (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church — 0.4 mi
  2. Saint Anthonys Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 3500 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park
  3. Saint Denis Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 2250
  4. Saint Pius Catholic Church — 1.9 mi
  5. Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church — 2.2 mi
  6. Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church — 2.8 mi · 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto

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 (All-school Masses at the start and end of the year, a Class Mass for each high school grade once a year, and special feast-day Eucharistic liturgies during the year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-School Masses - the entire SHS community comes together at the beginning of the school year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the academic year for the feast of our founder”
      All-school Masses are held at the start and end of the school year.
      “In the high school, each grade annually takes part in a”
      Each high school grade has an annual Class Mass.
      “Special Feast Days - Throughout the school year, a number of prayer services or Eucharistic liturgies are held”
      Eucharistic liturgies are held on special feast days 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 (All-school Masses are published.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-School Masses - the entire SHS community comes together at the beginning of the school year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the academic year for the feast of our founder”
      All-school Masses are held at the start and end of the school year.
CTheology and curriculum: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

67 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredTwo years (The SHP Requirements page lists four required religious studies semesters (freshman, sophomore, junior, and one senior semester), which is two full-year equivalents. The Preparatory overview says seven semesters. The pages conflict; the value both support (two) is recorded; see gaps.)
    Sources (2)
    1. SHP Requirements & Policies | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/preparatory-9-12/shp-requirements-and-policies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sacred Scriptures / Relationships & Morality (sophomore year)”
      Religious studies is required in the sophomore year.
      “One semester of Religious Studies Senior Elective (senior year)”
      Religious studies requires one senior semester elective.
      “Introduction to Religious Studies / Introduction to World Religions (freshman year)”
      Religious studies is required in the freshman year.
    2. SHP Academics | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/preparatory-9-12 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “complete a total of seven semesters of religious studies, which is taught from an inclusive, Christian framework”
      The Preparatory overview states seven semesters of religious studies.
  • 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 (Required junior course Social Ethics / Topics in Religious Studies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. SHP Requirements & Policies | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/preparatory-9-12/shp-requirements-and-policies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Social Ethics / Topics in Religious Studies (junior year)”
      A Social Ethics course is required in the junior year.
  • 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 Preparatory overview describes the curriculum as grounded in strong faith and as exploring the relationship between faith and reason.)
    Sources (1)
    1. SHP Academics | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/preparatory-9-12 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The SHP curriculum emphasizes serious study and social responsibility, grounded in strong faith”
      The high school curriculum is described as grounded in strong faith.
      “exploring the relationship between faith and reason, students develop an appreciation for the role of prayer and reflection in the intellectual life”
      The curriculum explores faith and reason.
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

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Grades 9 and 10 have one-day retreats, grade 11 is offered overnight retreats, and grade 12 may attend Kairos (optional).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In grades 9 and 10, students participate in one-day retreats that are designed to develop community and faith-sharing.”
      Grades 9 and 10 take one-day retreats.
      “Grade 11 students are offered the opportunity to participate in overnight retreats”
      Grade 11 students are offered overnight retreats.
      “Seniors have the opportunity to attend the popular Kairos, an optional activity”
      Seniors may attend the optional Kairos 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (The high school clubs list includes Campus Ministry and Sacred Heart Society under Spiritual.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Clubs | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Campus Ministry Sacred Heart Society”
      Campus Ministry and Sacred Heart Society are listed as high school spiritual clubs.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Students and faculty share prayer in grades 9-12 during the first period of each day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In grades 9-12, students and faculty share prayers from Catholic and other faith traditions during the first period of each academic day.”
      High school students and faculty pray together at the start of each day.
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

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Stated minimums of 25 hours in the sophomore year and 25 hours in the senior capstone total 50 hours, plus the four-year Service Learning Sequence.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “for 25 hours of direct service”
      The sophomore Service Project requires 25 hours of direct service.
      “with a minimum commitment of 25 hours”
      The senior Capstone Project requires a minimum of 25 hours.
      “Students must complete the entire SHP Service Learning Sequence to meet graduation requirements.”
      The SHP Service Learning Sequence is required for graduation.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teachings are explored in Religious Studies classes connected to service activities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Social Teachings and basic human rights are explored”
      Catholic Social Teaching is explored in Religious Studies classes that prepare students for service.
  • 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 (Service immersion and advocacy trips for grades 9-12, and student clubs in Social Justice and Empowerment.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Service Learning | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Open to students in grades 9-12, service immersion programs and advocacy projects”
      Service immersion and advocacy projects are open to grades 9-12.
      “Annually, high school students can travel to help in the rebuilding of hurricane-stricken New Orleans”
      High school students take annual service immersion trips, including to New Orleans.
    2. Student Clubs | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Social Justice & Empowerment”
      A Social Justice and Empowerment club category is listed for high school students.

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

Strengths

  • Students and faculty share prayer in grades 9-12 at the start of each school day.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In grades 9-12, students and faculty share prayers from Catholic and other faith traditions during the first period of each academic day.”
      High school students and faculty pray together at the start of each day.
  • Each high school grade has a retreat, and seniors may attend Kairos.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In grades 9 and 10, students participate in one-day retreats that are designed to develop community and faith-sharing.”
      Grades 9 and 10 take one-day retreats.
      “Grade 11 students are offered the opportunity to participate in overnight retreats”
      Grade 11 students are offered overnight retreats.
      “Seniors have the opportunity to attend the popular Kairos, an optional activity”
      Seniors may attend the optional Kairos retreat.
  • Service learning is required for four years, including 25-hour sophomore and senior projects.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students must complete the entire SHP Service Learning Sequence to meet graduation requirements.”
      The SHP Service Learning Sequence is required for graduation.
      “for 25 hours of direct service”
      The sophomore Service Project requires 25 hours of direct service.
      “with a minimum commitment of 25 hours”
      The senior Capstone Project requires a minimum of 25 hours.
  • Catholic Social Teaching is explored in Religious Studies connected to service activities.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/academics/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Social Teachings and basic human rights are explored”
      Catholic Social Teaching is explored in Religious Studies classes that prepare students for service.

Concerns

  • All-school Masses are listed only at the start and end of the year and for feast days.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All-School Masses - the entire SHS community comes together at the beginning of the school year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the academic year for the feast of our founder”
      All-school Masses are held at the start and end of the school year.
      “Special Feast Days - Throughout the school year, a number of prayer services or Eucharistic liturgies are held”
      Eucharistic liturgies are held on special feast days during the school year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Faith and Service, Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

  • Address: 150 Valparaiso Ave, Atherton, CA 94027
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapels

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Retreats 3

  • KairosOff campus
    Offered 3-4 times during the school year
    Optional three-day, two-night senior retreat held at an off-campus location.
    shschools.org, shschools.org
  • Grade 9 and 10 retreats
    One-day retreats for grades 9 and 10 designed to develop community and faith-sharing.
    shschools.org
  • Grade 11 overnight retreat
    Overnight retreat offered to grade 11 students for community-building, self-reflection, and prayer.
    shschools.org

Service 1

  • Service immersion and advocacy tripsOff campus
    Open to students in grades 9-12. Recent trips include New Orleans, Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the U.S.-Mexico border, and Washington, D.C.
    shschools.org, shschools.org

Faith formation 2

  • Sacred Heart Society
    Inducts about 35 seniors each fall
    Senior group that supports the charism of the Religious of the Sacred Heart through directed service projects, fundraising, advocacy, and mentorship with retired Religious of the Sacred Heart at Oakwood Retirement Center.
    shschools.org
  • Espacio
    Regular high school community prayer and spiritual reflection led by students or faculty.
    shschools.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Campus Ministry club
    Student club listed among the spiritual clubs.
    shschools.org
  • Social Justice and Empowerment clubs
    Student clubs in the social justice and empowerment category.
    shschools.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 (4)
  1. Faith and Service | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/campus-life/faith-and-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “All-School Masses - the entire SHS community comes together at the beginning of the school year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the academic year for the feast of our founder”
    All-school Masses are held at the start and end of the school year.
    “All-School Masses - the entire SHS community comes together at the beginning of the school year to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the academic year for the feast of our founder”
    All-school Masses are held at the start and end of the school year.
  2. Faith | Our Goals | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/admission/our-goals/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12”
    The school was founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart and identifies as Catholic.
  3. Fast Facts | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/about/fast-facts · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “COMMUNITY LIFE Chapels | 2 | Libraries | 2”
    The campus has two chapels.
  4. Contact Us | Sacred Heart Schools Athertonshschools.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “150 Valparaiso Ave Atherton, CA 94027”
    The school is at 150 Valparaiso Ave, Atherton, CA 94027.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
66 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.95%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.381.3 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of San Francisco, CA
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)1,144
Students in grades 9–12631
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio381.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges95%
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 San Francisco

The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Sacred Heart Schools Atherton a Catholic high school?
Yes. Sacred Heart Schools Atherton is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Its sponsor is Society of the Sacred Heart.
What is Sacred Heart Schools Atherton’s Compass Score?
83 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Sacred Heart Schools Atherton Compass Recommended?
Yes. Sacred Heart Schools Atherton meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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