Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of O'Gorman High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

O'Gorman High School

  • LocationSioux Falls, SD
  • Type and sizeParish school · Grades PK–12 · 2,231 students
Official website

The federal list name Sioux Falls Catholic School is used here for O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, part of Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools. The high school publishes weekly school Mass, a daily Mass opportunity, and a monthly campus ministry event called The Well that includes adoration and confession. It holds an All School Retreat each semester, has a chaplain, Fr. Gerald Thornton, and lists a Christian Service program with more than 20,000 volunteer hours a year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of O'Gorman High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miChrist the King Catholic Church: 1.3 mi1St. Michael's Parish: 1.6 mi2St. Mary Church: 2.3 mi3Saint Joseph Cathedral: 2.9 mi4Campus Ministry, O'Gorman High School: 0.2 miO'Gorman High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Christ the King Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  2. St. Michael's Parish — 1.6 mi
  3. St. Mary Church — 2.3 mi · 2109 South 5th Avenue, Sioux Falls
  4. Saint Joseph Cathedral — 2.9 mi · 521 North Duluth Avenue, Sioux Falls

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

100 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 faith page says students attend weekly Mass, and lists a weekly school Mass for high school students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students attend weekly Mass, with active involvement in planning, music, and liturgical roles”
      Students attend a weekly Mass at the high school.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (The Well is a monthly campus ministry event that includes confession. The event is hosted at a different Catholic parish each month.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “O'Gorman's Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called, 'The Well'.”
      Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called The Well.
      “The night consists of Praise and Worship, Adoration, confession, snacks, and plenty of games!”
      The Well includes adoration and confession.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (Adoration is part of The Well, a monthly campus ministry event.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “O'Gorman's Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called, 'The Well'.”
      Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called The Well.
      “The night consists of Praise and Worship, Adoration, confession, snacks, and plenty of games!”
      The Well includes adoration and confession.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Gerald Thornton is listed as the school's chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Gerald Thornton”
      Fr. Gerald Thornton is the chaplain of O'Gorman High School.
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.
  • 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 faith page says faculty and staff support the mission of nurturing a community of faith across all disciplines, and that faith formation is woven into school life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Across all disciplines and activities, faculty and staff support the mission of nurturing a mature and vibrant community of faith.”
      Faculty and staff support faith formation across all disciplines.
      “Faith formation is woven into the daily life and culture of O'Gorman High School.”
      Faith formation is part of the school's daily life and culture.
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 (An All School Retreat is offered each semester to all students, and a Junior/Senior Retreat is offered in addition.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each semester a dynamic and faith filled retreat is offered to O'Gorman students: the All School Retreat and the Junior/Senior Retreat.”
      An All School Retreat is offered each semester, along with a Junior/Senior Retreat.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (Only the chaplain is named as campus ministry staff on official pages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Gerald Thornton”
      Fr. Gerald Thornton is the chaplain of O'Gorman High School.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (ENDOW, a discussion group on the dignity of women, and Students for Life are listed. Both are faith-based student groups.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “promoting the feminine genius as defined by Pope John Paul II”
      ENDOW is a weekly discussion group for young women on the dignity of women.
      “This group encourages students to lead, defend, witness and respect life at all stages.”
      Students for Life encourages students to defend and respect life at all stages.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The Catholic Faith page for Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools lists daily prayer among the high school faith formation opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Faith | Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schoolsogknights.org/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology Infused Curriculum Daily Prayer Campus Ministry Christian Service”
      The high school faith formation list includes daily prayer.
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 (Students enrolled in the theology course complete a minimum of ten volunteer service hours each semester. The course is taken by about two-thirds of seniors.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students enrolled in the theology course complete a minimum of ten volunteer service hours each semester.”
      Students enrolled in the theology course must complete at least ten volunteer service hours each semester.
      “This course, taken by two-thirds of all seniors, contributes over 5,000”
      The theology course is taken by about two-thirds of seniors.
  • 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 a listed student group that encourages students to defend and respect life at all stages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This group encourages students to lead, defend, witness and respect life at all stages.”
      Students for Life encourages students to defend and respect life at all stages.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Christian Service program is a school-wide program in which students give back to the community through service to people in need.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “O’Gorman students contribute well over 20,000 hours of volunteer service annually through our Christian Service program.”
      Students contribute over 20,000 volunteer service hours a year through the Christian Service program.
    2. Catholic Faith | Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schoolsogknights.org/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our students give back to the community through christian service”
      Students give back to the community through Christian service.

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

Strengths

  • Students attend a weekly Mass, and the high school also lists a daily school Mass opportunity.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students attend weekly Mass, with active involvement in planning, music, and liturgical roles”
      Students attend a weekly Mass at the high school.
    2. Catholic Faith | Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schoolsogknights.org/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily School Mass Opportunity”
      A daily school Mass opportunity is listed for high school students.
  • An All School Retreat is offered each semester.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each semester a dynamic and faith filled retreat is offered to O'Gorman students: the All School Retreat and the Junior/Senior Retreat.”
      An All School Retreat is offered each semester, along with a Junior/Senior Retreat.
  • A chaplain is named for the high school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain - Fr. Gerald Thornton”
      Fr. Gerald Thornton is the chaplain of O'Gorman High School.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, O'Gorman High School

  • Address: 3201 South Kiwanis, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
  • Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: sfcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, oghs.ogknights.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 3

  • The WellOff campus
    Monthly
    Monthly Campus Ministry night with praise and worship, adoration, confession and games, hosted at a different Catholic parish in Sioux Falls each month.
    oghs.ogknights.org, oghs.ogknights.org
  • All School Retreat
    Each semester
    Faith-filled retreat offered each semester to all students.
    oghs.ogknights.org
  • Junior/Senior Retreat
    Each semester
    Faith-filled retreat offered each semester to juniors and seniors.
    oghs.ogknights.org

Faith formation 1

  • Small Groups
    Open to all students, led by upperclassmen on the Campus Ministry team, praying with Scripture during the school day.
    ogknights.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • ENDOW (Embracing the Nature and Dignity of Women)
    Weekly
    Weekly discussion group for young women focused on promoting the feminine genius as defined by Pope John Paul II.
    oghs.ogknights.org
  • Students for Life
    Student group that, through the year, spiritually adopts unborn children, raises money for programs that defend life, and hears speakers with pro-life messages.
    oghs.ogknights.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekly school Mass
    Weekly
    Weekly school Mass for high school students, with student involvement in planning, music and liturgical roles.
    oghs.ogknights.org
  • Daily school Mass opportunity
    A daily school Mass opportunity is listed.
    ogknights.org

Service 1

  • Christian Service program
    School-wide Christian Service program. Students enrolled in the theology course complete at least ten service hours each semester.
    oghs.ogknights.org, oghs.ogknights.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 (2)
  1. Faith | O'Gorman High Schoologhs.ogknights.org/o/oghs/page/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Chaplain - Fr. Gerald Thornton”
    Fr. Gerald Thornton is the chaplain of O'Gorman High School.
    “O'Gorman's Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called, 'The Well'.”
    Campus Ministry holds a monthly event called The Well.
    “Chaplain - Fr. Gerald Thornton”
    Fr. Gerald Thornton is the chaplain of O'Gorman High School.
  2. Find a Catholic School | Diocese of Sioux Falls, SDsfcatholic.org/catholic-schools/find-a-catholic-school · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “3201 South Kiwanis, Sioux Falls SD 57105”
    O'Gorman High School's address is 3201 South Kiwanis, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.

Reach out

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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.
39 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.81%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.21.8 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

TypeParish school
DioceseDiocese of Sioux Falls, SD
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)2,231
Students in grades 9–12691
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio21.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges81%
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

Diocese of Sioux Falls

The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood, Bishop of Sioux Falls

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is O'Gorman High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. O'Gorman High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
What is O'Gorman High School’s Compass Score?
77 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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