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

Catholic high school

St. Augustine Catholic High School

  • LocationTucson, AZ
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 276 students
Official website

St. Augustine Catholic High School in Tucson is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Tucson's school system. All-school Masses are held at St. Francis de Sales Church next door, about every other Thursday during the school day, and students begin each day with prayer. A Carmelite priest serves as school chaplain, and students take retreats in every grade, including the Kairos retreat for seniors. Theology is required for four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Augustine Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miOur Mother Of Sorrows Parish and School: 2.2 mi1Campus Ministry Center: 0.1 miSt. Augustine Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Mother Of Sorrows Parish and School — 2.2 mi

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.

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

74 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 (The all-school Mass is held every other Thursday at St. Francis de Sales Church next door.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/campusministry.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The all-school Masses are held at Saint Francis de Sales Church next door to the school.”
      All-school Masses are held at St. Francis de Sales Church next door to the school.
      “Every other Thursday Mass is offered during the school day during our Activity Period.”
      A school Mass is offered every other Thursday during the school day.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Communal penance services are offered twice a year, in Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Communal penance services are offered twice a year; during Advent and Lent.”
      Communal penance services are held twice a year, in Advent and Lent.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm, is named as School Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/about/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm: School Chaplain”
      Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm, is the School Chaplain.
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 (Four years of theology are required, one semester course per term (eight semester courses); four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/academics/theology.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to take four years of theology to graduate. Each course is one semester long.”
      Four years of theology are required; each course is one semester.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkYes (The Theology Department states that it follows the USCCB High School Curriculum Framework, in keeping with the Catechism.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Theology Department, in keeping with the norms of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops High School Curriculum Framework addresses”
      The Theology Department's courses are stated to follow the USCCB High School Curriculum Framework.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Senior year includes an Apologetics course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/academics/theology.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior: Apologetics Christian Vocations”
      Seniors take an Apologetics course.
  • 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

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 (Freshman, sophomore and junior retreats are listed, and the Kairos retreat is open to seniors and a selected group of juniors.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Retreat Program - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/retreat.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The freshman retreat is a one-day retreat during the school week.”
      Freshmen have a one-day retreat during the school week.
      “The Junior Retreat is a one-day retreat which takes place during the school week in the spring semester.”
      Juniors have a one-day retreat in the spring semester.
      “Kairos retreats are designed for seniors and select juniors to begin their adult faith journey.”
      The Kairos retreat is designed for seniors and select juniors.
    2. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. A’s students participate in retreats throughout their four years.”
      Students take part in retreats throughout their four years.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (The Director of Campus Ministries and the School Chaplain are both named.)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mrs. Gaona, Director of Campus Ministries, at (sgaona@staugustinehigh.com)”
      Mrs. Gaona is the Director of Campus Ministries and can be reached at sgaona@staugustinehigh.com.
    2. Faculty & Staff - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/about/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm: School Chaplain”
      Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm, is the School Chaplain.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Student-led morning prayer begins every day. Community Prayer is held Monday, Tuesday and Friday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/campusministry.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every morning Saint Augustine Catholic High School begins the day with prayer.”
      The school begins each day with prayer.
      “Three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday the school gathers together for Community Prayer.”
      The school gathers for Community Prayer on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
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.
  • 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 (Kino Teens supports the Kino Border Initiative, with visits to the Comedor in Nogales, Sonora, and the school runs a Box of Joy charity project.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Kino Teens - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/kino-teens.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kino Teens is a club that promotes the heritage of Padre Kino who was a defender of native peoples and protector of their rights.”
      Kino Teens is a student club that supports the Kino Border Initiative's work with migrants.
      “visits to the Comedor in Nogales, Sonora to serve meals to migrants and talk with them”
      Kino Teens visits the Comedor in Nogales, Sonora, to serve meals to migrants.
    2. Service - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/service.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the Advent season students from the World Language Department participate in Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy Christmas charity.”
      Students pack Box of Joy shoe boxes for Cross Catholic Outreach each Advent.

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

Strengths

  • Students take retreats in every grade, from a one-day freshman retreat to the Kairos retreat for seniors.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreat Program - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/retreat.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The freshman retreat is a one-day retreat during the school week.”
      Freshmen have a one-day retreat during the school week.
      “The Junior Retreat is a one-day retreat which takes place during the school week in the spring semester.”
      Juniors have a one-day retreat in the spring semester.
      “Kairos retreats are designed for seniors and select juniors to begin their adult faith journey.”
      The Kairos retreat is designed for seniors and select juniors.
  • Theology is required for four years, and seniors take an Apologetics course.
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/academics/theology.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students are required to take four years of theology to graduate. Each course is one semester long.”
      Four years of theology are required; each course is one semester.
      “Senior: Apologetics Christian Vocations”
      Seniors take an Apologetics course.
  • A named School Chaplain and a student-led morning prayer each day support the school's faith life.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/about/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm: School Chaplain”
      Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm, is the School Chaplain.
    2. Campus Ministry - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/campusministry.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every morning Saint Augustine Catholic High School begins the day with prayer.”
      The school begins each day with prayer.

Concerns

  • Student service is described as an invitation.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. A’s students are invited to participate in service projects as part of their growth in discipleship.”
      Students are invited to take part in service projects; the handbook does not state a required hour total.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry Center

  • Address: 8800 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85710
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: staugustinehigh.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, staugustinehigh.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, staugustinehigh.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 3 off campus, 5 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • All-school MassOff campus
    Every other Thursday, during the school day
    All-school Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church, next door to the school, during the Activity Period.
    staugustinehigh.com, staugustinehigh.com

Retreats 4

  • Sophomore retreatOff campus
    One day during the school week
    A day of spiritual reinvigoration at a local parish, Corpus Christi.
    staugustinehigh.com
  • Kairos retreatOff campus
    Fall semester
    A four-day, three-night retreat at La Purisima Retreat Center in Hereford, Arizona, for seniors and a selected group of juniors.
    staugustinehigh.com, staugustinehigh.com, staugustinehigh.com
  • Freshman retreat
    One day during the school week
    A one-day retreat that welcomes freshmen into the school community.
    staugustinehigh.com
  • Junior retreat
    One day during the school week, spring semester
    A one-day retreat for juniors on leadership and their relationship with God and the Church.
    staugustinehigh.com

Faith formation 3

  • Morning prayerOn campus
    Every morning
    Student-led prayer and announcements begin each school day.
    staugustinehigh.com
  • Community PrayerOn campus
    Monday, Tuesday and Friday
    A shortened version of the Liturgy of the Hours, led by students, in which participation is expected.
    staugustinehigh.com
  • Chapel open for personal prayerOn campus
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    The chapel is open before and after school and at lunch for personal prayer.
    staugustinehigh.com

Other 1

Service 2

  • Kino Teens
    Club that supports the Kino Border Initiative: visits to the Comedor in Nogales, Sonora, toiletry collection, letters to migrants in detention, and an annual Youth Summit.
    staugustinehigh.com, staugustinehigh.com
  • Box of Joy
    Advent
    World Language students pack shoe boxes for Cross Catholic Outreach's Box of Joy Christmas charity.
    staugustinehigh.com

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. Campus Ministry - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/campus-life/campusministry.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Working collaboratively with the School Chaplain, the Diocese, and school leadership, Campus Ministry creates beautiful spaces that evoke the glory of God particularly in the Chapel, in the gym for All school Masses and prayer services”
    Campus Ministry works with the School Chaplain and maintains the school chapel and spaces for school Masses.
    “P: (520) 751-8300 8800 E. 22nd Street Tucson, AZ 85710”
    The school and campus ministry are at 8800 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85710.
    “Working collaboratively with the School Chaplain, the Diocese, and school leadership, Campus Ministry creates beautiful spaces that evoke the glory of God particularly in the Chapel, in the gym for All school Masses and prayer services”
    Campus Ministry works with the School Chaplain and maintains the school chapel and spaces for school Masses.
  2. Faculty & Staff - St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/about/faculty-staff.cfm · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm: School Chaplain”
    Fr. Manu Franco-Gomez, O. Carm, is the School Chaplain.
  3. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook, St. Augustine Catholic High Schoolstaugustinehigh.com/editoruploads/files/Academics/26-27%20Student-Parent%20Handbook.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “St. A’s Chapel is open for personal prayer and reflection from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.”
    The school chapel is open for personal prayer from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Reach out

Contact details for Mrs. Gaona (Director of Campus Ministries) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.95%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.3 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Tucson, AZ
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)276
Students in grades 9–12276
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges95%
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 Tucson

The Most Reverend James A. Misko, Bishop of Tucson

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Augustine Catholic High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Augustine Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Tucson.
What is St. Augustine Catholic High School’s Compass Score?
89 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is St. Augustine Catholic High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. St. Augustine Catholic High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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