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St. Francis Catholic Academy: Saint Francis Academy (Gainesville, Florida)
Photo: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

St. Francis Catholic Academy

  • LocationGainesville, FL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 259 students
Official website
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Saint Francis Catholic Academy in Gainesville, Florida, states a mission to inspire students to serve others, share the gospel through their Catholic faith, and live a life of charity. The school holds a school-wide Mass on Wednesdays and Holy Days, reserves the Blessed Sacrament in its chapel, offers confession during Advent and Lent, and describes regular adoration in the chapel. Students take a theology course in each of the four years, complete 25 hours of Christian service each year, and go on a retreat in every grade. Fr. Mac Hill is listed as chaplain, and Deacon Mike Demers as campus minister.

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

91 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 Spiritual Life page describes a school-wide celebration of Holy Mass on Wednesdays and Holy Days.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The highlight of our week is the school-wide celebration of Holy Mass on Wednesdays and Holy Days”
      A school-wide Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays and Holy Days.
  • 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 (Confession is offered during Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During Advent and Lent, we offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
      The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Advent and Lent.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (The school states that adoration is observed regularly in the chapel throughout the year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is observed during Retreats and regularly in the Chapel throughout the year.”
      Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is observed regularly in the chapel throughout the year and during retreats.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Mac Hill is listed as the school's Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/about/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Mac Hill Chaplain”
      Fr. Mac Hill is listed as the school's 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 (Theology I through Theology IV are listed by grade level (grades 9 to 12), each worth 1.0 credit with a first and second semester. Recorded as four full-year courses, one per year. The page does not use the word required.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology I Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 9”
      Theology I is a 1.0-credit course for grade 9.
      “Theology IV Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 12”
      Theology IV is a 1.0-credit course for grade 12.
  • 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 (Moral Lives in Jesus, the second semester of Theology III, teaches the moral concepts and precepts of the Christian life.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Moral Lives in Jesus (2nd Semester). The purpose of this course is to help students understand that it is only through Christ”
      Theology III includes a moral course on the precepts of Christian life.
  • 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 Spiritual Life page states the school is committed to educating the whole person, integrating faith, learning, and service.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we are deeply committed to the education of the whole person, integrating faith, learning, and service”
      The school states it integrates faith, learning and service.
    2. Curriculum | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we empower our students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally within a faith-centered environment”
      The school describes its academics as faith-centered.
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 (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior retreats are each described.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Freshman retreat takes place early in the Fall semester”
      A freshman retreat is held.
      “The Sophomore retreat takes place in the Spring semester.”
      A sophomore retreat is held.
      “The Junior retreat takes place in the early Spring semester.”
      A junior retreat is held.
      “The Senior retreat takes place over the course of two days in the middle of the Fall semester.”
      A senior retreat is held over two days.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two named ministry staff: the Chaplain (Fr. Mac Hill) and the Campus Minister (Deacon Mike Demers).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/about/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Mac Hill Chaplain”
      Fr. Mac Hill is listed as the school's Chaplain.
    2. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Meet our Campus Minister Deacon Demers holds a Bachelor of Science degree”
      Deacon Demers is the school's Campus Minister.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNone (The student organization page lists all clubs as open to all students and includes no Catholic faith group. Campus Ministry is listed as 'Coming soon'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/student-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All organizations listed below are open to all students”
      The school's student organization list is open to all students and is the list of clubs the school offers.
      “Campus Ministry Coming soon Qualifications: All students”
      Campus Ministry is listed as a student organization marked 'Coming soon'.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The Spiritual Life page states the school day begins and ends with prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our school day begins and ends with prayer”
      The school day begins and ends with 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

75 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 (All students must complete 25 hours of Christian service annually, which totals 100 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all students are required to complete 25 hours of Christian service annually”
      Every student must complete 25 hours of Christian service each year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Theology IV includes a second-semester unit, Living as a Disciple in Society, that introduces the Church's social teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Living as a Disciple in Society (2nd Semester). An introduction to the Church’s social teaching”
      Theology IV includes an introduction to the Church's social teaching.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)No
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/student-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All organizations listed below are open to all students”
      The school's student organization list is open to all students and is the list of clubs the school offers.
  • 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

  • A school-wide Mass is celebrated weekly on Wednesdays and Holy Days, and a named chaplain is listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The highlight of our week is the school-wide celebration of Holy Mass on Wednesdays and Holy Days”
      A school-wide Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays and Holy Days.
    2. Faculty & Staff | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/about/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Mac Hill Chaplain”
      Fr. Mac Hill is listed as the school's Chaplain.
  • Every student must complete 25 hours of Christian service each year, and a theology course is listed for each of the four years.
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all students are required to complete 25 hours of Christian service annually”
      Every student must complete 25 hours of Christian service each year.
    2. Curriculum | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology I Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 9”
      Theology I is a 1.0-credit course for grade 9.
      “Theology IV Credit: 1.0 Grade Level: 12”
      Theology IV is a 1.0-credit course for grade 12.

Concerns

  • Campus Ministry is marked 'Coming soon' on the student organization list.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/student-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry Coming soon Qualifications: All students”
      Campus Ministry is listed as a student organization marked 'Coming soon'.
  • The school describes a weekly Mass and daily prayer in the chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The highlight of our week is the school-wide celebration of Holy Mass on Wednesdays and Holy Days”
      A school-wide Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays and Holy Days.
      “The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in our Chapel, where students, faculty, and staff come together daily for prayer in the presence of the Lord.”
      The school's chapel is where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and students come for daily prayer.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Saint Francis Catholic Academy

  • Address: Gainesville, Florida (street address not published on the pages read)
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 1

  • Christian and community service requirementOff campus
    Each student completes 25 hours of Christian service annually; projects are coordinated through Theology classes and Campus Ministry.
    sfcawolves.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • School-wide MassOn campus
    Wednesdays and Holy Days
    School-wide Holy Mass, with student and faculty lectors, sacristans, servers, music ministers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
    sfcawolves.org

Retreats 1

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 (1)
  1. Spiritual Life | SFCA Wolvessfcawolves.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Meet our Campus Minister Deacon Demers holds a Bachelor of Science degree”
    Deacon Demers is the school's Campus Minister.
    “The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in our Chapel, where students, faculty, and staff come together daily for prayer in the presence of the Lord.”
    The school's chapel is where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and students come for daily prayer.
    “The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in our Chapel, where students, faculty, and staff come together daily for prayer in the presence of the Lord.”
    The school's chapel is where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and students come for daily prayer.
    “Meet our Campus Minister Deacon Demers holds a Bachelor of Science degree”
    Deacon Demers is the school's Campus Minister.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: 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.
95 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.10.3 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 St. Augustine, FL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)259
Students in grades 9–12259
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.3 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 St. Augustine

The Most Reverend Erik T. Pohlmeier, Bishop of St. Augustine

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dosafl.com, dosafl.com, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

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

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