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Aerial view of St. John's Catholic Prep
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. John's Catholic Prep

  • LocationBuckeystown, MD
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 281 students
Official website

Saint John's Catholic Prep is an independent Catholic college preparatory high school on a 66-acre campus in Buckeystown, Maryland. Its Campus Ministry has a named chaplain and a campus ministry director, a Campus Ministry Club open to all students, and a Liturgy Band that leads school liturgies. The school's St. Teresa of Calcutta Chapel is on campus. Theology is required for four credits, one for each year of enrollment, and graduation requires 80 hours of community service over four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. John's Catholic Prep, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor Catholic Church: 2.0 mi1St. John's Catholic Prep (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor Catholic Church — 2.0 mi · 5843 Manor Woods Road, Frederick

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 (The school's listings show school Masses such as the Opening Mass and the Ash Wednesday Mass, a few times a year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Ash Wednesday Mass and Distribution of Ashes”
      School Masses are held for occasions such as Ash Wednesday and the opening of 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 (Michael McDermott is listed as Chaplain; school Masses are confirmed; the value is parttime.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Michael McDermott Chaplain”
      Michael McDermott is the school's chaplain.
    2. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Ash Wednesday Mass and Distribution of Ashes”
      School Masses are held for occasions such as Ash Wednesday and the opening of the school year.
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 is listed as 4 credits, one credit for each year of enrollment; theology is taken in all four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Programs & Requirements | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/academics/departments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | (1 credit for each year of enrollment at Saint John’s) | 4 credits”
      Theology is 4 credits, one for each year of enrollment.
  • 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 school philosophy in the Program of Studies says the academic program reflects the message of Jesus, and the mission describes a Catholic community of faith.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies 2026-2027 | Saint John's Catholic Prepresources.finalsite.net/images/v1780416393/saintjohns/j2de8qa1d4x27guoejao/ProgramofStudies2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “and reflects both the message of Jesus and the way he taught through wisdom, reason, story, and personal example.”
      The school philosophy says the academic program reflects the message of Jesus.
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

71 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (Retreats for freshmen, sophomores and seniors are listed. A junior retreat appears only in 2023 headlines.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior Retreat - Class of 2026”
      A senior class retreat was held for the class of 2026.
      “Freshman Class On-Campus Retreat”
      A freshman class retreat is held on campus.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two professional ministry leaders are listed: the Director of Campus Ministry and the Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Michael McDermott Chaplain”
      Michael McDermott is the school's chaplain.
      “Dawn Miller Director of Campus Ministry, Teacher”
      Dawn Miller is the Director of Campus Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is listed: the Campus Ministry Club. The Liturgy Band also leads school liturgies.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Campus Ministry Club is open to all students and is a great place to find friends who share a love of their faith”
      The Campus Ministry Club is open to all students.
    2. Clubs & Student Life | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry Club Moderator: Dawn Miller”
      The Campus Ministry Club is a student club moderated by the campus ministry director.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Graduation requires 80 hours of community service over four years, with at least 20 hours each year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-life/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation from Saint John’s Catholic Prep requires 80 hours of community service from each student, with at least 20 hours each year.”
      Graduation requires 80 hours of community service, at least 20 each year.
  • 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 (The school lists a mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with the Building Futures Project, and students serve meals at the Frederick Rescue Mission.)
    Sources (2)
    1. El Salvador Mission Trip | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-life/el-salvador-mission-trip · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SJCP students have an exciting service opportunity: a mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with the Building Futures Project, a nonprofit focused on housing, education, and community development.”
      The school offers a service mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with the Building Futures Project.
    2. Service | Mission & Vision | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students Serve Meals at the Frederick Rescue Mission”
      Students serve meals at the Frederick Rescue Mission.

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

Strengths

  • A named chaplain leads the school's campus ministry, and the school lists a campus chapel.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Michael McDermott Chaplain”
      Michael McDermott is the school's chaplain.
    2. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “First Mass Celebrated in the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Chapel”
      The school's St. Teresa of Calcutta Chapel has held Mass.
  • Theology is required for four credits, one for each year of enrollment.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Programs & Requirements | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/academics/departments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | (1 credit for each year of enrollment at Saint John’s) | 4 credits”
      Theology is 4 credits, one for each year of enrollment.
  • Graduation requires 80 hours of community service, and a service mission trip is offered.
    Sources (2)
    1. Community Service | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-life/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation from Saint John’s Catholic Prep requires 80 hours of community service from each student, with at least 20 hours each year.”
      Graduation requires 80 hours of community service, at least 20 each year.
    2. El Salvador Mission Trip | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-life/el-salvador-mission-trip · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SJCP students have an exciting service opportunity: a mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with the Building Futures Project, a nonprofit focused on housing, education, and community development.”
      The school offers a service mission trip to El Salvador in partnership with the Building Futures Project.

Concerns

  • School Masses are listed for particular occasions.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Ash Wednesday Mass and Distribution of Ashes”
      School Masses are held for occasions such as Ash Wednesday and the opening of the school year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry and St. Teresa of Calcutta Chapel

  • Address: 3989 Buckeystown Pike, PO Box 909, Buckeystown, MD 21717
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: St. Teresa of Calcutta Chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 2 off campus, 1 location not published

Service 2

  • Frederick Rescue Mission mealsOff campus
    Students serve meals at the Frederick Rescue Mission.
    saintjohnsprep.org
  • El Salvador mission tripOff campus
    June 12-19, 2027 (current juniors and seniors)
    A mission trip to El Salvador with the Building Futures Project, focused on construction and community projects.
    saintjohnsprep.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Liturgy BandOn campus
    Students who play in the band lead worship at school liturgies.
    saintjohnsprep.org
  • School MassesOn campus
    Several times a year, including the opening of the school year and Ash Wednesday
    School Masses are listed for occasions such as the Opening Mass, Ash Wednesday, and Catholic Schools Week.
    saintjohnsprep.org

Retreats 1

Clubs and groups 1

  • Campus Ministry Club
    Open to all students; offers prayer and service opportunities as well as leadership opportunities. Moderated by the campus ministry director.
    saintjohnsprep.org, saintjohnsprep.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. Campus Ministry | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/student-support/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Michael McDermott Chaplain”
    Michael McDermott is the school's chaplain.
    “Dawn Miller Director of Campus Ministry, Teacher”
    Dawn Miller is the Director of Campus Ministry.
    “Michael McDermott Chaplain”
    Michael McDermott is the school's chaplain.
  2. Our Faith | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/mission/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “First Mass Celebrated in the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Chapel”
    The school's St. Teresa of Calcutta Chapel has held Mass.
  3. Directions to SJCP | Saint John's Catholic Prepsaintjohnsprep.org/about-sjcp/directions-to-sjcp · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “3989 Buckeystown Pike PO Box 909 Buckeystown, MD 21717”
    The school's address is 3989 Buckeystown Pike, PO Box 909, Buckeystown, MD 21717.

Reach out

Contact details for Dawn Miller (Director of Campus Ministry) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
90 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.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.10.9 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 Baltimore, MD
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)281
Students in grades 9–12281
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio10.9 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
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

Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. John's Catholic Prep a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. John's Catholic Prep is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

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