Is St. John's Preparatory School a Catholic high school?

Yes. St. John's Preparatory School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Boston. Its sponsor is Xaverian Brothers (Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier).

What is St. John's Preparatory School’s Compass Score?

80 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

Where is Mass celebrated at St. John's Preparatory School?

Mass is listed at Chapel of St. John the Evangelist and Administration Building. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Catholic high school

St. John's Preparatory School

LocationDanvers, MA
Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 6–12 · 1,453 students
Catholic70% Catholic

Sponsor: Xaverian Brothers (Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier) · All-male

Official website

St. John's Preparatory School is a Catholic school for boys in grades 6-12 in Danvers, Massachusetts, founded in 1907 and sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers. Mass is held in the campus chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays, school liturgies such as the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Founder's Day are held a few times a year, and a priest school chaplain works with seven campus ministry staff. High school students take religious studies in every grade (three full-year equivalents required), have a retreat in each grade, and can join weekly service, annual drives and service trips.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

Tuesday, Thursday10:40 AM–11:10 AMChapel of St. John the Evangelist, Administration Building · Weekly Mass during the school year (school calendar).

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 8, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)

School Calendar - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Weekly Mass 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM Chapel of St. John the Evangelist in the Administration Building”
The school calendar lists Weekly Mass from 10:40 to 11:10 AM in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist (on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October 2026).

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

St. Richard's Church — 1.0 mi · 90 Forest Street, Danvers

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.

Sacramental life

46 of 100 points on what we could document.

Partly:
All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (School liturgies are held a few times a year: the Mass of the Holy Spirit in September, the Founder's Day Liturgy (December 4, 2026) and the Class of 2027 Baccalaureate Liturgy (May 21, 2027); the dress code counts liturgies, Masses and awards ceremonies among about five or six dress-up days a year. The Tuesday/Thursday chapel Mass is a voluntary weekly Mass, not a class or all-school Mass.)
Sources (4)
1. Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Later in September, cards are distributed after the Mass of the Holy Spirit with that year's prayer on them.”
  The school holds a Mass of the Holy Spirit each September.
2. 2026-2027 Preliminary Calendarresources.finalsite.net/images/v1786029324/stjohnsma/grqodnif2tt2sqd3gjyp/PreliminaryCalendar2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Dec. 4: Founder's Day Liturgy | Early Dismissal”
  The 2026-27 calendar lists a Founder's Day Liturgy on December 4, 2026.
  “May 21: Class of 2027 Baccalaureate Liturgy”
  The 2026-27 calendar lists a Baccalaureate Liturgy for the Class of 2027 on May 21, 2027.
3. Student Life - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/student-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “On special occasion days—first and last days of school, liturgies, masses, and awards ceremonies, about five or six days in total—all students are required to wear a dress shirt and tie.”
  Liturgies and Masses are among about five or six special-occasion school days a year.
4. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Campus ministers organize several masses, liturgies, and prayer services throughout the year, with multiple opportunities for students to participate. Both Middle and High Schoolers will serve in the procession, on the altar, as readers, Eucharistic Ministers, or in the liturgical choir.”
  Campus ministry organizes several Masses, liturgies and prayer services a year, and students serve as altar servers, readers, Eucharistic ministers and in the liturgical choir.
No:
Daily Mass available to students on campusNo (Mass is held in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year (10:40-11:10 AM on the school calendar), not every weekday.)
Sources (2)
1. Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Mass is held in the chapel on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the school year, along with alumni weddings, funerals, class meetings, and concerts.”
  Mass is held in the campus chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.
2. School Calendar - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Weekly Mass 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM Chapel of St. John the Evangelist in the Administration Building”
  The school calendar lists Weekly Mass from 10:40 to 11:10 AM in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist (on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October 2026).
Not enough information:
Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. James Ronan '62 is listed on the campus ministry team as School Chaplain, located in Xavier Hall; he or a guest priest presides at Masses and liturgies on campus.)
Sources (2)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Fr. James Ronan Class of: 1962 Titles: School Chaplain Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
  Fr. James Ronan is the School Chaplain, based in Xavier Hall.
2. Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “When we have a Mass or liturgy on campus, our school chaplain, Father Jim Ronan '62, or a guest priest will preside.”
  The school chaplain, Fr. Jim Ronan, or a guest priest presides at Masses on campus.

Theology and curriculum

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

Partly:
Years of theology or religion requiredThree years (Required religious studies courses total 3 credits: Faith & Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus & the Gospels (grade 9), Early Church and Modern Church (grade 10, a year-long sequence), Relational Dynamics (grade 11) and Ethics (grade 12), each 1/2 credit per semester. A year course is 1 credit; 3 full-year equivalents. Religious studies is taken in every high school grade. No graduation-requirements page says whether an additional elective is required in grades 11-12.)
Sources (2)
1. Religious Studies - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/departments/religious-studies · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “"must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written." (Dei Verbum 12, paragraph 3) *required course - grade 9 [1/2 credit]”
  Faith & Hebrew Scriptures is a required half-credit course in grade 9.
  “Topics include: Jesus' Jewish roots, his teachings, parables and miracles, his vision of the Reign of God, and his challenge to the social moral order, all of which lay the foundation for the early Church. *required course - grade 9 [1/2 credit]”
  Jesus & the Gospels is a required half-credit course in grade 9.
  “Doctrinal themes include: Trinity, Incarnation and Resurrection. *required course - grade 10 [1/2 credit]”
  Early Church, the first semester of a year-long study of the Church, is a required half-credit course in grade 10.
  “The course also features an overview of contemporary Catholicism with special emphasis on its sacramental theology. Theological themes include: discipleship, church councils, and the social mission of church. *required course - grade 10 [1/2 credit]”
  Modern Church, required in grade 10, covers contemporary Catholicism, sacramental theology and the social mission of the Church.
  “Topics include: identity, communication, human sexuality and the changing social paradigms that inform our relational lives. *required course - grade 11 [1/2 credit]”
  Relational Dynamics is a required half-credit course in grade 11.
  “Throughout the course, students are encouraged and expected to examine their own criteria for moral decision making in light of class material. *required course - grade 12 [1/2 credit]”
  Ethics is a required half-credit course in grade 12.
2. High School Program - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/high-school-program · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “In addition to core requirements in computer science, English, fine arts, math, religious studies, science, social studies, and world languages”
  Religious studies is one of the high school's core requirements.
Not enough information:
Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Ethics (required, grade 12) covers moral decision-making, conscience and the place of the Catholic faith in moral dialogue. Introduction to Western Philosophy (elective, grade 12) surveys philosophers from the Greeks through Aquinas to the Moderns. A Philosophy Club is also listed.)
Sources (1)
1. Religious Studies - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/departments/religious-studies · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Throughout the course, students are encouraged and expected to examine their own criteria for moral decision making in light of class material. *required course - grade 12 [1/2 credit]”
  Ethics is a required half-credit course in grade 12.
  “the role of conscience in ethical choices, and the place of the Catholic faith in moral dialogue”
  The Ethics course addresses conscience and the place of the Catholic faith in moral dialogue.
  “Built on the theme of The Problem of God, this one semester survey course examines the development of philosophy and its influence on theology in the Western tradition.”
  Introduction to Western Philosophy is offered as a one-semester elective.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The mission and values page says the five Xaverian spiritual values influence everything at the school, from the academic curriculum to daily prayer life; the About page says students reflect on the values as part of the curriculum.)
Sources (2)
1. Mission and Values - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about/mission-and-values · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “These values influence everything at the Prep, from academic curriculum to daily prayer life, service opportunities to athletic philosophy, and institutional decisions large and small.”
  The school says its Xaverian spiritual values shape the academic curriculum and daily prayer life.
2. About - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Students will reflect on the values as part of the curriculum, in their roles as leaders in co-curricular activities, and see it etched in the cornerstones of buildings.”
  Students reflect on the Xaverian values as part of the curriculum.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Freshman Retreat (required), Sophomore Retreat (required), Emmaus Retreat (juniors) and Senior Retreat, plus Father-Son (rising sophomores) and Mother-Son (sophomores) retreats and the Prep Leadership Institute. The school says all students will experience a retreat led by Campus Ministry.)
Sources (3)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “High School Retreats Freshman Retreat (required) Sophomore Retreat (required) Emmaus Retreat (juniors) Senior Retreat Father-Son Retreat (rising sophomores) Mother-Son Retreat (sophomores) Prep Leadership Institute (PLI)”
  High school retreats include required freshman and sophomore retreats, the Emmaus retreat for juniors, a senior retreat, parent-son retreats and the Prep Leadership Institute.
2. The All-Boys Difference - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/admission/the-all-boys-difference · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Retreats: All students will experience a retreat at St. John's Prep, led by Campus Ministry.”
  All students take part in a retreat led by Campus Ministry.
3. Student Life - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/student-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Sophomore Retreat: Student leaders help facilitate the annual retreat and build community among their classmates.”
  Student leaders help run the annual sophomore retreat.
Yes:
Campus ministry staffTwo or more (8 campus ministry staff are listed: Robert Tyler (Director of Campus Ministry), Jeffrey Hatgas (Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Community Formation), Fr. James Ronan (School Chaplain) and campus ministers Mary Driscoll, Michael Driscoll, Paul Francisco, Owen Gaffney and Lawrence Molloy. The team serves grades 6-12.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Mr. Robert Tyler Titles: Director of Campus Ministry Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
  Robert Tyler is Director of Campus Ministry.
  “Fr. James Ronan Class of: 1962 Titles: School Chaplain Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
  Fr. James Ronan is the School Chaplain, based in Xavier Hall.
  “Mrs. Mary Driscoll Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Michael Driscoll Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Brother Benjamin Hall Email: Contact Mr. Paul Francisco Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Owen Gaffney Class of: 2020 Titles: Campus Minister”
  Mary Driscoll, Michael Driscoll, Paul Francisco and Owen Gaffney are campus ministers.
  “Mr. Jeffrey Hatgas Titles: Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Community Formation Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Lawrence Molloy Titles: Campus Minister”
  Jeffrey Hatgas is Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Community Formation and Lawrence Molloy is a campus minister.
Yes:
Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Campus Ministry Student Advisory Council (senior peer ministers supporting liturgies, retreats and service), the XBSS Leadership Team (juniors at the Xaverian Brothers schools' retreat), Pax Christi SJP (listed in the club directory) and student liturgical ministers and liturgical choir.)
Sources (2)
1. Student Life - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/student-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Campus Ministry Student Advisory Committee (CMSAC): Seniors serve as peer ministers, supporting liturgies, retreats, and service initiatives.”
  Seniors serve as peer ministers on the Campus Ministry Student Advisory Committee.
  “Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Leadership Team (XBSS): Six faculty-nominated juniors represent the Prep at the annual XBSS retreat and lead a service project during their senior year.”
  Six juniors attend the annual Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools retreat and lead a service project as seniors.
  “National Honor Society Read More about National Honor Society Pax Christi SJP Read More about Pax Christi SJP Philosophy Club”
  The clubs, service and leadership directory lists Pax Christi SJP and a Philosophy Club; no pro-life club appears in the directory.
2. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Campus ministers organize several masses, liturgies, and prayer services throughout the year, with multiple opportunities for students to participate. Both Middle and High Schoolers will serve in the procession, on the altar, as readers, Eucharistic Ministers, or in the liturgical choir.”
  Campus ministry organizes several Masses, liturgies and prayer services a year, and students serve as altar servers, readers, Eucharistic ministers and in the liturgical choir.
Yes:
Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The mission and values page refers to the school's daily prayer life, and Mass is held during the school day (10:40-11:10 AM) on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the chapel. No page describes a set daily prayer (e.g., morning prayer over the PA).)
Sources (3)
1. Mission and Values - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about/mission-and-values · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “These values influence everything at the Prep, from academic curriculum to daily prayer life, service opportunities to athletic philosophy, and institutional decisions large and small.”
  The school says its Xaverian spiritual values shape the academic curriculum and daily prayer life.
2. Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Mass is held in the chapel on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the school year, along with alumni weddings, funerals, class meetings, and concerts.”
  Mass is held in the campus chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.
3. School Calendar - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Weekly Mass 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM Chapel of St. John the Evangelist in the Administration Building”
  The school calendar lists Weekly Mass from 10:40 to 11:10 AM in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist (on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October 2026).

N/A

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

Not enough information:
Required service hoursNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Social Justice (grade 11 elective) uses Catholic Social Teaching as its lens, drawing on papal encyclicals and U.S. bishops' pastoral letters. Social Action (elective) examines key principles of CST; the required Modern Church course includes the social mission of the Church.)
Sources (1)
1. Religious Studies - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/departments/religious-studies · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The course employs Catholic Social Teaching as the lens through which it examines the notion of justice in human culture.”
  The Social Justice course (a grade 11 elective) is taught through Catholic Social Teaching.
  “The course also features an overview of contemporary Catholicism with special emphasis on its sacramental theology. Theological themes include: discipleship, church councils, and the social mission of church. *required course - grade 10 [1/2 credit]”
  Modern Church, required in grade 10, covers contemporary Catholicism, sacramental theology and the social mission of the Church.
  “course participants contribute three hours of service a week throughout the semester at various social agencies including day-care centers, nursing homes, soup kitchens, and hospitals. Social Action aims to delve into the intersection of social justice issues and Catholic Social Teaching (CST).”
  The Social Action elective combines three hours of weekly service with study of Catholic Social Teaching.
Not enough information:
Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Campus ministry service trips (past sites include Ecuador, Jamaica, Arizona, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Texas), the In Ryken Footsteps service and cultural immersion program, weekly service at local agencies, and the Pax Christi SJP club.)
Sources (3)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Service Trips Trips change year to year, but below are some of the locations Prep students have traveled to in the past. Ecuador Jamaica Arizona Maine New Jersey Pennsylvania West Virginia Texas”
  Campus ministry runs service trips; past locations include Ecuador, Jamaica and several U.S. states.
  “Weekly service opportunities are designed to be flexible. Students can sign up once, every week for the whole year, or anything in between. Salem Boys and Girls Club Seasons of Danvers Xaverian House Haven From Hunger”
  Weekly service sites include the Salem Boys and Girls Club, Seasons of Danvers, Xaverian House and Haven From Hunger.
2. About - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Service: Campus Ministry, with programs like In Ryken Footsteps, offers service and cultural immersion opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.”
  Campus ministry offers service and cultural immersion programs such as In Ryken Footsteps.
3. Student Life - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/student-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “National Honor Society Read More about National Honor Society Pax Christi SJP Read More about Pax Christi SJP Philosophy Club”
  The clubs, service and leadership directory lists Pax Christi SJP and a Philosophy Club; no pro-life club appears in the directory.

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

Strengths

Campus ministry lists eight staff, including a director, an assistant director, five campus ministers and a priest who serves as school chaplain.
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Mr. Robert Tyler Titles: Director of Campus Ministry Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
  Robert Tyler is Director of Campus Ministry.
  “Fr. James Ronan Class of: 1962 Titles: School Chaplain Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
  Fr. James Ronan is the School Chaplain, based in Xavier Hall.
  “Mrs. Mary Driscoll Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Michael Driscoll Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Brother Benjamin Hall Email: Contact Mr. Paul Francisco Titles: Campus Minister Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Owen Gaffney Class of: 2020 Titles: Campus Minister”
  Mary Driscoll, Michael Driscoll, Paul Francisco and Owen Gaffney are campus ministers.
  “Mr. Jeffrey Hatgas Titles: Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Community Formation Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall Email: Contact Mr. Lawrence Molloy Titles: Campus Minister”
  Jeffrey Hatgas is Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Community Formation and Lawrence Molloy is a campus minister.
Religious studies is required in every high school grade, including a year-long study of the Church and a senior Ethics course; electives include Social Justice taught through Catholic Social Teaching and Introduction to Western Philosophy.
Sources (1)
1. Religious Studies - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/departments/religious-studies · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “"must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written." (Dei Verbum 12, paragraph 3) *required course - grade 9 [1/2 credit]”
  Faith & Hebrew Scriptures is a required half-credit course in grade 9.
  “Doctrinal themes include: Trinity, Incarnation and Resurrection. *required course - grade 10 [1/2 credit]”
  Early Church, the first semester of a year-long study of the Church, is a required half-credit course in grade 10.
  “The course also features an overview of contemporary Catholicism with special emphasis on its sacramental theology. Theological themes include: discipleship, church councils, and the social mission of church. *required course - grade 10 [1/2 credit]”
  Modern Church, required in grade 10, covers contemporary Catholicism, sacramental theology and the social mission of the Church.
  “Throughout the course, students are encouraged and expected to examine their own criteria for moral decision making in light of class material. *required course - grade 12 [1/2 credit]”
  Ethics is a required half-credit course in grade 12.
  “The course employs Catholic Social Teaching as the lens through which it examines the notion of justice in human culture.”
  The Social Justice course (a grade 11 elective) is taught through Catholic Social Teaching.
  “Built on the theme of The Problem of God, this one semester survey course examines the development of philosophy and its influence on theology in the Western tradition.”
  Introduction to Western Philosophy is offered as a one-semester elective.
A retreat is offered in each high school grade, with required freshman and sophomore retreats, plus parent-son retreats and a summer leadership retreat.
Sources (3)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “High School Retreats Freshman Retreat (required) Sophomore Retreat (required) Emmaus Retreat (juniors) Senior Retreat Father-Son Retreat (rising sophomores) Mother-Son Retreat (sophomores) Prep Leadership Institute (PLI)”
  High school retreats include required freshman and sophomore retreats, the Emmaus retreat for juniors, a senior retreat, parent-son retreats and the Prep Leadership Institute.
2. The All-Boys Difference - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/admission/the-all-boys-difference · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Retreats: All students will experience a retreat at St. John's Prep, led by Campus Ministry.”
  All students take part in a retreat led by Campus Ministry.
3. About - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Established in 1976, the Prep Leadership Institute is a multi-day summer retreat for rising seniors to develop leadership skills, bond as a class, and prepare for their final year at St. John's Prep.”
  The Prep Leadership Institute is a multi-day summer retreat for rising seniors.
Campus ministry runs weekly service at local agencies, annual drives, and domestic and international service and immersion trips.
Sources (2)
1. Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Weekly service opportunities are designed to be flexible. Students can sign up once, every week for the whole year, or anything in between. Salem Boys and Girls Club Seasons of Danvers Xaverian House Haven From Hunger”
  Weekly service sites include the Salem Boys and Girls Club, Seasons of Danvers, Xaverian House and Haven From Hunger.
  “Annual Drives These are fun, community-building traditions that benefit local non-profit organizations. September Backpack Drive Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive Christmas Toy Drive”
  Campus ministry runs annual backpack, Thanksgiving gift card and Christmas toy drives.
  “Service Trips Trips change year to year, but below are some of the locations Prep students have traveled to in the past. Ecuador Jamaica Arizona Maine New Jersey Pennsylvania West Virginia Texas”
  Campus ministry runs service trips; past locations include Ecuador, Jamaica and several U.S. states.
2. About - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/about · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Service: Campus Ministry, with programs like In Ryken Footsteps, offers service and cultural immersion opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.”
  Campus ministry offers service and cultural immersion programs such as In Ryken Footsteps.

Concerns

Mass is held on campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays rather than every weekday, and school-wide liturgies are held a few times a year.
Sources (2)
1. Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Mass is held in the chapel on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the school year, along with alumni weddings, funerals, class meetings, and concerts.”
  Mass is held in the campus chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.
2. Student Life - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/student-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “On special occasion days—first and last days of school, liturgies, masses, and awards ceremonies, about five or six days in total—all students are required to wear a dress shirt and tie.”
  Liturgies and Masses are among about five or six special-occasion school days a year.
Required religious studies in grades 11 and 12 is one half-credit course each year, for three full-year equivalents in total.
Sources (1)
1. Religious Studies - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/academics/departments/religious-studies · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Topics include: identity, communication, human sexuality and the changing social paradigms that inform our relational lives. *required course - grade 11 [1/2 credit]”
  Relational Dynamics is a required half-credit course in grade 11.
  “Throughout the course, students are encouraged and expected to examine their own criteria for moral decision making in light of class material. *required course - grade 12 [1/2 credit]”
  Ethics is a required half-credit course in grade 12.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Br. William Drinan, C.F.X. Center for Campus Ministry (Xavier Hall), St. John's Preparatory School

Address: 72 Spring St., Danvers, MA 01923
Location: On campus
Facilities: campus ministry center in Xavier Hall, Chapel of Saint John the Evangelist (Administration Building)

View on map ↗

Source: stjohnsprep.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, stjohnsprep.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, stjohnsprep.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

18 groups and regular activities · 9 on campus, 4 off campus, 5 location not published

Faith formation 1

XBSS Leadership TeamOff campus
Six faculty-nominated juniors attend the annual Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools retreat and lead a service project as seniors.
stjohnsprep.org

Service 4

Weekly serviceOff campus
Weekly, after school
Flexible sign-up service at the Salem Boys and Girls Club, Seasons of Danvers, Xaverian House and Haven From Hunger.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org
Service trips and In Ryken FootstepsOff campus
Campus ministry service and cultural immersion trips that change year to year; past sites include Ecuador, Jamaica, Arizona, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Texas.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org
Social Action courseOff campus
Religious studies elective for juniors and seniors with three hours of service a week at social agencies, studied alongside Catholic Social Teaching.
stjohnsprep.org
Annual drives and dress-down daysOn campus
September, Thanksgiving, Christmas; dress-down days about monthly
Backpack Drive, Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive and Christmas Toy Drive for local non-profits; monthly dress-down days raise donations for non-profit organizations.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org

Clubs and groups 2

Campus Ministry Student Advisory Committee (CMSAC)On campus
Seniors serve as peer ministers supporting liturgies, retreats and service initiatives.
stjohnsprep.org
Pax Christi SJPOn campus
Club listed in the school's clubs, service and leadership directory; its description is not readable on the public page.
stjohnsprep.org

Liturgy and prayer 5

Weekly MassOn campus
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:40-11:10 AM
Mass in the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist during the school year, celebrated by the school chaplain or a guest priest.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org
Mass of the Holy SpiritOn campus
September
Opening-of-year Mass; cards with the year's prayer are distributed afterward.
stjohnsprep.org
Founder's Day LiturgyOn campus
December 4, 2026
School liturgy during Founder's Week, followed by early dismissal.
resources.finalsite.net
Baccalaureate LiturgyOn campus
May 21, 2027
Liturgy for the graduating Class of 2027.
resources.finalsite.net
Student liturgical ministers and liturgical choirOn campus
Students serve in the procession, on the altar, as readers and Eucharistic ministers, or in the liturgical choir at school Masses and liturgies.
stjohnsprep.org

Retreats 6

Sophomore RetreatOn campus
Required annual retreat for sophomores, facilitated with student leaders.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org
Freshman Retreat
Required retreat for freshmen. Location not published.
stjohnsprep.org
Emmaus Retreat
Retreat for juniors. Location not published.
stjohnsprep.org
Senior Retreat
Retreat for seniors. Location not published.
stjohnsprep.org
Father-Son and Mother-Son Retreats
Parent-son retreats for rising sophomores (Father-Son) and sophomores (Mother-Son). Location not published.
stjohnsprep.org
Prep Leadership Institute (PLI)
Summer (August 3-7, 2026)
Multi-day summer retreat for rising seniors focused on leadership and class unity. Location not published.
stjohnsprep.org, stjohnsprep.org, resources.finalsite.net

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Campus Ministry (Br. William Drinan, C.F.X. Center for Campus Ministry)

Sources (2)

Campus Ministry - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/prep-experience/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“As an inclusive, Catholic, Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School, campus ministry programming is meant to help students grow in faith, develop as servant leaders, and live out our Xaverian values of humility, compassion, simplicity, trust, and zeal.”
Campus ministry programming aims to help students grow in faith and live the Xaverian values.
“BR. WILLIAM DRINAN, C.F.X. CENTER FOR CAMPUS MINISTRY Located in Xavier Hall, campus ministry (as it's more often referred to) is a place for students to meet with campus ministers, sign up for after-school service opportunities”
The Br. William Drinan, C.F.X. Center for Campus Ministry is in Xavier Hall on campus.
“Mr. Robert Tyler Titles: Director of Campus Ministry Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
Robert Tyler is Director of Campus Ministry.
“Fr. James Ronan Class of: 1962 Titles: School Chaplain Locations: St. John's Prep, Xavier Hall”
Fr. James Ronan is the School Chaplain, based in Xavier Hall.
“BR. WILLIAM DRINAN, C.F.X. CENTER FOR CAMPUS MINISTRY Located in Xavier Hall, campus ministry (as it's more often referred to) is a place for students to meet with campus ministers, sign up for after-school service opportunities”
The Br. William Drinan, C.F.X. Center for Campus Ministry is in Xavier Hall on campus.
“72 Spring St. Danvers MA 01923 978-774-1050”
The school is at 72 Spring St., Danvers, MA 01923; main phone 978-774-1050.
Xaverian Identity - St. John's Preparatory Schoolstjohnsprep.org/xaverian-identity · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Built in 1908, the chapel was built as an addition to the Administration Building.”
The campus chapel is part of the Administration Building.

Reach out

Contact details for St. John's Prep main line (Main office (Director of Campus Ministry Robert Tyler and School Chaplain Fr. James Ronan are reached through contact forms; no direct email or phone is published)) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

94 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of score99%
Students per teacher 25% of score10.1 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

Type	Independent Catholic school
Diocese	Archdiocese of Boston, MA
Grades	6–12
Students (all grades)	1,453
Students in grades 9–12	1,127
Coed or single-sex	All-male
Student–teacher ratio	10.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges	99%
Setting	Suburb

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 Boston

The Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

NCES school ID 00600937
72 Spring St., Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-6727
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Questions families ask

Is St. John's Preparatory School a Catholic high school?: Yes. St. John's Preparatory School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Boston. Its sponsor is Xaverian Brothers (Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier).
What is St. John's Preparatory School’s Compass Score?: 80 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at St. John's Preparatory School?: Mass is listed at Chapel of St. John the Evangelist and Administration Building. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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