Is St. Joseph Academy a Catholic high school?

Yes. St. Joseph Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Brownsville. Its sponsor is Marist Brothers of the Schools.

What is St. Joseph Academy’s Compass Score?

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

Is St. Joseph Academy Compass Recommended?

Yes. St. Joseph Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

Catholic high school

St. Joseph Academy

LocationBrownsville, TX
Type and sizeParish school · Grades 7–12 · 460 students
SponsorMarist Brothers of the Schools

Official website Recommended badge

Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville is a Catholic college preparatory school conducted by the Marist Brothers. Its faith formation program states that daily communal prayer is promoted, a school Mass is celebrated in the Student Center once a month, and every grade has a retreat.

Catholic churches nearby

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

Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville
Saint Joseph Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 555 West Saint Francis Street, Brownsville
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 1200 Lincoln Street, Brownsville
Immaculate Conception Cathedral — 1.1 mi · 1218 East Jefferson Street, Brownsville
Saint Luke Catholic Church — 1.7 mi · 2800 Rockwell Drive, Brownsville
Holy Family Catholic Church — 1.7 mi · 2308 East Tyler Street, Brownsville

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/A

Sacramental life

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

Partly:
All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The faith formation page says the Mass is celebrated in the Student Center once a month. It is recorded at the frequency stated.)
Sources (1)
1. Faith Formation | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Communal prayer experiences are promoted daily. Celebration of the Mass is offered in the Student Center once a month. Local priests from the Brownsville Diocese volunteer their time to lead the school community in prayer.”
  Communal prayer is promoted daily; a Mass is celebrated in the Student Center monthly; local diocesan priests volunteer to lead prayer.
Not enough information:
Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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.
Partly:
Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Local priests from the Brownsville Diocese volunteer to lead the school community in prayer.)
Sources (1)
1. Faith Formation | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Communal prayer experiences are promoted daily. Celebration of the Mass is offered in the Student Center once a month. Local priests from the Brownsville Diocese volunteer their time to lead the school community in prayer.”
  Communal prayer is promoted daily; a Mass is celebrated in the Student Center monthly; local diocesan priests volunteer to lead prayer.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Required Religious Studies courses are listed for grades 9 through 12, one per grade; four years. Each grade is counted as one full year. Theology is taken in every high school grade.)
Sources (1)
1. Religious Studies | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academic-courses/religious-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Religious Studies 9 – Sacred Scripture Religious Studies 10 - Church and Worship Religious Studies 11 – Social Justice Religious Studies 12 Call to Ministry”
  High school Religious Studies courses are listed for grades 9 through 12.
Not enough information:
Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The academics page says the curriculum is centered around Roman Catholicism.)
Sources (1)
1. Academics | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Our curriculum is centered around Roman Catholicism and focuses on a comprehensive understanding of the Catholic faith”
  The school states its curriculum is centered on Roman Catholicism and the Catholic faith.

Campus culture

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
RetreatsA retreat for every grade (The retreat page describes an annual retreat for each student and lists a retreat for grades 7 through 12, including the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades.)
Sources (1)
1. Faith Formation Retreats | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Our retreat program is designed to provide an annual reflective experience for each student.”
  The school's retreat program gives every student an annual retreat.
  “In 11th grade, juniors participate in an Encounter Christ retreat”
  Juniors attend an Encounter Christ retreat.
  “Upperclassman retreats are extended 3-day overnight experiences, spent off campus in retreat centers outside of Brownsville.”
  Upperclass retreats are three-day overnight retreats held off campus.
Not enough information:
Campus ministry staffNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two or more faith-based student groups are listed: the Scripture Club and Marist Youth.)
Sources (2)
1. Scripture Club | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/scripture-club · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Scripture Club is open to all students in grades 7-12 who enjoy discussing and learning about Sacred Scripture in an informal setting.”
  The Scripture Club meets for students in grades 7 through 12 to discuss Sacred Scripture.
2. Marist Youth | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/marist-youth · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Marist Youth Leadership Team puts together several events throughout the school year to enrich the experience of spirituality among all members of our community.”
  A student Marist Youth group runs spiritual events during the school year.
Yes:
Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The school states that communal prayer is promoted daily, and that school begins with prayer each morning.)
Sources (2)
1. Faith Formation | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Communal prayer experiences are promoted daily. Celebration of the Mass is offered in the Student Center once a month. Local priests from the Brownsville Diocese volunteer their time to lead the school community in prayer.”
  Communal prayer is promoted daily; a Mass is celebrated in the Student Center monthly; local diocesan priests volunteer to lead prayer.
2. Frequently Asked Questions | St. Joe Lifesja.us/st-joe-life/parental-involvement/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “School begins with prayer promptly at 8:25am.”
  The school day begins with prayer.

Service and Catholic social teaching

81 of 100 points on what we could document.

Partly:
Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Students must complete a required amount of service each grade level each semester. The hours are not counted.)
Sources (1)
1. Community Service | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “All students will be required to perform the required amount of hours of service per grade level each semester.”
  Community service is required each grade level each semester; the hours are not stated.
Yes:
Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The required Religious Studies course outcomes include applying Roman Catholic teaching to personal and social issues. Religious Studies 11 is titled Social Justice. The outcome statement is the basis.)
Sources (2)
1. Faith Formation | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “As a result of the required course of study in Religious Studies, students will: Know and love Jesus Christ. Apply Roman Catholic teaching to the analysis of personal and social issues.”
  Required Religious Studies is expected to teach students to apply Roman Catholic teaching to personal and social issues.
2. Religious Studies | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academic-courses/religious-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Religious Studies 9 – Sacred Scripture Religious Studies 10 - Church and Worship Religious Studies 11 – Social Justice Religious Studies 12 Call to Ministry”
  High school Religious Studies courses are listed for grades 9 through 12.
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 (The Marist Day of Service, a monthly hot meal project and the Marist Youth service events are listed.)
Sources (2)
1. Marist Youth | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/marist-youth · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “For the Marist Day of Service, SJA students and faculty spend a Saturday serving the community”
  The school holds a Marist Day of Service in which students serve the community.
2. Good Neighbor Service Project | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/good-neighbor-service-project · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “On the fourth Thursday of each month, we provide a hot meal to needy individuals at Good Neighbor Settlement House”
  A monthly service project serves hot meals on the fourth Thursday of each month.

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

Strengths

Religious Studies courses are listed in every high school grade, and the school states its curriculum is centered on Roman Catholicism.
Sources (2)
1. Religious Studies | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academic-courses/religious-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Religious Studies 9 – Sacred Scripture Religious Studies 10 - Church and Worship Religious Studies 11 – Social Justice Religious Studies 12 Call to Ministry”
  High school Religious Studies courses are listed for grades 9 through 12.
2. Academics | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academics · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Our curriculum is centered around Roman Catholicism and focuses on a comprehensive understanding of the Catholic faith”
  The school states its curriculum is centered on Roman Catholicism and the Catholic faith.
Every high school grade has a retreat, and the retreats are described on the school's retreat page.
Sources (1)
1. Faith Formation Retreats | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Our retreat program is designed to provide an annual reflective experience for each student.”
  The school's retreat program gives every student an annual retreat.
  “In 11th grade, juniors participate in an Encounter Christ retreat”
  Juniors attend an Encounter Christ retreat.
  “Upperclassman retreats are extended 3-day overnight experiences, spent off campus in retreat centers outside of Brownsville.”
  Upperclass retreats are three-day overnight retreats held off campus.
Faith and service groups are listed, including the Scripture Club and Marist Youth, and the school runs service projects each month.
Sources (3)
1. Scripture Club | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/scripture-club · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Scripture Club is open to all students in grades 7-12 who enjoy discussing and learning about Sacred Scripture in an informal setting.”
  The Scripture Club meets for students in grades 7 through 12 to discuss Sacred Scripture.
2. Marist Youth | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/marist-youth · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Marist Youth Leadership Team puts together several events throughout the school year to enrich the experience of spirituality among all members of our community.”
  A student Marist Youth group runs spiritual events during the school year.
3. Good Neighbor Service Project | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/good-neighbor-service-project · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “On the fourth Thursday of each month, we provide a hot meal to needy individuals at Good Neighbor Settlement House”
  A monthly service project serves hot meals on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Concerns

Service is required.
Sources (1)
1. Community Service | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/faith-formation/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “All students will be required to perform the required amount of hours of service per grade level each semester.”
  Community service is required each grade level each semester; the hours are not stated.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Marist Education and Campus Ministry (Faith Formation)

Address: 101 Saint Joseph Drive, Brownsville, TX 78520
Distance from campus: 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: sja.us, verified Oct. 12, 2026, sja.us, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 3 off campus, 5 location not published

Retreats 1

Grade-level retreatsOff campus
Annual retreat for each grade. Grades 7 through 10 have one-day retreats at a local Catholic retreat center in Brownsville; grade 11 has an Encounter Christ retreat; upperclass retreats are three-day overnights off campus.
sja.us, sja.us, sja.us

Service 3

Marist Day of ServiceOff campus
Annual, on a Saturday
Students and faculty serve the community at local agencies and sites.
sja.us
Good Neighbor Service ProjectOff campus
Fourth Thursday of each month
A monthly hot-meal service project at Good Neighbor Settlement House.
sja.us
Community service requirement
A required amount of service each grade level each semester, with approved service sites listed through the Religious Studies teacher.
sja.us

Faith formation 1

Scripture Club
Open to students in grades 7 to 12; meets biweekly to discuss Scripture passages.
sja.us

Clubs and groups 1

Marist Youth
A student group that runs spiritual and service events, including the freshman Marist retreat and the Marist Day of Service.
sja.us, sja.us

Liturgy and prayer 1

Baccalaureate Mass
At graduation
The school's Baccalaureate Mass, held as part of the year's Marist awards.
sja.us

Other 1

Campus Ministry
Offers grade level retreats, communal prayer experiences and service opportunities.
sja.us

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

Campus ministry

Marist Education and Campus Ministry

Sources (2)

Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/clubs-and-activities/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Campus Ministry strives to help the Saint Joseph Academy community live out the charism of the brothers”
Campus Ministry offers grade level retreats, prayer experiences and service opportunities.
“Campus Ministry strives to help the Saint Joseph Academy community live out the charism of the brothers”
Campus Ministry offers grade level retreats, prayer experiences and service opportunities.
Religious Studies | Saint Joseph Academysja.us/academic-courses/religious-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“101 Saint Joseph Drive Brownsville, Texas 78520”
The school's address is 101 Saint Joseph Drive, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Reach out

Contact details for Mary Beth Martin (Religious Studies Department Chair (faith formation page)) and 2 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

100 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of score100%
Students per teacher 25% of score6.7 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	Parish school
Diocese	Diocese of Brownsville, TX
Grades	7–12
Students (all grades)	460
Students in grades 9–12	319
Coed or single-sex	Coed
Student–teacher ratio	6.7 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges	100%
Setting	City

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 Brownsville

The Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

NCES school ID 01323654
101 Saint Joseph Dr, Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 542-3581
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Questions families ask

Is St. Joseph Academy a Catholic high school?: Yes. St. Joseph Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Brownsville. Its sponsor is Marist Brothers of the Schools.
What is St. Joseph Academy’s Compass Score?: 95 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is St. Joseph Academy Compass Recommended?: Yes. St. Joseph Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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