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Aerial view of St. Joseph Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Joseph Academy

  • LocationSan Marcos, CA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades K–12 · 355 students
Official website
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Saint Joseph Academy in San Marcos, California, is an independent TK-12 classical school that describes itself as faithful to the Magisterium. Its pages describe a weekly school Mass, confession at least monthly, a monthly Holy Hour open to students, a class retreat for every high school grade, daily prayer, and a 30-hour-per-year Christian Service graduation requirement.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Friday8:40 AMSt. Joseph Academy · Usually scheduled every Friday, per the Spiritual Life page. The Campus Ministry page also describes a school Mass every First Friday and the other Fridays of the month.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 13, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Holy Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.”
    The school Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Joseph Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Mark Catholic Church: 1.5 mi1Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy: 0.1 miSt. Joseph Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Mark Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 1147 Discovery Street, San Marcos

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.

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

88 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 Campus Ministry page says the entire student body comes together once a week for Mass. The Spiritual Life page says it is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire student body comes together once a week to celebrate Mass.”
      The school holds Mass for the whole student body once a week.
    2. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Holy Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.”
      The school Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Both pages describe confession during the school day in the Octave of the First Fridays for students. The Spiritual Life page says weekly, and the Campus Ministry page says monthly. Both support monthly or more often; regular is recorded.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Joseph Academy offers weekly Confession, during school so that all students attend as a class”
      The Spiritual Life page says confession is offered weekly during school.
    2. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Joseph Academy offers monthly Confession, during school, in the Octave of the First Fridays for students and staff.”
      The Campus Ministry page says confession is offered monthly during school for students and staff.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (A Holy Hour of Adoration is held every First Friday, and the page says all families and students are invited. A weekly hour of adoration is held for the parents' Spiritual Motherhood group.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Once a month, every First Friday, the faculty attend a Holy Hour of Adoration together”
      A Holy Hour of Adoration is held every First Friday.
      “All St. Joseph families and students are invited to join.”
      Students are invited to the monthly Holy Hour.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Named Norbertine priests come to campus weekly for spiritual direction, and one celebrates Mass for students. No page calls a priest the school's chaplain. The two pages name different priests for this weekly work.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “In addition to offering spiritual direction, Fr. Charles celebrates Mass for the staff and students and hears Confessions of students from all grades levels.”
      A Norbertine priest comes to campus weekly, celebrates Mass for students and hears their confessions.
    2. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Martin Latiff, MC and Fr. Patrick Wainwright, MC are present, on a weekly basis, at the campus of St. Joseph Academy”
      Two other priests are on campus weekly for high school spiritual direction.
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 (The high school profile lists 45 credits (4 1/2 years) of theology as a graduation requirement. Rounded down under the full-year rule, that is four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Saint Joseph Academy High School Profile (2025-2026)sjaclassical.org/high-school-profile · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “45 credits (4 1/2 years)”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of 45 credits, which is 4 1/2 years.
  • 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 Theology is a required course in the theology sequence, which is an ethics course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Saint Joseph Academy High School Profile (2025-2026)sjaclassical.org/high-school-profile · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Introduction to Theology, Biblical Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual Theology”
      The theology requirement includes a Moral Theology course.
  • 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 Campus Ministry page says the school's programs, curriculum and extracurricular activities contribute to students' faith formation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “programs, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities contribute to the faith formation of her students”
      The school says its programs, curriculum and extracurricular activities contribute to faith formation.
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 (The Spiritual Life page says all high school students attend their class retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All high school students attend their class retreat.”
      Every high school class attends a class retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two professional ministry staff are listed: a Director of Evangelization and a Norbertine priest who serves students weekly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/faculty · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Father Charles Willingham, O.Praem.”
      A Norbertine priest is listed among the school's clergy.
      “Lan Parsons Flex/Hybrid Program Director; Director of Evangelization”
      Lan Parsons is listed as Director of Evangelization.
  • 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 (Students begin and end the school day with prayer, and a daily Rosary decade is prayed after lunch.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students begin and end the day with prayer.”
      Students begin and end each school day with prayer.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 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 (The FAQ says high school students must complete a minimum of 30 community service hours in each of their four years, which is 120 hours.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Community Service | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/christian-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students must complete a minimum of 30 community service hours each of their four years at SJA.”
      High school students must complete 30 community service hours each year for four years.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The student clubs page lists Crusaders For Life, and the Campus Ministry page refers to an HS Pro-Life Club and activities.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Clubs | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/student-clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Crusaders For Life”
      The school lists a Crusaders For Life club among its high school clubs.
    2. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Please view our HS Pro-Life Club and activities.”
      The Campus Ministry page refers to a high school Pro-Life Club and activities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The required high school Christian Service program places students with organizations serving the poor and vulnerable, and volunteer options include restorative justice and pro-life organizations.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Community Service | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/christian-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Here at SJA, we have set up a program to encourage service to our fellow mankind by our high school students.”
      The high school Christian Service program encourages service to others, and service options include organizations for the homeless and pro-life groups.

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

Strengths

  • A school Mass is held for the whole student body once a week.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire student body comes together once a week to celebrate Mass.”
      The school holds Mass for the whole student body once a week.
    2. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Holy Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.”
      The school Mass is usually scheduled every Friday at 8:40 AM.
  • Confession is offered during school at least monthly, and a monthly Holy Hour is open to students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Joseph Academy offers monthly Confession, during school, in the Octave of the First Fridays for students and staff.”
      The Campus Ministry page says confession is offered monthly during school for students and staff.
      “All St. Joseph families and students are invited to join.”
      Students are invited to the monthly Holy Hour.
  • Every high school class attends a retreat, and students begin and end each day with prayer.
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All high school students attend their class retreat.”
      Every high school class attends a class retreat.
    2. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students begin and end the day with prayer.”
      Students begin and end each school day with prayer.
  • A 30-hour-per-year Christian Service requirement applies in all four high school years.
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Community Service | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/christian-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students must complete a minimum of 30 community service hours each of their four years at SJA.”
      High school students must complete 30 community service hours each year for four years.
  • A pro-life club and a pro-life curriculum are part of the school's program.
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Clubs | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/student-clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Crusaders For Life”
      The school lists a Crusaders For Life club among its high school clubs.
    2. SJA Respects Life | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/sja-respects-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “SJA teaches and promotes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death in its curriculum and extracurricular activities.”
      The school teaches and promotes pro-life teaching in its curriculum and activities.

Concerns

  • The school Mass is weekly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire student body comes together once a week to celebrate Mass.”
      The school holds Mass for the whole student body once a week.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy

  • Address: 500 Las Flores Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: sjaclassical.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, sjaclassical.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, sjaclassical.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 4 location not published

Other 1

  • Rome and Assisi PilgrimageOff campus
    Upcoming (2027)
    A school pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, offered to students.
    sjaclassical.org

Faith formation 2

  • Norbertine spiritual directionOn campus
    Weekly
    Weekly spiritual direction on campus for 8th grade and high school students who want it. A Norbertine priest also celebrates Mass and hears confessions.
    sjaclassical.org
  • Spiritual Motherhood group
    Weekly
    For parents: a weekly hour of adoration and prayer for vocations to the priesthood.
    sjaclassical.org

Clubs and groups 1

Retreats 1

  • Class retreats
    Every high school class attends a retreat during the day, usually at a retreat center. Retreats are led by priests and include Mass, confession and the Rosary.
    sjaclassical.org

Service 1

  • High School Christian Service Program
    A required program in which students serve community organizations. It is a graduation requirement of 30 hours per year.
    sjaclassical.org, sjaclassical.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 (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Saint Joseph Academysjaclassical.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy”
    The school's campus ministry is named Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy.
    “Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy”
    The school's campus ministry is named Campus Ministry at Saint Joseph Academy.
    “Fr. Martin Latiff, MC and Fr. Patrick Wainwright, MC are present, on a weekly basis, at the campus of St. Joseph Academy”
    Two other priests are on campus weekly for high school spiritual direction.
  2. Saint Joseph Academy High School Profile (2025-2026)sjaclassical.org/high-school-profile · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “500 Las Flores Drive San Marcos, CA 92078”
    The school's address is 500 Las Flores Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078.

Reach out

Contact details for Lan Parsons (Director of Evangelization (Flex/Hybrid Program Director)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

FAcademic Excellence: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
30 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.70%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.8 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
DioceseDiocese of San Diego, CA
GradesK–12
Students (all grades)355
Students in grades 9–1295
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio14.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges70%
SettingSuburb

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 San Diego

The Most Reverend Michael Pham, Bishop of San Diego

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Joseph Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Joseph Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of San Diego.
What is St. Joseph Academy’s Compass Score?
80 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at St. Joseph Academy?
Mass is listed at St. Joseph Academy. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is St. Joseph Academy Compass Recommended?
Yes. St. Joseph Academy meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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