Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of St. Joseph Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Joseph Academy

  • LocationSt. Augustine, FL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 282 students
Official website

St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine, Florida, is a diocesan Catholic high school for grades 9 through 12, founded in 1866 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Its Campus Ministry says student-body Masses are celebrated at least once a month during the school day, with optional Mass before school each week, prayer at the start of each class, and communal Penance services twice a year. Theology is required every year, and each student must complete 25 hours of community service per school year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Joseph Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Benedict Catholic Church: 1.0 mi1Corpus Christi Catholic Church: 1.3 mi2Cathedral Basillica of Saint Augustine: 1.4 mi3Prince of Peace Votive Church: 1.8 mi4Shrine of our Lady of la Leche: 1.9 mi5St. Joseph Academy Campus Ministry and chapel: 0.2 miSt. Joseph Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Benedict Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 86 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Saint Augustine
  2. Corpus Christi Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  3. Cathedral Basillica of Saint Augustine — 1.4 mi · 38 Cathedral Place, Saint Augustine
  4. Prince of Peace Votive Church — 1.8 mi · 101 San Marco Avenue, Saint Augustine
  5. Shrine of our Lady of la Leche — 1.9 mi

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.

CSacramental life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

60 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The Campus Ministry page says Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day. The weekly Mass before school is an opportunity for students and is not counted here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school. Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day.”
      Student-body Masses are celebrated at least monthly during the school day; a weekly Mass before school is optional.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Communal Penance services are held twice a year, with the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Twice a year, students celebrate communal Penance services and have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.”
      Communal Penance services are held twice a year.
  • 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 (Student-body Masses are published. The named Campus Minister is not a priest.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school. Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day.”
      Student-body Masses are celebrated at least monthly during the school day; a weekly Mass before school is optional.
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 graduation requirements state 4.0 credits in theology, and students must take theology each year they attend; theology is taken in all four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements and Course Offerings | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4.0 Credits in Theology: Students must take theology each year they attend SJA”
      Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement, taken each year of attendance.
  • 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 mission statement says Jesus Christ is the chief teacher and model of the school and that students encounter the Eucharist in a challenging academic environment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission Statement | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/about-sja/mission-statement1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Jesus Christ is the chief teacher and model of our school.”
      The mission statement names Jesus Christ as the chief teacher and model of the school.
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

78 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 (A Sophomore Retreat is listed. The community service page mentions yearly retreats without naming the grades.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Sophomore Retreat | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/sophomore-retreat · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We are hosting a retreat for the Sophomore class on November 5th.”
      A retreat is hosted for the sophomore class.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional ministry staff member is listed: the Campus Minister.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty and Staff | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/about-sja/staffandfaculty · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eileen Dugan Titles: Campus Minister, Theology Teacher”
      Eileen Dugan is the Campus Minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Discipleship groups, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the peer ministry program and a prayer club are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs and Activities | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/students/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Discipleship Groups meet every Thursday after school.”
      Discipleship groups for students are sponsored by Campus Ministry and meet weekly.
      “These ministers perform the important functions at St. Joseph Academy of liturgical ministry.”
      Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is a student liturgical ministry.
    2. Community Service | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have many other opportunities for personal and spiritual growth at SJA, including yearly retreats, two annual mission trips to Jamaica and Belize, the peer ministry program, prayer club, service and fellowship clubs, music ministry”
      Students may join a peer ministry program, a prayer club and other faith-related activities.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The Campus Ministry page says the entire community prays to begin and end each day, and prayer begins every class period.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We pray as an entire community to begin and end each day and prayer begins every class period.”
      The community prays at the start and end of each day, and each class begins with prayer.
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 (Each student must complete 25 hours of community service per school year, which is 100 hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community Service | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each student must complete 25 hours of community service per school year while in attendance at St. Joseph Academy”
      Each student must complete 25 hours of community service each 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.
    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 runs mission trips, including a trip to St. Croix and an urban plunge in Melrose, Florida, along with annual mission trips to Jamaica and Belize.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mission Trips | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/mission-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This year students will attend St. Croix as well as an urban plunge in Melrose, FL.”
      Juniors and seniors take mission trips, this year to St. Croix and an urban plunge in Melrose, Florida.
    2. Community Service | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have many other opportunities for personal and spiritual growth at SJA, including yearly retreats, two annual mission trips to Jamaica and Belize, the peer ministry program, prayer club, service and fellowship clubs, music ministry”
      Students may join a peer ministry program, a prayer club and other faith-related activities.

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

Strengths

  • Student-body Masses are celebrated at least once a month during the school day, and an optional Mass is offered weekly before school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school. Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day.”
      Student-body Masses are celebrated at least monthly during the school day; a weekly Mass before school is optional.
  • Theology is required in all four years, and each student completes 25 hours of community service per school year.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements and Course Offerings | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4.0 Credits in Theology: Students must take theology each year they attend SJA”
      Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement, taken each year of attendance.
    2. Community Service | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each student must complete 25 hours of community service per school year while in attendance at St. Joseph Academy”
      Each student must complete 25 hours of community service each school year.
  • Mission trips and several faith-based student groups are listed.
    Sources (3)
    1. Mission Trips | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/mission-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This year students will attend St. Croix as well as an urban plunge in Melrose, FL.”
      Juniors and seniors take mission trips, this year to St. Croix and an urban plunge in Melrose, Florida.
    2. Clubs and Activities | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/students/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Discipleship Groups meet every Thursday after school.”
      Discipleship groups for students are sponsored by Campus Ministry and meet weekly.
    3. Community Service | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry/community-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have many other opportunities for personal and spiritual growth at SJA, including yearly retreats, two annual mission trips to Jamaica and Belize, the peer ministry program, prayer club, service and fellowship clubs, music ministry”
      Students may join a peer ministry program, a prayer club and other faith-related activities.

Concerns

  • The school's Masses are led by priests from outside the school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school. Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day.”
      Student-body Masses are celebrated at least monthly during the school day; a weekly Mass before school is optional.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

St. Joseph Academy Campus Ministry and chapel

  • Address: 155 State Road 207, St. Augustine, FL 32084
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 4 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Service 2

  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Each year, for juniors and seniors
    Juniors and seniors travel on mission trips; this year to St. Croix and an urban plunge in Melrose, Florida. The school also lists annual mission trips to Jamaica and Belize.
    sjaweb.org, sjaweb.org
  • Community service program
    25 hours each school year
    Each student completes 25 hours of community service per school year through non-profit organizations.
    sjaweb.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy CommunionOn campus
    Second semester of junior year, serving in senior year
    Students are invited through their religion classes to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and are required to serve as lectors and altar servers.
    sjaweb.org
  • Music MinistryOn campus
    Students lead song and music at all-school Masses and practice generally 1-2 afternoons a week in the school chapel.
    sjaweb.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Weekly Mass before school (optional)On campus
    Weekly, before school
    Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school.
    sjaweb.org
  • Student-body MassOn campus
    At least once a month during the school day
    Masses for the student body are celebrated during the school day. Students serve as readers, altar servers, music ministers and Eucharistic ministers.
    sjaweb.org
  • Communal Penance services
    Twice a year
    Communal Penance services are held twice a year, with the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.
    sjaweb.org

Faith formation 2

  • Discipleship groups
    Thursdays after school
    Discipleship groups sponsored by Campus Ministry: a discussion group for the boys, and a group for the girls led by youth leaders from the Cathedral.
    sjaweb.org
  • Peer ministry program and prayer club
    Listed among the school's opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
    sjaweb.org

Retreats 1

  • Sophomore Retreat
    November 5 (sophomores)
    A retreat for the sophomore class, with the theme 'Identity in Christ & Community', held at St. Benedict the Moor and St. Joseph Neighborhood Center.
    sjaweb.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 | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Students have the opportunity to celebrate Mass weekly before school. Masses for the student body are celebrated at least once a month during the school day.”
    Student-body Masses are celebrated at least monthly during the school day; a weekly Mass before school is optional.
    “At the forefront of our campus is a chapel where students, parents and faculty can go for a prayer service, worship service, or for a quiet moment with God.”
    The campus chapel is at the center of campus ministry.
  2. Faculty and Staff | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/about-sja/staffandfaculty · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Eileen Dugan Titles: Campus Minister, Theology Teacher”
    Eileen Dugan is the Campus Minister.
  3. Contact Us | St Joseph Academysjaweb.org/about-sja/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Address: 155 State Road 207 St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: (904) 824-0431”
    The school's address is 155 State Road 207, St. Augustine, FL 32084, and its phone is 824-0431.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
49 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.79%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.6 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of St. Augustine, FL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)282
Students in grades 9–12282
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges79%
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 St. Augustine

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

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Joseph Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Joseph Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of St. Augustine.
What is St. Joseph Academy’s Compass Score?
72 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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