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Aerial view of St. Joseph's Preparatory School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Joseph's Preparatory School

  • LocationPhiladelphia, PA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 938 students
  • SponsorSociety of Jesus (Jesuits)

All-male

Official website
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St. Joseph's Preparatory School is a Jesuit Catholic college preparatory school for young men at 17th and Girard in Philadelphia. Its website lists a school-wide liturgy once a month, a required freshman retreat, a required Ignatian service program of 80 hours, a Respect Life Club, and four credits of Religious Studies.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Joseph's Preparatory School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSt. Andrew's Lithuanian Catholic Church: 0.5 mi1St. Malachy's Church: 0.6 mi2Spanish Chapel (La Milagrosa): 0.7 mi3Chapel of Divine Love: 0.7 mi4Saint Francis Xavier Church: 0.8 mi5Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church: 0.9 mi6Mission & Ministry Office, St. Joseph's Preparatory School: 0.0 miSt. Joseph's Preparatory School (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Andrew's Lithuanian Catholic Church — 0.5 mi · 1913 Wallace Street
  2. St. Malachy's Church — 0.6 mi · 1419 North 11th Street, Philadelphia
  3. Spanish Chapel (La Milagrosa) — 0.7 mi · 1903 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia
  4. Chapel of Divine Love — 0.7 mi · 2212 Green Street, Philadelphia
  5. Saint Francis Xavier Church — 0.8 mi · 2319 Green Street, Philadelphia
  6. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 830 North Franklin Street, Philadelphia

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.

BSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

71 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 (Once a month, all students and colleagues gather for a school-wide liturgy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Once a month all students and colleagues gather for a school-wide liturgy.”
      A school-wide liturgy is held once a month.
  • 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 (Reconciliation is available on request during the week, and select days are offered in Advent and Lent. The seasonal days are the recurring pattern recorded.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available throughout the week, upon request.”
      Reconciliation is available on request during the week.
      “We will also offer select days during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent for our school community to receive the sacrament.”
      Select days for reconciliation are offered in Advent and Lent.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Adoration is listed among prayer opportunities offered 'at different times during the year'.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At different times during the year, various prayer opportunities such as Adoration, the Rosary, praise and worship”
      Adoration is offered at different times during the year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Rev. Steve Surovick, SJ leads Mission & Ministry as Vice President, and Jesuit priests hear students' confessions on request: a named priest heading the ministry and a priest community serving students.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Leadership | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “REV. STEVE SUROVICK, SJ VP, Mission & Ministry”
      Rev. Steve Surovick, SJ is VP, Mission & Ministry.
    2. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Jesuit priests are available to hear confessions from students, faculty, and staff.”
      Jesuit priests hear confessions for the school community on request.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Religious Studies is a 4-credit graduation requirement. A full-year course is 1 credit (English is 4 credits over four years); this is four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Program of Studies | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/academics/program-of-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religious Studies 4 English 4”
      Religious Studies is a four-credit requirement.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
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 required freshman retreat and a sophomore retreat are listed. A senior retreat is in development; not every grade has a published retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All freshmen are required to attend the IGNITE Freshman Retreat”
      The IGNITE Freshman Retreat is required for all freshmen.
      “The Montserrat Sophomore Retreat is an opportunity offered for our 10th grade students”
      A Montserrat retreat is offered to sophomores.
      “Mission & Ministry is in the process of developing a customized retreat for the seniors.”
      A senior retreat is in development.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (The Mission & Ministry office lists one named VP, a priest. Other named contacts have no published title.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Leadership | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “REV. STEVE SUROVICK, SJ VP, Mission & Ministry”
      Rev. Steve Surovick, SJ is VP, Mission & Ministry.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (The Mission & Ministry Leadership Team and the Respect Life Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/student-life/clubs--activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mission & Ministry Leadership Team”
      The Mission & Ministry Leadership Team is a listed student club.
      “Respect Life Club”
      The Respect Life Club is a listed student club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Daily Prayer, a weekly Examen”
      Daily Prayer is part of the school's liturgical and prayer life.
      “during our Morning Prayer”
      A Morning Prayer is held for the school.
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 (80 hours over four years (10 freshman, 10 sophomore, 20 junior, 40 senior).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10 hours for Freshman 10 hours for Sophomores 20 hours for Juniors 40 hours for Senior”
      Service hours by grade are required.
      “During their four years they will complete a minimum 80 hours.”
      Students must complete a minimum of 80 service hours over 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 Respect Life Club appears in the official clubs list.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/student-life/clubs--activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Respect Life Club”
      The Respect Life Club is a listed student club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Teachers lead service trips; the Hurtado Food Pantry is a listed service club.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/student-life/clubs--activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Hurtado Food Pantry”
      The Hurtado Food Pantry is a listed student club.
    2. Faculty | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/academics/faculty · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Many teachers coach, work in our summer program, and lead service trips and retreats.”
      Teachers lead service trips.

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

Strengths

  • A required service program of 80 hours over four years is published, with hours set for each grade.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10 hours for Freshman 10 hours for Sophomores 20 hours for Juniors 40 hours for Senior”
      Service hours by grade are required.
      “During their four years they will complete a minimum 80 hours.”
      Students must complete a minimum of 80 service hours over four years.
  • A Respect Life Club and a Mission & Ministry Leadership Team are listed among student clubs.
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/student-life/clubs--activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mission & Ministry Leadership Team”
      The Mission & Ministry Leadership Team is a listed student club.
      “Respect Life Club”
      The Respect Life Club is a listed student club.
  • Four credits of Religious Studies are required, and a freshman retreat is required for all freshmen.
    Sources (2)
    1. Program of Studies | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/academics/program-of-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religious Studies 4 English 4”
      Religious Studies is a four-credit requirement.
    2. Retreats | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All freshmen are required to attend the IGNITE Freshman Retreat”
      The IGNITE Freshman Retreat is required for all freshmen.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Mission & Ministry Office, St. Joseph's Preparatory School

  • Address: 1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel (White Chapel)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 3

  • Montserrat Sophomore RetreatOff campus
    Sophomore year
    Retreat for 10th graders held off-site before the Sophomore Conversation.
    sjprep.org, sjprep.org
  • IGNITE Freshman Retreat
    Required retreat for incoming freshmen, led by juniors and seniors.
    sjprep.org
  • Kairos retreat
    Four-day retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises; not mandatory. Grade level not stated.
    sjprep.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Pre-school Mass or communion serviceOn campus
    Before each school day
    Daily Mass or communion services in the White Chapel, as the page describes them.
    sjprep.org
  • Monthly school-wide liturgy
    Monthly
    School-wide liturgy for students and colleagues once a month.
    sjprep.org
  • Advent and Lent reconciliation days
    Advent and Lent
    Select days for reconciliation for the school community.
    sjprep.org

Faith formation 1

  • Mission & Ministry Leadership Team
    Student club listed by the school.
    sjprep.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Respect Life Club
    Student club listed by the school.
    sjprep.org

Service 2

  • Hurtado Food Pantry
    Student club listed by the school.
    sjprep.org
  • Ignatian Service Program
    Four years
    Required service of 80 hours over four years.
    sjprep.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. Mission in Action | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/mission-in-action · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “during our Morning Prayer”
    A Morning Prayer is held for the school.
    “A Book of Intentions and Remembrance is also located in the White Chapel.”
    The White Chapel is on the school campus.
  2. Leadership | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/about-us/leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “REV. STEVE SUROVICK, SJ VP, Mission & Ministry”
    Rev. Steve Surovick, SJ is VP, Mission & Ministry.
  3. Retreats | St. Joseph's Preparatory Schoolsjprep.org/jesuit-mission/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130”
    The school's address is 1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Steve Surovick, SJ (VP, Mission & Ministry) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
89 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.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.4 to 1

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

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

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Philadelphia, PA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)938
Students in grades 9–12938
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio13.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
SettingCity

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 Philadelphia

The Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Joseph's Preparatory School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Joseph's Preparatory School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Its sponsor is Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
What is St. Joseph's Preparatory School’s Compass Score?
84 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is St. Joseph's Preparatory School Compass Recommended?
Yes. St. Joseph's Preparatory School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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