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St. Mary Catholic Central High School: SMCC Monroe MI
Photo: Notorious4life (talk), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

St. Mary Catholic Central High School

  • LocationMonroe, MI
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 326 students
Official website

St. Mary Catholic Central High School in Monroe, Michigan is a co-educational Catholic high school sponsored by the Monroe Vicariate and the Archdiocese of Detroit. Its campus ministry describes weekly faith-based services, a Mass before school on almost every Friday in the school chapel, a monthly morning Mass on the bell schedule, and a required annual retreat for every grade. Students must complete 40 service hours over four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary Catholic Central High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Mary Church: 0.1 mi1Saint Michael's Church: 0.3 mi2Catholic church (unnamed in OpenStreetMap): 0.4 mi3Saint John Catholic Church: 0.5 mi4Campus Ministry, St. Mary Catholic Central High School: 0.1 miSt. Mary Catholic Central High School (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Mary Church — 0.1 mi · 127 North Monroe Street, Monroe
  2. Saint Michael's Church — 0.3 mi · 502 West Front Street, Monroe
  3. Catholic church (unnamed in OpenStreetMap) — 0.4 mi
  4. Saint John Catholic Church — 0.5 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

59 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 handbook's bell schedules include a whole-school Monthly Morning Mass period. The Friday Mass before school is optional and is not counted here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monthly Morning Mass”
      The 2026-27 bell schedules include a monthly morning Mass period.
  • 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 (The school offers many opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students participate in weekly faith-based services and have many opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration.”
      Students have opportunities for confession and Eucharistic adoration; no schedule is published.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Eucharistic Adoration is offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students participate in weekly faith-based services and have many opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration.”
      Students have opportunities for confession and Eucharistic adoration; no schedule is published.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are published, and the handbook refers to a School Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic students will make an appointment with the School Chaplain”
      The handbook refers to a School Chaplain, who is not named.
      “Monthly Morning Mass”
      The 2026-27 bell schedules include a monthly morning Mass period.
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 (Theology is 4 credits for graduation. English is also 4 credits for four years; a full-year course is 1 credit and the 4 credits are four full-year equivalents.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The following credits are required for graduation at SMCC.”
      The graduation credit table requires 4 credits of theology, 4 credits of English and 24 credits in total.
  • 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

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors each have a school retreat each year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in an annual retreat.”
      Every student takes part in an annual retreat.
      “FRESHMEN attend a one-day, all-class retreat titled”
      Freshmen have a one-day, all-class retreat, and sophomores have their own one-day retreat.
      “JUNIOR AND SENIORS: THIS YEAR ONLY, BOTH JUNIORS AND SENIORS attend a three-day, all-class Kairos retreat held in January and March at Colombiere Retreat Center in Clarkston.”
      Juniors and seniors attended a three-day Kairos retreat in 2026-27.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional ministry leader is listed: the Director of Mission & Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/about/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Director of Mission & Ministry”
      Joseph Boggs is the school's Director of Mission & Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Respect Life Club is the one listed faith-based club. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is ecumenical and is not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/student-life/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Respect Life Club • Dcn. Dr. Carl Parran”
      The school lists a Respect Life Club with a deacon as moderator.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each class begins with prayer, and daily prayers are led over the PA system at midday before lunch and again during the last period of the day.”
      Each class begins with prayer, and daily prayers are led over the school PA system.
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 handbook requires forty community service hours over four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Additional graduation requirements include: One school sponsored retreat per year and forty community service hours over four years (10 hours of service each year attending SMCC).”
      Graduation requires forty community service hours over four years and one school retreat per year.
      “all St. Mary Catholic Central students are required to complete forty (40) community service hours”
      Students must complete forty community service hours to receive a diploma.
  • 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
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/student-life/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Respect Life Club • Dcn. Dr. Carl Parran”
      The school lists a Respect Life Club with a deacon as moderator.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The school provides domestic and international service trips.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To help make service a habit of the heart, we have a service hour requirement and provide many opportunities, including domestic and international service trips.”
      The school provides domestic and international service trips.

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

Strengths

  • Every student takes part in an annual retreat, and retreats are part of the graduation requirements.
    Sources (2)
    1. Retreats - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to participate in an annual retreat.”
      Every student takes part in an annual retreat.
    2. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Additional graduation requirements include: One school sponsored retreat per year and forty community service hours over four years (10 hours of service each year attending SMCC).”
      Graduation requires forty community service hours over four years and one school retreat per year.
  • Students must complete forty community service hours over four years to earn a diploma.
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all St. Mary Catholic Central students are required to complete forty (40) community service hours”
      Students must complete forty community service hours to receive a diploma.
  • Prayer is built into the day: each class begins with prayer, and daily prayers are led over the PA system.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each class begins with prayer, and daily prayers are led over the PA system at midday before lunch and again during the last period of the day.”
      Each class begins with prayer, and daily prayers are led over the school PA system.

Concerns

  • Confession and adoration are offered.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students participate in weekly faith-based services and have many opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration.”
      Students have opportunities for confession and Eucharistic adoration; no schedule is published.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, St. Mary Catholic Central High School

  • Address: 108 West Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: smccmonroe.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, smccmonroe.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, resources.finalsite.net, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 4 location not published

Retreats 3

  • Kairos retreatOff campus
    January and March (2026-27 for juniors and seniors)
    A three-day, all-class retreat at Colombiere Retreat Center in Clarkston. From 2027-28, seniors will attend an overnight retreat at the DeSales Center in Brooklyn, Michigan.
    smccmonroe.com
  • Freshman class retreat
    Each school year
    A one-day, all-class retreat titled "What It Means to Belong to the SMCC Catholic Community," led partly by seniors.
    smccmonroe.com
  • Sophomore class retreat "Both &"
    Each school year
    A one-day, all-class retreat with a visit to a local church and volunteer work with local charities.
    smccmonroe.com

Service 1

  • Service trips (domestic and international)Off campus
    Campus Ministry service trips in the U.S. and abroad, where students earn service hours.
    smccmonroe.com

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Advent and Lent all-school prayer servicesOn campus
    During Advent and Lent
    All-school morning prayer services, where students present the Living Stations of the Cross.
    smccmonroe.com

Faith formation 1

  • OCIA adapted for youth
    Sessions begin in October each school year
    A program for students interested in learning about the Catholic faith or discerning becoming Catholic. Sessions take place during school Masses, select prayer services and some lunch periods.
    smccmonroe.com

Clubs and groups 1

  • Respect Life Club
    Student club listed among the school's active clubs, moderated by a deacon.
    smccmonroe.com

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. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Three overarching themes guide the work of Campus Ministry: prayer, service, and retreats.”
    Campus Ministry's work is organized around prayer, service and retreats, including weekly Mass.
    “Three overarching themes guide the work of Campus Ministry: prayer, service, and retreats.”
    Campus Ministry's work is organized around prayer, service and retreats, including weekly Mass.
  2. Contact Us - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolsmccmonroe.com/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “108 West Elm Avenue Monroe, MI 48162”
    The school's address is 108 West Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162.
  3. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-2027 - St. Mary Catholic Central High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1788294430/smccmonroecom/dfhdnc30p13g2m3upumx/SMCCStudentHandbook2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “the Chapel of the Infant Jesus of Prague”
    The school building includes the Chapel of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

Reach out

Contact details for Joseph Boggs (Director of Mission & Ministry) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
53 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.80%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.3 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
DioceseArchdiocese of Detroit, MI
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)326
Students in grades 9–12326
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio12.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges80%
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 Detroit

The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of Detroit

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary Catholic Central High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary Catholic Central High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
What is St. Mary Catholic Central High School’s Compass Score?
73 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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