Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of St. Mary's Catholic High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Catholic High School

  • LocationPhoenix, AZ
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 487 students
Official website
Honor Roll badge

Saint Mary's Catholic High School in Phoenix is a diocesan college-preparatory school. Its school chapel has Mass on Monday and Friday at 7:15 a.m. and during lunch on Tuesday through Thursday, the whole student body attends Mass in the gym once a month, and a campus chaplain, Fr. Marvin Soto, is named. The school lists reconciliation every Monday at lunch, a monthly first-Friday adoration, and a retreat day for every class each year.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Monday, Friday7:15 AMSchool chapel · During the academic year.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass is celebrated daily in the school chapel at 7:15 a.m. on Monday and Friday, and during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
    The school chapel holds Mass every school day: 7:15 a.m. Monday and Friday, and during lunch Tuesday through Thursday.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's Catholic High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miVirginia G. Piper Chapel: 1.7 mi1Saint Mary's Basilica: 1.7 mi2Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church: 1.9 mi3Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish: 1.9 mi4St. Gregory Catholic Church: 1.9 mi5Chapel of Our Lady: 2.0 mi6Saint Mary's Catholic High School Campus Ministry: 0.1 miSt. Mary's Catholic High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Virginia G. Piper Chapel — 1.7 mi · 400 East Monroe Street, Phoenix
  2. Saint Mary's Basilica — 1.7 mi · 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix
  3. Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church — 1.9 mi · 909 East Washington Street, Phoenix
  4. Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish — 1.9 mi · 909 East Washington Street, Phoenix
  5. St. Gregory Catholic Church — 1.9 mi
  6. Chapel of Our Lady — 2.0 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.

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

90 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 entire student body attends Mass in the gym at least once a month.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At least once a month the entire student body participates in mass in the gym.”
      The entire student body attends Mass in the gym at least monthly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday and Friday at 7:15 a.m. and during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The school invites the whole school community.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated daily in the school chapel at 7:15 a.m. on Monday and Friday, and during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
      The school chapel holds Mass every school day: 7:15 a.m. Monday and Friday, and during lunch Tuesday through Thursday.
    2. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the academic year, Saint Mary’s offers daily Mass, all-school Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation during lunch.”
      The campus ministry page lists daily Mass, all-school Mass and reconciliation at lunch during the academic year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Reconciliation is offered every Monday during lunch, and after school on Friday upon request. A schoolwide reconciliation service is held in Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Monday during lunch and, upon request, after school on Friday.”
      Reconciliation is offered weekly on Mondays at lunch and on Friday afternoons on request.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (On the first Friday of each month the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the chapel from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is open to the community.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “On the first Friday of each month students have the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.”
      Adoration is offered on the first Friday of each month.
      “The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the chapel from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and is open to the community.”
      The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the chapel on first Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Marvin Soto is named as the Campus Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please click to contact our Campus Chaplain, Fr. Marvin Soto (frsoto@smknights.org) or Campus Ministry, Mr. Justin Sand (jsand@smknights.org), for more information about spiritual direction.”
      Fr. Marvin Soto is the Campus Chaplain and Mr. Justin Sand works in Campus Ministry; both have published school email addresses.
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 table lists 4 credits of theology, and the course catalog lists Theology 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8, each a one-credit course; theology is taken in each of the four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Handbook and Course Catalog 2026-27 | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Saint-Marys-Academic-Handbook-and-Course-Catalog-2026-27.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 4 Seat of Wisdom 7-8”
      The graduation requirements table lists 4 credits of theology.
      “T HEOLOGY 5-6 (11) (1 CREDIT )”
      The course catalog offers Theology 1-2 through Theology 7-8, one year at a time.
  • 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 (The course catalog lists Philosophy 1-2 among the offerings, and a Philosophy/PHL 202 dual-enrollment option.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Handbook and Course Catalog 2026-27 | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Saint-Marys-Academic-Handbook-and-Course-Catalog-2026-27.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Philosophy/PHL 202 1-2 (Dual Enrollment option)”
      A dual-enrollment philosophy course is offered.
  • 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 student-parent handbook states that the curriculum imparts a distinctively Catholic worldview in all subjects.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Parent-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “curriculum imparts a distinctively Catholic worldview in all subjects and treats the world”
      The curriculum is described as imparting a distinctively Catholic worldview in all subjects.
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 Student-Parent Handbook (2026-27) says all classes have a retreat day each year; juniors may also take a Kairos retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Parent-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All classes have a retreat day each year.”
      Every class has a retreat day each year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two professional ministry staff are named on the campus ministry page: the Campus Chaplain and the campus minister.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please click to contact our Campus Chaplain, Fr. Marvin Soto (frsoto@smknights.org) or Campus Ministry, Mr. Justin Sand (jsand@smknights.org), for more information about spiritual direction.”
      Fr. Marvin Soto is the Campus Chaplain and Mr. Justin Sand works in Campus Ministry; both have published school email addresses.
  • 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 (Morning prayer is held every day, and the Examen and the Angelus are prayed after lunch.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We have morning prayer every day and later pray the Examen and the Angelus after lunch”
      Morning prayer is held every day, with the Examen and the Angelus after lunch.
BService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Each house, sports team and club must complete one service project each year, with all members taking part.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Parent-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each House, sports team, and club is required to do one service project each year, where all members participate.”
      Each house, sports team and club must complete one service project each 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Upperclassmen may take part in the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. and the Walk for Life in San Francisco when available; a Youth for Life Club is listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “March for Life, D.C.”
      The school's Christian service list includes the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
    2. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Parent-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Upperclassmen can take part in the pilgrimages to Washington, D.C. and San Francisco for the March for Life and Walk”
      Upperclassmen can take part in the March for Life and Walk for Life pilgrimages when available.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Listed programs include a sophomore mission trip to Klagetoh, Arizona, two blood drives, and justice training.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sophomore Mission Trip to Klagetoh, Arizona”
      A sophomore mission trip to Klagetoh, Arizona is part of the school's service opportunities.
      “Justice for All Training”
      Justice for All training is among the school's service opportunities.

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

Strengths

  • Mass is celebrated in the school chapel every school day, with a Monday and Friday Mass at 7:15 a.m.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated daily in the school chapel at 7:15 a.m. on Monday and Friday, and during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
      The school chapel holds Mass every school day: 7:15 a.m. Monday and Friday, and during lunch Tuesday through Thursday.
  • A Catholic chaplain is named, and reconciliation is offered weekly.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Please click to contact our Campus Chaplain, Fr. Marvin Soto (frsoto@smknights.org) or Campus Ministry, Mr. Justin Sand (jsand@smknights.org), for more information about spiritual direction.”
      Fr. Marvin Soto is the Campus Chaplain and Mr. Justin Sand works in Campus Ministry; both have published school email addresses.
    2. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Monday during lunch and, upon request, after school on Friday.”
      Reconciliation is offered weekly on Mondays at lunch and on Friday afternoons on request.
  • Every class has a retreat day each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 Student-Parent Handbook | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Parent-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All classes have a retreat day each year.”
      Every class has a retreat day each year.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Saint Mary's Catholic High School Campus Ministry

  • Address: 2525 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 2 off campus, 6 location not published

Service 3

  • March for Life, Washington, D.C.Off campus
    Upperclassmen may take part in the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. when available.
    smknights.org
  • Sophomore mission trip to Klagetoh, ArizonaOff campus
    A sophomore mission trip listed among the school's service opportunities.
    smknights.org
  • Blood drives with United Blood Services
    Two blood drives have been held with United Blood Services.
    smknights.org

Clubs and groups 3

  • Fishers of Men
    Listed among the school's current clubs.
    smknights.org
  • Youth for Life Club
    A club listed among the school's clubs, moderated by Mr. Sand of Campus Ministry.
    smknights.org
  • Daughters of Christ
    A club listed among the school's clubs, moderated by Sr. Daniel Albert.
    smknights.org

Retreats 2

  • Kairos retreat
    Fall and Spring for juniors
    A three-night, four-day retreat for juniors.
    smknights.org
  • Discernment retreat
    Annually
    Twelve students a year are invited to a weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
    smknights.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 | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “During the academic year, Saint Mary’s offers daily Mass, all-school Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation during lunch.”
    The campus ministry page lists daily Mass, all-school Mass and reconciliation at lunch during the academic year.
    “Please click to contact our Campus Chaplain, Fr. Marvin Soto (frsoto@smknights.org) or Campus Ministry, Mr. Justin Sand (jsand@smknights.org), for more information about spiritual direction.”
    Fr. Marvin Soto is the Campus Chaplain and Mr. Justin Sand works in Campus Ministry; both have published school email addresses.
  2. Faith | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass is celebrated daily in the school chapel at 7:15 a.m. on Monday and Friday, and during lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.”
    The school chapel holds Mass every school day: 7:15 a.m. Monday and Friday, and during lunch Tuesday through Thursday.
  3. Academic Handbook and Course Catalog 2026-27 | Saint Mary's Catholic High Schoolsmknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Saint-Marys-Academic-Handbook-and-Course-Catalog-2026-27.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “2525 North Third Street – Phoenix, AZ 85004”
    The school's address is 2525 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Marvin Soto (Campus Chaplain) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
70 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.90%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.3 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
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, AZ
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)487
Students in grades 9–12487
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges90%
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

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

The Most Reverend John P. Dolan, Bishop of Phoenix

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

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

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Arizona · Arizona rankings