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Aerial view of St. Mary's Central High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Central High School

  • LocationBismarck, ND
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 349 students
Official website
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St. Mary's Central High School is a Catholic high school in Bismarck, North Dakota, run by Light of Christ Catholic Schools. Its theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions and daily Eucharistic Adoration among its spiritual formation opportunities, and Our Lady of Victory Chapel on the school campus hosts weekday Mass with students. Four units of religion, one each year, are a graduation requirement, and a Catholic social teaching course is required in the sophomore year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's Central High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miOur Lady of Victory Chapel: 0.0 mi1Seniors Secret Vape Lounge and Locker Room: 0.1 mi2Our Lady of Victory Chapel and the Office of the Chaplain: 0.3 miSt. Mary's Central High School (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of Victory Chapel — 0.0 mi
  2. Seniors Secret Vape Lounge and Locker Room — 0.1 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 theology page lists monthly all-school Masses. A weekly Mass is also mentioned; it is not counted here.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Formation will occur by providing our students opportunities to participate in monthly all-school Masses, weekly Masses, all-school Reconciliation Services, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries, and daily Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries and daily Eucharistic Adoration.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (The chapel page says guests may attend weekday Mass with students, and the chapel is part of the school campus. The school office confirms the schedule.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of Victory Chapel | Light of Christ Keep the Promisekeepthepromise.net/our-lady-of-victory-chapel · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Guests may attend weekday Mass with our students. Please call the school office to confirm the schedule”
      Our Lady of Victory Chapel, part of the school's secure campus, hosts weekday Mass with students; the school office confirms the schedule.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (The theology page lists weekly confessions and all-school Reconciliation services.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Formation will occur by providing our students opportunities to participate in monthly all-school Masses, weekly Masses, all-school Reconciliation Services, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries, and daily Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries and daily Eucharistic Adoration.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (The theology page lists daily Eucharistic Adoration among the school's spiritual formation opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Formation will occur by providing our students opportunities to participate in monthly all-school Masses, weekly Masses, all-school Reconciliation Services, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries, and daily Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries and daily Eucharistic Adoration.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Jacob Magnuson is named as School Chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Office of the Chaplain Fr. Jacob Magnuson School Chaplain”
      Fr. Jacob Magnuson is the school chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.
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 list four units of religion, one credit each year. The course guidebook lists theology courses in grades 9 through 12 (one credit in grade 9, one in grade 10, one in grade 11, and two half-credit electives in grade 12, choose two from four options, at least one of them theology).)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-27 SMCHS Graduation Requirementsfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/6/SMCHS%20Graduation%20Requirements.pdf?t=1781186266000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 units of religion (one credit each year)”
      The diploma requires four units of religion, one credit each year.
    2. 2026-27 Course Registration Guidebookfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/2/2026-27%20%20%20COURSE%20REGISTRATION%20GUIDEBOOK.pdf?t=1771966436000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic & non-Catholic students will be required to earn 27 credits in order to receive a St. Mary's Central High School diploma, of which four credits must be in the Theology curriculum.”
      Four of the 27 credits required for the diploma must be in theology.
  • 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 (Introduction to Philosophy is offered as a half-credit grade 12 theology elective option.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Registration Guidebookfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/2/2026-27%20%20%20COURSE%20REGISTRATION%20GUIDEBOOK.pdf?t=1771966436000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This introductory philosophy course is an introduction into the broad field of philosophy both as an academic study and a way of life from the perspective of the reason.”
      A grade 12 Introduction to 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 mission statement commits the school to pursuing the fullness of truth in all academic disciplines.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & Identity | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/mission-identity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we are passionately committed to allow the minds of our students to pursue the fullness of truth in all academic disciplines”
      The school's mission commits it to pursuing the fullness of truth in all academic disciplines.
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

90 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 theology page lists yearly class retreats. The reading that every class has one should be checked.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “yearly class retreats”
      The school holds yearly class retreats.
  • 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 School Chaplain. Assistant Chaplains are students and are not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Office of the Chaplain Fr. Jacob Magnuson School Chaplain”
      Fr. Jacob Magnuson is the school chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Several faith-based student groups are listed, including Saints for Life, Knights of Virtue, Catholic Athletes for Christ and Vera Forma.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Organizations | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/clubs-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Saints for Life is our Pro-Life organization.”
      Saints for Life is the school's pro-life student group, which includes the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.
      “experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness”
      Catholic Athletes for Christ includes a night outside experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness.
      “Vera Forma is a group of young women dedicated to understanding beauty and womanhood”
      Vera Forma is a Catholic formation group for young women, and Knights of Virtue is a similar group for young men.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The theology page lists morning prayer and weekly rosaries as part of spiritual formation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Formation will occur by providing our students opportunities to participate in monthly all-school Masses, weekly Masses, all-school Reconciliation Services, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries, and daily Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries and daily Eucharistic Adoration.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Required service hoursNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Our Moral Life in Christ I, a required sophomore theology course, covers the principles of Catholic social teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Registration Guidebookfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/2/2026-27%20%20%20COURSE%20REGISTRATION%20GUIDEBOOK.pdf?t=1771966436000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the principles of Catholic social teaching, and the power of faith.”
      Our Moral Life in Christ I, a required sophomore theology course, covers the principles of Catholic social teaching.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Saints for Life is the school's pro-life organization and lists a March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Organizations | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/clubs-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Saints for Life is our Pro-Life organization.”
      Saints for Life is the school's pro-life student group, which includes the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Catholic Athletes for Christ includes a night outside experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness. Annual pilgrimages to Peru are also mentioned.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Organizations | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/clubs-organizations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness”
      Catholic Athletes for Christ includes a night outside experiencing the reality of hunger and homelessness.

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

Strengths

  • Four units of religion are required for graduation, one each year.
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-27 SMCHS Graduation Requirementsfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/6/SMCHS%20Graduation%20Requirements.pdf?t=1781186266000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “4 units of religion (one credit each year)”
      The diploma requires four units of religion, one credit each year.
    2. 2026-27 Course Registration Guidebookfiles.ecatholic.com/12072/documents/2026/2/2026-27%20%20%20COURSE%20REGISTRATION%20GUIDEBOOK.pdf?t=1771966436000 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic & non-Catholic students will be required to earn 27 credits in order to receive a St. Mary's Central High School diploma, of which four credits must be in the Theology curriculum.”
      Four of the 27 credits required for the diploma must be in theology.
  • Daily Eucharistic Adoration, weekly confessions and morning prayer are listed as part of spiritual formation.
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Formation will occur by providing our students opportunities to participate in monthly all-school Masses, weekly Masses, all-school Reconciliation Services, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries, and daily Eucharistic Adoration.”
      The theology department lists monthly all-school Masses, weekly confessions, morning prayer, weekly rosaries and daily Eucharistic Adoration.
  • A named school chaplain is listed, and Mass is offered on weekdays for students in the campus chapel.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Office of the Chaplain Fr. Jacob Magnuson School Chaplain”
      Fr. Jacob Magnuson is the school chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.
    2. Our Lady of Victory Chapel | Light of Christ Keep the Promisekeepthepromise.net/our-lady-of-victory-chapel · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Guests may attend weekday Mass with our students. Please call the school office to confirm the schedule”
      Our Lady of Victory Chapel, part of the school's secure campus, hosts weekday Mass with students; the school office confirms the schedule.

Concerns

  • Families are asked to call the school office.
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of Victory Chapel | Light of Christ Keep the Promisekeepthepromise.net/our-lady-of-victory-chapel · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Guests may attend weekday Mass with our students. Please call the school office to confirm the schedule”
      Our Lady of Victory Chapel, part of the school's secure campus, hosts weekday Mass with students; the school office confirms the schedule.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Our Lady of Victory Chapel and the Office of the Chaplain

  • Address: 5802 Ridgeland Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel (Our Lady of Victory Chapel, part of the school's campus)

View on map ↗

Source: keepthepromise.net, verified Oct. 12, 2026, smchs.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

14 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus, 11 location not published

Service 2

  • Summer mission trips and pilgrimages to Rome and PeruOff campus
    Summer; annual pilgrimages
    Students go on a summer mission trip or pilgrimage to Rome. Annual pilgrimages to Peru are also listed.
    smchs.org, smchs.org
  • Leo Lions
    A student service club that plans service activities each semester.
    smchs.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Weekday Mass at Our Lady of Victory ChapelOn campus
    Weekdays; times confirmed by the school office
    Weekday Mass with students in the chapel that is part of the school's campus. Guests may attend.
    keepthepromise.net
  • All-school MassesOn campus
    Monthly
    Monthly all-school Masses are part of the school's spiritual formation.
    smchs.org

Faith formation 5

  • All-school Reconciliation services and weekly confessions
    Weekly confessions; all-school services
    Confession and Reconciliation services for students.
    smchs.org
  • Daily Eucharistic Adoration
    Daily
    Eucharistic Adoration listed as part of spiritual formation.
    smchs.org
  • Morning prayer and weekly rosaries
    Morning prayer; weekly rosaries
    Morning prayer and weekly rosaries listed as spiritual formation opportunities.
    smchs.org
  • ROCK senior high youth gathering
    Four times a year
    A senior high youth gathering called the ROCK (Reaching Out to Christ's Kingdom), plus ROCK small groups.
    smchs.org
  • Assistant Chaplains
    Senior students who lead the school in prayer and help with religious and spiritual activities under the school chaplain.
    smchs.org

Clubs and groups 4

  • Saints for Life
    The school's pro-life organization. It learns about social issues of life and takes part in the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., and public rallies.
    smchs.org
  • Knights of Virtue
    A group for young men on virtuous living and growth in holiness, with volunteering and retreats.
    smchs.org
  • Catholic Athletes for Christ
    A Christ-centered group for athletes and non-athletes that reads Scripture and the lives of saints and includes a night outside experiencing hunger and homelessness.
    smchs.org
  • Vera Forma
    A group of young women exploring beauty, womanhood and virtue, with volunteering and prayer.
    smchs.org

Retreats 1

  • Yearly class retreats
    Yearly
    Class retreats held each year.
    smchs.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. Faculty | St. Mary's Central High Schoolsmchs.org/faculty-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Office of the Chaplain Fr. Jacob Magnuson School Chaplain”
    Fr. Jacob Magnuson is the school chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.
    “Office of the Chaplain Fr. Jacob Magnuson School Chaplain”
    Fr. Jacob Magnuson is the school chaplain in the Office of the Chaplain.
  2. Our Lady of Victory Chapel | Light of Christ Keep the Promisekeepthepromise.net/our-lady-of-victory-chapel · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Guests may attend weekday Mass with our students. Please call the school office to confirm the schedule”
    Our Lady of Victory Chapel, part of the school's secure campus, hosts weekday Mass with students; the school office confirms the schedule.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Jacob Magnuson (School Chaplain (reached through the school office; no direct email is published)) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: 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.
57 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.83%
  • 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

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Bismarck, ND
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)349
Students in grades 9–12349
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges83%
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

Diocese of Bismarck

The Most Reverend David D. Kagan, Bishop of Bismarck

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's Central High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's Central High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Bismarck.
What is St. Mary's Central High School’s Compass Score?
86 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is St. Mary's Central High School Compass Recommended?
Yes. St. Mary's Central High School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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