Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
St. Mary's Dominican High School: St.-Marys-Dominica-New-Orleans
Photo: N'Awlins Contrarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Dominican High School

  • LocationNew Orleans, LA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 8–12 · 776 students

All-female

Official website

St. Mary's Dominican High School is a Catholic college-preparatory school for girls in New Orleans, rooted in the tradition of St. Dominic and the Dominican Sisters. The school's pages describe school Masses with student preachers, reconciliation services, Eucharistic adoration in a campus chapel, a religion course in each high school year, a retreat program by grade level, and 100 hours of required service.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's Dominican High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Rita Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Blessed Trinity Catholic Church: 0.8 mi2Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church: 1.1 mi3Tulane Catholic - St. Martin de Porres Chapel: 1.2 mi4Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church: 1.4 mi5Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church: 1.6 mi6Office of Dominican Catholic Identity: 0.0 miSt. Mary's Dominican High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Rita Catholic Church — 0.1 mi · 2729 Lowerline Street, New Orleans
  2. Blessed Trinity Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 4230 South Broad Street, New Orleans
  3. Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 8128 Plum Street, New Orleans
  4. Tulane Catholic - St. Martin de Porres Chapel — 1.2 mi · 1037 Audubon Street
  5. Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 8321 Burthe Street, New Orleans
  6. Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church — 1.6 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.

DSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

47 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 yearA few times a year (School Masses are confirmed with student preachers.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Student Preachers bring a creative and youthful perspective into leading afternoon prayer and offering reflections as part of school Masses.”
      School Masses are held with student preachers offering reflections.
  • 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 services are confirmed, with Lenten reflections mentioned.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Office of Dominican Catholic Identity provides opportunities for spiritual growth through student-centered active participation in Masses, reconciliation services, Eucharistic Adoration and Lenten reflections.”
      The school's Office of Dominican Catholic Identity offers Masses, reconciliation services, and Eucharistic adoration to students; no frequency is stated.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Eucharistic adoration is confirmed in a campus chapel.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Office of Dominican Catholic Identity provides opportunities for spiritual growth through student-centered active participation in Masses, reconciliation services, Eucharistic Adoration and Lenten reflections.”
      The school's Office of Dominican Catholic Identity offers Masses, reconciliation services, and Eucharistic adoration to students; no frequency is stated.
      “The Donum Dei Adoration Chapel in honor of St. Martin de Porres at St. Mary’s Dominican High School, located in the center of our school”
      A Donum Dei Adoration Chapel is located in the center of the school.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (School Masses are confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Office of Dominican Catholic Identity provides opportunities for spiritual growth through student-centered active participation in Masses, reconciliation services, Eucharistic Adoration and Lenten reflections.”
      The school's Office of Dominican Catholic Identity offers Masses, reconciliation services, and Eucharistic adoration to students; no frequency is stated.
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 (Religion is listed as a required course in freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years (one credit each); four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at DHS | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/academics/academics-at-dhs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Christology; Paschal Mystery”
      Religion (Christology; Paschal Mystery) is a required freshman course for one credit.
      “Sophomore Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Ecclesiology; Sacraments”
      Religion (Ecclesiology; Sacraments) is a required sophomore course for one credit.
      “Junior Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Personal Morality; Social Morality”
      Religion (Personal Morality; Social Morality) is a required junior course for one credit.
      “Senior Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Catholic Vocations; Sacred Scripture”
      Religion (Catholic Vocations; Sacred Scripture) is a required senior course for one credit.
  • 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 junior religion course is Personal Morality. Social Morality.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at DHS | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/academics/academics-at-dhs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Junior Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Personal Morality; Social Morality”
      Religion (Personal Morality; Social Morality) is a required junior course for one credit.
  • 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.
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 retreat program describes a directed day with topics for each grade level, plus an overnight retreat for juniors.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The exploration consists of a directed day set aside for reflection with topics appropriate for each grade level.”
      The retreat program includes a directed day with topics for each grade level, and an overnight retreat for juniors.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two ministry staff are listed: the campus minister and the vice president for Dominican Catholic Identity.)
    Sources (1)
    1. DHS Faculty & Staff | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/about-dhs/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Marie “Nikki” Bouvier Dominican Catholic Identity Campus Minister”
      Marie Nikki Bouvier is listed as campus minister in Dominican Catholic Identity.
      “Dr. Maureen Wright, O.P. Dominican Catholic Identity & Leadership Vice President Dominican Catholic Identity”
      Dr. Maureen Wright, O.P. is listed as vice president of Dominican Catholic Identity.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Two faith-based student groups are named: the Christian Leadership Council and the Retreat Team.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members of the Christian Leadership Council foster a deeper awareness of Christian values within the school”
      The Christian Leadership Council is a student group that fosters Christian values and organizes service projects.
      “The Retreat Team facilitate small group discussion and share their personal insights”
      A student Retreat Team facilitates small group discussion at retreats.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Prayer and a prayerful attitude is central and incorporated into every aspect of school life.”
      Prayer is incorporated into every aspect of school life.
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 (All students must complete 100 hours of service by January of junior year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all students are required to complete 100 hours of service by January of their junior year”
      Students must complete 100 hours of service by January of junior 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
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In 2014, students and faculty inaugurated an annual Mardi Gras mission trip known as “Camino” to Bani, Dominican Republic.”
      An annual Mardi Gras mission trip (Camino) to Bani, Dominican Republic has been held since 2014.

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

Strengths

  • Religion is a required course in each of the four high school years.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academics at DHS | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/academics/academics-at-dhs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Christology; Paschal Mystery”
      Religion (Christology; Paschal Mystery) is a required freshman course for one credit.
      “Sophomore Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Ecclesiology; Sacraments”
      Religion (Ecclesiology; Sacraments) is a required sophomore course for one credit.
      “Junior Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Personal Morality; Social Morality”
      Religion (Personal Morality; Social Morality) is a required junior course for one credit.
      “Senior Year Required Credit Courses Offered Religion 1 Catholic Vocations; Sacred Scripture”
      Religion (Catholic Vocations; Sacred Scripture) is a required senior course for one credit.
  • All students complete 100 hours of required service by January of junior year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all students are required to complete 100 hours of service by January of their junior year”
      Students must complete 100 hours of service by January of junior year.
  • A Donum Dei Adoration Chapel is located in the center of the school.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Donum Dei Adoration Chapel in honor of St. Martin de Porres at St. Mary’s Dominican High School, located in the center of our school”
      A Donum Dei Adoration Chapel is located in the center of the school.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Office of Dominican Catholic Identity

  • Address: 7701 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Service 2

  • Camino mission tripOff campus
    Annual, during Mardi Gras week
    Annual mission trip to Bani, Dominican Republic, where students assist in schools run by the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
    stmarysdominican.org
  • Required community service program
    All students complete 100 service hours by January of junior year, with service seminars in the fall and spring of junior year.
    stmarysdominican.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Donum Dei Adoration ChapelOn campus
    Campus adoration chapel located in the center of the school; the Office of Dominican Catholic Identity invites students and others to pray there and to become committed adorers.
    stmarysdominican.org, stmarysdominican.org
  • Student Preachers
    Student peer-ministry team that leads afternoon prayer and gives reflections at school Masses.
    stmarysdominican.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Christian Leadership Council
    Student group that fosters awareness of Christian values and organizes service projects, including Adopt-A-Family through Catholic Charities, a Second Harvesters spring food drive, and Christmas caroling at a local nursing home.
    stmarysdominican.org

Retreats 2

  • Retreat Team
    Student team that facilitates small group discussion at school retreats.
    stmarysdominican.org
  • Retreat Program
    Directed day retreats with topics for each grade level, and an overnight retreat for juniors.
    stmarysdominican.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. Spiritual Life | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Office of Dominican Catholic Identity provides opportunities for spiritual growth through student-centered active participation in Masses, reconciliation services, Eucharistic Adoration and Lenten reflections.”
    The school's Office of Dominican Catholic Identity offers Masses, reconciliation services, and Eucharistic adoration to students; no frequency is stated.
    “The Donum Dei Adoration Chapel in honor of St. Martin de Porres at St. Mary’s Dominican High School, located in the center of our school”
    A Donum Dei Adoration Chapel is located in the center of the school.
    “7701 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA USA 70125”
    The school's address is 7701 Walmsley Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125.
  2. DHS Faculty & Staff | St. Mary's Dominican High Schoolstmarysdominican.org/about-dhs/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Marie “Nikki” Bouvier Dominican Catholic Identity Campus Minister”
    Marie Nikki Bouvier is listed as campus minister in Dominican Catholic Identity.

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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.
86 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.14.7 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 New Orleans, LA
Grades8–12
Students (all grades)776
Students in grades 9–12659
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio14.7 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 New Orleans

The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Archbishop of New Orleans

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's Dominican High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's Dominican High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

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