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

Catholic high school

St. Mary's High School

  • LocationColorado Springs, CO
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 151 students
Official website
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St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a Catholic high school. The whole school attends Mass once a week in the gym, students receive Reconciliation during Advent and Lent, and each grade has a retreat once a year. Theology is required for four years, and students must complete 150 hours of community service.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miDivine Redeemer Catholic Church: 0.8 mi1Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: 1.0 mi2The Catholic Center: 1.2 mi3The Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Catholic Church: 1.8 mi4Holy Trinity Catholic Church: 2.2 mi5Saint Mary's Cathedral: 2.4 mi6Campus Ministry, St. Mary's High School: 0.0 miSt. Mary's High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Divine Redeemer Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 926 Farragut Avenue, Colorado Springs
  2. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church — 1.0 mi · 2715 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs
  3. The Catholic Center — 1.2 mi · 750 Citadel Drive West, Colorado Springs
  4. The Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 1133 North Wahsatch, Colorado Springs
  5. Holy Trinity Catholic Church — 2.2 mi · 3122 Poinsetta Drive, Colorado Springs
  6. Saint Mary's Cathedral — 2.4 mi · 22 West Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs

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

74 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (The entire school attends Mass once a week in the gym.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
      The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.
    2. Ask / Visit / Shadow | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/learn-more · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “St. Mary's offers school-wide Mass every week.”
      The school offers a school-wide Mass every week.
  • 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 provided to the whole student body twice a year, in Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Reconciliation is provided to the entire student body twice a year (Advent, Lent).”
      Reconciliation is offered to the whole student body twice a year, during Advent and Lent.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (A weekly school Mass is published, and Father Joe Dygert is named as guiding the class retreats. No page names him as chaplain; the value is parttime.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “under the direct guidance of Father Joe Dygert”
      Father Joe Dygert provides direct guidance for the class retreats, which the Campus Ministry class designs and runs.
      “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
      The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.
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 course catalog requires 4 credits of theology, or one credit for each year at the school. Computed as four full-year courses, one in each grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Catalog | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/course-catalog · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students are required to take 4 credits of Theology, or 1 credit for every year spent at St. Mary's High School.”
      Students must take four years of theology, one credit per year.
  • 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.
  • 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 theology section of the course catalog says the school seeks to integrate Catholic values and morals into the curriculum, and that faith life extends to all aspects of the curriculum.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “we seek to integrate Catholic values and morals into our curriculum”
      The school seeks to integrate Catholic values and morals into its curriculum.
    2. Course Catalog | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/course-catalog · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Our faith-life and campus ministry extend to all aspects of our curriculum and community”
      Faith life and campus ministry extend to all aspects of the curriculum.
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

87 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Each grade level has a retreat once a year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each grade level has a retreat once a year.”
      Every grade has a retreat once a year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Sr. Monica Wheeler is listed under Campus Ministry on the staff directory, and Father Joe Dygert is named as guiding the class retreats.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Staff | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/staff · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Sr. Monica Wheeler Campus Ministry 719.635.7540 srmonica@smhscs.org”
      Sr. Monica Wheeler is listed under Campus Ministry, with the email srmonica@smhscs.org.
    2. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “under the direct guidance of Father Joe Dygert”
      Father Joe Dygert provides direct guidance for the class retreats, which the Campus Ministry class designs and runs.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Students for Life is a pro-life student club. It is the only student club on the clubs page tied to a Catholic cause.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “planning and leading the local Rocky Mountain March for Life in January”
      Students for Life plans and leads the local Rocky Mountain March for Life each January.
      “promote the sanctity of life from conception until natural death”
      Students for Life promotes the sanctity of life, is a pro-life student club, and holds monthly meetings from September through April.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
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 course catalog requires a minimum of 150 hours of community service over four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Course Catalog | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/course-catalog · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “for a minimum of 150 hours of Community Service over the 4 years of high school”
      Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of community service over four years.
    2. Current Students | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/current-students · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Freshman 25+ Sophomore 75+ Junior 125+ Senior 150+”
      The student service-hour totals on the current students page reach 150 hours by senior 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 (Students for Life plans and leads the local Rocky Mountain March for Life in January and travels to other March for Life events.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “planning and leading the local Rocky Mountain March for Life in January”
      Students for Life plans and leads the local Rocky Mountain March for Life each January.
      “promote the sanctity of life from conception until natural death”
      Students for Life promotes the sanctity of life, is a pro-life student club, and holds monthly meetings from September through April.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Students for Life volunteers at the Marian House soup kitchen, and the Spanish Club focuses on helping the community through service.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “volunteering at the Marian House soup kitchen”
      Students for Life members volunteer at the Marian House soup kitchen.
      “Students in the Spanish Club focus their activities on helping the community through service”
      The Spanish Club focuses on community service.

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

Strengths

  • The whole school attends a weekly Mass, and students have Reconciliation during Advent and Lent.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
      The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.
      “Reconciliation is provided to the entire student body twice a year (Advent, Lent).”
      Reconciliation is offered to the whole student body twice a year, during Advent and Lent.
  • Theology is required for four years, and the school seeks to integrate Catholic values into the curriculum.
    Sources (2)
    1. Course Catalog | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/course-catalog · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students are required to take 4 credits of Theology, or 1 credit for every year spent at St. Mary's High School.”
      Students must take four years of theology, one credit per year.
    2. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “we seek to integrate Catholic values and morals into our curriculum”
      The school seeks to integrate Catholic values and morals into its curriculum.
  • Each grade has a retreat, and students must complete 150 hours of community service.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each grade level has a retreat once a year.”
      Every grade has a retreat once a year.
    2. Course Catalog | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/course-catalog · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “for a minimum of 150 hours of Community Service over the 4 years of high school”
      Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of community service over four years.
  • A pro-life student club plans the local Rocky Mountain March for Life.
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/clubs-and-activities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “planning and leading the local Rocky Mountain March for Life in January”
      Students for Life plans and leads the local Rocky Mountain March for Life each January.

Concerns

  • The published school Mass is weekly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
      The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, St. Mary's High School

  • Address: 2501 E. Yampa St. Colorado Springs, CO 80909
  • Distance from campus: less than 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: gym

View on map ↗

Source: smhscs.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, smhscs.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 3 off campus, 5 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Sophomore class retreatOff campus
    The sophomore retreat, Pilgrimage, includes a visit to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Colorado Springs.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.org
  • Senior retreatOff campus
    An overnight retreat at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.org
  • Freshman class retreat
    The freshman retreat uses a challenge course, also known as a low-ropes course, to build community.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.org
  • Junior Kairos retreat
    The central retreat of the junior year, a three-day, two-night retreat.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.org

Service 2

  • Soup kitchen volunteeringOff campus
    Students for Life members volunteer at the Marian House soup kitchen.
    smhscs.org
  • Spanish Club
    Focuses on helping the community through service while learning about Spanish culture.
    smhscs.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Weekly school MassOn campus
    Once a week
    The entire school attends Mass once a week in the gym.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.org

Faith formation 1

  • Campus Ministry
    An elective course for seniors that helps plan the school retreats and assists with school liturgies and prayer services.
    smhscs.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Students for Life
    Monthly meetings, September through April
    A pro-life student club that plans the local Rocky Mountain March for Life and travels to other March for Life events.
    smhscs.org, smhscs.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 (1)
  1. Faith Formation | St. Mary's High Schoolsmhscs.org/page/faith-formation · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
    The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.
    “Campus ministers play a key role in the development and facilitation of all the school retreats.”
    Campus ministers help plan and run the school retreats.
    “The entire school attends Mass once a week in our gym.”
    The entire school attends a weekly Mass in the school gym.
    “2501 E. Yampa St. Colorado Springs, CO 80909”
    The school's address is 2501 E. Yampa St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909.

Reach out

Contact details for Sr. Monica Wheeler (Campus 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.
98 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.99%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.8.0 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
DioceseDiocese of Colorado Springs, CO
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)151
Students in grades 9–12151
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio8.0 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges99%
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 Colorado Springs

The see is currently vacant. The Very Reverend Kyle Ingels, Diocesan Administrator.

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

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

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