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

Catholic high school

St. Mary's School

  • LocationStorm Lake, IA
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 6–12 · 103 students
Official website

St. Mary's Catholic School in Storm Lake, Iowa, serves high school grades alongside its preschool to grade 8 program. Its handbook requires 49 credits for graduation, including eight semesters of theology, and says every high school student must serve 12 hours a year. The school's pages list a 7:00 a.m. Mass and breakfast for grades 6 to 12 on dated events in October 2026, a priest named as president, and a director of faith formation.

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.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • 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 (The school's calendar lists a 7am Mass & Breakfast for grades 6 to 12 on several dated events in October 2026, and the handbook refers to scheduled Mass and school Mass days.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Events | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/events?page=1 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “7am Mass & Breakfast For 6-12 Grade”
      A 7am Mass and breakfast for grades 6 to 12 is on the school's events calendar in October 2026.
    2. 2025-26 Parent Student Handbook | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolfiles.ecatholic.com/34934/documents/2026/3/25-26%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.docx.pdf?t=1773081072000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Students are expected to attend scheduled Mass and prayer services”
      Students are expected to attend scheduled Mass and prayer services during the school day.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot 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.
    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 (School Masses are confirmed; the pages name Fr. Recorded as a visiting or shared priest.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Events | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/events?page=1 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “7am Mass & Breakfast For 6-12 Grade”
      A 7am Mass and breakfast for grades 6 to 12 is on the school's events calendar in October 2026.
    2. Student Council | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/student-council · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Student Council members help coordinate major school service projects like Operation Christmas Child, Santa's Secret Workshop and Then Feed Just One.”
      The student council coordinates school service projects, including Then Feed Just One.
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 (The handbook lists eight theology credits, and one credit is given for each semester of a daily class. Eight semesters is four full-year equivalents. All students are expected to take religion classes. Handbook for 2025-26, the most recent edition found.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-26 Parent Student Handbook | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolfiles.ecatholic.com/34934/documents/2026/3/25-26%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.docx.pdf?t=1773081072000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “One credit is given for each semester of a subject that meets every day, in which a passing grade is received.”
      Graduation credits are counted by semester.
      “(8) – Theology”
      Eight semester credits of theology are required for graduation.
  • 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.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    RetreatsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (The school's staff directory lists one Director of Faith Formation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff Directory | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/staff-directory · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Eckerman, Kathleen Director of Faith Formation 712-732-3110”
      Kathleen Eckerman is the school's Director of Faith Formation.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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 (Each high school student must serve 12 hours per school year. Four years at 12 hours is 48 hours, which is 40 or more.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Service Opportunities | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/service-opportunities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “since 2015 St. Mary's School requires each high school student to serve twelve service hours per school year”
      Each high school student must serve twelve hours per school year.
    2. 2025-26 Parent Student Handbook | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolfiles.ecatholic.com/34934/documents/2026/3/25-26%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.docx.pdf?t=1773081072000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “High school students are expected to serve and report 12 service hours per year.”
      High school students must serve and report 12 service hours 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.
    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 (The school's student council organizes service drives, including Then Feed Just One and Operation Christmas Child.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Council | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/student-council · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Student Council members help coordinate major school service projects like Operation Christmas Child, Santa's Secret Workshop and Then Feed Just One.”
      The student council coordinates school service projects, including Then Feed Just One.

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

Strengths

  • Each high school student must serve 12 hours per school year, which the handbook counts as a graduation requirement.
    Sources (2)
    1. Service Opportunities | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolsstmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us/service-opportunities · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “since 2015 St. Mary's School requires each high school student to serve twelve service hours per school year”
      Each high school student must serve twelve hours per school year.
    2. 2025-26 Parent Student Handbook | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolfiles.ecatholic.com/34934/documents/2026/3/25-26%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.docx.pdf?t=1773081072000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “High school students are expected to serve and report 12 service hours per year.”
      High school students must serve and report 12 service hours per year.
  • The handbook lists eight semesters of theology for graduation and says all students are expected to take religion classes.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-26 Parent Student Handbook | St. Mary's Catholic Schoolfiles.ecatholic.com/34934/documents/2026/3/25-26%20Parent%20Student%20Handbook.docx.pdf?t=1773081072000 · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “One credit is given for each semester of a subject that meets every day, in which a passing grade is received.”
      Graduation credits are counted by semester.
      “(8) – Theology”
      Eight semester credits of theology are required for graduation.
      “High school students are expected to serve and report 12 service hours per year.”
      High school students must serve and report 12 service hours per year.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Catholic clubs and student life

3 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 3 location not published

Clubs and groups 1

  • Student Council
    Elected student leaders who plan school activities, fundraisers and service projects with a faculty advisor.
    stmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • 7am Mass & Breakfast
    Dated events for grades 6 to 12 in October 2026
    A Mass followed by breakfast for grades 6 to 12, listed on the school's events calendar.
    stmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us

Service 1

  • Then Feed Just One and other student council service projects
    Student council service projects include Operation Christmas Child, Santa's Secret Workshop and Then Feed Just One.
    stmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Reach out

Contact details for Kathleen Eckerman (Director of Faith Formation) 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

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.
68 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.7.2 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 Sioux City, IA
Grades6–12
Students (all grades)103
Students in grades 9–1253
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio7.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges83%
SettingTown

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 Sioux City

The Most Reverend John E. Keehner Jr., Bishop of Sioux City

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Sioux City.

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 Iowa · Iowa rankings