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

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Springs Academy

  • LocationFond Du Lac, WI
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades PK–12 · 815 students
  • SponsorArchdiocese of Milwaukee
Official website

St. Mary's Springs Academy is an independent P3 to grade 12 Catholic school in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, under the governance of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Its campus chapel offers Mass weekly for grades 3 to 12, and the school's pages describe a whole-school Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, given as monthly on one page and six times a year on another. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly by a priest. Four credits of theology are required, including a grade 12 Catholic social teaching course, and each school day begins with prayer.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's Springs Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miCampus Ministry Center: 1.8 mi1Dorcas Chapel: 1.9 mi2St. Mary's Springs Academy (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Campus Ministry Center — 1.8 mi
  2. Dorcas Chapel — 1.9 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.

CSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

68 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 (The campus ministry page says the whole system attends Mass once a month, while the 2026-27 curriculum guide says there are six All System Masses. The pages conflict; recorded at the level both support. The Masses are held at Holy Family Catholic Church.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SMSA attends Mass as an entire K – 12 system once a month at Holy Family Catholic Church.”
      The whole school attends Mass once a month at Holy Family Catholic Church.
    2. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Masses & will rehearse 1x prior to each All System Mass (there are 6).”
      The curriculum guide lists six All System Masses in the school year.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (The handbook says Reconciliation is offered weekly by the Priest Chaplain, plus seasonal Systemwide Reconciliation Days in Advent and Lent.)
    Sources (1)
    1. System (P3-12) Student-Parent Handbook, updated 8-20-26smsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SMSA-System-P3-12-Grade-Student-Parent-Handbook-Updated-8-20-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly by our Priest Chaplain, as well as seasonal “Systemwide Reconciliation Days” held during Advent and Lent.”
      Reconciliation is offered weekly by the Priest Chaplain, with seasonal days in Advent and Lent.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Eucharistic adoration is listed as an opportunity for students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. System (P3-12) Student-Parent Handbook, updated 8-20-26smsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SMSA-System-P3-12-Grade-Student-Parent-Handbook-Updated-8-20-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students also have opportunities to worship God through Eucharistic Adoration and various other types of prayer.”
      Students have opportunities for Eucharistic adoration; no frequency is stated.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (The Priest Designate, Fr. Kevin Durand, is named as the priest who serves the school. The handbook calls the school's priest its Priest Chaplain.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Unleashed | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/unleashed · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SMSA is particularly blessed with an appointed Priest Designate, Fr. Kevin Durand, who is intimately connected throughout the processes of the school.”
      Fr. Kevin Durand is the school's appointed Priest Designate.
    2. Faculty and Staff Directory | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Durand, Fr. Kevin Title: Priest Designate of SMSA”
      Fr. Kevin Durand is the school's Priest Designate, listed with the chaplain email.
    3. System (P3-12) Student-Parent Handbook, updated 8-20-26smsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SMSA-System-P3-12-Grade-Student-Parent-Handbook-Updated-8-20-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly by our Priest Chaplain, as well as seasonal “Systemwide Reconciliation Days” held during Advent and Lent.”
      Reconciliation is offered weekly by the Priest Chaplain, with seasonal days in Advent and Lent.
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 (Four credits of theology are required, and all students take theology coursework every semester; four full-year courses (one credit each year).)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 4.0 Required by Archdiocese of Milwaukee”
      Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement.
      “all SMSA students must enroll in theology coursework each semester.”
      All students take theology coursework every semester.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkYes (The curriculum guide says all theology courses are compliant with the USCCB's Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All SMSA theology courses are compliant with the Archdiocesan High School Theology Curriculum, the USCCB’s Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework”
      The school says its theology courses comply with the USCCB curriculum framework.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (Morality is a required grade 11 theology course on Christian moral decision making and the Ten Commandments.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The purpose of this course is to help students to discover and understand the vision and purpose of morality in the Christian life.”
      Morality is a required grade 11 theology course on Christian moral life and decision making.
  • 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 curriculum guide says Catholic catechesis is integrated into all courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “While Catholic catechesis is integrated into all courses”
      Catholic catechesis is integrated into all courses.
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 campus ministry page says the retreats are offered each year of high school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The retreats are offered each year of high school”
      Campus ministry retreats are offered every year of high school.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two professional ministry staff are listed: the Priest Designate and the Coordinator of Campus Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty and Staff Directory | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faculty-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Durand, Fr. Kevin Title: Priest Designate of SMSA”
      Fr. Kevin Durand is the school's Priest Designate, listed with the chaplain email.
      “Cassie (Colwin) Title: Coordinator of Campus Ministry”
      Cassie Morasch is the Coordinator of Campus Ministry.
  • 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 listed in the curriculum guide: Campus Ministry Club and Campus Ministry Friday Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Friday Club is an extension of Campus Ministry Club”
      Campus Ministry Club is a student group that the Friday Club extends.
      “their faith during weekly lunch meetings.”
      Campus Ministry Club meets for weekly lunch meetings about the faith.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The campus ministry page says every day begins with an all-system morning prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every day begins with an all-system morning prayer, led by an individual homeroom or classroom”
      Each school day begins with an all-system morning prayer.
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.

  • 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 (Catholic Social Teaching is a required grade 12 theology course, covering the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 0.5 Credit / Fall Semester Grades 12 (Required)”
      Catholic Social Teaching is a required grade 12 theology course.
  • 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 (Student Council runs weekly lunches for a warming shelter from November through March.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Provide weekly lunches for the warming shelter from November through March.”
      Student Council provides weekly lunches for a warming shelter from November through March.

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

Strengths

  • Four credits of theology are required, and students take theology every semester.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 4.0 Required by Archdiocese of Milwaukee”
      Theology is a 4.0-credit graduation requirement.
      “all SMSA students must enroll in theology coursework each semester.”
      All students take theology coursework every semester.
  • A grade 12 Catholic Social Teaching course and a grade 11 Morality course are required.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 0.5 Credit / Fall Semester Grades 12 (Required)”
      Catholic Social Teaching is a required grade 12 theology course.
      “The purpose of this course is to help students to discover and understand the vision and purpose of morality in the Christian life.”
      Morality is a required grade 11 theology course on Christian moral life and decision making.
  • Each school day begins with an all-system morning prayer, and a Priest Designate is appointed to the school.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every day begins with an all-system morning prayer, led by an individual homeroom or classroom”
      Each school day begins with an all-system morning prayer.
    2. Unleashed | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/unleashed · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SMSA is particularly blessed with an appointed Priest Designate, Fr. Kevin Durand, who is intimately connected throughout the processes of the school.”
      Fr. Kevin Durand is the school's appointed Priest Designate.

Concerns

  • Mass is published weekly in the chapel and monthly or six times a year at Holy Family Church.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “there are weekly opportunities for the 3rd – 12th grade students to celebrate the Mass in the Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge Chapel”
      Mass is offered weekly in the school chapel for students in grades 3 to 12.
      “SMSA attends Mass as an entire K – 12 system once a month at Holy Family Catholic Church.”
      The whole school attends Mass once a month at Holy Family Catholic Church.
    2. 2026-2027 High School Curriculum Guidesmsacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Curriculum-Guide-1.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Masses & will rehearse 1x prior to each All System Mass (there are 6).”
      The curriculum guide lists six All System Masses in the school year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry and the Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge

  • Address: 255 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 8 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • All-system Mass at Holy Family Catholic ChurchOff campus
    Monthly per the campus ministry page; six per year per the curriculum guide
    The whole school attends a Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church. The pages give two different frequencies.
    smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org
  • Weekly Mass in the school chapelOn campus
    Weekly for grades 3 to 12 (times not published)
    Mass is celebrated in the Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge for students in grades 3 to 12.
    smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
    Offered weekly; Systemwide Reconciliation Days in Advent and Lent
    Reconciliation is offered by the Priest Chaplain, and the school holds seasonal Systemwide Reconciliation Days.
    smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org

Other 1

  • Mission trips and faith conferencesOff campus
    Out-of-school faith events, such as mission trips and faith conferences, that students can join as they are scheduled.
    smsacademy.org

Faith formation 2

  • Eucharistic Adoration
    Students have opportunities for Eucharistic adoration.
    smsacademy.org
  • Campus Ministry Friday Club
    Open to juniors, seniors and members of the Student Retreat Leadership Team. Small-group discussions with Fr. Durand and theology faculty, Bible and book studies, and prayer.
    smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Music Liturgy
    A student ensemble open to grades 9 to 12 that prepares the music for the All System Masses.
    smsacademy.org
  • Campus Ministry Club
    Weekly lunch meetings
    A Campus Ministry student group that meets for weekly lunch meetings to learn more about the faith.
    smsacademy.org, smsacademy.org

Retreats 1

  • Campus Ministry retreats
    Each year of high school (the Junior Confirmation retreat is through the home parish)
    A yearly retreat program, from a single day to an overnight retreat.
    smsacademy.org

Service 2

  • Christian community service
    Students must complete a required number of service hours each year of high school, with approved agencies in the Fond du Lac area.
    smsacademy.org
  • Student Council warming shelter lunches
    November through March
    Student Council provides weekly lunches for a warming shelter.
    smsacademy.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 (4)
  1. Campus Ministry | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Every day begins with an all-system morning prayer, led by an individual homeroom or classroom”
    Each school day begins with an all-system morning prayer.
  2. Faith Formation | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge is the center of St. Mary’s Springs Academy.”
    The chapel is the center of the school; the campus ministry office is at the school.
    “The Chapel of St. Mary: Our Lady of the Ledge is the center of St. Mary’s Springs Academy.”
    The chapel is the center of the school; the campus ministry office is at the school.
  3. Unleashed | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/life-on-the-ledge/faith-formation/unleashed · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “the entire SMSA system travels to Holy Family Church for their monthly all-system Mass.”
    The whole school travels to Holy Family Church for a monthly all-system Mass.
  4. Visiting Campus | St. Mary's Springs Academysmsacademy.org/about/visiting-campus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “255 County Road K · Fond du Lac, WI 54937”
    The school's address is 255 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Kevin Durand (Priest Designate of SMSA) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: 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.
50 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.80%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.13.8 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
DioceseArchdiocese of Milwaukee, WI
GradesPK–12
Students (all grades)815
Students in grades 9–12263
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio13.8 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges80%
SettingRural

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 Milwaukee

The Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's Springs Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's Springs Academy is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Its sponsor is Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
What is St. Mary's Springs Academy’s Compass Score?
80 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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