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

Catholic high school

St. Sebastian's School

  • LocationNeedham, MA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 7–12 · 388 students

All-male

Official website
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St. Sebastian's School in Needham, Massachusetts, is a Catholic independent day school for young men in grades 7 through 12. The school's Chaplain offers Mass each school day at 7:15 AM in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, the whole school gathers for a Mass each month, and the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration each Friday. Religion is taught in every grade from 7 to 12, and class retreats run for grades 9 through 12. A service program, with partners such as a food pantry and a summer service pilgrimage to Lourdes, is described.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Monday–Friday7:15 AMChapel of St. Sebastian · Optional daily Mass, open to students, faculty, staff and the wider school community. The page says the Mass is offered each day.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our School Chaplain offers Mass each day at 7:15 am in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. This optional Mass is open to students, faculty, staff, and the wider school community”
    A daily Mass is offered at 7:15 AM in the school chapel and is open to students.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Sebastian's School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Bartholomew Church: 0.1 mi1Saint Joseph Parish: 1.8 mi2St. Marys Church: 2.5 mi3Chapel of St. Sebastian: 0.2 miSt. Sebastian's School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Bartholomew Church — 0.1 mi · 1180 Greendale Avenue, Needham
  2. Saint Joseph Parish — 1.8 mi · 1360 Highland Avenue, Needham
  3. St. Marys Church — 2.5 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.

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

72 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 entire school community gathers for First Friday Mass each month. The whole school also attends Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. Recorded as monthly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each month the entire St. Sebastian’s community gathers in St. Bartholomew Church for First Friday Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
      The whole school community attends a First Friday Mass each month.
      “The whole school also gathers for Mass on Holy Days of Obligation, including All Saints, the Immaculate Conception, Ash Wednesday, and the Ascension.”
      The whole school gathers for Mass on Holy Days of Obligation.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Mass is offered each school day at 7:15 AM in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. It is optional and open to students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our School Chaplain offers Mass each day at 7:15 am in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. This optional Mass is open to students, faculty, staff, and the wider school community”
      A daily Mass is offered at 7:15 AM in the school chapel and is open to students.
  • 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 offered in each Religion class twice a year, and students may also meet the Chaplain to make confession. The Religion department page says the sacraments are offered on a regular basis; the more specific Sacramental Life page was used.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation is offered in each Religion class twice a year by the School Chaplain in St. Bartholomew Church.”
      Reconciliation is offered in each Religion class twice a year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration every Friday in the Chapel of St. Sebastian.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each Friday the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the Chapel of St. Sebastian for adoration.”
      Eucharistic adoration is held each Friday in the school chapel.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Christopher Boyle is listed as Chaplain, and the Chaplain offers daily Mass. This is recorded as parttime.)
    Sources (2)
    1. School Leadership | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/about/school-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christopher Boyle Chaplain”
      Christopher Boyle is listed as the school's Chaplain.
    2. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our School Chaplain offers Mass each day at 7:15 am in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. This optional Mass is open to students, faculty, staff, and the wider school community”
      A daily Mass is offered at 7:15 AM in the school chapel and is open to students.
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 (Religion is described as six years of religious study, grades 7 to 12. The high school courses are Sacramental Life (grade 9), Scripture (grade 10), Christian Ethics (grade 11) and Western Philosophy (grade 12); four years in high school.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religion | St. Sebastian's Schoolstsebs.org/academics/curriculum/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This seventh grade course provides an overview of the major topics undertaken during the students' six years of religious study at the School.”
      Religion is studied for six years, from grade 7 through grade 12.
      “This ninth grade course begins with a fundamental review of the beliefs of the Catholic faith.”
      Sacramental Life is the grade 9 religion course.
      “This tenth grade course examines in detail the Old and New Testaments.”
      Scripture is the grade 10 religion course.
      “The twelfth grade course introduces students to some of the major questions of western philosophy.”
      Western Philosophy is the grade 12 religion course.
  • 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 (Western Philosophy (grade 12) and Christian Ethics (grade 11) are required religion courses that include philosophy and ethics.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religion | St. Sebastian's Schoolstsebs.org/academics/curriculum/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The twelfth grade course introduces students to some of the major questions of western philosophy.”
      Western Philosophy is the grade 12 religion course.
      “This eleventh grade course begins with an inquiry into Christian moral principles and the process of ethical decision-making.”
      Christian Ethics is the grade 11 religion course.
  • 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 states that the school seeks to engage young men in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason, which applies to its academic work as a whole.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & History | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/about/mission-history · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “seeks to engage young men in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason”
      The school's mission is to engage students in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason.
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 (A retreat is held for each grade from 9 to 12. The senior retreat is optional.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The 7th and 8th grade retreats take place in October while the 9th grade retreat takes place in February.”
      Retreats are held for grade 9 in February and for grades 7 and 8 in October.
      “The junior year retreat takes place on campus during the last week of August.”
      The junior retreat is held on campus in late August.
      “In their senior year, students have the opportunity to participate in an optional retreat held at the Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod.”
      An optional senior retreat is held at the Craigville Conference Center.
      “The 10th grade retreat is focused on service.”
      The sophomore retreat focuses on service.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two ministry staff are listed: the Chaplain (Christopher Boyle) and a faculty member titled Music Ministry (Lauren Warner).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religion | St. Sebastian's Schoolstsebs.org/academics/curriculum/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christopher Boyle Titles: Chaplain”
      Christopher Boyle is listed with the title Chaplain.
      “Lauren Warner Titles: Music Ministry, Faculty”
      Lauren Warner is listed with the title Music Ministry.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Liturgical Ministries, the Bible Study Club and the Arrows Together student prayer group are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/student-life/clubs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The ministries are composed of Altar Servers (for daily and monthly masses), Readers (Lectors), Eucharistic Ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)”
      Liturgical Ministries are a student club serving at Mass.
      “Open to all students, Bible Study club is an opportunity to congregate to read and discuss Bible passages chosen by the club members and leaders.”
      A Bible Study Club is open to all students.
    2. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Arrows Together, our student prayer group which meets during Advent and Lent”
      A student prayer group, Arrows Together, meets during Advent and Lent.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Prayers are said before many classes, and all-school assemblies begin and end with a prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “It continues throughout the day, with prayers said before many classes”
      Prayers are said before many classes.
      “All-school assemblies begin and end with a prayer, usually offered by our Chaplain or Head of School.”
      All-school assemblies begin and end with a 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.
  • 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 (Service programs include food and clothing drives, pantry volunteering, and an annual summer service pilgrimage to Lourdes.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “coordinating food and clothing drives, volunteering at pantries”
      Students coordinate food and clothing drives and volunteer at pantries.
      “Eight St. Sebastian’s students traveled to Lourdes, France, this summer for a week of service, prayer, and reflection as part of the school’s annual pilgrimage.”
      Students take part in an annual summer service pilgrimage to Lourdes.

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

Strengths

  • A Mass is offered each school day at 7:15 AM in the school chapel, and it is open to students.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our School Chaplain offers Mass each day at 7:15 am in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. This optional Mass is open to students, faculty, staff, and the wider school community”
      A daily Mass is offered at 7:15 AM in the school chapel and is open to students.
  • Religion is taught in every grade from 7 to 12, including Western Philosophy in grade 12 and Christian Ethics in grade 11.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religion | St. Sebastian's Schoolstsebs.org/academics/curriculum/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This seventh grade course provides an overview of the major topics undertaken during the students' six years of religious study at the School.”
      Religion is studied for six years, from grade 7 through grade 12.
      “The twelfth grade course introduces students to some of the major questions of western philosophy.”
      Western Philosophy is the grade 12 religion course.
      “This eleventh grade course begins with an inquiry into Christian moral principles and the process of ethical decision-making.”
      Christian Ethics is the grade 11 religion course.
  • Service includes food and clothing drives, pantry volunteering, and an annual service pilgrimage to Lourdes.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “coordinating food and clothing drives, volunteering at pantries”
      Students coordinate food and clothing drives and volunteer at pantries.
      “Eight St. Sebastian’s students traveled to Lourdes, France, this summer for a week of service, prayer, and reflection as part of the school’s annual pilgrimage.”
      Students take part in an annual summer service pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Concerns

  • Confession is listed as offered twice a year in Religion class; the Religion department page describes the sacraments as offered on a regular basis.
    Sources (2)
    1. Prayer & Sacramental Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/prayer-sacramental-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation is offered in each Religion class twice a year by the School Chaplain in St. Bartholomew Church.”
      Reconciliation is offered in each Religion class twice a year.
    2. Religion | St. Sebastian's Schoolstsebs.org/academics/curriculum/religion · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation are offered on a regular basis”
      The Religion department states that the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation are offered regularly.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Chapel of St. Sebastian

  • Address: 1191 Greendale Avenue, Needham, MA 02052
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

14 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 4 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Grade 7 to 9 retreatsOff campus
    October for grades 7 and 8; February for grade 9
    Single-day retreats directed by the Chaplain and Religion Department, held at the Connors Family Retreat and Conference Center in Dover. The day ends with Holy Mass.
    stsebs.org, stsebs.org
  • Sophomore service retreatOff campus
    Service-focused retreat in which half the class serves at Glastonbury Abbey and half at Sunset Point Camp in Hull, ending with Holy Mass at Glastonbury Abbey.
    stsebs.org, stsebs.org
  • Senior retreatOff campus
    November, two nights and three days (optional)
    Optional retreat at the Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod for seniors.
    stsebs.org
  • Junior retreatOn campus
    Last week of August
    Retreat for the junior class, with reflection, a movie, and Holy Mass.
    stsebs.org

Service 2

  • Summer service pilgrimage to LourdesOff campus
    Each summer
    Annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, with a week of service, prayer and reflection.
    stsebs.org
  • Service Program
    Service across all grades, including food and clothing drives, volunteering at pantries, tutoring and senior programs. Seniors complete a five-week service placement.
    stsebs.org, stsebs.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Eucharistic adorationOn campus
    Each Friday
    The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and students and faculty may visit throughout the day. The school day ends with Benediction.
    stsebs.org
  • Liturgical Ministries
    Student club serving the school's daily and monthly Masses as altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and in the Schola and Mass Ensemble. Open to grades 7 to 12.
    stsebs.org
  • First Friday Mass
    First Friday of each month
    Whole-school Mass in St. Bartholomew Church in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
    stsebs.org

Faith formation 5

  • Bible Study Club
    Open to all students; reads and discusses Bible passages chosen by the members and leaders.
    stsebs.org
  • Arrows Together
    During Advent and Lent
    Student prayer group.
    stsebs.org
  • Divine Mercy Chaplet group
    A group devoted to saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
    stsebs.org
  • Rosary on Thursdays
    Thursdays in October and May
    Groups say the Rosary in the Peace Garden of St. Bartholomew Church.
    stsebs.org
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
    Twice a year, in Religion class
    Offered in each Religion class by the Chaplain in St. Bartholomew Church; students may also meet the Chaplain to make confession.
    stsebs.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. Spiritual Life | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Through daily prayer and the sacraments, St. Sebastian’s nurtures a faith-filled community where students grow spiritually.”
    The school's spiritual life program is built on daily prayer and the sacraments.
  2. School Leadership | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/about/school-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Christopher Boyle Chaplain”
    Christopher Boyle is listed as the school's Chaplain.
  3. Contact & Directions | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/contact-and-directions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1191 Greendale Avenue Needham, MA 02052”
    The school's address is 1191 Greendale Avenue, Needham, MA.
  4. Chapel | St. Sebastian'sstsebs.org/spiritual-life/chapel · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “each grade level gathers in the St. Sebastian’s Chapel for its own Class Chapel”
    Each grade gathers for Class Chapel in the school's own chapel.

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Academic Excellence

N/AAcademic Excellence: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Not enough information
Federal data covers too few of the measures to score this school.

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.Not reported
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.5.2 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Boston, MA
Grades7–12
Students (all grades)388
Students in grades 9–12280
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio5.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges—
SettingSuburb

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 Boston

The Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Sebastian's School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Sebastian's School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Where is Mass celebrated at St. Sebastian's School?
Mass is listed at Chapel of St. Sebastian. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is St. Sebastian's School Compass Recommended?
Yes. St. Sebastian's School meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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