Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of St. Vincent De Paul High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

St. Vincent De Paul High School

  • LocationPetaluma, CA
  • Type and sizeParish school · Grades 9–12 · 169 students
Official website

St. Vincent de Paul College Prep is a small, independent, coeducational Roman Catholic college preparatory high school in Petaluma, California, founded in 1918 and part of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Students take eight semesters of theology and must complete 100 hours of community service to graduate. Its Campus Ministry, led by one campus minister, organizes school-wide Masses and prayer services and runs a retreat for each grade.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Vincent De Paul High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church: 0.9 mi1St James Catholic Church: 1.8 mi2Campus Ministry Office: 0.1 miSt. Vincent De Paul High School (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — 0.9 mi
  2. St James Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma

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.

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 (Campus Ministry says it organizes school-wide Masses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Organize school-wide masses and prayer services.”
      Campus Ministry organizes school-wide Masses and prayer services, with no frequency stated.
  • 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-wide Masses are confirmed. The campus minister namedis not described as a priest.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Organize school-wide masses and prayer services.”
      Campus Ministry organizes school-wide Masses and prayer services, with no frequency 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 (The 2026-27 school profile requires eight semesters of theology. Eight semesters divided by two is four full-year equivalents, and theology is required across all four years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. School Profile 2026-2027 | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SV-Profile-final-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology ………………..........…….………. 8 Semesters”
      The graduation requirement is eight semesters of theology.
      “Five credits equal the successful completion of one semester of course work”
      Graduation credits are counted in semesters, and five credits equal one semester.
  • 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 (Catholic Morality, a moral theology course in the theology department, is listed in the course offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. School Profile 2026-2027 | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SV-Profile-final-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Catholic Morality”
      Catholic Morality is listed among the school's theology courses.
  • 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.
BCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

73 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 2025-26 Campus Ministry retreat schedule lists a retreat for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, and says all students are expected to attend their grade's retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are expected to attend their grade’s annual retreat.”
      All students are expected to attend the annual retreat for their grade.
      “Freshman Retreat: September 4, 2025 Kairos Retreat: September 26-29, 2025 (During school hours) Sophomore Retreat, October 16, 2025 Junior Retreat, March 12, 2026 Senior Retreat, March 23, 2026”
      The 2025-26 retreat schedule lists retreats for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, and a Kairos retreat.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional ministry staff member is listed: the campus minister, who also teaches theology.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/academics/faculty · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology Teacher, Campus Minister”
      The campus minister is also a theology teacher.
    2. Contact Us | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michael O’Smith Campus Minister 133 mosmith@svhs-pet.org”
      Michael O’Smith is the campus minister; his extension and school email are published.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is listed: Campus Ministry Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Hosts Campus Ministry Club for planning, discussion, fellowship, and ministry training.”
      Campus Ministry hosts a Campus Ministry Club.
  • 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 (100 hours of community service are required for graduation, with a 25-hour annual completion goal over four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. School Profile 2026-2027 | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SV-Profile-final-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “100 hours of community service is required for graduation.”
      100 hours of community service are required for graduation.
    2. Community Service | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Annual 25 hour completion & 100 hour minimum 4-year service goals.”
      The service program sets an annual 25-hour completion goal and a 100-hour minimum over four years.
  • 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 (Campus Ministry coordinates service-mission trips during Spring Break or the summer, and the school holds a Spring Day of Service and class service trips.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Coordinates service-mission trips during Spring Break or the Summer.”
      Campus Ministry coordinates service-mission trips during Spring Break or the summer.
    2. Community Service | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/community-service · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Through our Student Service Program and annual Spring Day of Service, SV students and teachers alike truly live the Scriptural call to love our neighbor.”
      The school holds an annual Spring Day of Service as part of its service program.

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

Strengths

  • Eight semesters of theology are required, and theology is taken across all four years.
    Sources (1)
    1. School Profile 2026-2027 | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SV-Profile-final-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology ………………..........…….………. 8 Semesters”
      The graduation requirement is eight semesters of theology.
  • All students must complete 100 hours of community service to graduate, and the school coordinates service trips.
    Sources (2)
    1. School Profile 2026-2027 | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SV-Profile-final-2026-2027.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “100 hours of community service is required for graduation.”
      100 hours of community service are required for graduation.
    2. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Coordinates service-mission trips during Spring Break or the Summer.”
      Campus Ministry coordinates service-mission trips during Spring Break or the summer.
  • Each grade has an annual retreat, and students are expected to attend it.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “All students are expected to attend their grade’s annual retreat.”
      All students are expected to attend the annual retreat for their grade.
      “Freshman Retreat: September 4, 2025 Kairos Retreat: September 26-29, 2025 (During school hours) Sophomore Retreat, October 16, 2025 Junior Retreat, March 12, 2026 Senior Retreat, March 23, 2026”
      The 2025-26 retreat schedule lists retreats for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, and a Kairos retreat.

Concerns

  • Mass is described as school-wide.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Organize school-wide masses and prayer services.”
      Campus Ministry organizes school-wide Masses and prayer services, with no frequency stated.
  • The campus ministry is led by one campus minister.
    Sources (2)
    1. Contact Us | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Michael O’Smith Campus Minister 133 mosmith@svhs-pet.org”
      Michael O’Smith is the campus minister; his extension and school email are published.
    2. Faculty | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/academics/faculty · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology Teacher, Campus Minister”
      The campus minister is also a theology teacher.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry Office

  • Address: 849 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: campus ministry office

View on map ↗

Source: svhs-pet.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, svhs-pet.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 6 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Faith formation for students becoming CatholicOn campus
    During lunch or after school, with the sacraments celebrated at Easter Vigil or a late-spring Confirmation Mass
    Campus Ministry offers preparation for students who want to become Catholic or complete their sacraments of initiation, in coordination with the parishes of the region.
    svhs-pet.org, svhs-pet.org
  • Youth rallies, guest speakers and peer-ministry conferences
    Campus Ministry sponsors youth rallies, guest speakers and peer-ministry conference trips when available.
    svhs-pet.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Campus Ministry Club
    Campus Ministry hosts a club for planning, discussion, fellowship and ministry training.
    svhs-pet.org

Retreats 2

  • Grade retreats
    2025-26 schedule: Freshman Sept. 4, 2025; Sophomore Oct. 16, 2025; Junior Mar. 12, 2026; Senior Mar. 23, 2026
    An annual retreat for each grade. All students are expected to attend their grade's retreat.
    svhs-pet.org, svhs-pet.org
  • Kairos Retreat
    Fall 2025: Friday 3:15 PM through Monday 5:30 PM, during school hours
    A multi-day retreat that helps students deepen their relationships with themselves, others and God. Optional for juniors and seniors; the school asks participants to help with fundraising.
    svhs-pet.org, svhs-pet.org

Service 2

  • Service-mission trips
    Spring Break or summer
    Campus Ministry coordinates service-mission trips.
    svhs-pet.org
  • Spring Day of Service
    An annual day of service for students and teachers.
    svhs-pet.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. Campus Ministry | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Organize school-wide masses and prayer services.”
    Campus Ministry organizes school-wide Masses and prayer services, with no frequency stated.
    “Preparation would meet in the Campus Ministry Office either during lunch or after school”
    Campus Ministry meets in its office on campus at lunch or after school.
  2. Contact Us | St. Vincent de Paul College Prepsvhs-pet.org/contact · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Michael O’Smith Campus Minister 133 mosmith@svhs-pet.org”
    Michael O’Smith is the campus minister; his extension and school email are published.
    “849 Keokuk Street Petaluma, CA 94952”
    The school is at 849 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, California.

Reach out

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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.
93 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.98%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.4 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

TypeParish school
DioceseDiocese of Santa Rosa, CA
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)169
Students in grades 9–12169
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio9.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges98%
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 Santa Rosa

The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of Santa Rosa

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Vincent De Paul High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Vincent De Paul High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Santa Rosa.

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