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Aerial view of The High School of Saint Thomas More
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

The High School of Saint Thomas More

  • LocationChampaign, IL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 205 students
Official website

The High School of Saint Thomas More is a diocesan Catholic high school in Champaign, Illinois, for grades 9 to 12. Its school chapel holds Mass on weekdays, all-school Mass and adoration with confession are held monthly, and Fr. Jack Swoik is named as the school's chaplain. Every class has a retreat day, students document 120 hours of service over four years, and theology is taken in each grade.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Monday7:45 AMSchool chapel
  • Wednesday–Friday9:50 AMSchool chapel

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 13, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
    Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.
    “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
    Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of The High School of Saint Thomas More, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 miSchool chapel, The High School of Saint Thomas More: 0.2 miThe High School of Saint Thomas More (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

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

75 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 (All School Mass once a month, per the school's Catholic Education page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Once a month, we have All School Mass.”
      The whole school attends Mass once a month.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNo (The page lists weekday Mass on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
      Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Confession is offered with the monthly All School Adoration, with 6-8 area priests hearing confessions. Reconciliation is also available when the chaplain is in the building.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Once a month, we have All School Adoration with an opportunity for confession. We normally have 6-8 area priests come to hear confessions during this time.”
      All School Adoration with confession is held once a month, and area priests hear confessions during it.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredRegularly (monthly or more) (All School Adoration once a month.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Once a month, we have All School Adoration with an opportunity for confession. We normally have 6-8 area priests come to hear confessions during this time.”
      All School Adoration with confession is held once a month, and area priests hear confessions during it.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Jack Swoik is named as the school's chaplain by the diocese.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Father Jack Swoik | Catholic Diocese of Peoriacdop.org/priests/father-jack-swoik · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More (Champaign)”
      Fr. Jack Swoik is the chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More.
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.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredThree years (Required theology: Revelation (grade 9), Paschal Mystery and Catholic Moral Life (grade 10), Theology of the Church and Sacraments (grade 11), and Theology Capstone (grade 12, first semester only on the planning worksheet). That is 7 semesters, or 3.5 years, rounded down to three. Theology is taken in every grade 9 to 12.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Four Year Planning Worksheet | The High School of Saint Thomas Morefiles-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1308/Hs_Stm/d615c49f-730c-4f8c-abfc-81d40f24b22f/Four-Year-Planning.pdf?disposition=inline · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Revelation 1 0.5 Theology: Revelation 1 0.5 Theology: Theo. of the Church 0.5 Theology: Sacraments 0.5”
      Grade 9 and grade 11 theology courses are listed for both semesters (Revelation 1; Theology of the Church and Sacraments).
      “Theology: Paschal Mystery 0.5 Theology: Catholic Moral Life 0.5 Theology: Theology Capstone 0.5”
      Grade 10 theology courses are listed for both semesters, and the grade 12 first semester is the Theology Capstone.
  • 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 (Apologetics is offered as a grade 12 theology elective.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Course Descriptions | The High School of Saint Thomas Moredocs.google.com/document/d/1DQZ6hbgY7CkYGx1D9tXSKLWHAdb4TALuQTEfs4BQ_wQ/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Apologetics (10007) ½ Credit – 1 Semester Grade 12 Elective, 2nd Semester”
      Apologetics is offered as a grade 12 theology elective.
  • 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.
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 class (grades 9 to 12) gets a retreat day during the school day.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each class gets a day away to deepen their faith through the class retreats. These happen during the school day”
      Every class has a retreat day during the school day.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One named priest, the chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Father Jack Swoik | Catholic Diocese of Peoriacdop.org/priests/father-jack-swoik · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More (Champaign)”
      Fr. Jack Swoik is the chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Cor Ad Cor (women's faith small group) and the Adoration Choir are listed among clubs. March for Life is also listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Cor Ad Cor — Women's small group to talk about faith, femininity, and life.”
      Cor Ad Cor is a women's faith small group listed among student clubs.
      “Adoration Choir — Provide music for Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and grow together through prayer and music.”
      The Adoration Choir is listed among student clubs and provides music for adoration and Mass.
  • 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 (120 hours of service over four years (25 as a freshman, 35 as a sophomore, 35 as a junior, 25 as a senior).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Living the Faith Service Hours | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/living-the-faith-service-hours · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Before students can be eligible to graduate, they must demonstrate a living faith by documenting 120 hours of service (25 hours as a Freshman, 35 hours as both a Sophomore and Junior, and 25 hours as Senior).”
      Students must document 120 hours of service over four years to graduate.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teaching is a grade 12 elective in the Theology Department.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2025-2026 Course Descriptions | The High School of Saint Thomas Moredocs.google.com/document/d/1DQZ6hbgY7CkYGx1D9tXSKLWHAdb4TALuQTEfs4BQ_wQ/export?format=txt · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “This course will take an in-depth look at the social teachings of the Church and how we are to live them out in our lives.”
      The Catholic Social Teaching course looks in depth at the Church's social teachings and how to live them out.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (March for Life trips to Washington, D.C. and Springfield, Illinois, two a year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each year, we travel to stand up for Life. We take 2 trips a year to stand up for the defenseless.”
      The school runs two March for Life trips a year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Interact Club service projects for the local community and those in need, plus Living the Faith corporal works of mercy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/student-life · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Interact Club — Participate in service projects and activities that support the local community and those in need.”
      The Interact Club does service projects for the local community and those in need.

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

Strengths

  • Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
      Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.
  • A diocesan record names Fr. Jack Swoik as the school's chaplain.
    Sources (1)
    1. Father Jack Swoik | Catholic Diocese of Peoriacdop.org/priests/father-jack-swoik · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More (Champaign)”
      Fr. Jack Swoik is the chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More.
  • Theology is taken in every grade, and the school requires 120 hours of service over four years.
    Sources (2)
    1. Four Year Planning Worksheet | The High School of Saint Thomas Morefiles-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1308/Hs_Stm/d615c49f-730c-4f8c-abfc-81d40f24b22f/Four-Year-Planning.pdf?disposition=inline · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Revelation 1 0.5 Theology: Revelation 1 0.5 Theology: Theo. of the Church 0.5 Theology: Sacraments 0.5”
      Grade 9 and grade 11 theology courses are listed for both semesters (Revelation 1; Theology of the Church and Sacraments).
      “Theology: Paschal Mystery 0.5 Theology: Catholic Moral Life 0.5 Theology: Theology Capstone 0.5”
      Grade 10 theology courses are listed for both semesters, and the grade 12 first semester is the Theology Capstone.
    2. Living the Faith Service Hours | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/living-the-faith-service-hours · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Before students can be eligible to graduate, they must demonstrate a living faith by documenting 120 hours of service (25 hours as a Freshman, 35 hours as both a Sophomore and Junior, and 25 hours as Senior).”
      Students must document 120 hours of service over four years to graduate.
  • Every class has a retreat day, and March for Life trips run twice a year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Each class gets a day away to deepen their faith through the class retreats. These happen during the school day”
      Every class has a retreat day during the school day.
      “Each year, we travel to stand up for Life. We take 2 trips a year to stand up for the defenseless.”
      The school runs two March for Life trips a year.

Concerns

  • Required theology totals about three and a half years, since the grade 12 worksheet lists only a first-semester theology course.
    Sources (1)
    1. Four Year Planning Worksheet | The High School of Saint Thomas Morefiles-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1308/Hs_Stm/d615c49f-730c-4f8c-abfc-81d40f24b22f/Four-Year-Planning.pdf?disposition=inline · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Theology: Paschal Mystery 0.5 Theology: Catholic Moral Life 0.5 Theology: Theology Capstone 0.5”
      Grade 10 theology courses are listed for both semesters, and the grade 12 first semester is the Theology Capstone.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

School chapel, The High School of Saint Thomas More

  • Address: 3901 N Mattis Ave, Champaign, IL 61822
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: hs-stm.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, hs-stm.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 2 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 3

  • Steubenville ConferenceOff campus
    A weekend conference in Springfield, Missouri, which the school encourages students to attend.
    hs-stm.org
  • Class retreats
    During the school day
    A retreat day for each class, with talks from Fr. Jack, teachers, college students and FOCUS leaders.
    hs-stm.org
  • LOGOS retreat
    An overnight retreat for juniors and seniors.
    hs-stm.org

Service 3

  • March for Life tripsOff campus
    January (Washington, D.C.) and spring (Springfield, Illinois)
    Two trips a year to stand up for life: Washington, D.C. (open to 45 students) and a one-day state trip open to all students.
    hs-stm.org, hs-stm.org
  • Interact Club
    Service projects and activities that support the local community and those in need.
    hs-stm.org
  • Living the Faith service hours
    Required service hours that students document in the Mobile Serve app, from parish and community service and Campus Ministry activities such as March for Life and LOGOS.
    hs-stm.org

Faith formation 1

  • Cor Ad Cor
    Women's small group to talk about faith, femininity, and life.
    hs-stm.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • All School Mass
    Once a month
    Mass for the whole school, held once a month.
    hs-stm.org
  • All School Adoration with confession
    Once a month
    Eucharistic adoration with an opportunity for confession, with area priests hearing confessions.
    hs-stm.org
  • Adoration Choir
    Provides music for Eucharistic Adoration and Mass.
    hs-stm.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. Catholic Education | The High School of Saint Thomas Morehs-stm.org/page/catholic · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
    Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.
    “Mass is celebrated on Monday at 7:45AM, and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:50 AM in our Chapel.”
    Mass is celebrated in the school chapel on Monday at 7:45 AM and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:50 AM.
    “The High School of Saint Thomas More 3901 N Mattis Ave, Champaign, IL 61822 Number: 217.352.7210 Fax: 217.352.7213 Email: info@hs-stm.org”
    The school's address, main phone and general email.
  2. Father Jack Swoik | Catholic Diocese of Peoriacdop.org/priests/father-jack-swoik · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More (Champaign)”
    Fr. Jack Swoik is the chaplain of The High School of St. Thomas More.

Reach out

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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.
69 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.85%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.2 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 Peoria, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)205
Students in grades 9–12205
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio9.2 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges85%
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 Peoria

The Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is the High School of Saint Thomas More a Catholic high school?
Yes. The High School of Saint Thomas More is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Peoria.
What is the High School of Saint Thomas More’s Compass Score?
83 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at the High School of Saint Thomas More?
Mass is listed at School chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is the High School of Saint Thomas More Compass Recommended?
Yes. The High School of Saint Thomas More meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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