Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Union Catholic Regional High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Union Catholic Regional High School

  • LocationScotch Plains, NJ
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 530 students
Official website

Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is a coeducational Catholic college-preparatory school. Religion is required for four years, and the staff directory lists two campus ministers. Peer Ministry is a student leadership program, and students take part in Days of Recollection.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Union Catholic Regional High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miImmaculate Heart of Mary: 0.2 mi1Saint Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church: 2.5 mi2Saint Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church: 2.6 mi3Saint John Vianney Roman Catholic Church: 2.6 mi4Saint Helena Roman Catholic Church: 2.8 mi5Faith Formation and Campus Ministry, Union Catholic: 0.1 miUnion Catholic Regional High School (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Immaculate Heart of Mary — 0.2 mi
  2. Saint Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church — 2.5 mi
  3. Saint Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church — 2.6 mi
  4. Saint John Vianney Roman Catholic Church — 2.6 mi
  5. Saint Helena Roman Catholic Church — 2.8 mi · 950 Grove Avenue, Edison

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 (The Student Life page says Peer Ministry plans school liturgies, which count as Masses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members support their peers, plan school liturgies, and take action to help the broader community.”
      School liturgies are planned by the Peer Ministry program, so school Masses are held.
  • 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 liturgies are planned, and they count as Masses. Ward '82 is listed on the consultative board only.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Members support their peers, plan school liturgies, and take action to help the broader community.”
      School liturgies are planned by the Peer Ministry program, so school Masses are held.
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 (Religion is required for four years on the graduation requirements page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion - 4 years”
      Religion is a graduation requirement of 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.
    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.
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

71 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (Days of Recollection are offered to students, and a senior Day of Recollection is on the school calendar.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students participate in reflective retreat experiences that strengthen faith, deepen friendships, and support personal growth.”
      Students take part in Days of Recollection, which are reflective retreat experiences.
    2. Calendar | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior Day of Recollection, St. Joseph'e Shrine, Stirling”
      A Senior Day of Recollection at St. Joseph's Shrine in Stirling is on the school calendar for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two campus ministers are listed in the staff directory (Patti Caffrey and John Becht), and John Becht is listed as Faith Formation Director.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Directory | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Patti Caffrey Faculty, Campus Minister”
      Patti Caffrey is listed in the school directory as Campus Minister.
      “John Becht Religious Studies Department Chair, Faculty, Campus Minister, Social Justice Advocate”
      John Becht is listed in the school directory as Campus Minister.
    2. School Leadership | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/school-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “John Becht Faith Formation Director”
      John Becht is listed on the school leadership page as Faith Formation Director.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (Peer Ministry, a student leadership program with faith-focused events and retreats, is the one faith-based student group found.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer Ministry offers students the opportunity to lead faith-focused events, retreats, and service initiatives that strengthen spiritual life at UC. Members support their peers, plan school liturgies, and take action to help the broader community.”
      Peer Ministry is a student leadership program that leads faith-focused events and retreats and plans school liturgies.
  • 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.

  • 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 (Student-led social justice initiatives include fundraising for the Archdiocese of Newark's Call to Aid Afghan Families.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life/clubs-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Join us in responding to the call to serve others and make a positive impact by supporting the causes our students are actively fundraising for.”
      The school lists Student-Led Social Justice Initiatives that students fundraise for.
      “Archdiocese of Newark's Call to Aid Afghan Families All proceeds will go directly to the Catholic Charity Afghan Fund”
      A student-led fundraiser supports the Archdiocese of Newark's Call to Aid Afghan Families.

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

Strengths

  • Religion is a graduation requirement for all four years.
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religion - 4 years”
      Religion is a graduation requirement of four years.
  • Two campus ministers are listed in the staff directory, and the school has a student Peer Ministry program.
    Sources (2)
    1. Directory | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Patti Caffrey Faculty, Campus Minister”
      Patti Caffrey is listed in the school directory as Campus Minister.
      “John Becht Religious Studies Department Chair, Faculty, Campus Minister, Social Justice Advocate”
      John Becht is listed in the school directory as Campus Minister.
    2. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer Ministry offers students the opportunity to lead faith-focused events, retreats, and service initiatives that strengthen spiritual life at UC. Members support their peers, plan school liturgies, and take action to help the broader community.”
      Peer Ministry is a student leadership program that leads faith-focused events and retreats and plans school liturgies.
  • Students take part in Days of Recollection, and a senior Day of Recollection is on the school calendar.
    Sources (2)
    1. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students participate in reflective retreat experiences that strengthen faith, deepen friendships, and support personal growth.”
      Students take part in Days of Recollection, which are reflective retreat experiences.
    2. Calendar | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Senior Day of Recollection, St. Joseph'e Shrine, Stirling”
      A Senior Day of Recollection at St. Joseph's Shrine in Stirling is on the school calendar for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM.

Concerns

  • The school leadership page lists a Reverend on its consultative board.
    Sources (1)
    1. School Leadership | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/school-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reverend Michael G. Ward '82”
      Reverend Michael G. Ward is listed on the consultative board.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Faith Formation and Campus Ministry, Union Catholic

  • Address: 1600 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 3 location not published

Retreats 2

  • Senior Day of RecollectionOff campus
    Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:00 AM - 1:15 PM (calendar entry)
    Senior day of recollection held at St. Joseph's Shrine in Stirling, according to the school calendar.
    unioncatholic.org
  • Day of Recollections
    Reflective retreat experiences for students that strengthen faith and friendships.
    unioncatholic.org

Faith formation 1

  • Peer Ministry
    Student leadership program that leads faith-focused events, retreats, and service initiatives. Members plan school liturgies.
    unioncatholic.org

Service 1

  • Student-Led Social Justice Initiatives
    Student-run fundraisers for causes such as the Archdiocese of Newark's Call to Aid Afghan Families and assistance for Ukraine.
    unioncatholic.org, unioncatholic.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. Student Life | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/student-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Peer Ministry offers students the opportunity to lead faith-focused events, retreats, and service initiatives that strengthen spiritual life at UC. Members support their peers, plan school liturgies, and take action to help the broader community.”
    Peer Ministry is a student leadership program that leads faith-focused events and retreats and plans school liturgies.
  2. School Leadership | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/school-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “John Becht Faith Formation Director”
    John Becht is listed on the school leadership page as Faith Formation Director.
    “John Becht Faith Formation Director”
    John Becht is listed on the school leadership page as Faith Formation Director.
  3. Welcome from Our Principal | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/about-us/welcome-from-our-principal · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Vibrant Campus Ministry programs encourage students to deepen their faith and strengthen their commitment to God.”
    The principal describes campus ministry programs that encourage students to deepen their faith.
    “Vibrant Campus Ministry programs encourage students to deepen their faith and strengthen their commitment to God.”
    The principal describes campus ministry programs that encourage students to deepen their faith.
  4. Ways to Visit | Union Catholic Regional High Schoolunioncatholic.org/admissions/ways-to-visit · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Union Catholic High School 1600 Martine Avenue Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 T 908-889-1600”
    The school is at 1600 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, with phone 908-889-1600.

Reach out

Contact details for Union Catholic Regional High School main office (Main school office (no separate campus ministry phone or email was found)) and 6 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

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.
97 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.100%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.9.5 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 Newark, NJ
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)530
Students in grades 9–12530
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio9.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges100%
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 Newark

His Eminence Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Union Catholic Regional High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Union Catholic Regional High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Newark.

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 New Jersey · New Jersey rankings