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

Catholic high school

Willows Academy

  • LocationDes Plaines, IL
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 6–12 · 241 students
  • SponsorIndependent school with the spirituality of Opus Dei

All-female

Official website

Willows Academy is an independent, all-girls Catholic school at 1015 Rose Avenue in Des Plaines, Illinois, with high school grades. Its school calendar says daily Mass is offered at 10:14 AM in the school chapel during the school year, with confessions before and after Mass. A chaplain, Fr. Pete Arriagada, is named on the faculty and staff page, and the school lists retreats, a pro-life club and a service club.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Monday–Friday10:14 AMWillows Academy chapel · During the school year; special Mass times are noted on the school calendar.

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. School Calendar | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “During the school year, daily mass is offered at 10:14am in the chapel.”
    Daily Mass is offered on school days during the school year at 10:14 AM in the school chapel.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Willows Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Mary's Catholic Church: 0.5 mi1Holy Family Convent: 1.3 mi2Saint Stephen Catholic Church: 1.4 mi3Saint Zachary Church: 2.0 mi4Carmelite Monastery: 2.0 mi5Saint Emily Catholic Church: 2.1 mi6Willows Academy chapel: 0.0 miWillows Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Mary's Catholic Church — 0.5 mi
  2. Holy Family Convent — 1.3 mi · 310 North River Road, Des Plaines
  3. Saint Stephen Catholic Church — 1.4 mi
  4. Saint Zachary Church — 2.0 mi
  5. Carmelite Monastery — 2.0 mi · 949 North Des Plaines River Road, Des Plaines
  6. Saint Emily Catholic Church — 2.1 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

77 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
    Sources (1)
    1. Parents | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/willows-parents · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “May 18th: Baccalaureate Mass for 12th and 8th Grade”
      A Baccalaureate Mass for the 12th and 8th grade classes is listed once a year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusYes (Daily Mass on school days during the school year, at 10:14 AM in the school chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. School Calendar | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “During the school year, daily mass is offered at 10:14am in the chapel.”
      Daily Mass is offered on school days during the school year at 10:14 AM in the school chapel.
    2. Faith | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered daily”
      The school's faith page says Mass and Reconciliation are offered daily.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearMonthly or more often (Confessions are available before and after the daily Mass during the school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. School Calendar | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Confessions and spiritual direction are available before and after mass and by appointment with the chaplain, Fr. Pete Arriagada.”
      Confessions are available before and after the daily Mass during the school year, and by appointment with the chaplain.
  • 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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Pete Arriagada is named as chaplain; the faith page describes a full-time chaplain available to students one-on-one.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Pete Arriagada L.L.B., Universidad Católica de Chile S.T.B., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce J.D., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce Biography Chaplain”
      Fr. Pete Arriagada is listed on the faculty and staff page as the school's chaplain.
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 (The faith page describes a daily Religion class, and the high school curriculum lists a theology course in each of grades 9 through 12. The curriculum list does not mark which courses are required; this is recorded from the daily Religion class statement.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Faith | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Religion class”
      The school's faith page lists a daily Religion class for students.
    2. High School Curriculum | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/high-school-curriculum · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Honors Moral Theology”
      Theology courses are listed for the high school grades, including Honors Moral Theology in 11th grade and Honors Theology 12 in 12th grade.
  • 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 (An honors philosophy elective, The Classical Mind, is listed in every high school grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. High School Curriculum | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/high-school-curriculum · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Honors Philosophy Elective: the Classical Mind”
      An honors philosophy elective is offered in each high school grade.
  • 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 (Stated in the school's mission statement, not in a curriculum-specific description.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mission & Values | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/about · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church, we focus on providing a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, personalized mentoring, and vibrant student life.”
      The mission statement says the curriculum is guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
CCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

68 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 (Retreats are held throughout the year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Retreats throughout the year”
      The school's faith page lists retreats throughout the year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (The chaplain, Fr. Pete Arriagada, is the only ministry staff member listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Pete Arriagada L.L.B., Universidad Católica de Chile S.T.B., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce J.D., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce Biography Chaplain”
      Fr. Pete Arriagada is listed on the faculty and staff page as the school's chaplain.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (The Respect Life club for high school students is listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Willows Pro-Life (Middle School) and Respect Life (High School) clubs are dedicated to promoting human life at all stages despite the culture of death prevalent in society.”
      The school lists a Respect Life club for high school students that promotes human life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (Daily Mass is offered during the school day during the school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. School Calendar | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “During the school year, daily mass is offered at 10:14am in the chapel.”
      Daily Mass is offered on school days during the school year at 10:14 AM in the school chapel.
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.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (The Respect Life club for high school students promotes human life at all stages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Willows Pro-Life (Middle School) and Respect Life (High School) clubs are dedicated to promoting human life at all stages despite the culture of death prevalent in society.”
      The school lists a Respect Life club for high school students that promotes human life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Helping Hands club helps people who are less fortunate, especially those experiencing homelessness.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/clubs · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “The goal of Helping Hands is to help people who are less fortunate, especially those who are experiencing homelessness.”
      The school lists Helping Hands, a club that serves people experiencing homelessness.

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

Strengths

  • Daily Mass is offered on school days during the school year in the school chapel, with confessions before and after Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. School Calendar | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/school-calendar · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “During the school year, daily mass is offered at 10:14am in the chapel.”
      Daily Mass is offered on school days during the school year at 10:14 AM in the school chapel.
      “Confessions and spiritual direction are available before and after mass and by appointment with the chaplain, Fr. Pete Arriagada.”
      Confessions are available before and after the daily Mass during the school year, and by appointment with the chaplain.
  • A chaplain is named on the faculty and staff page, and the faith page lists a daily Religion class and retreats.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Fr. Pete Arriagada L.L.B., Universidad Católica de Chile S.T.B., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce J.D., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce Biography Chaplain”
      Fr. Pete Arriagada is listed on the faculty and staff page as the school's chaplain.
    2. Faith | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Daily Religion class”
      The school's faith page lists a daily Religion class for students.
      “Retreats throughout the year”
      The school's faith page lists retreats throughout the year.

Concerns

  • Only one class Mass, the Baccalaureate Mass, is listed by name.
    Sources (1)
    1. Parents | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/willows-parents · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “May 18th: Baccalaureate Mass for 12th and 8th Grade”
      A Baccalaureate Mass for the 12th and 8th grade classes is listed once a year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Willows Academy chapel

  • Address: 1015 Rose Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: willowsacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, willowsacademy.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Clubs and groups 1

  • Respect Life Club (High School)
    Club for high school students that promotes human life at all stages through service, prayer and activities.
    willowsacademy.org

Retreats 1

  • Retreats
    Throughout the year
    Retreats are listed on the school's faith page.
    willowsacademy.org

Service 1

  • Helping Hands
    Club that helps people who are less fortunate, especially those experiencing homelessness, through volunteer work and donations.
    willowsacademy.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 (3)
  1. Faith | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faith · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered daily”
    The school's faith page says Mass and Reconciliation are offered daily.
    “Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered daily”
    The school's faith page says Mass and Reconciliation are offered daily.
  2. Faculty & Staff | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/faculty-and-staff · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “Fr. Pete Arriagada L.L.B., Universidad Católica de Chile S.T.B., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce J.D., Pontificia Università della Santa Croce Biography Chaplain”
    Fr. Pete Arriagada is listed on the faculty and staff page as the school's chaplain.
  3. Inquire | Willows Academywillowsacademy.org/inquire · verified Oct. 13, 2026
    “1015 Rose Avenue Des Plaines, IL 60016”
    The school's address is 1015 Rose Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois.

Reach out

Contact details for Willows Academy main office (School office (the chaplain is on the faculty and staff page)) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
70 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

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Chicago, IL
Grades6–12
Students (all grades)241
Students in grades 9–12134
Coed or single-sexAll-female
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

Archdiocese of Chicago

His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Willows Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Willows Academy is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Its sponsor is Independent school with the spirituality of Opus Dei.
What is Willows Academy’s Compass Score?
79 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Willows Academy?
Mass is listed at Willows Academy chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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