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Xaverian Brothers High School: XBHS Main Entrance
Photo: XBHS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

Xaverian Brothers High School

  • LocationWestwood, MA
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 7–12 · 966 students
  • SponsorXaverian Brothers

All-male

Official website

Xaverian Brothers High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7 to 12 in Westwood, Massachusetts, sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers. Its campus ministry publishes a Friday Mass before school, a weekly student faith-sharing program, retreats for each grade, and weekly and immersion service programs.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Xaverian Brothers High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Catherine Catholic Church: 1.4 mi1Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church: 1.5 mi2St. Marys Church: 2.7 mi3St Timothy Catholic Church: 2.9 mi4Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center: 0.1 miXaverian Brothers High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Catherine Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 547 Washington Street
  2. Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church — 1.5 mi
  3. St. Marys Church — 2.7 mi
  4. St Timothy Catholic Church — 2.9 mi · 650 Nichols Street, Norwood

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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    All-school or class Masses 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.
    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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredOccasionally (Eucharistic adoration is part of the biannual SpiritHawk retreats in the fall and spring.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Retreats | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SpiritHawk leader talks, prayer services, liturgy, and eucharistic adoration”
      SpiritHawk retreats include eucharistic adoration.
    2. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Biannual SpiritHawk Retreats have become an indispensible part of the program.”
      SpiritHawk retreats are held twice a year, in the fall and spring.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (A Mass is published each Friday. The school's mission page says it has always had a chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Holy Mass is offered every Friday morning before school in the Josephine M. Noble Chapel”
      Mass is offered each Friday morning before school in the Josephine M. Noble Chapel.
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 graduation requirements list theology as four years; one theology course is taken in each grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology - 4 years”
      Theology is required for four years for graduation.
  • 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.
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

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Freshmen attend the Freshman Day of Awareness and sophomores attend the Sophomore Faith Experience, both listed as graduation requirements. Juniors have the fall Junior Retreat and seniors have an optional February retreat.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Retreats | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “all freshmen attend the Freshman Day of Awareness at Hale Reservation”
      All freshmen attend the Freshman Day of Awareness retreat at Hale Reservation before classes begin.
      “all members of the sophomore class participate in the Sophomore Faith Experience, an overnight retreat set in Cape Cod”
      All sophomores take part in an overnight Sophomore Faith Experience retreat on Cape Cod.
      “The campus ministry team sponsors a three-day, two-night retreat in the fall”
      The campus ministry sponsors a three-day junior retreat in the fall.
      “In February, all seniors are invited to attend this optional overnight retreat”
      An optional overnight senior retreat is offered in February.
    2. Graduation Requirements | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry - Freshman Day of Awareness, Sophomore Faith Experience”
      The graduation requirements include the Freshman Day of Awareness and the Sophomore Faith Experience.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (The campus ministry center page lists a Director of Campus Ministry and refers to several campus ministers.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Center | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/campus-ministry-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mr. James Conley Director of Campus Ministry”
      James Conley is the Director of Campus Ministry.
      “houses individual offices for our campus ministers”
      The campus ministry center houses offices for several campus ministers.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (SpiritHawk is a student-facilitated weekly faith-sharing group. The Agape Latte and Mosaic clubs are listed under campus ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This weekly faith sharing meeting is a student-facilitated program, sponsored and overseen by the campus ministry team”
      SpiritHawk is a weekly student-facilitated faith-sharing program overseen by campus ministry.
      “SpiritHawk attracts around 120 or more participants each week”
      About 120 or more students take part in SpiritHawk each week.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The spiritual formation page says every day and every class begins with prayer.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every day and every class begin with prayer”
      Every school day and every class begins with 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.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required service hoursNo requirement (The published graduation requirements list does not include service hours. Service programs such as X-ACT are optional. The eighth-grade service day is not a high school requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry - Freshman Day of Awareness, Sophomore Faith Experience”
      The graduation requirements include the Freshman Day of Awareness and the Sophomore Faith Experience.
      “To be eligible for a diploma from Xaverian Brothers High School, a student must complete the following course of studies prescribed by the Board of Trustees”
      The graduation requirements list the courses and campus ministry items a student must complete; no service-hour requirement is listed.
  • 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 (The campus ministry runs weekly X-ACT community service, Global Encounter service retreats during school breaks, and the X-CEL urban immersion for juniors. The Young Men for Change club examines social justice issues.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Service | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “X-ACT is a student initiated and directed organization that provides weekly opportunities”
      X-ACT is a student-led service organization offering weekly service opportunities on peace, social justice and service.
      “Global Encounter is a week-long service retreat offered during February and April breaks”
      Global Encounter is a week-long service retreat offered during February and April breaks for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
      “X-CEL (Xaverian Community Encounters Life) is an urban immersion retreat program for members of the junior class”
      X-CEL is an urban immersion program for juniors in Boston.
    2. Community, Culture, and Equity | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/about/community-culture-and-equity · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “examining social justice issues that affect our society today”
      The Young Men for Change club examines social justice issues.

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

Strengths

  • Every day and every class begins with prayer, according to the school's spiritual formation page.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every day and every class begin with prayer”
      Every school day and every class begins with prayer.
  • Theology is required for four years, and the freshman and sophomore retreats are required.
    Sources (1)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology - 4 years”
      Theology is required for four years for graduation.
      “Campus Ministry - Freshman Day of Awareness, Sophomore Faith Experience”
      The graduation requirements include the Freshman Day of Awareness and the Sophomore Faith Experience.
  • Weekly SpiritHawk faith sharing draws about 120 or more students each week.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “SpiritHawk attracts around 120 or more participants each week”
      About 120 or more students take part in SpiritHawk each week.
  • Service programs include weekly X-ACT service, Global Encounter service retreats and the X-CEL urban immersion for juniors.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “X-ACT is a student initiated and directed organization that provides weekly opportunities”
      X-ACT is a student-led service organization offering weekly service opportunities on peace, social justice and service.
      “Global Encounter is a week-long service retreat offered during February and April breaks”
      Global Encounter is a week-long service retreat offered during February and April breaks for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
      “X-CEL (Xaverian Community Encounters Life) is an urban immersion retreat program for members of the junior class”
      X-CEL is an urban immersion program for juniors in Boston.

Concerns

  • The published graduation requirements list no service hours, and the service programs are optional.
    Sources (2)
    1. Graduation Requirements | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To be eligible for a diploma from Xaverian Brothers High School, a student must complete the following course of studies prescribed by the Board of Trustees”
      The graduation requirements list the courses and campus ministry items a student must complete; no service-hour requirement is listed.
    2. Service | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “X-ACT is a student initiated and directed organization that provides weekly opportunities”
      X-ACT is a student-led service organization offering weekly service opportunities on peace, social justice and service.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center

  • Address: 800 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: study space, group meeting space, campus minister offices

View on map ↗

Source: xbhs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, xbhs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

18 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 8 off campus, 9 location not published

Retreats 8

  • SpiritHawk RetreatsOff campus
    Biannual, in the fall and spring
    Weekend retreats at Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod for SpiritHawk members in grades 9 to 12, with prayer services, liturgy and eucharistic adoration.
    xbhs.com, xbhs.com
  • Freshman Day of AwarenessOff campus
    Before orientation and the first day of classes
    Required day retreat for all freshmen at Hale Reservation.
    xbhs.com, xbhs.com
  • Sophomore Faith ExperienceOff campus
    Fall and winter
    Required overnight retreat for all sophomores on Cape Cod.
    xbhs.com, xbhs.com
  • Xaverian Pilgrimage to ItalyOff campus
    Mid-June
    Annual pilgrimage to Italy for juniors who apply.
    xbhs.com
  • Freshman Sophomore Retreat
    Spring, optional overnight
    Optional overnight retreat for freshmen and sophomores, led by juniors.
    xbhs.com
  • Junior Retreat
    Fall, three days and two nights
    Campus ministry retreat for juniors on the themes of the junior theology course.
    xbhs.com
Show 2 more
  • Senior Retreat
    February, optional overnight
    Optional overnight retreat for seniors, planned and led by students with faculty and campus ministry presentations.
    xbhs.com
  • Xaverian Leadership Institute
    August, five days (rising seniors)
    Optional five-day servant leadership retreat for rising seniors.
    xbhs.com

Service 4

  • X-ACTOff campus
    Weekly
    Student-initiated service program that travels to local agencies, with a focus on peace, social justice and service.
    xbhs.com
  • Global EncounterOff campus
    February and April breaks
    Week-long service retreat for sophomores, juniors and seniors in domestic and international locations.
    xbhs.com
  • X-CELOff campus
    Three days during a school week, junior year
    Urban immersion retreat for juniors, who live in Boston and serve in social service agencies.
    xbhs.com
  • Christian Senior ServiceOff campus
    Last term of senior year
    Faith-based service program in which seniors serve at more than 50 agencies around the school, with a faculty mentor and daily journaling.
    xbhs.com

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Friday Mass before schoolOn campus
    Friday mornings before school
    Mass in the Josephine M. Noble Chapel. Students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in roles such as altar serving and lectoring.
    xbhs.com, xbhs.com
  • Schoolwide liturgies and prayer services
    Schoolwide liturgies and prayer services are held throughout the year to mark important moments in the community.
    xbhs.com

Faith formation 1

  • SpiritHawk
    Weekly
    Student-facilitated weekly faith-sharing meeting with dinner, prayer and reflection; about 120 or more students attend.
    xbhs.com, xbhs.com, xbhs.com

Clubs and groups 3

  • Young Men for Change
    Club that examines social justice issues affecting society.
    xbhs.com
  • Agape Latte
    Listed among the campus ministry clubs.
    xbhs.com
  • Mosaic
    Listed among the campus ministry clubs.
    xbhs.com

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. Spiritual Formation | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Holy Mass is offered every Friday morning before school in the Josephine M. Noble Chapel”
    Mass is offered each Friday morning before school in the Josephine M. Noble Chapel.
  2. Campus Ministry Center | Xaverian Brothers High Schoolxbhs.com/campus-ministry/campus-ministry-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center provides a space for students to develop and nurture relationships with God, self, and others.”
    The Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center is the campus ministry's space for students on campus.
    “Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center provides a space for students to develop and nurture relationships with God, self, and others.”
    The Henry and Rita Skala Campus Ministry Center is the campus ministry's space for students on campus.
    “800 Clapboardtree Street Westwood, MA 02090”
    The school's address is 800 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090.

Reach out

Contact details for Xaverian Brothers High School main line (School phone listed on the Campus Ministry Center page; no direct campus ministry phone or email is published) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
73 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.93%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.14.6 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)966
Students in grades 9–12739
Coed or single-sexAll-male
Student–teacher ratio14.6 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges93%
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 Xaverian Brothers High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Xaverian Brothers High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Boston. Its sponsor is Xaverian Brothers.

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