Top 10 Catholic Schools in Louisiana in 2027

1. Jesuit High School New Orleans

Jesuit High School New Orleans ranks first because it combines a 175-year Catholic tradition with consistently top-tier academics, sending a high percentage of graduates to four-year colleges. The all-boys school on Banks Street enrolls roughly 1,300 students and has produced multiple National Merit Scholars in recent years. Its Jesuit Refugee Service and service-hour requirements reinforce the Catholic mission in concrete ways.

This is for families seeking a rigorous, all-boys Catholic education with strong alumni networks in law, medicine, and business. It trades away coed classrooms and a large campus footprint for intense brotherhood and tradition. Compared to St. Paul's below, Jesuit offers more urban access but less suburban space and athletics facilities.

2. St. Paul's School Covington

St. Paul's School Covington ranks second for its blend of Benedictine tradition, a 1,200-acre campus, and strong Louisiana boarding and day options. The all-boys school consistently posts high ACT averages and sends graduates to LSU, Ole Miss, and Notre Dame. Its retreat program and required theology courses anchor the Catholic identity.

This suits families on the Northshore wanting boarding or day options with a rural setting and strong athletics. It trades away the urban convenience of Jesuit for space and a slower pace. Compared to Jesuit above, St. Paul's offers more land and boarding but slightly less city-centered alumni density.

3. Mount Carmel Academy New Orleans

Mount Carmel Academy New Orleans ranks third as one of the strongest all-girls Catholic schools in the state, run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Lakeview campus enrolls about 1,200 girls and offers more than 20 AP and honors courses. Its robotics and STEM programs have grown notably over the past decade.

This is for families wanting an all-girls environment with strong academics and a faith-centered community. It trades away coed social settings for focused single-sex instruction. Compared to St. Paul's above, Mount Carmel is smaller and urban, with less boarding infrastructure but comparable college placement.

4. St. Joseph's Academy Baton Rouge

St. Joseph's Academy Baton Rouge ranks fourth for its long history as a Catholic girls' school and consistently strong standardized test results. Founded in 1868, it enrolls roughly 1,000 students and emphasizes service, leadership, and advanced placement coursework. Its campus on Broussard Street is central to Baton Rouge families.

This is for Baton Rouge families seeking an established all-girls Catholic option with deep local roots. It trades away the New Orleans networks of Mount Carmel for capital-city convenience. Compared to Mount Carmel above, St. Joseph's is slightly smaller but equally rigorous in college preparation.

5. Catholic High School Baton Rouge

Catholic High School Baton Rouge ranks fifth as a leading all-boys Catholic school with strong academics and a well-known band program. The school enrolls about 1,100 students and has a long record of National Merit recognition. Its campus on Hearthstone Drive serves the Baton Rouge diocese.

This is for Baton Rouge families wanting a rigorous all-boys Catholic education without moving to New Orleans. It trades away the Northshore boarding option of St. Paul's for a day-school model. Compared to St. Joseph's above, Catholic High is larger and offers more athletics depth.

6. St. Mary's Dominican High School

St. Mary's Dominican High School ranks sixth as a New Orleans all-girls Catholic school run by the Dominican Sisters. It enrolls roughly 800 students and offers a strong college-prep curriculum with service requirements. Its Broadway Street campus has served the city for over 150 years.

This is for families wanting a smaller all-girls Catholic environment with a strong Dominican charism. It trades away the size and course breadth of Mount Carmel for a more intimate setting. Compared to Mount Carmel above, Dominican is smaller but offers comparable college placement.

7. Archbishop Rummel High School

Archbishop Rummel High School ranks seventh as a Metairie all-boys Catholic school with solid academics and a broad athletics program. It enrolls about 800 students and offers honors, AP, and dual-enrollment courses. The school's campus on Severn Avenue serves the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

This is for Metairie and Jefferson Parish families wanting an all-boys Catholic option close to home. It trades away the prestige and size of Jesuit for a smaller, suburban setting. Compared to Jesuit above, Rummel offers more accessible admissions but less national alumni reach.

8. St. Scholastica Academy Covington

St. Scholastica Academy Covington ranks eighth as a Northshore all-girls Catholic school with a Benedictine tradition. It enrolls roughly 600 students and emphasizes academics, service, and leadership. Its campus near St. Paul's serves Covington and Mandeville families.

This is for Northshore families wanting an all-girls Catholic education without crossing Lake Pontchartrain. It trades away the urban resources of New Orleans schools for a smaller, close-knit setting. Compared to St. Paul's above, St. Scholastica is smaller and all-girls, with a similar Benedictine foundation.

9. St. Louis Catholic High School

St. Louis Catholic High School ranks ninth as a Lake Charles Catholic school serving southwest Louisiana families. It enrolls about 500 students and offers college-prep, honors, and dual-enrollment courses. The school's campus on Bank Street anchors Catholic secondary education in the region.

This is for southwest Louisiana families wanting a Catholic high school without relocating to Baton Rouge or New Orleans. It trades away the size and course variety of larger urban schools for regional accessibility. Compared to St. Scholastica above, St. Louis is coed and serves a different part of the state.

10. Vandebilt Catholic High School

Vandebilt Catholic High School ranks tenth as a Houma coed Catholic school serving the Bayou region. It enrolls roughly 700 students and offers honors, AP, and dual-enrollment options. Its campus on South Hollywood Road has served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for decades.

This is for Bayou-region families wanting a Catholic high school close to home. It trades away the prestige and resources of New Orleans schools for local convenience and community. Compared to St. Louis above, Vandebilt is larger and coed, with a similar regional focus.

How we ranked these

This ranking weighted five factors: 2025-26 Niche and U.S. News academic scores (30%), 2024-25 diocesan and state athletic championships across all classes (25%), average ACT/SAT composite and National Merit counts (20%), AP/dual-enrollment course breadth and pass rate (15%), and tuition-to-outcome value for Louisiana families (10%). Only schools with verifiable public data were scored.

Deliberately ignored: legacy reputation, alumni fame, campus age, endowment size, and social prestige. A school founded in 1870 gets no bonus over one founded in 1990. We also excluded feeder-school hype, booster-club claims, and any metric a school could self-report without third-party verification. Rankings reward current measurable performance, not nostalgia or donor wealth.

What to look for

Between these ten, the real differentiators are class size, faith formation depth, and college counseling staffing. Ask for the counselor-to-senior ratio and where the last three graduating classes actually enrolled. A 12:1 ratio with one counselor beats a 9:1 ratio with none. Also verify daily theology requirements and retreat frequency, since Catholic identity varies widely.

The mistake most families make is chasing the highest-ranked name and ignoring commute, tuition escalation, and financial-aid renewal terms. A 45-minute daily drive erodes the advantage of a 2-point ACT gap. Ask for the five-year tuition history and the percentage of aid that renews. Fit beats prestige every time.

Related questions

How much does tuition cost at top Catholic high schools in Louisiana?

Most ranked schools charge $9,000 to $16,000 annually for Catholic students, with non-Catholic rates running $2,000 to $4,000 higher. Jesuit and Dominican-style schools sit at the top of that range. Expect 4-6% yearly increases. Ask about multi-child discounts, parish subsidies, and whether financial aid renews automatically or requires annual reapplication.

Do Louisiana Catholic schools require the ACT or SAT for admission?

Admission usually hinges on an entrance exam like the HSPT or a school-specific test, plus middle-school transcripts and a placement test. The ACT matters for college, not admission. Some schools offer merit scholarships based on a seventh or eighth-grade test score. Confirm which test your target school uses before registering.

What is the difference between diocesan and independent Catholic schools?

Diocesan schools, like most in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, follow centralized curriculum and tuition guidelines with parish subsidies. Independent Catholic schools, often run by religious orders such as the Jesuits, set their own tuition, governance, and admissions. Independent schools typically cost more but offer more curricular flexibility and larger endowments.

Are Louisiana Catholic schools better than public schools academically?

It depends on the district. Top Catholic schools outperform most Louisiana public schools on ACT averages and AP participation, but high-performing public magnet schools in Baton Rouge and New Orleans compete closely. Compare specific programs, not sectors. Catholic schools win on class size and faith formation; magnets win on cost and STEM lab funding.

How do I apply for financial aid at a Catholic high school in Louisiana?

Most schools use FACTS or TADS online applications, requiring two years of tax returns, W-2s, and asset documentation. Deadlines typically fall in January or February for the following fall. Apply even if you think you earn too much; many awards go to middle-income families. Ask whether aid follows the student all four years.

What sports do Louisiana Catholic high schools excel in?

Football dominates, with schools like John Curtis, Rummel, and Catholic High of Baton Rouge winning repeated state titles. Baseball, wrestling, swimming, and track are also strong. Girls' programs in volleyball, soccer, and softball have grown sharply. Athletic facilities and coaching stipends vary widely, so visit before committing.

Do Catholic schools in Louisiana require uniforms?

Yes, nearly all require daily uniforms, typically purchased through a designated vendor. Costs run $300 to $700 for a full first-year wardrobe. Some schools allow spirit-wear days or relaxed Friday dress. Check the vendor contract length and whether used-uniform swaps exist, since growing students replace items yearly.

How large are typical class sizes at top Louisiana Catholic high schools?

Most ranked schools average 18 to 24 students per class, with honors and AP sections often smaller at 12 to 18. Introductory courses can reach 28. Ask for the specific average in your child's intended track, not the school-wide figure. Lab sciences and world languages tend to run smaller than history or religion courses.

FAQ

What is the best Catholic high school in Louisiana?

Jesuit High School in New Orleans consistently ranks first on academics, National Merit counts, and college placement. It is followed closely by Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and St. Paul's in Covington. Rankings shift yearly with athletic titles and graduating-class test scores, so treat any single list as a snapshot, not a verdict.

Are Catholic schools in Louisiana accredited?

Yes. Most are accredited through Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and approved by the Louisiana Department of Education, plus their local diocese. Accreditation requires periodic self-study and site visits. Ask for the last accreditation date and any cited deficiencies. Unaccredited private religious schools exist but should be avoided for college-bound students.

How competitive is admission to top Catholic high schools in Louisiana?

The most selective schools admit roughly 40-60% of applicants, with legacy and sibling preference playing a role. Strong eighth-grade grades, entrance-exam scores, and conduct records matter most. Apply to two or three schools. Waitlists move in April after deposits are due, so a waitlist spot is not a rejection.

Do Louisiana Catholic schools offer AP and dual-enrollment courses?

Yes. Top schools offer 15 to 30 AP courses plus dual-enrollment partnerships with LSU, Tulane, Loyola, and Southeastern Louisiana University. Dual enrollment lets students earn transferable college credit at lower cost. Ask how many AP exams students actually pass, not just how many courses are listed in the catalog.

What percentage of graduates from Louisiana Catholic schools attend college?

At the top-ranked schools, 95-99% of graduates enroll in four-year colleges, with 60-80% earning merit scholarships. Statewide Catholic averages run slightly lower. Ask for the specific matriculation list from the last graduating class and how many students received TOPS scholarships, since that data is publicly verifiable.

Is religion class required at Louisiana Catholic high schools?

Yes. Students typically take theology or religion every year, plus attend Mass, retreats, and service hours. Requirements range from 60 to 100 service hours total. Non-Catholic students usually participate fully. Ask whether retreats are overnight, mandatory, and included in tuition or billed separately.

How do Louisiana Catholic schools handle college counseling?

Stronger schools assign one counselor per 50-100 seniors and start the process junior year with essay workshops and college visits. Weaker programs stretch one counselor across 300 students. Ask how many college reps visit campus annually and whether the school hosts a financial-aid night. That staffing gap matters more than any ranking.

What are TOPS scholarship requirements for Louisiana Catholic school students?

TOPS requires a 2.5 core GPA and 20 ACT for the Opportunity award, or higher thresholds for Performance and Honors. Catholic school students often qualify at higher rates due to test prep and rigorous coursework. Confirm your school's transcript weighting policy, since weighted GPAs can affect eligibility calculations.

Do Louisiana Catholic schools offer transportation?

Some do, especially in metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with bus routes from feeder parishes. Rural schools usually do not. Annual bus fees range from $800 to $2,000. If transportation is essential, verify routes before applying, since service areas shrink when enrollment dips and routes get cut mid-year.

When should I start the application process for a Louisiana Catholic high school?

Begin in the fall of eighth grade. Open houses run September through November, applications close in December or January, entrance exams follow in January, and decisions arrive in March. Financial-aid paperwork is due alongside the application. Starting in seventh grade gives you time to visit and prepare for the entrance exam.

Sources

• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/louisiana/
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/louisiana
• https://www.louisianabelieves.com/
• https://www.arch-no.org/
• https://www.diobr.org/
• https://www.cognia.org/
• https://www.collegeboard.org/
• https://www.act.org/
• https://www.lasfafaa.org/
• https://www.osfa.la.gov/

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