Premier Catholic School in Arlington focused on academic excellence and spiritual growth.
Discover the unparalleled benefits of enrolling in Saint Agnes School, the leading Catholic school in Arlington, MA. Our school provides a rigorous academic curriculum rooted in Catholic values that prepares students for college and equips them for life beyond. As one of the top private elementary schools, we emphasize both intellectual growth and moral development.
8 Weeks – 2.9 Years
K0-Grade 5
Grades 6-8
Bridge-Grade 12
Discover a faith-centered education experience that inspires academic achievement, character development, leadership, and lifelong success.
At our Catholic infant-grade 12 school, faith is central to our mission. Through daily prayer, regular liturgies, and spiritual formation, students build a personal relationship with God and learn to live according to Gospel values.
Our rigorous programs at one of the top private elementary schools challenge students to achieve their full potential. STREAM initiatives, hands-on projects, and innovative teaching methods prepare students for high school, college, and lifelong success.
Our Catholic school emphasizes character formation alongside academics. Students learn responsibility, integrity, and empathy, developing the values needed to become ethical and compassionate leaders.
With over 50 sports, arts, music, and leadership activities, our private Catholic schools in Arlington provide opportunities for students to explore passions, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills.
Our school community is a family of families. As one of the most nurturing elementary schools, we create a welcoming environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and encouraged to succeed.
Graduates from our Catholic schools leave equipped with academic skills, leadership qualities, and a strong moral foundation, ready to excel in high school, college, and beyond.
Founded in 1888, Saint Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High School provide a premier school experience, combining academic excellence with a strong Catholic foundation.
Our catholic schools nurture students from infancy through grade 12, fostering critical thinking, character development, and a lifelong commitment to faith, service, and community. With a supportive, inclusive environment, our private elementary schools in Arlington, MA prepare students to excel academically and thrive as compassionate, confident leaders.
At the heart of our Catholic education is faith. Through daily prayer, regular liturgies, and spiritual formation, we guide students to develop a personal relationship with God and live out Gospel values. Our faith-based curriculum inspires moral character and a deep sense of purpose, preparing students to lead lives of integrity and service.
“[My daughter] loves her teachers and friends and looks forward to her day. Arlington Catholic is more than a school to me; it is my community, and I couldn’t be happier to have my family as a part of it.”
“I’ve made so many friends through athletics, and they have helped me work on teamwork and leadership. Arlington Catholic has helped me grow closer in faith with God and strengthen my relationship
with him.”
“SAS/AC taught me the importance of faith, academics, and community. […] Now, as Assistant Director of Enrollment at SAS/AC, I am so happy I can help other families see how truly special this school is and how they, too can grow in faith in this amazing community. I was so blessed to “grow up on Medford Street!”
Our catholic elementary school combines strong academics, faith formation, and character development to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for high school, college, and life.
Our Arlington catholic schools serve students from infant programs through grade 12, offering a continuous, faith-based learning experience for families seeking long-term Catholic education.
At our private elementary schools, small class sizes, personalized attention, and STREAM-based programs ensure students receive the guidance and resources needed to excel academically.
Our catholic schools in Arlington, MA integrate daily prayer, weekly liturgies, and faith-based lessons across subjects, nurturing students’ spiritual growth alongside their academic development.
Students at our catholic schools can participate in over 50 activities including sports, arts, music, clubs, and community service, helping them develop confidence, creativity, and leadership skills.
Our private catholic schools focus on creating a nurturing, inclusive community where every child is valued, supported, and encouraged to grow socially, academically, and spiritually.
Graduates from our Arlington catholic schools develop critical thinking, leadership, and social skills that prepare them for success in high school, college, and beyond. Many students attend top Catholic and Ivy League colleges.
Yes. Our elementary schools’ welcome students of all faiths, providing an inclusive learning environment while maintaining a strong Catholic identity and values-based education.
Arlington, MA — Michael Zampell is returning to Arlington Catholic High School to take the helm of the Girls Varsity
Monday, September 21, 2026 Join Us for the 35th Annual Monsignor John J. Linnehan Golf Tournament! We’re thrilled to welcome
Nathaniel Naughton
AC ’90
Associate Principal for Academics, 6-12, Social Studies Teacher
Steve Barrett
Associate Principal: Operations & Management, 6-12
Steve serves as the Associate Principal of Operations at Arlington Catholic High School, where he is dedicated to supporting students’ growth in faith, academics, and community. He also serves as the Coordinator of International Students.
Upon graduating from Boston College with a BS in Political Science in 1986, Steve began teaching History at Matignon High School, and has been a Catholic educator and administrator in several schools for the past 39 years. He also holds a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from American International College. Steve joined Arlington Catholic in 2008 as the Dean of Students and served as Director of Admissions for a decade before his appointment to his current role.
Steve and his wife Erin are proud parents of two AC alums- Stephen Class of 2010, and William Class of 2014.
Dr. Laurie Sullivan
Associate Principal, K0-8
John Graeffa
Principal/Head of School
John Graceffa has devoted the past fourteen years of his professional life to Saint Agnes School/Arlington Catholic High School, serving in key leadership roles including Dean of Students, Vice Principal, Principal, and most recently, Acting Head of School. A proud graduate of Springfield College, he holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Education.
Before joining the SAS/AC community, Mr. Graceffa spent the early part of his career in public education as a high school history teacher at Waltham High School, where he also coached soccer, basketball, and tennis. He went on to serve as Principal of Waltham High School for 23 years, earning widespread respect for his dedication to student success and academic excellence. In addition, he served for eight years as an elected member of the Waltham School Committee and participated actively in several educational organizations throughout his career.
Reflecting on his transition into Catholic education, Mr. Graceffa shared:
“As my decision to retire from public education came to fruition, I aggressively sought to work in Catholic education for the opportunity to encourage the awareness of God in daily life, embrace the culture of service and giving back to those in need, instill values of caring for each other and empathy for others, develop young leaders, and place an emphasis on moral and character development. I was fortunate to have this opportunity at Saint Agnes School / Arlington Catholic High School. I have embraced the opportunity to have Catholic values interwoven and embedded in the spiritual, academic, social, and physical life of our students and faculty.”
Mr. Graceffa’s leadership has left an indelible mark on the SAS/AC community, where his passion for faith-based education and holistic student development continues to shape the school’s mission and future.
Very Reverend Marc J. Bishop, V.F.
Pastor
St. Camillus Parish and St. Agnes Parish, Arlington, MA
Fr. Marc, a native of Billerica, MA, was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 26, 2001, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, MA. Father graduated from Austin Preparatory School in the Spring of 1991 and graduated from Seton Hall University in May 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
He entered St. John’s Seminary in the Fall of 1995. After graduating from seminary with a Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees, he was ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on May 26, 2001. His first assignment was St. Mary Parish (Chelmsford). Fr. Marc happily served there for four and a half years before being called to service in the active-duty military. Fr. Marc, then a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, was on active duty with First Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines from January 2006 to December 2006. He served the religious needs of the Marines and Sailors in Al-Fallujah, Iraq, from March 2006 to October 2006. In February of 2007, Fr. Marc received the Vincent Capadano Reserve Officer Association’s Chaplain of the Year Award. Fr. Marc was also honored by the Massachusetts District, Bishop Healy Province, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus with the Father Joseph T. O’Callahan 2007 Memorial Award, “… for outstanding and significant contributions to the principles of patriotism, brotherly love and love of country…”
Fr. Marc was a member of Team Ministry at Holy Family Parish (Amesbury), from February 15, 2007 to June 30, 2008; he served as pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish (Methuen/Lawrence) from July 2008 to June 2010. July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014, Fr. Marc was Pastor of both St. Rita Parish (Lowell) and Ste. Marguerite Parish (Dracut). He served as the Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish (Marlborough) from July 2014 through May 2018. He also served as the Vicar Forane of Vicariate One of the West Region of the Archdiocese of Boston, ending May 31, 2018.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Catholic School Foundation. Father Marc enjoys athletics and served as an assistant coach for the Lowell Catholic Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Team for eight seasons, most notably assisting the team to a 2017 Division II State Championship. Fr. Marc is Pastor of St. Camillus Parish (Arlington/Belmont) and St. Agnes Parish (Arlington), appointed by His Eminence Sean P. Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, on June 1, 2018. Fr. Marc is currently the Vicar Forane for Vicariate IV of the North Region.
