*Photo Cred: @ladbibleireland Instagram*

Nuns, plaid skirts, dropping a dollar for “casual dress day,” and praying you’d get to shake your crush’s hand during the Sign of Peace at morning Mass—Catholic school is definitely its own universe.

Many of us grew up in this crucifix-hanging, prayer-before-lunch world. A lot of us didn’t. And while it’s easy to stereotype the experience (cue the ruler-wielding nun), there’s so much more to Catholic school life than the uniforms and theology tests.

Now a senior at Fairfield U—and someone who’s gone to Catholic school literally my whole life—I’ve been thinking a lot about those traditions lately. With Easter season coming to a close, I find myself reflecting on things like Stations of the Cross, Lent, and the weirdly comforting rhythm of school-wide Masses. Those memories, rituals, and lessons stick with you more than you’d expect.

And it got me thinking: cinema has actually done a pretty great job of capturing what Catholic school can feel like. Whether you're Catholic, went to private school, or have no clue what a novena is, these films and shows dive into universal themes like guilt, identity, growing up, and faith—in ways that are heartfelt, funny, and totally relatable.

1. Derry Girls

Set in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, Derry Girls combines candid humor and historical turmoil following the lives of four Catholic teenage girls and one Protestant English boy at Our Lady Immaculate College, a small Catholic all-girls high school run by sarcastic nun Sister Michael. The friends navigate teen angst, family drama and the occasional military checkpoint. Though a light-hearted comedy, Derry Girls never dismisses the hardships faced in Ireland at the time. It’s absurd, sweet and no matter what background you come from, there is no doubt this three-season series is hilarious.

2. Lady Bird

Lady Bird is like a confessional booth turned comedy stage, where strong-willed, introspective and often oblivious Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson navigates her senior year at Immaculate Heart. Director Greta Gerwig succeeds in creating a loving portrait of the Catholic school experience through sporadic skirt checks, snacking on (unconsecrated) communion wafers, cool priests and nuns, and leaving room for the Holy Spirit at school dances. And heyyyy Connecticut mentioned.

3. Yes, God, Yes

Yes, God, Yes hilariously navigates the awkward and relatable journey of Alice, a Catholic school girl discovering her sexuality amidst the backdrop of a religious retreat. From accidentally stumbling upon online chat rooms to awkward encounters with overly enthusiastic peers, Alice’s quest for understanding is a chaotic ride through the trials and tribulations of teenage curiosity. With a witty script and charming performance by Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things), the film delicately balances humor with heartfelt moments, proving that even in the holiest of places, temptation and laughter go hand in hand.

4. The Holdovers

While not explicitly set in a Catholic school, this recently Oscar-nominated film, The Holdovers, depicts the tale of Paul Hunham, a teacher at a prestigious New England all-boys private school– tasked to look after Angus Tully, the only student left at school during winter break. Through the friendship of Paul, Angus and Head Cook Mary Lamb, the film explores themes of grief, loneliness and the power of human connection. The school, Barton Academy, is a Christian institution with mandatory end-of-semester chapel service where the pastor asks the boys to “pray for those less fortunate than we.” The film feels nostalgic and warm, it is definitely worth the watch.

Whether you grew up reciting the Hail Mary before math tests or have only ever seen Catholic school through a movie screen, these stories have a way of sticking with you. They’re funny, a little chaotic, sometimes deeply moving—and they remind us that growing up in a world shaped by faith isn’t just about rules and rituals. It’s about the people, the questions, the quiet moments of doubt and discovery.

With Easter coming up—a time that always makes me reflect on the traditions I grew up with—these films felt especially meaningful to revisit. They capture something real about growing up, no matter your background. Catholic or not, you’ll laugh, maybe tear up, and definitely see a bit of yourself in them.

Capturing the Catholic School Experience in Cinema

1. Derry Girls

2. Lady Bird

3. Yes, God, Yes

4. The Holdovers

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