McNicholas High School is the premier choice for a coed, Catholic high school education in the Cincinnati area. It is the place to discover your unique, God-given brilliance and put it into action. Every student contributes at McNick in an experiential environment of doing - not watching. Customized learning and leadership programs help students make a difference in this close-knit, faith-based community and beyond. At McNicholas, students have more opportunities to get involved and make their presence felt. We offer 26 GCL competitive sports teams, over 40 clubs and extracurriculars, service opportunities, mission trips, award-winning visual and performing arts programs, partnerships with professionals, and a broad array of opportunities for students of every interest and talent.Through an adaptable curriculum that includes Advanced Placement and college credit classes as well as the SAIL program for identified learners, students of all abilities are challenged to reach their academic best.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked OH School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 663 students
- Yearly Tuition: $13,800
- Average class size: 11 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
McNicholas High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1951
Colors
Black, Green
School Calendar
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 15, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Student Body
Total Students
663 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
4%
State avg.: 25%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
68%
Average Class Size
11 students
Number of AP Courses
21 courses
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,800
% on Financial Aid
98%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,800
Admissions Director
Laurie Carigan
Application URL
Sports
Total Sports Offered
17 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
34 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Academic TeamAnime Club
Art & Craft ClubChess Club
Cooking ClubCrew Leadership Team
Ecology ClubGamers Unplugged
Hands Across CampusHope Squad
Improv TroupeInternational Thespian Society Honor Society
International Thespian TroupeLatin Honor Society
Launch PadMaker's Club
McNick BoutiqueMcNick Broadcasting
Mock TrialMu Alpha Theta – Mathematics Honor Society
National Art Honor SocietyOctavio Paz Chapter National Spanish Honor Society
Peer MentorsPhoto Club
RoboticsRockets For Life
Saint Vincent De Paul Youth ConferenceScience National Honor Society
Ski ClubSociété Honoraire de Français
Spanish ClubThe National Honor Society
Theology & Philosophy ClubTri-M Music Honor Society
School Notes
- School Motto: That youth may attain full stature in Christ
- McNick teachers know their students well--we have a 11:1 student to teacher ratio.
- Our students live in 30 area zip codes and attend 42 different grade/middle schools.
- Our students volunteer over 15,000 hours of Christian service each year.
- 90% of our students participate in our 40 clubs and 26 GCL athletic programs.
- We have received the Governor`s Award for Excellence in STEM Education for over 30 consecutive years.
- 68% of our faculty holds advanced degrees.
- Our students are challenged with 22 on-campus Advanced Placement courses.
- Our students recently achieved a 100% pass rate on the Calculus & English Literature AP Tests.
- Over 45 Appalachia retreats and over 125 of Kairos retreats have empowered thousands of Rockets for lives of active discipleship.
- We have had over 25 OHSAA State Tournament championship appearances.
- Over 50of our students have earned National Merit Awards in the past 10 years.
- We partnerwith 5universities for College Credit Plus programs.
- 98% of our students receive financial assistance.
- We have over 30visual and performing arts electives.
- 99% of our students attend college after graduation.
- With an enrollment of just over 600, we are the ideal size. Small enough that our students receive individualized attention, large enough to offer them numerous opportunities.
- 85% of our students are Catholic.
- 100% of our students participate in over 8 offered retreat experiences.
- Over 175 AP Tests & Portfolios are submitted each year.
- We set students up for success with 5 levels of math classes and a full-time math tutor on staff.
- We offer 35 courses for college credit.
- We have a highly-recognized theatre program and over 30 visual & performing arts offerings.
- Our students learn speaking and presentation skills and have earned top honors in the Poetry Out Loud recitation contest & the Rotary Club speech contest.
- Our World Languages Department challenges students to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy.
- Our visual and performing arts students consistently earn Scholastic Gold Keys & OMEA superior ratings.
- Our students` achievement is recognized annually with induction into the National Honor Society and 8 other subject-specific honor societies: Science Math, Art, Spanish, Latin, French, Music, & Thespian.
- 76% of our students participate in athletics.
- 42% of our athletes are multisport athletes.
- Families have trusted us for generations. Over 40% of our current students have alumni parents and relatives.
- Our over 12,000 alumni create a network of support that spans the globe.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Kevin Huber - Punter for Cincinnati Bengals, Class of 2004 -
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does McNicholas High School cost?
McNicholas High School's tuition is approximately $13,800 for private students.
Who are famous alumni from McNicholas High School?
McNicholas High School famous alumni include: Kevin Huber - Punter for Cincinnati Bengals, Class of 2004.
What sports does McNicholas High School offer?
McNicholas High School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. McNicholas High School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for most sports offered.
What is McNicholas High School's ranking?
McNicholas High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for: Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for McNicholas High School?
The application deadline for McNicholas High School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is McNicholas High School located?
McNicholas High School is located in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH. There are 3 other private schools located in Mount Washington.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed McNicholas High School also viewed these schools: Miami Valley Christian Academy.
The nearest high school to McNicholas High School is Miami Valley Christian Academy (3.1 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Guardian Angels Elementary School (0.0 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: PK-12 | 937 students 3.1 miles 6830 School Street
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(513) 272-6822
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(513) 272-6822
3.1
PK-12
937
School Reviews
5 9/13/2024
Academically challenging with AP and CCP classes, my daughter has nothing but great things to say about her teachers, caring, helpful, and giving of their time. She participated in the art program, especially the architecture classes as this is her interest, and found her place within these classes. We are happy with our decision to send her to McNicholas.
5 10/27/2023
Just be aware they grade on a 7 point scale vs a 10 point scale other area comparable high schools use. Given this impacts GPA tremendously (92 at other schools is an A, vs a B here), it's something to consider for college applications.
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