McNicholas High School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

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

School Rankings

McNicholas High School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Ohio for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	McNicholas High School
9	154
10	203
11	158
12	148

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1951

Colors

Black, Green

Student Body

Total Students

663 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

State avg.: 25%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

63 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

11:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

68%

Average Class Size

11 students

Number of AP Courses

21 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$13,800

View national tuition avg.

% on Financial Aid

98%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$6,800

Admissions Director

Laurie Carigan

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

17 sports

Sports

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWinter Track

Wrestling

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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

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School Notes

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.

School Motto: That youth may attain full stature in Christ

Join a welcoming community that looks out for each other, equips you for the real world in a comfortable, yet authentic coed environment, and teaches you timeless values and compassionate leadership. Visit www.mcnhs.org to learn more.

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

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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.

School Calendar

View the McNicholas High School yearly calendar below.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 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.

- Posted by Parent - Robert

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.

- Posted by Parent - Mary

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Cincinnati, OH is $8,487 for elementary schools and $17,834 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Cincinnati, OH is 88% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).