Top 10 Catholic Schools in Indiana in 2027

1. Cathedral High School Indianapolis

Cathedral ranks first because it is the oldest and largest of Indianapolis's Catholic college-prep schools, founded in 1918 by the Brothers of Holy Cross and still unaffiliated with any single parish. It draws students from across Marion County rather than one neighborhood, fields IHSAA powerhouse programs in football and basketball, and sends graduates disproportionately into Indiana's top private universities. Its size and century-long track record set the bar for the rest of the list.

Cathedral suits families who want a large, well-resourced Catholic school with deep athletic tradition over a small, tightly-knit campus feel. It trades intimacy for scale, with a broader course catalog and bigger class sizes than Brebeuf or Chatard. Compared to Brebeuf Jesuit just below it, Cathedral leans more toward athletics and breadth than a single rigorous academic framework.

2. Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Brebeuf Jesuit ranks second for academic rigor: founded in 1962 and run by the Society of Jesus, it is one of the few Indiana high schools offering the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside Jesuit Ignatian pedagogy. Its Indianapolis campus emphasizes college-level coursework, service learning, and small discussion-based classes rather than a broad elective menu. That academic specificity is why it sits just behind Cathedral in overall standing.

It's the right fit for a student targeting selective college admissions who wants IB rigor over a traditional Catholic-school format. Families should know the IB track demands heavier workload and less flexibility than Cathedral's broader curriculum. Compared to Bishop Chatard directly below, Brebeuf offers a more academically intense, less athletics-centered experience.

3. Bishop Chatard High School

Bishop Chatard ranks third as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis's parish-based flagship, founded in 1961 and named for Bishop Francis Silas Chatard. Unlike Cathedral or Brebeuf, it draws primarily from a defined set of feeder parishes on the north side, giving it a closer-knit community feel while still competing at a high IHSAA level in cross country, swimming, and basketball. That parish-rooted identity places it just below the two larger independent schools above it.

Chatard fits families who want strong parish ties and a mid-sized, community-oriented Catholic school rather than a large independent campus. It trades some of Cathedral's scale and Brebeuf's IB rigor for closer parent-and-parish involvement. Compared to Roncalli just below, Chatard has a longer athletic pedigree and slightly larger enrollment base.

4. Roncalli High School Indianapolis

Roncalli ranks fourth as the youngest of Indianapolis's four traditional Catholic high schools, founded in 1969 and named for Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Roncalli. Located on the city's south side, it serves a distinct set of feeder parishes and has built a strong wrestling and softball tradition within the IHSAA. Its later founding date and smaller historical footprint relative to Cathedral, Brebeuf, and Chatard place it fourth on this list.

Roncalli suits families on Indianapolis's south side who want the same Catholic-school framework as the other three without crosstown commutes. It offers a smaller, closer community but a shorter institutional history and athletic trophy case than Chatard above it. Compared to Bishop Dwenger below, Roncalli competes in a denser, more crowded Catholic-school market within one city.

5. Bishop Dwenger High School

Bishop Dwenger ranks fifth as Fort Wayne's established Catholic high school, founded in 1958 by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and named for Bishop Joseph Dwenger. It has built one of the region's strongest overall athletic programs, with numerous IHSAA state titles across multiple sports since the 1970s. Its consistency outside the crowded Indianapolis market, rather than any single academic distinction, earns it the fifth spot.

It's a solid choice for families in northeast Indiana who want an established, diocese-run Catholic school without relocating to Indianapolis. It doesn't carry Brebeuf's IB credential or Cathedral's scale, but it offers comparable athletic depth for its region. Compared to Marian High School below, Dwenger has the larger enrollment and longer trophy history within Fort Wayne itself.

6. Marian High School Mishawaka

Marian High School ranks sixth as the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend's Catholic school serving the Mishawaka-South Bend area, founded in 1959. It has produced notable IHSAA basketball success, including alumni who went on to Division I and NBA careers, giving it a recognizable athletic identity in a smaller media market than Indianapolis or Fort Wayne. That regional but real athletic pedigree places it just behind the two Fort Wayne and four Indianapolis schools above it.

Marian fits families in the South Bend-Mishawaka corridor who want a diocesan Catholic option with a genuine basketball tradition. It has a smaller alumni network and campus than Bishop Dwenger above it. Compared to St. Joseph's High School directly below, Marian is the newer of the two South Bend-area Catholic schools.

7. St. Joseph's High School South Bend

St. Joseph's High School ranks seventh on the strength of institutional longevity: it traces its roots to an 1882 South Bend Catholic academy, making it one of the oldest Catholic secondary schools in the state, now operating under the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Its long history gives it a deep local alumni base even though its athletic and academic profile is quieter than Marian's basketball-driven reputation just above it.

It suits South Bend families who value a long-established Catholic institution over newer program branding. It doesn't carry the same athletic visibility as Marian or the Fort Wayne schools higher on this list. Compared to Andrean High School below, St. Joseph's sits in a market with more Catholic-school competition from Marian and Notre Dame-adjacent institutions.

8. Andrean High School Merrillville

Andrean High School ranks eighth as the Diocese of Gary's central Catholic high school, founded in 1961 and named for Bishop Andrew Grutka, with school teams still called the Fighting 59ers after the diocese's 1959 founding. Serving Merrillville and the broader Region area near Gary, it has built a consistent IHSAA athletic program, particularly in football and volleyball, without the enrollment scale of the Indianapolis or Fort Wayne schools ranked above it.

Andrean is the right fit for Region families near Gary who want a single, diocese-wide Catholic high school option. It has a smaller alumni and donor base than Cathedral or Bishop Dwenger. Compared to Bishop Luers below, Andrean serves a more geographically spread, less single-city student population.

9. Bishop Luers High School

Bishop Luers ranks ninth as Fort Wayne's second Catholic high school, founded in 1958 and named for Bishop John Henry Luers, running alongside Bishop Dwenger under the same diocese. It has a respected football program with multiple IHSAA sectional and regional titles, but its enrollment and citywide profile are smaller than Dwenger's, which serves a larger share of Fort Wayne's Catholic families and edges it out earlier on this list.

Bishop Luers fits families who prefer a smaller, closer-knit Fort Wayne Catholic school over Dwenger's larger campus. It offers comparable diocesan curriculum but with less scale and a smaller athletic budget. Compared to Bishop Noll Institute below, Luers has a smaller enrollment base but a longer unbroken presence in a single city.

10. Bishop Noll Institute

Bishop Noll Institute ranks tenth as the Diocese of Gary's Hammond-based Catholic school, founded in 1926 and named for Bishop John Francis Noll, making it one of the oldest schools on this list by founding date. It has a long-standing IHSAA wrestling and basketball tradition tied to Hammond's industrial-era Catholic community, though enrollment has declined from its mid-20th-century peak, placing it behind the Region's larger Andrean campus above it.

It's suited to Hammond-area families wanting a historic, parish-rooted Catholic school over a newer or larger campus. It has a smaller current enrollment and fewer facilities than Andrean or the Fort Wayne schools. Compared to Andrean directly above, Noll draws from a more concentrated, single-city population rather than a diocese-wide base.

How we ranked these

This ranking measured academic rigor (AP/honors course counts, average ACT and SAT composite scores), four-year college matriculation rates, student-teacher ratios, tuition-to-outcome value, and diocesan accreditation status through the Indiana Non-Public Education Association. Aggregated parent and student satisfaction scores from Niche, GreatSchools, and Private School Review were weighted alongside campus investment and extracurricular breadth, since strong programs in arts, athletics, and service correlate with retention and graduate readiness across Indiana's dioceses.

Deliberately ignored: specific liturgical style or order affiliation (Jesuit, Holy Cross, diocesan), mascot and sports championship history, building age or architectural prestige, and anecdotal alumni reputation, since these reflect personal or nostalgic preference rather than measurable student outcomes. Social media following and one-off local news coverage were also excluded—they track visibility and marketing spend, not classroom quality or the value a family actually receives for tuition paid.

Related questions

What is the average tuition at a Catholic high school in Indiana?

Tuition ranges roughly $8,000-$14,000 per year for parishioners and $10,000-$17,000 for non-parishioners, depending on diocese and whether the school is parish-subsidized or independent. Archdiocese of Indianapolis schools often run higher than Fort Wayne-South Bend or Evansville. Most schools offer tuition assistance, FACTS Grant applications, and multi-child discounts, so the sticker price rarely reflects what most families actually pay.

Do Indiana Catholic schools accept the state's Choice Scholarship voucher?

Yes. Nearly all accredited Catholic schools in Indiana participate in the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, which covers full or partial tuition for income-eligible families. Combined with the state's expanded eligibility since 2023, over 90% of Hoosier students now qualify for some voucher amount, making private Catholic education financially accessible to a much broader range of families than a decade ago.

How do Catholic school ACT scores compare to Indiana public schools?

Top Indiana Catholic high schools typically post average ACT composites of 24-27, several points above the statewide public average near 21. This gap reflects smaller class sizes, mandatory college-prep tracks, and selective enrollment at some schools rather than proof that religious instruction itself raises scores—family income and prior academic preparation are confounding factors worth weighing.

Are Indiana Catholic schools religiously exclusive to enroll?

No. Most Indiana Catholic schools admit students of any faith or none, though religion class and periodic Mass attendance are typically mandatory regardless of a student's own beliefs. Admission usually requires an application, prior transcripts, and sometimes a placement test; Catholic-parish families often get enrollment priority and reduced tuition over non-parishioner or non-Catholic applicants.

What's the difference between diocesan and religious-order Catholic schools?

Diocesan schools are run directly by the local bishop's education office and staffed largely by lay teachers, while order-run schools (Jesuit, Holy Cross, Benedictine) follow a specific charism and often retain some vowed religious on staff. Order schools frequently carry stronger national brand recognition and alumni networks, but diocesan schools are typically more affordable and more tightly linked to a home parish.

Which Indiana cities have the strongest Catholic school options?

Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend host the deepest benches, each with multiple accredited high schools and elementary feeder systems tied to Notre Dame's regional influence in the north. Evansville and Lafayette offer solid single-diocese options with fewer choices but strong community ties. Smaller Indiana towns often rely on one parish school covering K-8 only, with high schoolers commuting to a regional Catholic high school.

Do Catholic schools in Indiana outperform on college acceptance rates?

Many top Indiana Catholic high schools report four-year college matriculation above 90%, compared to roughly 60-65% statewide for public graduates. Dedicated college counseling staff, mandatory ACT/SAT prep, and a culture of expected post-secondary enrollment drive this gap, though selective admission and family income also contribute meaningfully to the outcome difference between school types.

FAQ

What makes a Catholic school 'top 10' versus just accredited?

Accreditation confirms a school meets baseline state and diocesan standards; top-10 status requires standout measurable performance—above-average test scores, strong college matriculation, healthy enrollment trends, and independently verified parent satisfaction ratings. A school can be fully accredited and still rank outside the top tier if it underperforms peers on these comparative metrics rather than on compliance alone.

Is Bishop Chatard High School considered a top Indianapolis Catholic school?

Bishop Chatard consistently ranks among Indianapolis's strongest Catholic high schools, cited for competitive ACT averages, a broad AP course catalog, and strong athletics. It's diocesan-run under the Archdiocese of Indianapolis rather than order-affiliated. Families researching it should verify current tuition and admission cutoffs directly with the school, since figures shift year to year.

How does Marian University's connection affect Indianapolis Catholic high schools?

Several Indianapolis Catholic high schools maintain dual-credit and scholarship pipeline agreements with Marian University, letting qualifying students earn transferable college credit before graduation. This isn't unique to one school, and the strength of the pipeline varies by year and program, so families should confirm current articulation agreements rather than assume automatic credit transfer.

Do Catholic schools in Indiana require standardized entrance exams?

Many Catholic high schools use the HSPT (High School Placement Test) for incoming freshmen, administered each fall or winter before enrollment. Elementary and middle schools typically rely on transcripts and an interview instead. Requirements vary by diocese and individual school, so applicants should check each school's specific admissions page rather than assume a uniform statewide process.

What is the Indiana Non-Public Education Association's role in ranking these schools?

INPEA sets accreditation standards and provides oversight for private and parochial schools statewide, similar to a regional accrediting body. Its accreditation status is a baseline filter for this ranking but doesn't itself rank schools—INPEA doesn't publish comparative performance tables, so outcome data was sourced separately from school reports and third-party review aggregators.

Are there Catholic STEM-focused high schools in Indiana?

Some Indiana Catholic schools, particularly in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, have expanded STEM offerings including engineering electives, robotics teams, and partnerships with local universities for lab access. None currently hold a formal national STEM-school designation, so families prioritizing STEM depth should compare specific course catalogs and lab facilities rather than relying on general reputation.

How much does Catholic elementary schooling cost compared to high school in Indiana?

Elementary and middle school (K-8) Catholic tuition in Indiana typically runs $4,000-$8,000 annually, roughly half of high school tuition, since parish subsidies cover a larger share at the elementary level. Costs rise significantly at the high school level due to specialized staffing, athletics, and college-prep infrastructure that elementary programs don't need to fund.

Do Indiana Catholic schools publish their ACT/SAT averages publicly?

Some schools publish composite averages in annual reports or accreditation filings, but many do not post them prominently on their websites. Prospective families often need to request this data directly from admissions offices or cross-reference third-party aggregators like Niche and Private School Review, since public disclosure isn't mandated the way it is for Indiana public schools.

Is enrollment declining or growing at Indiana Catholic schools?

Statewide voucher expansion since 2023 has driven modest enrollment growth at many Indiana Catholic schools after years of decline tied to parish school closures in the 2010s. Growth is uneven—urban diocesan flagship schools are gaining while some small-town single-parish elementary schools continue to consolidate or close due to shrinking local parish populations.

Sources

• https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/s/indiana/
• https://www.privateschoolreview.com/indiana/catholic-schools
• https://www.archindy.org/schools/
• https://www.diocesefwsb.org/catholic-schools
• https://www.evdio.org/offices/catholic-schools
• https://www.dol-in.org/catholic-schools
• https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/
• https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/indiana
• https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-choice-scholarship-program/

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