What McNicholas High School does

McNicholas High School is a coeducational Catholic high school founded in 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio, operating under the governance of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The school serves approximately 706 students across grades 9-12, drawing from 48 zip codes and 46 feeder grade schools across the Cincinnati metropolitan area. McNicholas offers a college-preparatory curriculum featuring 35 Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus courses, a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and 75% of faculty holding advanced degrees. The core product is supplemented by the SAIL (Strategic Accommodations for Identified Learners) program, which provides 1:1 intervention specialist support for an additional $5,750 annual fee, and an International Cultural Program accepting students from Argentina, Spain, Germany, and South Korea through agency partnerships.

The school operates an extensive co-curricular portfolio including 26 Greater Catholic League athletic programs, 40+ student clubs, and 30+ visual and performing arts electives, with 90% student participation in extracurriculars. Faith formation is integrated throughout via 100% participation in retreat experiences (Kairos and Appalachia service-learning), a 40-hour Christian service graduation requirement, and liturgical life. Student outcomes are strong: 98% college attendance, $21.1M in scholarships for the Class of 2026, five National Merit recognitions, and the first OHSAA State Championship in Girls Volleyball history. Technology infrastructure consists of standard third-party platforms including Canvas LMS, Blackbaud SIS, FinalForms, x2VOL, and FACTS, with no proprietary AI or machine learning systems.

Revenue is generated through tuition payments supplemented by Ohio EdChoice and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarships (the full EdChoice Traditional award is $8,408 per student for 2026-27), need-based financial aid, the Annual Fund (McNicholas Fund), planned giving and endowment income, the McNick at Night fundraising event, the Rocket Shop retail operation, and international student surcharges. The school's growth-to-funnel motion combines structured admissions (shadow days, HSPT testing, multi-step application) with strong community referral dynamics driven by over 40% of current students having alumni parents or relatives, supported by a 13,000+ member alumni network and active Alumni Association Board.

Name

McNicholas High School

Legal name

McNicholas High School

Website

https://mcnhs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

McNicholas High School is a coeducational Catholic college-preparatory high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving 706 students with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, 35 AP/CCP courses, 26 athletic programs, and faith formation integrated throughout the curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Catholic Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Catholic secondary education
• College preparatory curriculum
• Special education services
• Athletic programs
• Faith-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition payments, supplemented by state-funded EdChoice and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarships. The full Traditional EdChoice Scholarship for 2026-27 is $8,408 per student.
2. Annual Fund (The McNicholas Fund): Annual fundraising campaign supporting the school's mission and providing unique opportunities. Donors include alumni, parents, and community members.
3. Planned Giving & Endowment: Legacy gift programs and The McNicholas Endowment providing long-term financial support for the school.
4. McNick at Night: Annual fundraising event generating revenue through ticket sales and donations.
5. SAIL Program Fee: Additional $5,750 annual fee for students enrolled in the SAIL intervention program, on top of standard tuition.
6. Rocket Shop Sales: On-campus spirit wear and uniform shop managed by the Athletic Department, selling school-approved uniform polos and spirit wear.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

McNicholas High School delivers coeducational Catholic secondary education (grades 9–12) through a college-preparatory curriculum of 35 AP and College Credit Plus courses, supplemented by 26 GCL athletic programs, 30+ visual and performing arts electives, Christian Service requirements, and faith-formation retreats. The school additionally offers the SAIL intervention program (1:1 specialist support, additional $5,750 fee), International Cultural and Global Enrichment exchange programs with sister schools, and an on-campus Rocket Shop for uniforms and spirit wear.

Product overview

McNicholas High School is a coeducational Catholic high school offering a unified educational program built around its core college-preparatory curriculum (35 AP/CCP courses) supplemented by specialized support programs (SAIL for identified learners, International Cultural Program), extensive co-curricular offerings (26 athletic programs, 40+ clubs, 30+ arts electives), and faith-based initiatives (Christian Service, Kairos/Appalachia retreats). The school operates a website platform (Finalsite) and maintains a Learning Management System (transitioning from Schoology to Canvas) and Student Information System (transitioning from PowerSchool to Blackbaud). Supporting services include the Rocket Shop for uniforms and spirit wear, CREW freshman leadership program, Rocket Lighthouse wellness initiative, and Global Enrichment international exchange program. All students participate in Christian Service requirements and multiple retreat experiences as part of the faith formation component.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Curriculum Comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum offering 35 on-campus Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus courses, with five levels of math classes and a full-time math tutor on staff, serving grades 9–12 students at McNicholas High School.
• SAIL Program (Strategic Accommodations for Identified Learners) Intervention support program for students whose learning styles require tutorial assistance, featuring full-time SAIL intervention specialists working 1:1 with students in mainstream classrooms, including those with IEPs, 504 plans, or school accommodation plans. Additional $5,750 annual fee on top of standard tuition.
• International Cultural Program Cultural exchange program accepting international students through partner agencies, featuring orientation, language mentors, and a Culture Club for students from Argentina, Spain, Germany, and South Korea. McNicholas does not offer an ESL program.
• Global Enrichment Program Study abroad and international exchange program including sister school exchanges with Instituto Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves in Buenos Aires, and travel to China, Europe, and Argentina.
• Athletic Programs 26 Greater Catholic League Coed athletic programs including OHSAA state championship teams in Boys Volleyball and Girls Volleyball, supported by the Sports Performance Program and Sports Medicine services.
• Visual and Performing Arts Program Over 30 visual and performing arts electives including Theatre, Music, and Art + Design programs with consistent Scholastic Gold Keys and OMEA superior ratings.
• Christian Service Program Required 40-hour Christian service program before graduation with Century Club recognition for students completing over 100 hours. Class of 2026 completed 15,052 hours with 65 Century Club seniors.
• Faith Retreats Program Retreat experiences with 100% student participation, including over 45 Appalachia service-learning retreats and over 125 Kairos retreats empowering thousands of students for active discipleship.
• CREW Leadership Program Freshman leadership program helping incoming students develop leadership skills and community bonds at the start of high school.
• Rocket Shop On-campus school store providing spirit wear and uniform needs, featuring Lands' End uniforms and spirit merchandise; managed by the Athletic Department.
• College Credit Plus Partnership Partnership with 5 universities enabling McNicholas students to earn college credit through on-campus courses, providing rigorous academic challenges and reducing college costs.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Instituto Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves (Argentina)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026McNicholas has a Sister School Exchange with Instituto Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nine McNicholas students traveled there in summer 2026, following Argentine students' visit to McNicholas earlier in the year. This is the school's first-ever Sister School Exchange.
• Glenmary Home MissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcNicholas partners with the Glenmary Home Missioners for the Appalachian Service-Learning Experience, a signature program where students travel to Appalachia for service-learning trips, living out the Gospel in practical and transformative ways.
• Lands' EndminorOthersMcNicholas has transitioned to Lands' End as its official uniform provider. Girls' uniform skirts are available through Lands' End in plaid, black, and gray. Boys'/girls' pants and shorts are also available through Lands' End.
• College Credit Plus Partner Universities (5)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcNicholas partners with 5 universities for College Credit Plus programs, allowing students to earn college credit while in high school. This provides students with rigorous academic challenges and reduces college costs.
• Collegi Casp (Barcelona, Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcNicholas welcomed 8 students from Collegi Casp in Barcelona, Spain for a 3-week study abroad program, building international friendships and cultural exchange.
• Jiangsu Province, China (American Youth Ambassadors Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcNicholas students served as American Youth Ambassadors in Jiangsu, China for the second consecutive year, participating in an international leadership and cultural exchange trip.
• Forest Hills School District (Bus Transportation)minorOthersFamilies living in Forest Hills School District contact the district transportation department (513-231-3335) for bus transportation services.
• New Richmond School District (Bus Transportation)minorOthersFamilies living in New Richmond School District contact the district transportation department (513-553-2616) for bus transportation services.
• Anderson Area Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMcNicholas faculty and students participate in Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce events and recognition programs. Faculty member Jolene Esz was named Teacher of the Year and student Lila Moeves was named Student of the Year by the chamber.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• St. Xavier High School: All-boys Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Finneytown), one of the largest and most established Catholic schools in the region. Direct cohort peer sharing the GCL league and feeder dynamics.
• Ursuline Academy: All-girls Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Blue Ash), competing in the GCL. Direct cohort peer reflecting the same Catholic identity and Cincinnati positioning.
• La Salle High School: Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Symmes Township), competing in the GCL and recruiting from the same Cincinnati-area families. Direct cohort peer with overlapping geographic and demographic draw.
• Archbishop Moeller High School: All-boys Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Kenwood), competing in the same GCL league and recruiting from overlapping Cincinnati-area zip codes. Most direct cohort peer in the same archdiocese system.
• Roger Bacon High School: Coed Catholic high school in St. Bernard (Cincinnati area), part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Closest comparability given also-coed format and similar size, with overlapping applicant pool.
• Elder High School: All-boys Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Price Hill), competing in the GCL. Direct cohort peer sharing the same feeder schools and Catholic mission orientation.
• Purcell Marian High School: Coed Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Carthage), serving similar Cincinnati-area families. Direct peer with coed format and comparable tuition/EdChoice dependency.

Regional players

• Carroll High School: Catholic high school in Dayton, Ohio — comparable Catholic secondary institution within the same statewide framework (Ohio EdChoice). Useful for understanding performance across Ohio's broader Catholic high school market.
• Badin High School: Catholic high school in Hamilton, Ohio (north of Cincinnati), part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Comparable Catholic secondary school serving Cincinnati-area families from a slightly different geographic base.
• Bishop Fenwick High School: Catholic high school in Middletown, Ohio (north of Cincinnati), also in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Comparable in mission and structure, though serving a slightly different geographic sub-region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/McNicholasHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/McNicholasHighSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcnicholashs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mcnicholashs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about McNicholas High School