Original Research by School Decision on Francis Joseph Reitz High School
Francis Joseph Reitz High School serves students in ninth through twelfth grade as a regular public high school within the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. The school is located on the west side of Evansville, a mid-sized city that functions as the regional commercial, medical, and cultural hub for southwestern Indiana and the adjacent parts of Illinois and Kentucky. Reitz High School enrolls a large student body for a high school in this region, drawing from a mix of residential neighborhoods and more rural areas in the western part of the county.
The student population is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Black, Hispanic, multiracial, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. More than two-fifths of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that places the school in a middle range economically compared to others in the district. The school does not report data on the proportion of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about the availability of special education services and language support.
Evansville itself has seen a modest population decline in recent years, though it remains a stable urban center with a diversified economy grounded in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Housing in the school's attendance area is priced moderately, with both home values and rents falling below national benchmarks. The typical commute in the metro area is short, reflecting a compact city where most destinations are a reasonable drive away.
State assessment results for Reitz High School were not available in the data, and the graduation rate was not reported either. Because these are standard metrics for a comprehensive high school, their absence is a significant gap for any family evaluating academic performance. We looked for information on course offerings such as Advanced Placement, dual credit, or career and technical programs, but no program data was provided. A prospective student and their family would need to contact the school to learn about the breadth of the curriculum and whether it aligns with their postsecondary plans.
The school environment data was also sparse. No discipline rates, staffing ratios, or attendance figures were reported. Chronic absenteeism and teacher retention, two factors that can affect day-to-day school experience, are unknown from this data set. The school operates within the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, which oversees several high schools across the city. Reitz is one of the larger high schools in the district, and its relatively homogeneous student body may appeal to families seeking a school where the majority of students share a similar racial and ethnic background.
Given the thin academic and operational data, the most reliable information about Reitz High School would come from a visit, a conversation with current families, or a review of school-specific reports available through the state department of education or the district office. The school's website and its guidance department are sensible starting points for questions about graduation requirements, college readiness, and the range of extracurricular activities.
See more original research from School Decision →