Serving 1,321 students in grades 9-12, Francis Joseph Reitz High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Indiana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 36% (which is lower than the Indiana state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 51% (which is higher than the Indiana state average of 41%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Indiana state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Indiana state average of 37% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,321 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 17%
Graduation Rate
: 95% (Top 30% in IN)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 50%
Math Proficiency
: 36% (Btm 50%)
Reading Proficiency
: 51% (Top 30%)
Science Proficiency
: 38% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
Francis Joseph Reitz High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,763 schools in Indiana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Francis Joseph Reitz High School is 0.31, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Francis Joseph Reitz High School is a historic public high school
on the west side of Evansville, Indiana. It was founded in 1918,
and is the second oldest high school still in use today in the
city. It is a member of the Evansville Vanderburgh School
Corporation.
History: The idea for a school on the west side of
Evansville came from the Centennial Club, led by Mrs. C.F. Werner,
who fought a genteel, but determined battle with the reluctant
school board. The ladies said the Evansville High School (old
Central) was too far away to be financially practical for many west
side families. After four years of crusading, the Centennial Club
won.
The school board had planned to call the school West Side High
School. That was before the board discovered a lack of funds and
Francis Joseph Reitz agreed to finance the building of the school.
A grateful school board immediately voted that this new hall of
learning (which incidentally cost $223,844.00) should be named
after Mr. Reitz. Thus Francis Joseph Reitz High School became the
first high school on the west side and the second in Evansville.
At first Reitz was intended to be a Junior High School, including
only seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, but as the student body
grew older, the curriculum was geared to fit the needs of older
students. Reitz graduated its first seniors in 1921.
In September 1918 a two-story and basement building of brick and
stone classic design was open. In 1921, the first year in which
Reitz High School was fully accredited by North Central
Association, the 10,000-seat Reitz Bowl was completed. In 1926, a
four-story classroom building was added to the west end of the
building. In 1956, an addition of a new office wing, nurse's suite,
counselors' offices, home economics kitchen, dining rooms, sewing
rooms, print shop, band and choir rooms, library, and study hall
was added. In 1957, a five-story classroom wing, a second gym,
seating more than 3,000, department offices, teachers' lounges,
industrial shops, a new auditorium, a new cafeteria, and new
restrooms were added. In 1973, a new greenhouse was completed. In
1977, a driving range on Barker Avenue was added to accommodate the
Driver's Education Department. The Evansville-Vanderburgh School
Corporation owns the land on which the range is located.
The school evolved into a hodgepodge of corridors, floors, and
rooms from additions over the years, yet Reitz was still the
smallest high school in the area and had the smallest cafeteria.
Finally the school board opted for renovation and after more than
$26 million, Reitz celebrated its 80th anniversary in 1998 with a
whole new look that makes it the largest and most advanced high
school structure in Evansville.
History on Reitz Home Museum: Francis Joseph Reitz was the
eldest son of John Augustus Reitz, who had already made his fortune
in lumber by the mid 1850's. After the death of FJ Reitz, the
Catholic Diocese of Evansville was the owner of the home. It was
the home of the first Bishop of Evansville. After discovering that
the home was for sale the Reitz Home Preservation Society was
formed and struck an agreement with the Catholic Diocese to take
possession of the home in order to preserve its historical value.
It was restored to its original state when owned by the Reitz
family and turned into the Reitz Home Museum.
School colors: Reitz's original school colors were orange
and purple, but those were given to Lincoln High School during the
first half of the century. After they gave away their colors they
picked blue and gray, as Reitz sits on the Mason-Dixon Line, and
blue and gray were the colors of the North and South during the
Civil War.
The Reitz Bowl: The Reitz Bowl, one of the great natural
stadiums in the nation, was born by accident. It was originally
planned as a retaining wall for the new F. J. Reitz High School.
Foresight by a school member noted that with some small changes a
football stadium could be made too. In 1921, the first year in
which Reitz High School was fully accredited by North Central
Association, the 10,000-seat Reitz Stadium was completed. The first
two years was a reserve schedule and then in 1921 Reitz began
varsity play.The Reitz Bowl, one of the great natural stadiums in
the nation, was born by accident. It was originally planned as a
retaining wall for the new F. J. Reitz High School. Foresight by a
school member noted that with some small changes a football stadium
could be made too. In 1921, the first year in which Reitz High
School was fully accredited by North Central Association, the
10,000-seat Reitz Stadium was completed. The first two years was a
reserve schedule and then in 1921 Reitz began varsity play.
In 1931, Reitz played its first night game. Also in 1931, Reitz
played Bosse an extra game for charity on December 4th. This was
during the great depression. 1959 was the last Thanksgiving Day
game in the State of Indiana, Reitz against Bosse. 1973 saw the new
all transistor scoreboard go into effect. It was, as all past Reitz
scoreboards, a gift of the West Side Nut Club. In 1974 Prescription
Athletic Turf (PAT) was introduced to the Reitz Bowl. PAT is a
method of draining and irrigation from pipes laid beneath the
playing surface. What occurs during this process is the drainage of
any excess water by a vacuum system when the field is flooded by
rain, and irrigating water to the surface of the field when it is
too dry.
Along with PAT came the renovation of the bowl seating, walkways,
and stairs. A new all weather track was added too. In 1976 all
metal permanent type bleachers become a reality. Play Clocks were
introduced to the Bowl in 1995, and 2003 saw a brand new sound
system that rivals those in the Big Ten Conference.
In addition to being the home site for Panthers football games,
home site for nearby Catholic High School Mater Dei Wildcats
football games, the Bowl also hosts the annual Drums on the Ohio
drum & bugle corps competition.
Famous alumni and faculty: Herman Byers, legendary football
coach.
Don Hanson, NFL player.
Rudy Charles, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling senior referee.
Matt Williams, producer of The Cosby Show, Home Improvement, and
Roseanne.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
36% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% IN state average), while 51% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 41% IN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Francis Joseph Reitz High School?
The graduation rate of Francis Joseph Reitz High School is 95%, which is higher than the Indiana state average of 88%.
How many students attend Francis Joseph Reitz High School?
1,321 students attend Francis Joseph Reitz High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Francis Joseph Reitz High School students are White, 6% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Francis Joseph Reitz High School?
Francis Joseph Reitz High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Indiana state average of 15:1.
What grades does Francis Joseph Reitz High School offer ?
Francis Joseph Reitz High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Francis Joseph Reitz High School part of?
I have mixed feelings about my time at Reitz. The classes are pretty easy because they're mostly geared towards students who can't pass ISTEP. Class sizes are large- most of my classes have 30+ people in them, besides AP classes. Take AP and dual credit as soon as possible. You can find some of the best teachers in those classes. The environment can be a little toxic at Reitz. There is also a large cheating issue, but this is manageable because the kids who cheat on their homework tend to fail the tests. Karma. I would suggest looking into magnet programs to further supplement your education that is offered by the EVSC.The clubs are pretty good here, and there is a large variety of sports to go to.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - J.
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Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,321 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 17%
Graduation Rate
: 95% (Top 30%)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 50%
Math Proficiency
: 36% (Btm 50%)
Reading Proficiency
: 51% (Top 30%)
Science Proficiency
: 38% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
