Roncalli High School

3300 Prague Road

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 15, 2023

My son graduated several years ago from Roncalli. He was a quiet student and I was involved actively with his education and school. Pros:1. My son entered Purdue with 38 credit hours from taking AP classes. 2. He made a good group of what I believe will be lifelong friends. 3. Summer Field Studies - excellent program where he developed a love of the outdoors and even more solid friendships with wonderful young people. Cons:1. The 38 credit hours did not help him with his engineering degree; it just took away his electives. Roncalli does a poor job of preparing kids for engineering. 2. Roncalli was aware of some family issues son was experiencing yet never pulled him aside to ask how he was doing. This is a Catholic school that claims to care about all their students. Apparently, it only cares about students who are outgoing, sports superstars, and ultra wealthy. 3. The former dean of students bullied my son: accused him of taking drugs ("the quiet, smart kids are the ones who fool you") because my son had a MULTIVITAMIN in his car. Roncalli spent money on a lab test to verify this, but first pulled my son out of class embarrassing him, made him take a drug test (passed with flying colors), called me, and then seemed to target him after this. 4. The next year (senior year), this same dean suspended my son for which we are still unclear of the reason. Son tried to clarify and dean was evasive. When I called, dean said "we all must be responsible for our actions" but would not elaborate. When I pointed out son wouldn't learn if he didn't know his infraction, dean still couldn't tell me the reason. During the suspension (after school trash removal, etc.) son again tried to ask dean and he just drove off right by son without answering. 5. The then-principal, current president "talks the talk" but does not "walk" it. One example: During a "Pizza with the Principal" parent meeting the the-principal talked about modest dress for girls. Another parent then inquired about the short, very tight-fitting girls volleyball shorts and their appropriateness for a Catholic school. The then-principal said he couldn't do anything about it and quickly tried to deflect the discussion. My impression is Roncalli is trying to grow in size and funding but has lost experienced teachers and its genuinely caring focus. It's now just another school option, but nothing special. Save your money.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2018

Roncalli truly is a special place. Unparalleled focus on excellence across the board whether in academics, athletics, or extracurriculars. There is also an intimate focus on the development of students as individuals so that every student is able to reach their fullest potential.
Submitted by principal on November 21, 2018

I work at Roncalli and it is a wonderful place to work. My children also attended Roncalli and had great experiences. They were offered exceptional academics and were well prepared for college. They also had a variety of opportunities for extracurricular activities. I would highly recommend Roncalli for a faith-based education.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2018

Our children have had a great experience. We are confident they have made some lifelong friends and are well prepared for success in college and in life. We could not have been more pleased with their experience.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2018

We've had an outstanding experience at Roncalli.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2018

Each of my children have now graduated from roncalli and I have to say they each had an exceptional experience there. Last year's graduating class won over $28,000,000 in merit based scholarships for college. They have a great athletic program and a huge award-winning fine arts program. Not only do they have a strong college prep curriculum, they also have one of the finest special needs resource program for students with learning disabilities in the nation. My kids loved it there and made many good friends - many who I am sure will be lifetime friends. There is a strong emphasis on faith formation as well.Check it out with a personal visit if you are still thinking that it is too good to be true. Roncalli is a great place for kids to grow and learn!
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2015

Not a good school. Cliches and excludes students. Use of the term of "not all students are a good fit" is a cop-out. It's the administration duty of any school, private or not to include students not dump on them, glad my child is no longer attending this school
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

Our overall experience at Roncalli was disappointing. Although two of my children graduated from Roncalli and were adequately prepared for rigorous college courses, our family is from one of the smaller parishes and there was always a sense of not quite belonging to the "Roncalli Family." Our own parish priest highly recommended that we choose another school, as he was aware of the disconnect some families felt and lack of cohesiveness the administration provided to outsiders. Our third child struggles with ADD and is not strong in sports and is an average student with respect to his academics. What we found is that if you are not a student that will make Roncalli look good, then you will not find strong support from the administration. Based on our experience, we not only feel like outsiders, but we also feel that they failed to provide any type of support to our child who could have really benefited from mentorship and a support system. The most disappointing aspect of Roncalli, and why I am giving them such a low rating, is that they care more about their image than they do their students.
Submitted by student on May 16, 2014

I graduated from Roncalli a few years ago. I came from the public school system and was not catholic. These are both reasons that people want to make you believe that, "if you fit in one of these two categories, you might not be welcomed." This statement could not be further from the truth. If you don't "fit in" at Roncalli then you are not trying. There is something for everyone to be involved in and they will help you find "it" is. There are more resources here for students than I have ever had before. The staff here, as a whole, could not be any better. Sure, not every school is perfect and not every teacher there is the best in the state, but Roncalli could not put more effort and care into seeing their students succeed. I don't know a teacher there that wont stay after to help you with questions, or an administrator that doesn't know the names of the kids and says hello in the hallways. Once I arrived at Roncalli, sure, it was an academic shock and sure, it was a financial strain on my parents but every penny was worth it. I study engineering at Purdue now and Roncalli has prepared me more for life than all of the intelligent students around me.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

It would be hard to find a school that is more dedicated to providing the education that a student needs to compete in the highly competitive college and career world. Not only do they concentrate on the academics, but they also instill in the students a strong moral code and a sense of service to their fellow man.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2014

My son transferred out of Roncalli to the public school at the beginning of 2014, because he has a breakdown when we tried to discuss with him what courses he wanted to take for the next academic year. It turns out that there was a kid that he had in two of his classes that was bullying him, as in saying things to him, making fun of how he talked, and throwing things at him, like pencils and spitballs. The vice principal in charge of student activities told us that "Roncalli isn't a good fit for all students". The dean was going to talk to the student involved, but, I believe he dropped the ball, because our son left the school. Bullying is the elephant in the room at Roncalli; I know of other kids who have been bullied. During freshman year, we had to attend a series of parent meetings, and during one, the same dean emphasized that there would be zero tolerance for bullying. I guess so, if all the bullied students leave.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2013

What a great experience we are having! I really love the way my daughter has started to really excel! The best High School on the south side of Indianapolis!
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2012

Both of my children have graduated from Roncalli High School. They could not have had a better experience anywhere else. The instruction that they received for their entire four years was excellent. All of the Administration, Faculty and Staff are very professional and very qualified to do their jobs. The school is very faith based across all aspects, where prayer is said multiple times a day in class, on the athletic field or court, in the arts and for any extracurricular activity. The facilities are unmatched by any private school in the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. College prep is stressed, but students of all academic abilities will find their niche, and Roncalli has an extensive special needs learning program, enabling a family to ensure that all of their children get the same faith based education. When both of my children entered college, they said that they were 'over prepared' and so far ahead of many of their college peers as far as academia, study habits and time management, not to mention their faith. The lessons that my children learned at Roncalli are life lessons which will stay with them forever. That is why we call it the Roncalli Family!
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2011

Our experience with Roncalli is somewhat limited, being that our son is only a freshman, but we know for sure that he is not going to attend it next year. We are most disappointed, both for the lack of professionalism from instructors (we do wonder if they have ANY college degree at all), and for the contents of their teaching. This school essentially teaches INTOLERANCE at all levels (sometime in a subtle yet perverse way), and we find it unacceptable. Also, they mislead the students with twisted and altered information about well known facts in science and history. My advise to those who would be inclined to attend Roncalli is: find a better way to spend your hard earned money.
Submitted by student on November 29, 2011

Roncalli is an amazing and very special place. Not only has the school shaped me into a great student, but the school has made me a well rounded individual in and out of the classroom. The emphasis on faith first is what sets this school apart from the rest. They truly help nurture the Catholic faith in each student in things such as senior retreat and daily communion services. I love the Roncalli family. How many other schools call their gym the family room? The Roncalli community is truly a family that cares for each individual no matter what race, gender, status, financial status, sexual orientation, or household you come from. We are a family and I'm so proud to be a part of it. My experience with Roncalli was so great that I would love to end up teaching there! It has made such an impact on my life. I invite others who are thinking of sending their children to Roncalli to not hesitate to do so. Yes, Catholic education is expensive, but think of it as an investment in your child's future because you will not be disappointed and the affects of Roncalli will last long after they graduate. I can speak from experience! I love Roncalli! Go Rebels!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2011

While I am pleased with the academic qualities of Roncalli there are other areas that need some work. Socially the school is very clique oriented. The students of wealthier parents look down upon those that come from average or low income households. Also there is a perception that minorities aren't welcome which is very unfortunate considering this is a parochial school. On the plus side, students are required to have a number of service hours each semester which I think is terrific. It's unfortunate that some of the spoiled brats don't get the meaning of service.
Submitted by other on January 21, 2011

It's not worth getting all excited about roncalli. It's not a good school. They hire people that don't have a teachers degree. It results that a lot of students end up failing. The counselors are fakes and impatient, too.