Our History
Cardinal Ritter High School opened its doors in 1964, thus beginning its rich tradition of diversity and spirituality. This west side Catholic school was named after Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter. Born in 1892 and ordained a priest in 1917, Cardinal Ritter became best known for his work in desegregation. In 1938, he ordered all of the Catholic schools in the diocese to integrate, a full sixteen years before the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education. He was appointed the first Archbishop of Indianapolis in 1944. Just two years later he was appointed Archbishop of St. Louis.
Building on the values exemplified in the life of Cardinal Joseph Ritter, Cardinal Ritter High School has always been dedicated to serving the spiritual needs of students and fostering within them the values that Cardinal Ritter stood for throughout his life. He possessed a love for God and His Church, a belief in social justice and service to others, and the will to hold each student to the highest standards of excellence and achievement.
Our Mission
Cardinal Ritter is a Catholic high school entrusted by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the parishes of the West Deanery to provide a comprehensive educational program to students of diverse socioeconomic, racial and religious backgrounds by challenging them spiritually, intellectually, athletically, and artistically. The Cardinal Ritter community values and fosters the unique intellectual, cultural, social, and physical gifts of each student; we consider personal growth, wholeness and holiness central to our ministry. As followers of Christ, we encourage our students to share their gifts and talents in service to others.
Email: info@cardinalritter.org
