Reicher Catholic High School opened in 1954 under the administration of Monsignor J.J. Kearns and auspices of the Most Reverend Louis J. Reicher, the first bishop of Austin. The school, initially named Waco Catholic High School, was directed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet and administered as a diocesan high school. In 1960, Bishop Louis J Reicher renamed the school to Reicher Catholic High School to better facilitate enrollment in the Waco area.

Reicher has provided excellence in Catholic education to students who have assumed leadership roles in Texas and throughout the country in its six decades. Over the years, students have distinguished themselves as physicians, teachers, business leaders, clergymen, and religious. In the distinctive tradition of Catholic education, Reicher kept its tuition as low as possible to ensure affordability within the Catholic community. A comprehensive financial aid program assists families who desire a Catholic education but cannot afford to pay the full tuition. This legacy of diversity—a proud hallmark of Reicher—ensures that each child may realize their God-given potential in spirit, mind, and body, thus perpetuating the school’s mission to foster saints.

Over the years, the school renewed its dedication to excellence by renewing its facilities by adding state-of-the-art science labs in 2018, a chapel, performing arts center, and gym in 1998, and an athletic complex and stadium in 2008.

St. Louis Catholic School was established in 1963 as the parish school for St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco, Texas, which was also founded in the same year. It is part of the Diocese of Austin Catholic Schools system and is administered by the pastor, principal, and assistant principal. The school originally served students first through eighth grades. Kindergarten classes were added in 1979 and PreK-3 and PreK-4 programs in 2007. From humble beginnings, the facilities have been expanded to include a chapel, labs, separate spaces for middle school-aged students, updated playgrounds, and a gym.

Since its inception, St. Louis School has been known as one of the top private educational institutions in the area because of its faith-filled environment, healthy and family-centered culture, high standards, and ability to educate the whole child academically, spiritually and physically. Its faith-based curriculum utilized the standards established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as a baseline for all academic and skill areas but then strove to exceed them. The school’s program was further enhanced through shared academic and athletic resources with the Catholic high school next door.

Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School was established in 2019. Father Ryan Higdon, with the blessing of Bishop Joe Vásquez, announced that St. Louis Catholic School and Reicher Catholic High School would merge into one strong Catholic institution, cementing what we have always felt to be true: Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School is the premier Catholic school in Central Texas. This new school, formed to magnify the rich legacy of two schools, would remain a parish school to better facilitate leadership and a unified vision. This merger, renewed leadership, and a new name reflective of tradition have brought about renewed energy and direction to the faculty and staff, alumni, and community. At the core of Bishop Louis Reicher’s tapestry is a desire to be joyfully Catholic. We strive to be the best examples of Christ’s continued love.