Probably the oldest religious school in Ross County opened its doors recently for an open house. Bishop Flaget School still offers kindergarten through 8th grade in the building hidden away in the Chillicothe's Carlisle Hilltop neighborhood.
Bishop Flaget at 570 Parsons Avenue was originally a 1962 Catholic high school for students from two elementary schools at the Catholic churches in Chillicothe, St. Mary and St. Peter. It changed from a high school into an elementary and junior high in 1986.
School principal Dr. Derya Rix greeted visitors at the open house on December 11th, 2025. A native of Turkey, she said she has been in the United States for more than 16 years, but has been in Ohio and Chillicothe only since starting at the school in May. Hear her in her own words below.
Rix said the K-8 school has a population a little under 100. Its philosophy is to attend to the whole child, focusing on virtue, character, and being closer to Christ – but she points out that students do not have to be Catholic.
It is not a public school supported by local taxes, but the state’s “School Choice Ohio” can pay part of the tuition depending on income – and Rix says the Catholic diocese also offers scholarships. She says prospective students can shadow a student to sample the school.
The halls of the school already have artwork peppered throughout, but Rix says she wants to bring in even more art. She also points out that Bishop Flaget has a full-fledged library, music room, and science room.
I asked about Saint Nicholas of Myra (not quite Santa Claus) who usually visits the school on horseback – but Rix said that since his December 6th feast day was on a Saturday this year, he did not have an event.
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Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 6 The library.
2 of 6 The music room.
3 of 6 Art from a Chillicothe Catholic Schools alumna.
4 of 6 The chapel in the school.
5 of 6 The gym.
6 of 6 In a stairway is “The Annunciation” by Fra Angelico, c1440–1445.
I interviewed Rix under a portrait of the historical Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget (pronounced “fluh-jhay”). He was born in France in 1763, and after his church career was interrupted by the French Revolution, he sailed to the United States in 1792 where he eventually caught the attention and support of General Anthony Wayne.
After refusing the honor in 1808, Flaget accepted being bishop of Bardstown, Kentucky in 1810 when he revisited France and was told the Pope commanded him to accept. At that time the diocese included Ohio and extended to the Mississippi River.
Flaget died in Louisville in 1850.
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