Research Walnut Hills High School Public Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio

“From a parent: Walnut is a gem and a reason to stay in - or relocate to - the city of Cincinnati. Newsweek has rated Walnut the top public school in Ohio the last three years (#34 in U.S: 2008). The College Board, which administers AP's, rated Walnut the top public or private!! in Ohio, based on the number of AP's per student, and the exceptionally high pass rate on AP exams. The new (2007) principal, Jeff Brokamp, a Walnut grad, has brought back school spirit. Parents and students adore him... per one 10th grader: 'He shows he really cares about us.' The school is extremely diverse: 35% Af-Am, 5% other minorities, and at least 12-15% Jewish. Gay students are easily accepted. College & SAT coaching by counselors is superb. We still shake our heads at what we get for free at Walnut! Judie L.S.”

“My son currently attends Walnut Hills High School and absolutely loves it. He was always an exceptionally bright kid but was never especially challenged. At Walnut Hills the academic standards are so high and my son has to compete on a daily basis with the best and the brightest in the City that he has been challenged to achieve up to his full potential. I would very much like to leave Cincinnati and go to a bigger, more cosmopolitan city with more career opportunities for myself but where am I going to find another Walnut Hills?”

“I am a student at Walnut Hills High School. I love it there, and I can honestly say that going there has been one of the best choices in my life. Each day, we learn something new, and the teachers do their best to prepare us for college, and advanced courses. One does not have to be in an advanced class to get superior teaching. I feel that when I go to college, Walnut Hills will have given me the best preparation I will need.”

“Our two children and most of their friends did very well and love Walnut Hills. Not perfect but easily one of the best in the US. Most AP classes in the US. Better students get very good deals at the best universities. Wonderful music and other departments. Very strong alumni for a high school, especially public; designed and paid for an $11,000,000 Arts and Science wing in 1997. - Admissions director at one of the top ten colleges in the US said,”

“One will not see a 'stepford' student population at whhs. School spirit is centered on achievement via synergy. Diversity and human difference are systemic, not merely a student-body demographic correction to be attained/obtained. There is no 'back-to-time-immemorial' tradition of achievement via conformity, iykwim, to protect from individual behavior or ideas (i.E., No compulsory non-academic courses). Freedom of expression and free-thinking individuals are responsibly encouraged. There is, however, a multi-multi-generational tradition of academic/extracurricular enrichment and excellence that is zealously maintained jointly by parent organizations, the administration, and an active alumni association (financially via private, extra-public funding). Opportunities for enrichment abound through top-quality instruction/counseling. Special interdisciplinary opportunities (english/physical science/american history and english/modern world history/latin combinations) are offered for qualifying 8th- and 9th-graders. Unsurpassed record for admissions to top universities/lacs through counseling and support services. Your child will want for nothing at this unique public college preparatory school -- except time take advantage of opportunities.”

“I just graduated there and it has prepared me well for college. As a student at Walnut I had mostly C's and B's. Now at college I am getting all A's.”

“The academic programs at Walnut Hills are top notch in every area. The variety of course offerings, including more AP courses than any other school in the country (including private schools), makes the school ideal for the serious student. Extracurricular activities abound and it is easy for a student to start his or her own group, thus allowing for infinite possibilities. The school is recognized for the quality of its performance ensembles and artwork created by students. Though most sports are available, I will admit that the teams are not particularly strong for the most part, except for soccer and tennis. The quiz team is probably the most successful sports team at Walnut Hills.”

“Academically superior classic college-prep 7-12th grade school. A 'Utopia' within Cincinnati Public Schools district. Accomplished, tenured teachers and administration. Parent involvement is encouraged and some staff have children who are enrolled who usually do very well in school and life. The curriculum is rigorous with much homework. Younger students may be a bit overwhelmed by age & size of student body (some students are young men & women)! Extracurriculars are great and numerous. Football, basketball and baseball programs haven't 'shined' for many decades. Other sports do well (i.e. tennis, golf, swim, ski, track & field, even chess). The Alumni help to almost no end, a very impressive, influencial group. New outstanding campus building improvements plus the classic Jeffersonian achitecture. High achievers obtain ivy-league college admissions & scholarships. High percentage of graduating class total post-secondary institution acceptance.”

“As far as I could tell from my brief time there, this is an excellent school. The students are sharp, the staff is well-trained and knowledgeable. The students respond well to the teachers, who manage to control their classrooms without being authoritarian. Definitely one of the better places I have had the privilege of helping in the classroom.”

“Walnut has a great academic tradition and is a very rigorous school. It fosters confidence and endless knowlege in any of the kids who attend. I strongly encourage any parent to send their kids here.”

“Walnut Hills has always been ranked one of the highest public schools in the Nation based off of test scores. After my child went to Walnut I saw that not only does want prepare for college but for life.”

“My past five years at Walnut have been challenging but rewarding. Now in the midst of my college application process I feel blessed to have gotten the basics I'll need to move on.”

“Walnut Hills is, in my opinion, the best school in Cincinnati, if not in the state of Ohio. My daughter has so many choices! It's a liberal school, but classic in it's curriculum. There are 53 extra-curricular activities, and many ways to get involved. There really is something for everyone.”

“As a graduate of North Avondale Montessori, I had assumed that I would attend Clark, and was furious when my parents decided that Walnut would be better for me. Suffice it to say that I am no longer 'furious' in any sense of the word. Socially, Walnut is an excellent school to attend; there's no stigma to being intelligent, and the sheer number of students guarentees that you'll fit in with at least one group. The teachers are a 'mixed bag' in the best possible sense. Of course there's the occasional unpleasant teacher (and I needn't name names, I think), but the diversity of the student body is reflected in its teachers, and there are some really stellar educators (and hilarious characters - I'm looking at you, Social Studies department). If you're looking for a great experience, come to Walnut. And for the record, I loved Latin.”

“I hate to disagree with my good friend Wes (Jan 2005), but nobody actually wants to come to Walnut Hills - bad part of town, long bus ride, and even parents hate the Latin requirement. The only reason anyone applies is that most of the other public high schools in Cincinnati have been in Academic Emergency for years. That is changing (Clark and Withrow University are rated Excellent now). As soon as the district gets its act together and gives better high school choices, attendance at Walnut Hills is gonna sink like a stone.”

“First off I would like to make a comment regarding the comment made in June of 2004. Walnut Hills High School is an academic school, they do not have time for students that have failing grades, I believe that this should be obvious considering the fact that before you may attend Walnut you pass an entrance exam. Last I checked this is usually something that would imply you must work if you wish to stay at this school. Also there are many other students in the city of Cincinnati that wish to attend Walnut, and if the only reason that they are not able to do so is because of a failing student then I believe that student should be asked to leave because they clearly do not have what it takes to be at a college preparatory school.”

“An outstanding school. My child graduated last year with only average grades, and is excelling at a competitive college. The student body is composed of the city's best and brightest and challenges them daily.”

“My son attends Walnut Hills and it's one of the best things that has happened to our family. The school is a really special place; very open, with high expectations of students, and more AP classes than anywhere else in the country. I knew it was special when I attended my first football game, and there were more Walnut fans in the stands for the award-winning marching band than there were for the football game itself. I wish I could have attended a school like Walnut!”

“During my education @ Walnut, I had a 3.0 average. My peers had higher GPA's and I started to think that I was not smart. Now that I am in college I feels that my education at Walnut Hills has helped me. Compared with other students with High school 3.0 GPA's...I am doing much more advanced. One of the best things about Walnut Hills is that all of the classes are advanced. The classes that are not Honors or AP are still more advanced than other schools. Even classes like music and art are advanced at Walnut. The only thing that needs improvement in Walnut Hills is the big head that most of the students have and the discipline. The students know that thay are smart, think they can do what they want becasue of it, and usually end up getting away with a lot.”

“My daughter graduated recently in the top quarter of her class - so it's not sour grapes when I say that Walnut is a family 'unfriendly' school. Walnut caters to the top 10% and treats other students as 'also rans.' The B-average student is offered no more opportunity than the D-average student. When I asked one teacher why she didn't allow my daughter to ask questions in class, she said that the students who 'get it' would be bored. Not surprisingly only about 10% of parents donate to the 'crucial' SOS fund. Parent involvement is low because this school does what's best for its reputation rather than what's best for its students. Walnut routinely expells failing students, considering it a kindness to 'let' them fail instead of helping them. This year the school board told Walnut that it can't expel students for low grades. That will require an attitude adjustment.”

“Both of my daughters have attended Walnut. I feel the school is exceptional. My younger daughter had many medical problems throughout high school. We did not think she would graduate. The counselors and teachers were exceptional in working with us so she could complete her work and graduate with her class.”

“Walnut Hills High School is a great school. People think that the teachers are not there for the students. They really are. If a student is struggling, teachers do offer help, it's called”

“I graduated from Walnut almost 10 years ago and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. The experience truly prepared me for college and graduate school. The student body is diverse and taught me a very high level of tolerance for every socioeconomic and racial category. In addition, I still remember my teachers who made such a profound impact on my life. I currently do not live in Cincinnati but I will consider moving back once my children are the appropriate age so I can send them to Walnut Hills as well.”

“This school is an amazing public high school. While maintaining a diverse, open-minded community, the school has more AP classes than any in the country, and 95% of its students go on to a four-year college. The students of the school are intelligent, informed members of society, and enjoy extracurricular activities. The music and arts program at Walnut Hills is also phenomenal, often outshining the programs and ensembles at the public school for the creative and performing arts. Despite financial barriers, Walnut Hills alumni make sure that this 'brain commune' is always functioning at the highest of levels.”

“This is a public school, yet frequently functions outside district policies.Administrative scandals have been reported locally.Double standards exist in discipline.Discipline rates for Af-Am (34%of the population) are higher than the local district,(about 70%Af-Am). School is very well connected politically.Teacher/parent communication needs improvement.”

“Walnut Hills sets high expectations for students but does not set equally high expectations for teachers. Teachers don't return calls in a timely manner, don't return papers and tests in a timely manner, either don't use or don't keep class websites up to date, and are impatient with students who actually ask to come in for a Help Night. Struggling students can expect little help from Walnut Hills teachers.”

“Not only did I attend this school, but so did my two daughters. This school provides excellent educational opportunities not only in the school but outside as well--my daughter went to France and Italy as part of the learning experience in her Latin class! The teachers expect and encourage critical thinking. There are excellent extracurricular activities to add to the educational and social skills of the students. Walnut ranks consistently in the top 90's on all mandated tests for students. The school even brings back its top alumni for a lecture series each year (Nobel Prize winners, filmmakers, community leaders, top athletes, etc.).”

“Walnut Hills forces you to achieve at your top level. It gives you the obvious academic lesson, but also teaches you about the 'real world'. There are students from various socio-economic, political, relgious and racial groups. College was not a shock to me because of the environment that surrounded me in my high school setting.”