Walnut Hills High School

My daughter entered Walnut in 9th grade, after having been in a private school all of her previous years of education. I have been thrilled with Walnut. My daughter was used to a heavy workload before Walnut, so she wasn't thrown off by the amount of homework her courses entailed, but I know it was a big adjustment for many students. My daughter typically spends 4 to 5 hours per night on homework, but she is taking 4 AP classes (out of a total of 6 classes) in this, her junior year. She has had phenomenal teachers in so many classes, but particularly in her AP classes. The students in those classes are also exceptional, and very dedicated to making the most of their H.S. years. My daughter loves the diversity at Walnut, and appreciates that there's a niche of friends for everyone there. Mr. Brokamp, the principal, is amazing; he is the most dedicated administrator I've ever known. I think I have a unique perspective on the ability of this school to educate well. I am an ACT/SAT tutor, and I work with students from almost every public and private school in Cincinnati. The students I've tutored from Walnut are on par with the very best students from other area high schools.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended a suburban school but not a private school and Walnut seems to be a better fit. The suburban school were well organized but you were given many breaks or lets say they were spoon fed. When my child got to Walnut...he didn't get into Honors but the classes he were in were very fast paced from where he came from. I can afford to send my child to a private school but I know for a fact that Walnut will push him because if he doesnt excel in teh classroom, he will get that yellow slip in the mail. At a private school, they will help your child with a tutor or so but you may have to add to your tuition and at Walnut...only the strong survive!
--Submitted by a parent

I have had one child graduate from Walnut Hills and one currently still enrolled and it has been an wonderful experience for my kids. The school's greatest strength is the diversity in the school. There are students of every race, religion, economic status, social class and sexual persuasion all learning together - and it works beautifully. There is a dedicated teaching staff that provides top notch instruction. My only concern is the direction the school is headed. The school ten years ago was more diverse in thought with the school being equally committed to the three A's - Academics, Athletics & Arts. The balance has shifted to the emphasis being Athletics. Walnut Hills was a haven for creative, bright and "outside of the box" thinkers. Those kids today are being made to feel like they have no reason to exist while athletes are celebrated as the highest level of student accomplishment..
--Submitted by a parent

Similar to suburban schools, but it has more AP courses. Best suited for students who are very bright without learning issues. Most teachers are pretty good but a surprising number who are quite bad. Very disorganized as far as anything clerical - lost paperwork common. Guidance department surprisingly poor - my daughter couldn't get appointments and I had to call multiple times to get them to just send her transcripts to her college. On the plus side, when the teacher is good the learning is excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

it is racially and religiously mixed and has a great national academic standard

If you can't afford the suburbs or private school, this school is as close as you will get to those. If you can, this school is here to try to convince you not to utilize those resources. Contrary to what I thought when I first started going there, which is that this is a school for kids who are smart, it seems that it is in actuality a school to keep white people in the city. You only need a 70% to pass the entrance exam, so you don't have to be smart to get in. And you also don't have to be that smart to pass most of the non-advanced classes. So it seems to be more about having a reputation as far as the school is concerned. The day-to-day reality is a big letdown.

My son was not challenged in school, but I didn't know this until he entered Walnut in 7th grade last year. He was given a high school workload and learned quickly that there are no breaks. There are no extra points for class participation, most teachers give a '0' for late work, etc. He was sweating it out, hoping to pass some classes, even though he was an A student in his previous private school! I learned a lot just helping him with his homework. He did have a tutor for year for Latin since I couldn t help him much. I was worried that it would be too much for him, but he was adamant about returning this year. It is a great and challenging experience for both him and my 9th grader.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Walnut Hills currently, and I absolutely think it's a tremendous high school socially and educationally. I'm am a 7th grader there (2015) and yes, it can be hard but it gets easier throughout the year. I love Walnut Hills High School and I hope to stay here until senior year.
--Submitted by a student

Classic college prep- but socially diverse and authentically urban
--Submitted by a parent

Be advised that it is very easy to fall through the cracks at Walnut. And yes, I did take AP's and honor classes. Often the kids there are so intelligent that they can basically teach themselves. Unfortunately this is not the case for all of us. I found myself really struggling in math in science without much help. The teachers could give assignments but they couldn't teach. To my own amazement when I went to college I actually did well in my math classes, because I had teachers who knew how to teach. Now I'm a graduate student at American University with a 3.9. gpa. Walnut is very competitive and favors the rich and well connected. On the plus side there is no 'in' or 'out' crowd. I was well exposed at Walnut if nothing else. It was also the only good option for a Cincinnati Public HS.