Walnut Hills High School

3250 Victory Parkway

School District

Cincinnati Public Schools
Grade

5-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Cincinnati Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 16, 2025

The students are smart so the test scores are great. The teachers are not anything special, in fact I’d go so far as to say they are some of the worst I’ve come across as an educator and as a parent. I’m sad to say that although they have all the money, all the resources, and all the test scores, the school is pretty terrible.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2023

The school only cares about their AP students.
Submitted by student on October 29, 2019

Terrible. Please, go somewhere else. Schools like Spencer Center need more people; Walnut does not deserve any. With a high lack of culture besides the generic high school (homecoming, etc.), a prejudice against creative thinking, numerous worksheets and by-the-book teachers, this certainly falls at the bottom of any school rating I shall ever give. Unless I get homeschooled.
Submitted by student on April 25, 2019

Intense but effective school. High AP participation. Mediocre if you don’t try but has a lot to offer those who actually try.
Submitted by student on February 04, 2016

I have been to five other schools other than Walnut due to an active-duty parent. I feel as though this rating is high because it's in Cincinnati Public school district. My experience was that they teach you like a normal school does. There is nothing amazing about the school except how many AP classes they have or because it made a list in some newspaper. Most people get kicked out so they can keep their high ratings. They really don't care about you there. The orientation is mediocre to the ones I have experienced before and it was hard talking to a counselor about class set-up and the school in general. Overall, it's a huge school with too much going on. In my opinion, I am blessed that my parents got transferred again before I graduated from Walnut. I am also happy to say that with all the schools good and bad I graduated with a 3.8 in the NHS. I will never think highly of that school especially since I have experienced many other schools that were better. Many opinions are biased, but mines is strictly based on my diverse experiences! Happy school hunting!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2015

My child continues to grow intellectually and emotionally due to the rigors of Walnut Hills. She is challenged by the amazing teachers. The diversity is one of the best things about WH. She is learning that not all children come from homes/families like hers. This is helping her become a more compassionate and understanding person.
Submitted by student on May 01, 2015

Our school has an amazing theater program. Unfortunately all of the artistic achievements have been squandered by the utter adoration of the football team that our principal has. The theater and arts departments are rarely recognized and when they are its usually very brief. Unfortunately, our football team is sub-par.
Submitted by other on October 23, 2014

This school is great for academics and preparation for college. It is a great institution for kids who want to be challenged in their academics. I was a student who graduated in 1992. I chose military service after high school. Where this school fails is in the attitudes of the administrative staff and some of the teaching staff. Following my time in the military it was necessary for me to have my transcripts sent to the college that I was attending. Since I no longer live in the Cincinnati area it became necessary for me to send an old friend to pay the fee to get the transcripts sent. While he was there the person he spoke to thought it was funny that I didn't go to college right after school. The comment was something to the effect of "It is about time". I guess the idea of it never being too late for education is lost on them.
Submitted by other on February 20, 2014

I am a junior at Walnut hills, i graduate in 2015. Great School. If your child is motivated, this school will work for you. To all students: grades 7-9 will be stressful. You will get annoying busy work, but don't worry. If you take advanced classes later on, there is much more freedom and time to enjoy non-school activities. There is much diversity at Walnut and it gets you prepared for college VERY well. I honestly do not have to work that hard for my 3.3 GPA and 3.7 weighted. it is not an extremely difficult school like it is claimed to be, but you must actually work and learn how to test. To students: No, seniors do not call you "effies", and no, you won't get "canned" by anyone... thats all just rumors your hear about walnut when applying. Drama at this school is very minuscule if you place yourself in a good group of friends. At walnut, everyone is kinda open. there are no true cliques. thats what i love about the school. I can honestly talk to 95% of the people in my grade about anything and theres no "shunning" or any of that BS you hear about in high school. Keep in mind there is much cheating at this school. Its common. It will happen. Over all, Walnut is worth it.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2014

The poster below suggested that students at Walnut Hills are "not that smart" because they only need to score 70% on the entrance test to get it. This is not true. An applicant must score at or above the 70th percentile, which means that he or she is among the top third of students taking the test. So by definition the students that enter Walnut Hills are among the top third students academically in the greater Cincinnati area. My son is currently one of those students and he loves it. The education so far has been great as well as the many opportunities for extra curricular activities. Principal Brokamp is very personable and shows a true caring and regard for his students. Alums I meet praise the school highly. Overall, a great experience.
Submitted by other on December 03, 2013

I am currently a senior at Walnut with several younger siblings attending and we all love it. It is a big transition from elementary school because 7th graders are treated a lot like the high schoolers. Students have a lot of freedom but it is really not abused. Going here gives students a huge advantage, I do more work than most other kids in the city, including private school students, and have greatly enjoyed my time here. Walnut is the best school in the area and anyone who says otherwise is probably trolling. Great diversity and great preparation for life. The "Honors advantage" has been lowered by offering AA courses correlating to the honors classes with equal weighting to non-Honors students. Amazing school with amazing opportunities.
Submitted by other on August 22, 2013

i miss walnut. this school ranks in the top 100 for academics in public schools across all of america. my kids will hopefully experience walnut and enjoy it as i did. and for those that are negative........i had a friend go to harvard and one is working at the white house after graduating from this great school
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

I have 2 children at Walnut Hills High School (1 in jr. high, 1 in high school; the school is 7th-12th grade) & I'm very pleased with the school overall. The curriculum is 2nd to none. It's a classical curriculum, with Latin required for at least 3 years. The school offers an abundance of advanced placement classes, which can save parents money in college tuition later. The principal, Jeff Brokamp, is truly a gem; he has a genuine concern for the students and truly wants the best for the students and their development in the classroom and as people. Another great thing about the school, is that every teacher is required to offer a "help night" (before school, after school, or during lunch) in which any student needing or wanting additional help can meet with the teacher for help. This is important because the school's regular curriculum is already advanced, and with the addition of Honors classes, the pace can be a little overwhelming. I would like to see increased and better communication from the school overall. It's a phenomenal school overall --usually ranked about 65 out of 18,000 public schools nationwide and ranked #1 in Ohio.
Submitted by other on July 19, 2013

I graduated from Walnut. The school prepares students very well, in addition to giving them a great amount of "street smarts" which make the transition into college much easier. Walnut has a stellar reputation with colleges throughout the country (the top kids go to Ivy League caliber schools), students with ambitions for these colleges should look no further. However, Walnut is a very systematic school and its plentiful resources are not evenly allocated. If you have a child with academic ambition it is VITAL to get him/her into the Honors Program. As an Honors student, you get the best teachers and priority placement into the school's numerous AP courses. It also gives your all-important GPA a boost that leaves the other 300 students in the dust. It isn't fair, but it's life. The Honors Program is heavily skewed toward white affluent students, which is a little eerie considering how diverse the school actually is. There is some racial tension and self imposed segregation at the school. I transferred into Walnut from a private school and chose it over many other good schools in the area, including my district high school (my parents paid tuition). It was worth every penny.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2013

Having graduated three children in two years from Walnut and having been involved as any parent in athletic, academic, social, and fundraising efforts at Walnut Hills the last 6 years, I can say - without hesitation - that the previous posts claiming a drug problem at Walnut Hills are most-likely by anonymous internet posters looking to lower the perception of this phenomenal school for whatever petty reasons they may have. You cannot get a better education anywhere, at any price. You may be able to get as good, but you it will cost you several tens of thousands of dollars over 4 years, not to mention the six years that Walnut offers. No public school within several hundred miles will give you as good an education, not to mention better. As excellent as WHHS has been for decades, it has only been improving by leaps and bounds due to the incomparable leadership of its current principal. Every parent within the greater-Cincinnati area should consider Walnut Hills High School, first, as it offers the best education that they will be able to obtain for their children. With CPS' Open Enrollment, there is no excuse for a parent to not attempt to send their child to Walnut Hills.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

My son went to Walnut Hills and while drugs are everywhere and at every school it seems , my son made good choices and now still enjoy great success in life!! Walnut Hills really prepared him to be a World Leader!!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2012

I don't care how good the school is. If they can't get the drug problem under control, people need to think twice before they send their children there.
Submitted by other on July 17, 2012

Walunt Hills High School is a great school. I graduated from Walnut Hills. They give you alot of freedom,space and choices on what YOU want to do. This school has very great acedemics,very great teachers and staff and,a high expectations of their students. Also they give you the chioce to take AP courses, which will help ALOT on your road to whatever college. The only thing I don't like about this school is some of the people. some of the people at this school is what might set this schools standards a little bit lower. There is about 5-6 thousand people walking at the same time in all different directions,65% of them are 7th and 8th graders. i have witnessed alot of bulliying at this school, because its soo big and people will not always get along but all in all its is a great school
Submitted by other on June 23, 2012

This school is great! You have to be motivated to do all the work there, or else you will not succeed. As long as a student is motivated, the teachers will be more than willing to help. There are a ton of tutoring programs, and as long as you are willing to try, you will most likely love the school. A lot of the time, I don't even feel challenged. Once I talk to my friends who go to other schools, however, I realize that I AM, in fact, being very challenged, and I am actually taking classes that are one or two years ahead of my grade. I think that as long as a student is willing to work hard, and as long as the student WANTS to go to the school, they will do fine!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2012

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.