Walnut Hills Campus

A Living Campus of Academic and Cultural Excellence

The History of Walnut Hills High School

Walnut Hills High School began in 1895 as a neighborhood high school located at the corner of Burdett and Ashland Avenues. Serving grades 9–12, the original building housed 16 classrooms and 20 teachers educating 684 students. In 1918, the school was transformed into a selective, college-preparatory institution grounded in a classical liberal arts curriculum, expanding to include grades 7–12 and setting the foundation for the academic tradition that defines Walnut Hills today.

A Landmark Campus is Born

In 1931, Walnut Hills moved to its current 14-acre Victory Parkway campus on land acquired from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The new building, designed by noted architect Frederick W. Garber, drew inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s designs at the University of Virginia and Monticello. Its stately façade and iconic domed library became defining symbols of the school’s academic mission. The building also features Cincinnati’s famed Rookwood Pottery, including the masks of comedy and tragedy adorning the auditorium proscenium.

Designed for 1,700 students, the 1931 facility was exceptionally advanced for its time. It included 31 classrooms, three study halls, a library, large and small auditoriums, band and choral rooms, a print shop, a mechanical drawing room, two swimming pools (one each for boys and girls), and even a teaching kitchen complete with a dining and living room—an early reflection of Walnut Hills’ commitment to both academic and practical education.

Growth, Arts, and Athletics

As enrollment expanded in the 1960s, temporary buildings were added to meet growing demand. Permanent enhancements soon followed. In 1976, a Fine Arts Complex opened, strengthening the school’s creative and performing arts programs. Three years later, in 1979, the Judge Robert S. Marx Stadium was completed, anchoring athletics on campus.

In 1999, a major milestone was reached with the opening of the 59,000-square-foot Alumni Arts and Science Center. Built entirely with private support from alumni and friends, the $13 million facility replaced outdated science labs, provided modern art and science classrooms, and eliminated all temporary structures—an unprecedented alumni-driven investment in the future of Walnut Hills

A Campus for Champions

In 2006, Marx Stadium was renovated into a 2,000-seat, all-weather football and soccer stadium with an eight-lane track. The track was dedicated to William DeHart Hubbard 1921, the first African American to win an individual Olympic gold medal, in the long jump at the 1924 Paris Games—honoring both athletic excellence and historic achievement.

A 21st-Century Transformation

In 2015, Walnut Hills completed a landmark $65 million renovation and expansion, funded jointly by Cincinnati Public Schools and the Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation. The historic 1931 building was modernized with air conditioning, updated infrastructure, technology, and security systems, while carefully preserving its architectural character and incorporating environmentally responsible materials.

The project also added 69,000 square feet of new space, including academic classrooms that allowed for the expansion of the Modern World Language program, and a new 1,200-seat varsity gymnasium featuring a student “Nut House” section. Beneath the gym are locker rooms and offices for coaches and officials. A full-size natatorium with a six-lane, 25-meter competition pool and spectator seating completed this state-of-the-art athletic complex.

Adjacent to the athletic facilities, the two-story Music Lyceum was added, housing orchestral and vocal rehearsal rooms, marching band, steel drums, a piano studio, recording and multimedia production spaces, and a 125-seat recital hall. The building provides acoustically correct rehearsal spaces, music libraries, and direct field access for the marching band.

Additional enhancements included the Tony Trabert ’46 Tennis Complex with six courts, lighting, and seating, and the Christopher South Field Athletic Complex, featuring an all-weather field, batting cages, concessions, restrooms, and seating for 400 spectators. A modern Fitness Center was added to support Walnut Hills’ more than 90 athletic teams and physical education programs.

A Campus Still Growing

In 2023, the campus continued to evolve with the expansion of dining facilities to seat 1,000 students, the enclosure of the tennis complex for year-round use, and the creation of an Art Plaza located in between the Music Lyceum and the Alumni Arts and Science building. This outdoor gathering space includes areas for dining and art classes, a pergola and garden with water features, murals, sculptures, and weather-resistant recreation tables—further blending learning, creativity, and community.

Today

Today, with 2500 students, Walnut Hills High School’s campus resembles that of a small college, offering students a fully immersive academic, artistic, and athletic environment. From its Jefferson-inspired architecture to its cutting-edge facilities, the campus stands as a living testament to Walnut Hills’ enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and opportunity for every student.