Walnut Hills High School climbed 15 spots to No. 76 in the nation in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, marking its second consecutive year as Ohio's top-ranked public high school.
The jump from No. 91 last year puts the Cincinnati Public Schools magnet school among the top fraction of the more than 27,000 public high schools evaluated nationwide. Nearly 18,000 were ranked.
For east-side families who send students to the grades 7-12 college-prep school on Victory Parkway, the ranking reflects what the numbers already show: 94% of Walnut Hills students participate in Advanced Placement courses, according to the U.S. News school profile. The school's 12th-grade class numbers 408 students.
U.S. News measures schools on outcomes in math, reading and science state assessments, qualifying scores on college-level exams and graduation rates.
The district, led by Superintendent Shauna Murphy, said in an Aug. 19 press release that the national recognition reflects pride in Cincinnati and the strength of talent being developed locally. CPS called the school's performance a tradition, not a one-time achievement.
Greater Cincinnati showing
Walnut Hills wasn't alone. Local 12 reported three other Greater Cincinnati high schools placed in Ohio's top 10:
- Madeira High School — No. 2 in Ohio, No. 165 nationally
- Mariemont High School — No. 4 in Ohio, No. 207 nationally
- Indian Hill High School — No. 10 in Ohio, No. 351 nationally
Wyoming High School, ranked No. 6 in Ohio last year, dropped to No. 16 (No. 466 nationally).
What's next for families
Walnut Hills is a magnet school requiring an entrance exam for admission. The next entrance exam is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 7 a.m. at the school, located at 3250 Victory Parkway. The school enrolls approximately 2,500 students across grades 7 through 12.
