The U.S. Department of Education’s Doing What Works Web site has a wealth of information on high schools that have put practices designated as “working” into place. This blog describes one of the schools featured on the site.

Western Hills University High School (WHUHS) is located on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio and enrolls predominantly low-income students. WHUHS began as Western Hills High School in 1928, a comprehensive high school serving grades 9 through 12. In the fall of 2002, the large high school was divided into three small schools as part of the Cincinnati City School District’s initiative to offer high schools of choice. WHUHS, a small high school serving approximately 700 students, has been successful fulfilling its clearly defined mission of preparing students for graduation and postsecondary education and training.

WHUHS is particularly notable for its academic supports, social/behavior programs, learning environment, and rigorous and relevant instruction. Highlights include:

• Eighth graders can transition into high school smoothly through the Summer Bridge program at Western Hills.
• Students from the University of Cincinnati mentor eleventh-grade students in the Financial Management class.
• Career and technical education is implemented to allow all students multiple pathways toward careers.
• WHUHS holds college fairs, college tours, and college awareness days to keep students informed of post-secondary academic options.

The Doing What Works Web site includes additional information about WHUHS, including a video of the principal describing the school, as well as a wealth of information and resources to support high schools identifying and implementing research-based education practices.