Doherty Campus Changing Hands, Staying a School 

Doherty Campus Changing Hands, Staying a School

CINCINNATI — The Seven Hills School’s Doherty Campus, in East Walnut Hills, is changing hands but will continue its proud legacy of education in Cincinnati. Following its unification onto the Hillsdale Campus, The Seven Hills School is selling the Doherty Campus to Springer School and Center to become its new high school campus.

“Seven Hills and Springer will each benefit greatly from this agreement, as it will give us the facilities necessary to best serve our respective students and communities,” Seven Hills Head of School Matt Bolton and Springer President Brett Marcoux wrote in a joint letter to their communities.

The Doherty Campus opened in 1906 by Mary Harlan Doherty as the College Preparatory School (CPS) to prepare young women for higher education. In 1974, it became one of the three schools that merged to form The Seven Hills School and has been home to one of the school’s elementary divisions.

“First as CPS and then as Seven Hills, the Doherty Campus has been an educational institution in the East Walnut Hills community for more than a century,” said Seven Hills Board Chair Lair Kennedy. “It was a priority of the Board to find a buyer that would honor the legacy of this historic campus and remain a good neighbor to the community. I’m proud to say that with Springer School and Center, we found that.”

Springer’s legacy as a school reaches back to 1887. For decades Springer has been serving a mission to empower students with learning disabilities to lead successful lives. The school is nationally renowned for its research-based practices supporting students with dyslexia, ADHD, and challenges with executive functioning. In addition to its Lower School, Middle School, and High School, Springer provides services to the community through programming for parents and educators and diagnostic services. Springer has called Hyde Park home since 1981, and acquiring the Doherty Campus will allow for the rapidly expanding high school program to remain within a mile of the existing campus.

“With the purchase of this campus, Springer now clearly establishes a commitment to serving students through high school. There are students and families of every age who need Springer. We are proud to have a home to expand service of our mission,” said Springer Board Chair Mike Wright.

Seven Hills will continue to occupy the Doherty Campus through the summer of 2027, after which the students and teachers will be joining their peers in the newly constructed Lower School on the Hillsdale Campus in Madisonville. In July 2027, the former Doherty Campus will become the new home to Springer High School.

“Miss Mary Harlan Doherty was a pioneering educator, and her legacy has made its imprint on The Seven Hills School,” Bolton said. “Springer will continue to be wonderful stewards of the Doherty Campus, and the heart of the Doherty program will continue at Seven Hills.”

Marcoux confirmed the fit in East Walnut Hills, which honors the initial establishment of the campus as a school preparing students for success after high school.

“The students at Springer’s High School have been experiencing a world-class education. With this purchase, our students will have a campus to match,” Marcoux said.

The Seven Hills School is a private pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school operating on two campuses: Hillsdale Campus in Madisonville and Doherty Campus in East Walnut Hills. Seven Hills is ranked #1 Best Private High School, #1 Best College Prep Private High School, and #1 Best Private K-12 School in the Cincinnati area and #2 Best Private K-12 in Ohio for 2025 by Niche.

Springer School and Center empowers students diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and challenges with executive functioning. Springer serves the community through four distinct pillars: Springer Lower School & Middle School, Springer High School, Springer Diagnostic Center, and Springer Learning Center. Springer is located at 2121 Madison Road in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Learn more at Springer-LD.org.

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Press: Seven Hills School sells historic East Walnut Hills campus