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Meeting held to discuss ideas for new Westwood school

86 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 2:32 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CORRYVILLE, Ohio (WKRC) – The Cincinnati Board of Education now has some ideas to consider on what to do with the former Mother of Mercy School in Westwood. 

Monday night, the board and those in attendance at the meeting in Corryville got to see the results of eight listening sessions held with residents, parents and students, most of whom live in the neighborhood.

"The Mercy campus is an incredibly important asset to Westwood,” said Liz Blume of Community Building Institute.

Blume says more than 150 people attended the public meetings and more than 50 students came to the school sessions. One of the popular thoughts for the property is a high school that can rival Walnut Hills in academics and culture.

"There was absolutely this conversation of Walnut Hills West. I think when people say that, what they mean is they want the school to be academically rigorous and they want their kids to be successful,” said Blume.

Other front-runner ideas include a technology-based school, a school with professional pathways and co-op opportunities, hands-on labs, space for the arts and a new home for Gamble Montessori High School. One parent spoke to that effect before the report was made.

"We had a waiting list this year. We could have taken more students if we had the space. Gamble Montessori High School is in a middle school building that has not been redesigned to fit the high school bodies that are in that building,” said Pam Bowers.

Board member Melanie Bates says people shouldn’t assume the Mercy campus will be a high school just because it was a high school.

“What we have on the west side are very, very crowded elementary schools,” said Bates.

Other board members made it clear that, while the public input is valuable, what happens to the building will be what best fits the needs of the entire district.

The board expects to make some recommendations at next week’s meeting, but a vote isn’t expected.

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