Winton Hills Academy Debuts New Learning Garden Thanks to Community Makeover

Winton Hills Academy students are in for a treat when they return to class for the 2026-27 school year, thanks to the 17th annual Community Makeover which transformed the Winton Hills neighborhood this summer. More than 600 volunteers from some of Cincinnati’s key institutions, including the Cincinnati Reds, Reds Community Fund, Procter & Gamble and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, worked at five project sites to revitalize the neighborhood.

Volunteers transformed Winton Hills Academy’s School-Based Health Center, in partnership with WinMed, to include public access. Students will also have the opportunity to play on a new playground, learn in a new STEM lab, walk by new indoor murals and experience a new Urban Learning Garden, in partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo.

The first of its kind “Tree School” will serve as an outdoor learning environment that is made up of 12 distinct classrooms consisting of over 100 trees – more than 30 unique species – and 100 shrubs.The unique addition is also accessible to the public and helps to connect the neighborhood, so it is a space for all to enjoy.
Winton Hill Academy's Principal Ben Fulton shared his excitement about the improvements. 

“I am so grateful and overwhelmed with joy. The students are going to be so excited when they see what has taken place,” Principal Fulton said. “And you’re showing our students that they’re surrounded by love and people that believe in them, and that’s really going to make a massive impact on the future of our kids here.” 

The day's events began with a kick-off ceremony at Winton Hills Academy, followed by volunteer shifts. An outreach event at Winton Hills Academy featured community services like Shoes 4 the Shoeless, last mile food rescue and a Toys for Tots drive. The day concluded with a closing ceremony at Winton Hills Academy.

Volunteers also cleaned up baseball and softball fields at the Jacobs Center, and refurbished trails and walkways.

This year’s makeover showcased the vital role of community involvement in 
fostering a supportive environment for students and ensuring their success.