Unification Updates
One Campus.
One Community.
One Seven Hills.
Welcome to the One Seven Hills webpage. Here you will find information on the unification of our Lower Schools, plans for improving the educational experience, and preliminary renderings of the Hillsdale Campus.
The Seven Hills School has announced plans to reimagine our school as one campus where the best aspects of Doherty and Lotspeich culture, traditions, and programs will combine into one Lower School. On this website, you can find:
Accordion
See the announcement from Head of School Matt Bolton regarding One Campus. One Community. One Seven Hills.
See Head of School Matt Bolton and Springer School and Center President Brett Marcoux’s joint announcement about the future of the Doherty Campus.
Read Head of School Matt Bolton’s announcement about updates to the new Lower School’s location.
Read Head of School Matt Bolton’s announcement about Kerryn Hinds being named the new Lower School Head after a nationwide search.
- In September 2024, the Board approved a transformative recommendation to unify all schools on our Hillsdale Campus.
- All students will be on the Hillsdale Campus by the 2027-28 academic year.
- As this transition unfolds over the next couple of years, we will continue to update the website and answer any questions from our Seven Hills community.
How will the Lower School program change after unification?
In our new five-year Strategic Plan that we introduced in Fall 2025, we are focusing on four key elements in our Lower School programming:Â
- Outdoor learning
- Play-based learning
- Project-based learning
- Multiage learning
Will students be in modular classrooms during construction?
What does this mean for my child?
See the Student Unification Journey Charts below.
What will happen to the Doherty school and land after the unification?
Springer School and Center will take over ownership of the Doherty Campus in July 2027 for it to become their new high school program. Please see the joint announcement from Head of School Matt Bolton and Springer School and Center President Brett Marcoux.
Who will head the new Lower School?
Early School (Pre-Kindergarten)
In 2026-27, the Early School became its own division, while pre-kindergarten students remain at their respective campuses. Tracy Murch leads this division as Head of Early School, and Nichole O’Rourke is Assistant Head of Early School. Tracy remains as Head of Doherty in 2026-27 as well.
Lower School (Kindergarten through Fifth Grade)
After a nationwide search, Kerryn Hinds has been named the Head of Lotspeich for the 2026-27 school year and the Head of the combined Doherty Lotspeich Lower School in 2027-28 and beyond. See the announcement from Head of School Matt Bolton.
What will happen to the Doherty and Lotspeich names?
In honor of both Miss Mary Harlan Doherty and Mrs. Helen Lotspeich, Seven Hills is naming the new Lower School The Doherty Lotspeich Lower School.
What are the other improvements for the Hillsdale Campus?
Most Hillsdale Campus buildings are in great shape, and the buildings most in need of replacement are the Lotspeich and old Briggs buildings. Replacing those buildings with a state-of-the-art Lower School will keep all infrastructure current.
Will there be enough playgrounds and green space around the new Lower School?
Yes. The plans for unification have allowed us to maximize the green space on our campus, which is also woven into our Strategic Plan. The site of the new Lower School is located on the north end of campus, surrounded by old-growth oak trees and ample grassy areas. Natural play areas are being developed to surround both the Early School and Lower School.
How will you keep the drop-off and pick-up lines on the Hillsdale campus from being excessively long once we have unified the lower schools?
The new Lower School location off Ellmarie Drive will alleviate traffic congestion as Lower School parents will have a separate road for drop-off and pick-up.
I really value walking my child into school in the morning. Will I still be able to do this in the new Lower School?
Yes. Parents are currently welcome to walk their lower schoolers into the buildings at both Doherty and Lotspeich. This will continue to be true in the new Lower School, which will have ample parking for parents.
What are the other improvements for the Hillsdale Campus?
Founders Hall underwent renovations during the summer of 2026 to expand and modernize the kitchen. These renovations will support the increased number of students on the Hillsdale Campus.
Will tuition increase to cover the cost of the unification?
No, tuition will not increase to cover the cost of the unification, but tuition will continue to be evaluated based on a number of factors.
Will my child receive the same level of individual attention at the combined Lower School?
Unification allows us to right-size the classes to provide enough individualized attention and social opportunities to our students.
Will class sizes be too big (or too small) in the new Lower School?
We think there is an ideal size for an early childhood or lower school class, and the new program and building will allow us to offer that size. For example, pre-kindergarten classes will continue to be capped at 10 or 12 students based on age level, while in the upper elementary classes, we aim for sections of 16-18. The class sizes will allow students social options while still ensuring they have lots of attention from their teacher.
Will the campus shuttle continue to run?
Yes, we’ll continue to run the shuttle between now and the completion of the unification projects. If there is parent interest in our continuing to run a shuttle to and from East Walnut Hills after we have unified on the Hillsdale Campus, we’re happy to explore that possibility.
If your child is currently enrolled in one of the Lower Schools, review the student unification journey chart below to see what building they will be in during the 2027-28 school year.Â
To better understand Early School and Lower School leadership for this year and next year, please take a look at the chart below.Â
Learn more about the One Campus. one Community. One Seven Hills. Capital Campaign
Visit our campaign page to learn more about the capital campaign and to see a timelapse of Lower School construction, renderings of the new Lower School, and photos of the updates to Founders Hall and the Nellie Leaman Taft Early School.
Visit the One Seven Hills Campaign Page
Community Events
Nellie Leaman Taft Early School Addition Ribbon-cutting Ceremony
Students and families gathered in front of the Nellie Leaman Taft Early School to cut the ribbon spanning the front of the building.
Doherty Lotspeich Lower School Groundbreaking Ceremony
In April 2026, students in grades kindergarten through 12 joined donors at the Doherty Lotspeich Lower School groundbreaking ceremony.Â
Red-Carpet Premiere of the Doherty Lotspeich Lower School Rendering Video
Before the Doherty Lotspeich Lower School groundbreaking ceremony, Lower School students had their own red carpet premiere of the rendering video of their new school.
To see the rendering video, visit our campaign page.
Growing Together: Doherty Oak Planting Event
In November 2025, Seven Hills families, faculty, and staff gathered on the Hillsdale Campus on a chilly Saturday morning to plant nearly 200 oak saplings in a temporary nursery. Upper School biology teacher Dr. Bryce Carlson propagated the oaks from acorns on the Doherty Campus. Once construction is complete on the Doherty Lotspeich Lower School, the oaks will be transplanted to permanent homes around the Hillsdale Campus. Read more about the event.
