Overlea High School

The news portrays Overlea High as an aweful school. I am currently a senior ehre and have been in this school all four years now. I came in scared, but the teachers were welcoming. Th teachers push the students to reach their fullest potential, walk them through the college application process, and participate in almost every afterschool activity. The most reviews are based on how the few careless students act, where in reality Overlea has many dedicated, strong-minded students that will succeed in anything we do. The magnet program teaches the financial basics that can apply to anyone, not just people looking into business. Our principal and vice principals speak the truth to the students. They come on trips with us. Overlea has an environment that just invites the students in. I am happy to be an Overlea Falcon. I would recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a student

For many years I had heard not so good things about Overlea and vowed that I would not send my son there. After attending a local magnet school for 9th and 10th grades we switched him to Overlea which is his home school. My son has been much happier there and has re-bonded with kids he has grown up with and likes every one of his teachers. During his 2nd & 3rd semesters last year his GPA was 4.0 and for the year it was 3.83. He is now a senior who is also attenting college in the Parallel Education Program. No school is without problems but as you can see, my opinion has changed. As long as my son is happy and thriving, I am happy.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has alot of potiental , however the principle and vice principle are reall y not involed enough. I think the out of district children who are not to suppose to be attending Overlea make It difficult.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school for students who are very serious about academics. I really enjoyed my experiences at Overlea.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers at this school are extremely dedicated. Many of them are involved with afterschool programs and are willing to give up their own time in order to help students succeed. They cannot control whether or not students take advantage of it or not.
—Submitted by a parent

Very unsafe school. No involvementt from teachers and staff. We are moving just so my children do not any longer have to attent this horrible school. Parents Please do not send your children to this school. There isn`t anything good about it at all. We love Overlea, but are so strong about not sending our kids to this school we are leaving overlea so we don`t have to. Please parents if you want your children to learn, be happy, safe and successful, please do not choose Overlea.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Overlea has great potential, it has the JROTC program, the Academy of Finance and the HVAC program, these are all great avenues for kids to get involved in and learn some skills. However, I also am disappointed, It has been difficult to communicate w/ teachers and guidance counsellors, once I actually contact them, I am fine with their responses. I also found a huge lack of parental support - last year I went to my son's concert and was shocked at how few parents attended. I think with some joined effort on everyone's part, Overlea could be an awesome High School.
—Submitted by Niki Cooper, a parent

My son attended overlea in 2005- 2006 and I was not impressed. It had so many rules set up to fail the students. However my son still attends overlea. He is in the academy of finance. I think this is the only good thing at overlea that makes attendance there worth it.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending Overlea High for two years, and I am extremely dissatisfied with the lack of involvement by the principle. I tried to contact the principle several times by email and phone calls. I can only say that I am disappointed with this school. However, I would like to say, some of the teachers are worth sending your child there. I think we just need a new principle, one who cares about the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Overlea from 2000-2004. i was put into the fast track GT and AP courses and was therefore grouped with other students on the same path as I am with the same dedication to learning. The teachers were receptive and helpful to student who wanted to learn, but the majority of the population of students were undeserving of a public education as far as I am concerned. If you are a concerned parent, get involved with your kids and their friends and teachers. The teaching is set up so that the students have a chance at success. The students have little to no drive and no academic preperation for the rigors of high school.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a current student at Overlea in the tenth grade. I have found Overlea to be the best experience of my life. A good 85% of my teachers are easy to deal with and are genuinly concerned when someone isn't doing well in their class. The other 15% are more difficult to deal with but still care about academics. My teachers have given me oppertunities to succeed and have given me one of the best educations of my life. Thanks to them I have tested very high in the HSAs and had the best PSAT score in the school in my Freshmen year. That is also thanks to their ground breaking learning communities which allow teachers to see familiar faces and get to know their students in a social way. The teachers in this school are not just teachers but sometimes your friend.
—Submitted by Tommy Lee, a student

The only good thing I can say is my daughter loved the ROTC program. She is struggling in college and taking non-credit courses to prepare her for what high school should have.
—Submitted by a parent