Overbrook High School

The worst school ever. No one shows respect for no one. The staff acts as if all the students are the same. I was sitting in the teachers planning room reading Just Say No, and a staff member told me to go to class. I had lunch at the time so I decided that I just wAnted to chill and read a book upstairs. So I get up to head to the lunchroom and I hear 2 people talking about my presence. "he wasn't reading that book, he just wanna be up here to play just like the rest of them." " yea I know those kids are all alike to me. They growing up to be in prison soon anyways". I turned around ready to scream back to the 2 staff members. But, I thought to myself. I don't scoop to that level. I'm currently attending over 3 college prep programs on the verge to graduating in 2 years. The teachers there are great but the staff are not.
--Submitted by a student

To the OHS Alumni who said there need to be a change in 'Urban School's'. I would like to say your wrong for saying that. It's some Urban school's for example West Philadelphia High School their under bad leadership their principal is'nt doing much to restore the moral's and value's that West Philadelphia High School once stood for. I can admit that Ms. Young from OHS is doing a preatty good job with what she's doing but like West Philadelphia High School she's not doing much to restore it's ethics. To sum it all up it's not about what school you go to it's all riding on the type of leadership your school is being ran by.
--Submitted by a teacher

I attended overbrook for 2 1/2 years. I absolutely loved overbrook....For all you parents complaining i wanted to inform you that ms. Young, the current principal at ohs is excellent....Not only is she a leader but she a mother to many of the students that are lacking parental control at home! ms. Young and many of the teachers there really care but your unruly children attend this school lacking morals and aspirations. I attended parkway high school located on 49th and chestnut for 2 1/2 years and i can indeed count on one hand how much support i received from the staff and the principal alone, who i know for a fact does not give a damn about whether or not her students graduate let alone make it too the next grade level. Before you go posting rude things, ask yourselve if your going to be that change!
--Submitted by a student

I feel that there is much to be done within this achool and may other urban schools. I am not in denial about what went on when I attended OHS. I succeded because I was always a good student and the work was not always very challenging. I am upset because when I attended this school, there was a lack of order. It was a horrible learning environment. We had no books which make it ifficult to study. All the disruptance made it hard to focus. I hope it has changed since then but let's get real there needs to be a change for our young people in these urban schools, because after all we are the future!

Overbrook is lacking in quality leadership
--Submitted by a parent

To the perplexed parent who wrote that the school instills no moral values, I say you're in denial. Be assured that an almost daily attempt to get parents involved is done by the teachers at Overbrook. My class day consists of reminding students to take out their iPOD ear phones, stop talking on their cell phones, stop fighting, etc...again, in class while I am actively teaching. I have been threatened, mocked and called names. My efforts to teach go ignored and yet I still try. The interaction with many of the parents is just as unfruitful. Yes, we are here to teach; however, the behavior of the students as a whole is atrocious. Moral values are learned at home, not at school.
--Submitted by a teacher

The dress code was changed to allow uniformity. This year, the principal has assigned four assistant principals for each grade level. Security has been prioritized for student safety which is also a plus. The curriculm is designed for the students to succeed, however it takes a village with caring parents and partership from private and public sectors. The sports programs are lacking funding for equipment as well as home field for the football team. Music and the arts are adequate. Tutoring and credit recovery programs are available as well as counseling from counselors and rostering staff. There are +++ and ----, however if your child has the ability to follow the rules, complete homework and classroom assignments, they will succeed. The principal does invite parent participation since the funding was eliminated for parent/grandparent scholars. If the funding was available, the old Overbrook with all the magnet programs could be a reality.
--Submitted by a parent

I Think that the school is failing our children. This school provides nothing more that a day care for our youth and instills no moral values. The staff are unprofessional and un-available to the parents. The Principle is one whom has a vision, but that is not enough for today, the long term planning must include the children attending this school now.
--Submitted by a parent

I beleive the academic programs offered in the higher level curriculums are adequate, however a student has to be in those higher curriculums to receive it. Otherwise the course of study is slow, behind and not all-encompassing. The music and arts program is still one of the best in the city. The school could be safer. The teachers exhibit a level of apathy that leaves student on their own for the most part. The students that fight to learn, will. . .those that dont wont. Sports programs are average for inner city. All the basics are offered.
--Submitted by a former student

The physical plant is much in need of repair. The drapes in the auditorium are rusty black, heavy with dirt, and do little to add to the cheerfulness of the hall. The bathrooms are dirty, have balls of dried toilet tissue hanging from the ceiling. Most of the office staff determine whether or not they will wait on you, based on your clothing. If you are dressed in business attire, you get their immediate attention. If you are dressed casually, it is not unusual for you to wait unattended at the counter for over 20 minutes. They assume that you are a parent, who are only a level or so higher than the students.
--Submitted by a parent