John Overton Comp High School

Horrible school!!! If you can move, do it but don't put your child in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

johs is a terrible school. They do NOT take bullying seriously. I had a child that told on a student about bullying and nothing was done & enabled the bully even more. They do not punish fairly. They don't care about the students. They don't discuss college things for seniors. They are terrible faculty!!!
—Submitted by a parent

What can I say about John Overton High School.... It's definitely not like what it was back in the 1990's when the school was considered as a model school for Metro Public Schools. At the time, the school had an excellent sports program and of coarse, the famous Overton Marching Band that had won many state championships.The PTO did everything they could to support the school therefore when funding was down, the parents had chipped in to help their children's school.(Not like they needed much funding back then). Therefore, teachers were determined to educate the students for college preparation and for their future work. Nowadays, John Overton H.S is a very diverse setting with students from all over the world and from all walks of life. What used to be a Caucasian dominated school is now one of many races etc. With the changing of demographics, the once strong PTO shifted to minimal PTO involvement and with that, the school required Title 1 funding. With the diversity building , the atmosphere at Overton began to change and school fights began to happen more and more frequently. The teachers then had to deal with that type of behavior which caused many of them to give up..
—Submitted by a parent

I do not like any of the public schools that are in Davidson County the teachers do not want to be there to teach. Some teachers do care but they are the minority in the schools for the most part public schools do not challenge children. The classroom ratios are to many children to one teacher therefore learning is diminished. Discipline was taken out of the school and the children do what they want with little or no punishment for their actions. Teachers are afraid of some students and no respect is had between the teacher and students.Principles and teachers will tell the parents one thing and do another.
—Submitted by a parent

This school continues to withhold my report card for unknown reasons.It is also very crowded.
—Submitted by a student

I have a Junior that attends Overton. We love the school. She has been challenged academically and some of the most amazing Honors and AP teachers. Besides teaching her just the academics, they teach her other life lessons as well. I appreicate the communication from Dr. Pelham. My daughter is in the band so I am at the school quite frequently. I must say I believe that I have seen him about 95% of the times that I have been there. He speaks to me every time he sees me in the halls. The guidance counselors have been very helpful and have worked with us personally on my daughter's schedule and her goals for getting into college. The opportunities for a great education are available at Overton just like any other school. The students must also take some of the responsibility for making the most of that opportunity as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Overton is a good academic school.
—Submitted by a student

I think Overton is above average for the Nashville area, which says very little considering Davidson County Schools are probably well below national averages. My son is a Junior and the amount of interaction and feedback received from the principal is dismal. I am at the school at least once a month and I have never seen the principal visible in the open areas. My experiences with the guidance department has been favorable. I never have an issue reaching the guidance counselor or receiving feedback for important issues. The teachers are average: none of them really put themselves out for the benefit of the student. For the most part this school does not have to deal with a lot of disruptive kids, so I don't understand why this school is not able to do more with its resources. Maybe it has to do with the Resource Manager!
—Submitted by a parent

Overton does not have a lot of parent or teacher support. most of the teachers are their for a pay check instead of the needs of their children. there is no parent/teacher relationship. we need a strong team of teachers, parents, principal and guidance counselor. some of the teachers our child have do not even show up for class they always have a substitute. Sad to say but we don't believe in our kids just going through the motion.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at John Overton High and it is a excellent school. It is very diverse and gives students a chance to meet new people and learn manu things from them that you normally would not have the chance to do.
—Submitted by a student

I have a daughter who is a Junior at Overton. She loves everything about Overton. As a Junior we are finalizing college decisions. My son will be attending next year as a Freshman. He is very excited to be attending.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a senior currently at Overton and I must say, I am disappointed with the direction the school has gone over the past several years. The school is over crowded. No one has taken the time in 4 years to discuss college with my child. I have another child who will be going into high school next year, but they will not be attending Overton.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers really do care (well some of them). I love the school sprirt in the school, even though we have had to wear SSA this year that has not stopped us from getting invovled in every Pep Rally and everything possible. Our new principls is also pretty amazing. He really seems to care and even though there will always be ''bad apples in the bunch'' he always has a positive attitude to make us (the ones who do follow rules and care) feel appreciated. So if your child has to go to a public school JOHS is the one !
—Submitted by a student

I loved this school very much. I loved being in the marching band, and participating in being a wrestling cheerleader. Being in the activities at school really helped me become who I am today. Thank You John Overton for all you have helped me accomplished.
—Submitted by Brittany Easley, a former student