Ooltewah High School

The band program is amazing and worth it alone...not to mention that we are becoming an IB School!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to OHS in 9th grade last year. I came from a private school, and honestly it was so much better. There was surprisingly way less drama, and though there were some fights, that's expected from any school. I will say, that many students are involved in drinking and smoking etc., but if you know who those students are and stay away from them, then you'll be fine. The teachers were amazing. I had such a hard time with math in middle school, then I took algebra 1 at OHS and received an excellence award. Their advanced classes push you to be your best, and the International Baccalaureate program is a very good opportunity. I definitely would recommend this school.

There are not many parents that know of it, but, Ooltewah High School's best program is never heard of, because, the instructors and the students that are involved are "silent professionals". The program I am speaking of is the Army JROTC Department. This program provides the student skills that are necessary for life success and leadership skills. If there is a weakness in the program, I would have to say that it would be the head instructor, Major Dean. He is only interested with students who have college in their future and often "talks down" to students that are academically challenged. The other 2 Instructors seem to really care about the students both personally and professionally.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a 2009 OHS graduate and also have a child who is currently a sophomore at OHS. Both are honor students. I believe this is a great school. No school is perfect. It is easy for some people to see only the negative and overlook the positive. Our kids live at school what they are taught and see at home. If they want to find trouble, they will find it or initiate it at any school. Are the halls at OHS filled with gangs? No. With perfect people? No. With regular teenagers? Yes. With students who are challenged to improve academically and personally? Yes. Are the teachers great instructors? Some are and some are not. Are they caring? Some are and some are not. Are all parents caring? Some are and some are not. Communication with our kids is crucial in any situation. If they are struggling in any area, it is our responsibility to do something that does not involve blame-shifting. I have met with a teacher or two and the principal over the years at OHS, and I've always been satisfied with the result.
—Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of OHS in 2009, I feel this school prepared me for my college course work. I was academically challenged at Ooltewah, and was given many opportunities for leadership and personal growth, among other things. A great community and a great place to succeed if you put in the effort!

Not a good school. Too much gossip and lies bantering between students. Too many people (parents) know police and will start rumors on your kids to cover up what their kids are doing. I have had a lot of experience with this, especially with the baseball team. No responsibility is taken for the bad actions of some of these parents and students. I am so thankful my child is out of this place and on to better things.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is terrible. I can't afford private school for my two children but i pray everyday when I drop them off at OHS. I am sure there are other good school in Hamilton County but this is not one of them. Drugs, gangs, and unsafe climate...my son is also in the band and I am very disappointed in the leadership of it. Too concerned with the image and not concerned about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children at Ooltewah and they make good grades. They care to much about how you dress and not enough about learning. They have to many teachers who do not care about teaching. My grade for this school is a c+.
—Submitted by a parent

i think ooltewah is a good school, but the principals at Ooltewah are to strick on students. They deserve more freedom like un-shirts on dress down days. We work very hard of what we get at Ooltewah we are harding working students who are simply the best!
—Submitted by a student

Ooltewah High School has one of the best bands in the country! They are committed to excellence and they work very hard to be the best.
—Submitted by a parent

My child enjoys Ooltewah High. The band program is exceptional. The children in this program are great friends to each other. The leadership is great. There are many opportunities made available to 'band ids' that are not usually available to other students. Great Program.
—Submitted by a parent

Ooltewah High School is not a very good high school. We were greatly disappointed in the administration, the teachers and guidance. I can only name one guidance teacher who was great and really cared about my child. I can name only 3 teachers who seemed to care at all about my child and willing to stay after school to help with school work. My child struggled in Math and Science and only one teacher offered to help her. I also struggled with Math in school and every teacher I had in my high school was required to stay after school and help. This school is extremely crowded and only the popular and academically outstanding students are recognized. I would not recommend this high school.
—Submitted by a parent

My four children all graduated from OHS. The teachers are awesome--organized, prepared, helpful, and dedicated! My eldest daughter received a grant to Berry College and is a nurse for a cardiologist in town, in good part because of her education at Ooltewah. My eldest son would have never made it out of algebra or chemistry without the help and encouragement of his teachers. He is in college now. My youngest daughter received a scholarship to Alabama because of the opportunity and support of some of her coaches. My other son received scholarship money to college because the guidance counselors helped him to find the right fit. The administration is strong and caring. I was not worried about the safety of my kids during school hours. It seems to me that the parents and/or kids who are socially inept would not do well at any school. Go Owls!
—Submitted by a parent

We have the good teachers but we have the bad. The handful of good teachers try really hard and the students give them no respect but the bad teachers let the students run all over them. I will be a senior this year and im so happy that OHS will not be so crowded.
—Submitted by a student

Our son is a 4.0 student & will be a Jr. this fall. I believe the faculty & staff at OHS have done the most they could with what little resources they have available to them. As the HCDE have grossly neglected to plan for the future. OHS has been extremely overcrowded for yrs now, & continues to rapidly grow! Classes are crowded, & most students can't be issued a locker. My son requested one for two years in a row & never received one. Although the newly built HS is to be open next yr this will do little to reduce the overcrowded conditions of OHS. As most of the Jr's. & Sr's will be able to continue attending; as there will not be much of an athletic program at the new school. Once again, due to poor district planning that the students at OHS will suffer.
—Submitted by a parent

Too worried about dress code!! You can't walk through the hall without one of the 6 (or however many we have) yelling at you! It's unbelievable! Most the teachers are good, they do pick favorites though, which can be hard. Also, if the teacher just doesn't want to deal with you most of the time they just send to the back of the class and tunes you out. They only tend to the ones who get good grades. Also, the environment is pretty nasty! It seems to me that the school cares more about what the students look like, then how much teaching is getting done.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent Learning Environment Although the staff is overburdened with the amount of pupils per class and an insufficient number of classrooms, they still manage to instill a quality education for those who have the desire to learn. I find that most disgruntled parents have children that either have not been raised with an emphasis on education or assume they are being sent to a day care center. As I see it, the blame falls squarely on the parents and home environment for their children not succeeding. Not adhering to the schools dress code shows lack of discipline. I sincerely believe that Ooltewah High School still carries a brightly lit torch of quality education for all willing to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a lot of problems, there are many very good teachers-but the bad out number the good. For the most part there is little or no attempts at communication between the teachers and parents. The majority of my calls go unanswered. Although, from what I have been told Ooltewah is one of the best public high schools in the county, which is hard for me to comprehend.
—Submitted by J B, a parent

This school is very organized, has many motivating teachers and are very helpful when it comes to working with the students one on one.I would recommend this school to any child.
—Submitted by a student

Definitely a lot of attention on dress code and if its tucked in or not. Most teachers are great and truly care about education and students well being. Others, not so much. Athletic students definitely get 'special' attention, though. One of the better schools in Chattanooga.