John Overton Comp High School

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

Posted: January 7, 2024

We had a good experience sending our daughter to John Overton. It is what the student makes of it. There are lots of different programs to choose from. Our daughter really enjoyed being in orchestra and winter guard. The staff is helpful and responsive and professional. The new renovations are an added bonus.

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

My son graduated Overton a couple years ago and reviews like this on GreatSchools had us nervous. We had no reason to be.

Yes, Overton has a lot of diversity and kids who weren't raised with English as their primary language, and that inevitably affects things like test scores. But it also provides a rich experience with cultures that value important things like family and community more than most Americans do. It's not the Overton teacher and student body's fault they are part of school district run by goofy leftists with Board members who swoon over the teacher's union president like he's some kind of celebrity (this actually happened during a School Board meeting I attended).

How was the education? He scored in the high 90s% on the ACT and is going to a great school debt free. How was the teacher interaction? One of his teachers took a personal interest in him from the first week on campus and got him involved in student activities he would end up leading as a senior. How were the classmates? He built friendships that survived high school and continue now through college.

Like most things in life, high school is essentially what you make of it. People like GreatSchools.org sitting in their ivory towers judging everyone else by the things they think matter do a disservice to America.

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

Posted: September 7, 2023

I am a student currently attending John Overton. I would like to say that the teachers at Overton are very helpful and are there if you need to talk to someone, at any time. Overton also offers lots of opportunities for everyone. I love the academies the school Carries, there is something for everyone. The school counselors are also very helpful with schedules. I would like to point out how safe I feel at school and with my teachers. Overall, my experience at John Overton high school has been wonderful, I am proud to be a bobcat.

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Posted: August 15, 2022

Inconsiderate policies that don’t help learning environment. Only worried about endorsements and fundings.

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

A lot of drugs like way too many for it to be a safe place to learn

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

I do not understand the negative ratings. Yes, of course it's harder to educate kids who are coming from extremely diverse backgrounds (Overton is the most diverse high school in the state). As a parent, I was impressed how well they worked with what they had. The number of school and non-profit programs aimed to help students and their families is incredible.

Our son transferred in from a homeschool environment as a junior and thrived. Teachers helped him adjust and took a personal interest in his success. He was recruited into the sports program and did great. He ended up doing extremely well on his ACT and got lots of scholarship offers from multiple colleges.

Yes, the Nashville school board can be dopey leftists who love the teachers' union more than the kids or parents. That's true of almost any school board in blue cities across the nation. Don't count that against Overton because the school has done a great job despite that.

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: October 11, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Overton is a very diverse school and does a great job of accepting and learning from all of the different cultures represented. The students are almost always respectful with no major issues. The teachers are great and truly care about the students and want what is best for them. The administration does a great job of receiving feedback and making changes as needed for the betterment of the students and families. Probably the best zoned public high school in Nashville and I highly recommend sending students here no matter what your background is or where you come from.

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: June 18, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

Posted: April 21, 2021

It should be zero star for this school. The administration is terrible. The teachers are really rude to the parents. They always lost student information.

Posted: February 28, 2020

if you get in a fight you getting suspended...…

Posted: February 28, 2020

I think my experience as a freshman has been amazing. there are some kids who butt whooping and need some discipline in they lives but other than that the school is really good. some teachers give way to much homework as to we already have to much on our plate as a teenager and we are expected to do much more than middle schoolers. A lot of people talk bad about this school but its actually really good and Dr. Pittman is doing a great job as principal. Although I wish we had more dances and fun events for freshman.... I LOVE JOHS

Posted: February 28, 2020

we get a lot of homework because of the teachers. it should be lowered

Posted: February 28, 2020

Posted: February 28, 2020

Posted: February 28, 2020

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

Posted: February 10, 2018

My son loved his high school years at Overton so much so he didn't want it to end. He was more than ready for college by the time he graduated. There seems to be quite a lot of negative reviews mostly from students. The way I see it, as with any high school, you choose your friends wisely, you do your work, pay attention in class, follow instructions and complete homework and show respect towards your teachers and fellow students and you will get the most out of your high school years and be prepared for college by the time you graduate. I visited the school many times including sporting events and the students always seemed to have positive attitudes and the teachers and other faculty were pleasant and eager to help. I am however glad to see the school finally getting a much needed renovation and expansion because it was overcrowded and overdue for renovations. When completed it's suppose to have a top notch library, cafeteria and classrooms. Every inch of the school is getting renovated. Other than the overdue renovations I have had nothing but good experiences with this school and my son agrees.

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

Let me be clear if you are a jock or cheerleader pats on the back, if daddy and mommy can buy you a mustang kudos to you. If you want to learn, go somewhere else. I was a good kid that tried hard, stayed out of trouble. My brother died. That’s when the bullying kicked in hardcore. I expected to come back from his funeral and I don’t know at the very least be left alone. Instead someone carves something hideous into my desk about my deceased brother. I was furious. Went to the principal expecting to be treated with compassion. Instead he calls my bullies into the room and tells me to “work it out” and does nothing. The girls tell me “I’m dead” as we leave. I changed. Over the summer I learned to fight. Great job Overton.

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

Posted: July 24, 2017

As a business partner who engages with students on a weekly basis, I can attest to the dedication and holistic love at learning that is present at John Overton High School.

Posted: March 27, 2017

Posted: March 27, 2017

The adults in this school don't respect the students telling them to "shut up" so how will they learn this?

Posted: March 27, 2017

Leadership is the worst part of this school. You better not voice your opinion or ask question about your child's cusses or they will think your confrontational.

Posted: March 27, 2017

If you got an iep don't bother. They will do all that they can to get students off of thisbexause it's too much of a hassle being it is a legal document and they know they are not holding up the expectations of the academics

Posted: March 27, 2017

The kids don't get work. Most of he time they are watching television. If you're not in Cambridge your academics don't matter.

Posted: March 27, 2017

They only have a select few teachers that care about the students. Once those teachers are gone the school will be screwed.

Posted: March 27, 2017

I think the school is horrible. There is not one adult in "power" willing to take responsibility as an adult. They allow teachers to talk to parents any kind of way. However, when the director of schools allow it then you can't blame them.

Posted: August 16, 2016

My son is a sophomore at Overton and is in the Marching Band and taking Cambridge classes as well as regular classes. This is his second year at Overton and we have been pleasantly pleased due to our hard working principal, staff and teachers who bend over backwards to make this school great and the students successful! Although the school is very big, there are many activities, after school clubs and events that can connect each and every kid and make them feel a part of something. I am a part of the PTO and have met many wonderful parents as well. The school is in the middle of a major renovation and it is exciting to see the new rooms, decor and the positive changes happening this year. I am thrilled that my son has been able to attend neighborhood schools since he started Granbery in kindergarten, attended Oliver for middle and will graduate with many friends he has known since he was 5 years old from John Overton in 2019!

Posted: December 6, 2015

This is a great school. This year this school have so many program to get you ready for college. The teachers help you a lot with the lesson you need help with.

Posted: April 8, 2015

A great environment for children to learn. The teachers are very responsible and good at what they do

Posted: January 23, 2015

Great school, great preparation for college, and great teachers. I love John Overton High School..Go BOB CAT!!

Posted: November 10, 2014

I've gone here since freshman year, only had an issue with a couple teachers and one principal. Overall the staff do not bother me. It's the students. They are rude, disrespectful, and down right mean for no reason. I hate going here. The adults really do nothing about the drama because they honestly do not care. the students need to learn to watch their mouth. With how the children are here, its a dangerous school.

Posted: August 27, 2013

I love John Overton. My child is a Senior there this year. We have had our share of troubles but he is a typical teenager. I think the teachers and principals punish the kids for the "crime" but do not over do it. The teachers look for new ways to communicate with the kids and use social media to connect with them, remind them of homework, etc. The Executive Principal truly cares about the kids and it shows. Parent involvement could be better but has grown more and more over the years. Like all schools, Overton is what you make of it. If you are involved with your children and their school I think you will be pleasantly surprised with Overton. The academies prepare kids for the real world and offer lots of AP courses for advanced students. Overton requires more credits to graduate than the average high school in TN, meaning more classes, more learning. The counselors work with kids on an individual basis and structure classes specific to their interests which continues to keep our kids engaged in learning.

Posted: June 17, 2013

This school year I was a freshman at Overton. The first day I walked in to the school I noticed how old and run-down it was and how crowded it was. It's ridiculous. You can barely get to class on time. Overton is a very diverse school, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But the amount of diversity gets to be a problem regarding fights. There are fights all the time. I almost got hit walking in the hall to class. I didn't feel safe in my own school. Overall, students don't care about the actual "school" part of school. The curriculum here is way too easy. Even my honors' classes weren't a challenge. I couldn't tell a difference between my standard and honors' classes. Also, I've had problems with the teachers here, which has never happened to me; I'm generally a good student. One teacher accused me of plagiarism in front of the whole class for no legitimate reason and another told me she didn't want me in her class next year because I wasn't "enthusiastic enough" and I "didn't care at all" about the class which was not true. Because all of this, my mom said she's not letting me go here next year. I can't blame her. I wouldn't want my child going here either. This school is a joke.

Posted: May 15, 2013

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

Posted: May 6, 2013

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!!!

Posted: November 10, 2012

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..