Overton High School is a secondary school for the Creative and Performing Arts located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district.
Serving 1,417 students in grades 9-12, Overton High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 7% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 22% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,417 students
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 75% (Btm 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 7% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 22% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 22% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Overton High School serves the south part of Memphis, TN, covering an area of approximately 6.1 square miles. Families in this zone can typically expect a short drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 1.8 miles from the school to the edge of the zone and a maximum distance of 3 miles.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
School Overview
Overton High School's student population of 1,417 students has grown by 6% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,417 students
Total Classroom Teachers (23-24)
79 teachers
Year Founded
1959
School Rankings
Overton High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,728 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Overton High School is 0.56, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1512 out of 1728 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
7%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
47%
16%
Black
47%
20%
White
2%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)58.5%
23.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
67%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Grey, Royal blue
School Mascot
Wolverines
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Overton High School's ranking?
Overton High School is ranked #1512 out of 1,728 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Overton High School often compared to?
Overton High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like White Station High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
7% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% TN state average), while 22% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Overton High School?
The graduation rate of Overton High School is 75%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend Overton High School?
1,417 students attend Overton High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of Overton High School students are Hispanic, 47% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What grades does Overton High School offer ?
Overton High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Overton High School part of?
Overton High School is part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
In what neighborhood is Overton High School located?
Overton High School is located in the Colonial Acres neighborhood of Memphis, TN. There are 2 other public schools located in Colonial Acres.
School Reviews
Review Overton High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.
