Overhills Elementary

2626 Ray Road

School District

Harnett County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Harnett County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 15, 2025

My child’s teacher is so kind and understanding. All of the staff I’ve encountered are welcoming and don’t mind answering stupid questions. My baby always comes home excited to tell me about their day.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2024

The Principal is a joke. My son gets bullied and called names on a consistent basis and Principal ignores all reports that were given. But as soon as my son defends himself it’s a huge problem. They always claim to either can’t see what happened on the cameras or say they were able to see something, but the stories never align with facts. My son was punched by another child while sitting, got up to defend himself but was called the aggressor. The principal runs the school like it’s a reality show. She is unqualified for the position.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

Have had horrible experience with the teachers and administration. Special needs child was bullied assaulted to where blood was almost coming out of pinch marks all around neck. Child told the teacher and nothing was done not even a call home. When he got home met wife at school to speak with principal she said she would look into it. Had to keep calling to get back in touch for a update would not take call finally when went back up there days later was told didn't see it on camera so would not do anything. We started Child at home due to special needs student being allowed to be assaulted bullied and ignored with no recourse. Hope everyone reads this about how bullying is handled an the care of children.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2024

We love Overhills:) Nothing but good experiences for us and safe environment.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

The principal seems to get pleasure in hurting the children emotionally just because she doesn’t like them
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2019

This school is constantly creating events that involve students as well as family. Wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2017

The school is overcrowded! The county receives tons of revenue from different sources yet is behind on building schools. Teachers sometimes assign students homework on material that they have not been introduced to. Parents are supposed to assist with homework however I end up teaching them the work from time to time. You can tell from the teachers lack of concern that they are not happy and it reflects on how they teach and interact with the kids. The Administration does not really want parents coming to the school and try to make school rules to prevent it. And believe me they make every excuse on why they don't want parents around instead of finding solutions for their mediocre problems. Some of them get frustrated when you ask questions. Mrs. G at the front desk is amazing. Sadly, this is supposed to be one of the better schools in the area. If it is possible, I would insist that you either send your kids to private school or homeschool and save yourself the headache.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2016

this is our second year at this school and we love it. the office staff is very nice and helpful. My daughter feels very welcomed here at overhills
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2016

We moved to the area in 2014. We have 2 kids who attend Overhills Elementary and we have had an amazing experience. From Ms. G in the front office, to the new principle Ms. Polumbo (she is joined OES in early 2016) and all the amazing teachers at OES, we could not ask for better leadership or the support. This school is focused on the kids and that is what is important. This area has a lot of military families and therefore there is often a change in students coming and going. I think it makes it a little extra difficult, not only on the students, but also for the staff and teachers. However, this school always has their arms open with welcoming hearts and smiling faces to help each child. A school should be recognized more than just for an EOG testing. There is so much learning and creativity that happens in this school and unfortunately, it gets lost in translation with these so called test scores. Please do not let the "Score" scare you from an awesome school. Go to the school, speak with the staff, teachers, other parents and get in person thoughts and opinions before making a decision on whether or not to have your child should attend this school (or any other school for that matter). I will agree with another review on here regarding the folks who wait in the pick-up lane at ridiculous times of the day. It is pretty obnoxious and unnecessary. Perhaps some of those with that much time, daily could help the school out and put in some volunteer time in and help benefit all. Furthermore, I know some folks are quick to post a complaint and forget, its ok to post something positive. More positivity is needed in this world. With that, I would like to say: Thank you to all the caring teachers, and staff that support this school and all the students under its roof! We appreciate all your hard work and dedication you provide throughout the year. My kids are looking forward to another amazing year! Thank you
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2015

Love the school, the teachers and the atmosphere. Lots of volunteer work available for registered volunteers. The only issue I've ever had is the parking lot. People wait in the car rider line to pick up kids at 315 starting at 1pm!!!! This makes picking up your child early almost impossible. But other then that, amazing school!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2015

We have been apart of OES for 5 years. The teachers and staff are amazing! They are warm, always smiling and hard working. The school is beautiful and welcoming.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2014

I have had children at this school now for 5 years. I have had nothing but good experiences with the amazing staff. Our teachers every year have been awesome and I know they work very hard to make each child successful. Granted, my children do not have any learning or behavioral issues and are your average run of the mill kids in Elementary School so I do not have to interact with the teachers for any special issues. I think the key to our success has been to be as involved as possible in the school- volunteering, PTO, and supporting those teachers as much as you can. Not having any family around I can't tell you how important it has been to have such loving, kind, caring and friendly faces that go over and above for the students. We are so grateful for the staff that are committed to the school. Yes, in such a transient military community there is turnover of staff but there are also enough permanent staff to make my kids feel safe and happy to go every day. We are very lucky to have a huge support staff too. We are truly blessed to have such a sensible and level- headed principal who is dedicated to student success and a fun learning environment for our kids.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

My child attends this school for kindergarten. His teacher and the assistant teacher are A-MAZING! Her name is Mrs. Taylor and the assistant teacher is Mrs. Mellish. They are a PHENOMENAL team. I have observed their interaction with not only my child but the other children in the class. They provide the students with direction and structure that is required for a foundation for their education. Being an active parent falls on the parents' responsibility and not the teacher. I am actively engaged in my child's class and participate in their programs without having to be a member of the PTA. I am a full time military parent and find time to be there when volunteers are needed for field trips. They send the children home with a notebook that dictates how the child behaved during the day. Both teachers are easy to approach and talk with if I have a concern or question about my child or their work. I do not see their principal often or even speak with her. In the mornings, I do not have any interaction with her and at times, the office staff can be rude and abrupt regardless if they are busy or not. They are can be rude to both parents and students.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2014

Terrible School. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. The principals do absolutely nothing when you have a concern with something at the school. We will try to get our son on a school on base next year. Note: The teacher is alright, but the class size is also very large.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

Seems that all this school cares about is making money. If it is not box tops it is selling cookie dough, or providing them with a bunch of addresses. As if they don't get enough money from the government already! My kid is there to learn, not be your money maker! That is what my property taxes are for! That is what your PTO is for! Not the children. As for teachers go, I am disappointed in the lack of communication between teachers and teacher's aids. Does the aid run the classroom or the teacher? I have gotten phone calls home to motivate my child! Seriously, how can a fifteen year + experienced teacher not manage these issues? No not all children are the same, find ways to individualize lesson plans to help specific needs!!! This school is terrible.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

I feel bad for the teachers at this school with three terrible principals/assistant principals putting so much on their shoulders. You can tell the administration makes them uneasy. The principal is horrible. You can't take a horrible principal and put her in a new school to give her a new start. The teachers all hate it there and you can see it in their faces and how the interact with the kids. I hope the district opens up their eyes and get with it and fixes the administration soon!
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2013

My children attended OES for 1.5 years. We have lived in a lot of different states as a military family and this was by far the worst district we have ever lived in. The school is incredibly over crowded, the teachers are not there because they love to teach, and the principal had extremely poor leadership skills. My oldest child has a 504 plan that the school couldn't manage to follow. He only requires preferential seating and I was told time and time again the trouble makers had to be seated in the front so the teacher could keep an eye on them. Absolutely pathetic, in my opinion. My kindergarten child was behind in reading and when asking for him to be tested for a learning disability I was told that he's reading at a C/D level which is average. And they have too many behavioral issues to deal with average students who are technically passing. My 3rd grader at the time was in a class of 29 students to 1 teacher. After tons of issues regarding the lack of supervision and education and getting nowhere with the teachers or administration, we ended up pulling our children and putting them into private school. This school needs a LOT of improvement.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2013

OES is the only school my son has known. We've had great teachers the entire time. Each year, I know that I can send him to school without worrying about his safety or him being challenged enough. We've had Ms. Bruner, Ms. Hume, and Ms. Fowler...each of them have taught my son wonderfully. They have all treated him with kindness and compassion. He has a couple of medical conditions that have required some extra attention and compassion the last couple of years and I am grateful for the teachers he had. They always kept me informed and was never negative about the extra attention he required during these times. Read school reviews with an open mind. My thought is that you will get out of a school what you put in. There will always be teachers or administration you don't particularly care for...even in the "best" schools; public or private.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2013

This is not an indictment on the school but on the county. OES is 176% over capacity and the county will not fund new school construction. Schools were one of the most important factors when we were house hunting. We bought our home but did not understand the poor state of the schools. Avoid Harnett county until this gets fixed, unless you're okay with your kids riding a bus for a couple of hours per day.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2013

AWESOME!! My son attended K under MRS. B. THOMAS and boy he was challenged. She was very caring, loving and motherly to the children and treat them like her own. My child excelled in academics more than I expected. His ONLY weakest point she can't fix is his handwriting, haha. Even when she's sick, she thought of her kids than anyone else. My son's 1st Grade year was also amazing, thanks to MS. LANGS and MS. RAY. Again, my son was challenged and he wholeheartedly accepted it and he's one of the top of his class. At times he gets bored because he already knew the topics, i.e. Math, so Ms. Langs would have him take some extra Math problems home. Homework are consistent, Quizzes on Fridays are anticipated, Reading logs are mandated which is very good. I've no complaints when it comes to academic aspects. One complaint about school though, Overcrowding and we're being assigned to a much farther school for SY2013-14. I refuse to. ACP or South Harnett are 7 miles more farther than OES.