Overton High School

Rural

Special Education, G/T and RtI services

All sports have made the playoffs, State Champion in Dicus and Feature Writing

Beta Club and Student Council

Yes

None

Our Mission Statement

Overton ISD, in partnership with the parents and the community, is dedicated to educating all students in a secure and nurturing environment so they will:

· Acquire a foundation of knowledge

· Develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically

· Practice ethical attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, and become productive and cooperative members in the world of the future

THE OVERTON ISD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY, IS TO EDUCATE ALL STUDENTS IN A SECURE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT SO THEY WILL: Acquire a foundation of knowledge Develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically Practice ethical attitudes, beliefs and behaviors Become productive and cooperative members in the world of the future GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL ONE - The Overton ISD will provide a safe, positive learning environment for students and staff. Strategy 1 - Provide a Drug Free Environment Strategy 2 - Provide a Safe Environment Strategy 3 - Provide a Positive Learning Environment GOAL TWO - All student groups taking the TAKS reading, writing, math, science and social studies testswill obtain scores which will obtain a district rating of "recognized" or "exemplary" for the 2005-2006 school year. Strategy 1 - The District will utilize the AEIS IT Program to analyze test scores Strategy 2 - Benchmark tests will be administered to assess student level Strategy 3 - The district will partner with the Region VII ESC and UT Tyler Dana Center to improve staff development GOAL THREE - The Overton ISD will establish a clear and focused mission committed to instructional goals that respond to the needs of accountability and support lifelong learning for students, staff and community members. Strategy 1 - Build Technology Infrastructure Strategy 2 - Provide Technology Professional Development Strategy 3 - Provide Student / Adult Real World Educational Opportunities GOAL FOUR - The Overton ISD will provide opportunities for students to learn and will support strategies and progress to optimize student time on task Strategy 1 - Achieve a High Attendance Rate. The District Attendance Rate will reach 97% Strategy 2 - Promote a 0% Drop-Out Rate GOAL FIVE - The Overton ISD will work to build trust and communication with Parents and Community in order to provide more effective instructional experiences for all students Strategy 1 - Build Working Relationships with Community Strategy 2 - Build Trust and Communication with Parents GOAL SIX - The Overton ISD will institute a building maintenance program in order to better meet the needs of Students Strategy 1 - Changes will be made to improve the handicapped accessability of the school Strategy 2 - Progress will be made in the construction of an Agricultural Science Facility Strategy 3 - A long range plan to address the facility needs of the school district will be developed Strategy 4 - The overall maintenance at the school will be improved

From 426 in 1931, Overton's population exploded to 3,000 in just two years. By 1936 it was up to 4,500 and the town went through the Great Depression relatively unscathed. But by the end of WWII the population had declined by half - reaching just 2,000 in the fifties and remaining at that level through the 70s. In the 1980s Overton was Rusk County's "second city" with a population of 2,430 in 1983. By the 1990s Overton extended into neighboring Smith County.

Jerry L. Buchmeyer is a retired senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas, Texas.
Robert Lee Howze graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1888 and was a Major General who received the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars.
Michael "Bo" Kelly was a former American football fullback in the Arena Football League. Kelly starred for the Arizona Rattlers and Carolina Cobras, retiring in 2007 as the AFL all-time rushing yards leader.
Clyde Lee served as head coach for several sports at Overton High School before moving on to a successful career at the University of Houston.
Earle Bradford Mayfield was a lawyer and Democratic Party politician from Overton, Texas who served in both the Texas State Senate and United States Senate.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas was first organized in Overton as the East Texas Baptist Convention in 1847 before being incorporated into other regional alliances.

The town was named after Major Frank Overton, an early settler and landowner who donated some of his land for the town site. It was platted in 1873 and a post office was granted that year.

Overton was originally intended to be a crossroads for two railroads. In 1875 the Henderson and Overton Branch Railroad, 16 miles long, was completed and was later joined by the International-Great Northern. When the nearby towns of Belleveu, Jamestown, Rocky Mount, and Salem were all bypassed by the railroad, Overton gained the businesses and people who wanted to benefit from the railroad lines. The town offered lots for businesses to relocate and many took the offer.

The Masons and Odd Fellows built the first school and a church was constructed in 1875. By 1888 the population had increased to 500 and had all essential businesses, including a newspaper. Overton prospered as an agricultural community and in 1904 the population had reached 568.

Oklahoman wildcatter C. M. (Dad) Joiner was drilling his third well in 1930 and the town of Overton helped raise the funds he needed to drill. When the well came in Overton shared in Joiner's success. Churches, schools, and a refinery were built. Hubbard College was founded during this time as well. The town's once agrarian-based economy suddenly revolved entirely around the production of oil.

Overton's population exploded from 426 in 1931 to 3,000 in 1933. By 1936 it was up to 4,500 and the town went through the Great Depression relatively unscathed. But by the end of WWII the population had declined by half - reaching just 2,000 in the fifties and remaining at that level through the 70s. In the 1980s Overton was Rusk County's "second city" with a population of 2,430 in 1983. By the 1990s Overton extended into neighboring Smith County.

From 2003-2005 Overton was the seat of government of the Republic of Texas, a separatist group who are an independence movement that claims that the annexation of Texas by the United States was illegal and that Texas remains an independent nation under occupation. The Republic of Texas headquarters burned down in August 2005.