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Overbrook School 

Wonder Leads to Knowing 

4210 Harding Pike | Nashville, TN 37205 | 615.292.5134 | OVERBROOK.EDU

Welcome to Overbrook 

Walking the hallways at Overbrook School, from the colorful 

prekindergarten rooms to the busy junior high wing, allows you to 

see the spirit of our students, the character of our teachers and the 

strength behind our program. We aim to help every child grow in 

grace and knowledge by fostering a life of prayer, instilling a love for 

learning, providing a community learning environment and setting 

an example of service to others. 

Rooting children in Truth 

Inspiring children to wonder 

Challenging children to give their best to the world 

Education in the Dominican Tradition The Dominican Order, to which 

the Dominican sisters belong, rests on the four pillars of study, prayer, 

community and service. Overbrook School was established on those 

same four guiding pillars. 

Connect with us and see more of 

what is happening here at Overbrook. 

OVERBROOK.EDU | @OverbrookEagles | #OverbrookEagles

The Overbrook 

Community 

Founded in 1936 by the Dominican Sisters of the St. Cecilia 

Congregation, Overbrook is a co-educational, Roman Catholic 

school on 83 acres in Nashville. Overbrook shares its campus with St. 

Cecilia Academy and Aquinas College. Today’s student body comes 

from more than 30 different zip codes with a 17% ethnic diversity. The 

average class size is 15 and the student-teacher ratio is 11-1. 

The Dominican sisters remain as the school administrators, as they have 

since 1936. Seven Dominican sisters teach at Overbrook alongside more 

than 30 lay teachers. 

Overbrook School’s patron saint, Saint Dominic, spent his life serving 

others and spreading the word of God. Overbrook students are given a 

chance to serve in order to learn more about love both for themselves 

and others. 

Students serve each other by participating in programs such as 

ambassadors, morning helpers, math tutors, reading buddies and 

Student Council. Students also serve others through class service 

projects and, in junior high, through regular service trips and 

other opportunities. 

Overbrook expands students’ understanding of the beauty of God’s 

world and everything in it so that they will move into the future with 

compassionate hearts that are willing to serve. 

OVERBROOK.EDU | 615.292.5134 | Wonder Leads to Knowing

The Overbrook 

Experience 

Across the grade levels: STEM projects (1-8) | Focus on building 

vocabulary (all levels) | Integrated technology (all levels) | 

Atrium time studying catechesis (prekindergarten-5) | Poetry (1-8) 

| Novel studies (2-8) | Classroom visits with campus chaplain (all 

levels) | Music (prekindergarten-5) | PE (all levels) | Library (all 

levels) | Computer Literacy (K-5) | Band (6-8) | Chorus (6-8) | 

Studio art (1-8) | Devotions (all levels) | Oral presentations (2-8) 

| Latin (3-5) 

Student accomplishments include: Qualifying for the Duke Talent 

Identification Program | National winners in the National Catholic 

Math League | Published student writers whose work has appeared in 

student anthologies as well as local newspapers | Students often test 

out of entry level language classes going into high school. 

Daily: Each day begins with offering our day to God: “Heavenly Father, 

I offer you this day, all that I do and think and say.” The words are the 

rock upon which Overbrook sits. Weekly Mass brings the entire student 

body together to pray, as does monthly adoration and annual retreats. 


Prekindergarten 

Overbrook School provides a Catholic, hands-on program 

with the enhanced learning opportunities which accompany a 

preschool program within a K-8 school setting: 

Highly engaging materials and activities help students master 

age-appropriate skills, expand their natural curiosity, and grow in love for 

learning. 

Students work at their own pace and on various levels developing skills they 

will need for kindergarten. 


Kindergarten 

Kindergarten at Overbrook School is a year characterized by 

tremendous growth and new experiences: 

Deepening their understanding of God as their creator and His 

unconditional love for them inspires the students’ simple faith and trust in Him. 

Growing enthusiasm for independent reading heightens as they build their 

phonics and reading skills, the core elements of a successful education. 

Learning the basic operations of numbers, simple science concepts and the 

structure of their community introduces these young children to the greater 

world around them.

First Grade 

First grade is a foundational year at Overbrook School as students 

enter into a new developmental age opening up new possibilities for 

growth in mind, heart and body: 

The study of the life of Jesus encourages students to see how good God is 

and elicits a response of gratitude and love. 

Developing strong reading skills and strategies in all students is a priority 

at Overbook. As students improve their reading skills, science and social 

studies become more exciting in first grade as they learn about the earth 

and early explorers. 

Active engagement is key to learning mathematical concepts and 

developing the skills that lead to mastery. 


Second Grade 

Second grade is one of the most exciting at Overbrook School because 

of the deep experience of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy 

Communion for the first time and the depth of academic growth: 

Academically, students are ready to study their first chapter book or small 

novel and give their first oral presentations across subject areas. 

Practicing communication skills is extended to math through problem 

solving tasks and the learning of math facts. 

The aim is for students to leave this primary level with a sense of academic 

security and spiritual happiness.

Third Grade 

In third grade, students show tremendous growth accademically, 

growth in character and in living out their faith daily. They begin to take 

ownership of their own learning: 

Students move toward more independent reading strategies and growth in 

mastery of basic operations in math. 

As their skills increase, they look forward to learning more about the world 

around them through reading, social studies and earth science. 

Students begin to study Latin in preparation for language studies in junior 

high, where Latin and Spanish are offered. 


Fourth Grade 

Fourth-grade students gain confidence in their abilities and in 

their friendships through interactive learning that helps them 

make connections among the subjects: 

Tennessee history comes alive for the students through field trips and projects. 

Math lessons cover a broad spectrum of math strands leading into algebra, 

data analysis and probability. Turning to science, students learn how to study, 

observe, and use the scientific method.

Fifth Grade 

Fifth grade at Overbrook School finds the student becoming a more 

independent learner as well as a person rooted in faith: 

Leadership skills are fostered as students take on the role of ambassadors to 

the pre-school children developing a friendly bond with the very youngest 

children on campus. 

Academic expectations increase in the core subject areas. A student’s math 

placement is more specific to their ability and formal essay writing in literature 

applies reasoning skills to written expression. Science exploration focuses on 

hands-on investigations. 


87% Catholics 

17% diversity 

Average 

Class size 15 

43% of the faculty and administration hold master’s degrees. 

faculty/staff to student ratio 8:1 

100% Annual 

Fund participation

Junior High 

At Overbrook, we aim to help students find who they were meant to be as they 

grow through study, prayer, community and service. Junior high — grades 

six, seven and eight — is an important time of self discovery for students. 

Overbrook’s junior high is structured to give students more freedom 

with electives for music and language. They have more responsibility by 

participating in and directing organizations such as Student Council and 

National Junior Honor Society. 

St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be 

and you will set the world on fire.”

Sixth Grade 

Students experience fundamental growth spiritually, intellectually and 

physically during their sixth-grade year at Overbrook School: 

In science, more rigorous lab work and project-based learning challenges 

students to higher level learning. In language arts, writing and literature are 

emphasized. 

Students choose to begin studying either Spanish or Latin this year working 

toward completion of Spanish I or Latin I upon graduation. 

Sixth-grade students feel supported and encouraged to develop their own 

unique gifts and personality in a safe and friendly environment. 


Seventh Grade 

Seventh-grade students are growing into young adolescents desiring 

to make a difference in the world. Capturing their idealism, Overbrook 

raises expectations in all areas helping students strive for excellence 

and prepare for high school: 

Critical thinking, reflective response, oral and written communication as well 

as real-life problem solving are all emphasized across the curriculum. 

Math courses are leveled to meet every child where they are and increase 

their arithmetic skills. 

Civics is studied in social studies and literature studies expand, leading to 

more understanding of the world around them. 

Students may be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society as well as 

take a more active role as a role model and leader within the school.

Eighth Grade 

Eighth grade is the culminating year of the Overbrook School 

experience, as students value their time together solidifying 

relationships that will last a lifetime. Students rise to meet the 

stimulating academic challenges of their eighth-grade year focusing on: 

High levels of reasoning and communication skills through creative and 

research writing, presentations, real-life problem solving and scientific 

analysis. 

Mastery of pre-Algebra or Algebra I and mastery of entry level high 

school language courses in Latin or Spanish. 

Community service and preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. 

Study skills and discipline needed for the rigors of high school. 


Athletics 

At Overbrook we believe that athletics are an 

opportunity to teach values and characteristics 

that will help one succeed in life. It is our goal 

to develop fundamentally sound athletes who 

can continue on to compete at the high school 

level, while also growing and maturing into strong 

young Christian men and women. 


The Arts 

A strong art education is important and 

essential for every child. Art experiences in 

music and studio art invite learners to be 

a part of the world of art – giving students 

confidence by engaging and validating 

their own ideas and questions. Studio art 

gives students the opportunity to explore 

many materials and how ideas change 

with each material. Through these art 

explorations students are challenged 

to develop their own unique voices, 

while at the same time they are able to 

discover the unique voices of those 

around them. Music can help set our 

hearts into creative freedom through a jazz 

tune or it can help organize our thoughts 

through a Mozart symphony. There is 

research claiming that music opens the 

brain to better learning. It can help us 

find and develop our relationship with 

God as well as get along with each other 

in school, home and the world around 

us. Music and art are studied at all grade 

levels. 


After School 

Community life is an important 

part of the Overbrook experience. 

Students are encouraged to get 

involved in clubs, organizations 

and private music lessons as a 

way to form friendships, learn 

leadership skills, practice team 

work and explore their interests. 

There are valuable lessons to 

be learned through the involvement 

in extra-curricular activities 

and Overbrook School believes 

these activities round out a child’s 

educational experience. 

The programs offers the following activities and teams: Chess Team, 1-8 | Chinese 

Language, 1-8 | Forensics | Junior Legion of Mary, PK-8 | LEGOS Bricks4Kidz (STEM), 

K-4 | Learning to Program Robotics with LEGO EV3 for the Young Child | EV3 Programming, 

4-8 | FLL - First LEGO League/Robotics, 4-8 | Piano, K-8 | Suzuki Violin, 4 

yrs. old - 12th | Cello, 3-12th | Guitar/private, 2nd -12th | Guitar/group, 4 - 8th | Voice/ 

private, 9-12th | Voice/group, 6-8) | Student Voice 


Connect with us and see more of 

what is happening here at Overbrook. 

OVERBROOK.EDU | @OverbrookEagles | #OverbrookEagles

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