Welcome Prospective Parents

Dear Prospective Parents:

The decision where to send your child to primary school has lasting implications for his/her long-term academic success and moral, ethical and spiritual development, for these truly are the formative years where a love for learning is nurtured and the core of one’s character is gradually shaped. Though a school can never replace the responsibilities that we have as parents, it can compliment and significantly enhance the values and principles taught at home.

Our family found ourselves in the situation of having to critique, assess and visit a number of schools over a very limited amount of time while we visited Nashville prior to relocating. This approach offers its advantages, for there are few preconceived impressions of a given school. On paper, Nashville appeared to offer a number of excellent private schools, each with its own philosophy, mission statement, list of accomplishments, unique aspects of the core curriculum, enticing extra-curricular opportunities, and campus and facility bonuses.

For our family, the decision as to where to send our child to school was made, not from web sites or pre-printed literature or from a list of well-rehearsed and frequently recited attributes, but from our visit to the school. It was the environment, the unspoken message that led us to Overbrook.

The atmosphere was calm, orderly and respectful, and the children were engaged and interactive. The teachers were working with the students, not buried behind papers on a desk. There was eye contact, smiling and an appropriate amount of laughter. Teachers greeted students and students greeted teachers as they passed in the hallway. The visible art work, science projects and writing assignments had an academic sophistication not noted elsewhere. During our interview, they referred to our son by name, which was not the case at each of the schools we visited. They asked about him, his interest, his strengths and struggles. It became readily apparent that this school is about the children, not the parents, their ability to contribute, their positions or titles.

The visibility of the Dominican Sisters dressed in habit provided a poignant message that the leadership of this school has a focus and a deep devotion to their mission, to dedicate their lives to the Christian education of children. Their desire to serve our God and to assist our children in knowing Him permeates the school.

The Overbrook Campus offers a refreshing alternative to some of the pressures of society, a place where the faith of both child and family is nurtured, where the gifts and talents of each child are developed, and where children can remain children just a little longer. Prayer starts and ends each school day, and helps to instill a deep appreciation for those in need, as well as a personal confidence and inner strength that comes from a strong belief in Christ. Children learn that no current or future challenge, decision, disappointment or burden is undertaken alone. For our family, the opportunity to attend Overbook School has been a profound blessing, and every aspect of our expectations has been exceeded.

As you make your decision about where to send your child to school, I encourage you to consider Overbrook. However, look beyond the school’s outstanding academic record and the long list of extra–curricular achievements, and rather — watch the children. The daily patterns of their lives are slowly, gently shaping their behaviors and decisions. These critical years cannot be repeated or replaced, for this is the time to build a strong foundation, to set the stage for their future.

Respectfully,
Theresa Byrne
Overbrook Parent