The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Overlake School
Overlake School is a kindergarten-through-sixth-grade elementary school in Tooele, part of the Tooele District. Serving a midsized enrollment for its grade band, the school draws from a community that blends the character of a small industrial city with the commuting patterns of a bedroom suburb of Salt Lake City. Tooele’s economy is shaped by military, mining, manufacturing, and waste-management employers, and the city has seen steady growth driven by annexation of former Army Depot land. Housing values in the area sit below the state typical home price, while rents are near the national rent-to-income benchmark, making this a comparatively attainable market for a household looking for a home within reach of the Salt Lake Valley. The district did not appear to have major recent bond elections, curriculum overhauls, or new school construction that would change a family’s day-to-day experience, based on what was publicly reported.
Academically, the school’s performance on Utah’s RISE assessments places its overall proficiency across math, English language arts, and science below the midpoint relative to other districts in Tooele County. On the most recent available tests, math proficiency was well below half, English language arts proficiency was above one-third, and science proficiency was just above one-third. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data to consider; those measures apply to high schools only. A parent reviewing the school may want to ask the principal about specific instructional strategies and supports aimed at lifting these results, particularly in math, where the numbers are the furthest below the county midpoint.
The student body reflects the surrounding community. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant level of economic need. Racially and ethnically, the school is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic population and a smaller share of students who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; other racial groups each make up very small portions. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a family whose child receives special education services or is an English learner should ask the school directly about program availability and staffing.
The campus sits in an auto-oriented suburban setting within a city that has five parks, a public library, a golf course, and two local museums. Schools in Tooele are spread across residential neighborhoods rather than concentrated downtown, and Overlake fits that pattern. The school itself has no charter or magnet status and serves a standard elementary grade span, so the academic pathway is the general education curriculum with no specialized theme or admissions process. Because the district brief yielded little in the way of recent public changes, families may want to check directly with the district office for any upcoming boundary adjustments or program shifts.
For a family weighing this school, the profile is straightforward. Overlake is a traditional elementary school in an affordable, growing city with an industrial and commuting economy. The academic results are weaker than those of other districts in the county, especially in math. The school’s size is moderate, its economic diversity is real, and its racial composition largely mirrors its city and county. The community context offers parks and civic amenities but little in the way of pedestrian infrastructure or public transit. A parent who values proximity to Salt Lake City employment, relatively lower housing costs, and a standard elementary program may find this a practical option, but should plan to engage actively with the school on academic progress.
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