Odyssey Charter Elementary School

Posted: August 27, 2024

Academics the school is above average. The school is very encouraging with helping the kids grow and expanding ideas. My kids academically feel supported however this is at times counter productive when there’s undisciplined students in the classroom.

If it wasn’t for the fact that school has a poor disciplinary process I wouldn’t have any to complain about. However, my kids attending class and not feeling safe affects their learning. Kids have disruptive, cussing, bullying, and so on yet nothing happens that has any impact. Students have made threats of violence against other classmates and the student(s) have been allowed to return the next day.

I understand that the staff can only do so much. But emotional intelligence is not natural for everyone and sometimes repercussions that’s an inconvenience for both the student and guardians is necessary. Kids need to learn boundaries no matter where they are, and other kid’s boundaries shouldn’t be compromised because a few lack the training.

Posted: August 27, 2024

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Posted: April 24, 2023

Posted: April 24, 2023

i went last year to odyssey a i was bullied and the principal did nothing so i was bullied til i left odyssey

Posted: April 24, 2023

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Posted: April 13, 2023

The educators at this school are hard working and so committed to the school's mission and vision. Kids are so engaged in their work and are true leaders of their own learning. The expeditions and projects are exemplary. Kids get such valuable real world experience. From the field work connected to the rich expeditions to the camping and adventure excursions connected to the adventure program- life lessons, collaboration and metaphors for everyday life abound in the school's design.

Students are able to tell you why what they are learning matters and furthermore they are able to communicate how they know if their work is their best. Projects are multi layered and students understand the importance of the drafting process. This feels like a rarity in the current landscape of DPS public eduction where canned curriculum and worksheets dominate.

The building is older, but the custodians are true community members and make it sparkle. And meaningful student work and documentation brighten what the old orange tile floors can't.

Class sizes are smaller which is great for encouraging getting to know students better and feeling known. But this does mean many middle schooler's crave more extracurriculars, sports, and options at bigger area middle schools.

Overall, can't recommend this school highly enough. It's a true beacon of what education can be.

Posted: April 13, 2023

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Posted: March 19, 2023

10/10 do not recommend. My older child went here we will not be sending the younger child and told family and friends to stay away. This school has a long history and a very positive reputation, and the changes and leadership in the last three years are not encouraging. Seems leadership can’t keep excellent teachers with the entire middle school staff leaving after 21-22 and two teachers quitting mid year with more to leave at the end of the 22-23 year. Where did this leadership come from? Seems they struggle with basic empathy, communication and management skills. Something ain’t right

Posted: March 19, 2023

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Posted: January 2, 2017

There really couldn't be a more welcoming staff, great culture, and really happy and engaged student body. We've been to several DPS schools, and this school is by far the best!

Posted: October 27, 2014

I couldn't think of a more supportive, engaging or perfect school for our kids. We have 3 very different kids, and all 3 are thriving at Odyssey. The staff and community on general is so wonderful. The quality of their work is amazing, and they are totally invested in what they are studying. They also have a growth mindset, are setting personal and academic goals, and loving every day of school. We couldn't be happier...well..except we travel a ways to get to school...but, worth every extra effort!

Posted: November 4, 2012

I graduated from Odyssey as a part of the class of 2012. The passages system is actually not a waste of time, it is a way to prepare kids for job interviews in the future. The Director of this school is great, and without the support of an awesome middle school staff, I would not be the high school Freshman I am. This school encouraged me to expand my horizons and think outside of the box. I really like the curriculum that they have set up and I am sure that if you asked any of my peers, I am sure they would agree. The crew building that some people say is a waste of time is actually the kids learning how to work in a group, like they would later in life. The field trips seemed to be a big discussion, so let me say that we learned a ton on a lot of the field trips we went on. Whether it was visiting the platte river to collect macro invertebrates, or to dinosaur ridge to look at different bones and foot prints, they were vital to the thing that we were researching. The name is also very important, as you embarking on a journey or odyssey into your life.

Posted: September 26, 2012

All three of my children have attended Odyssey for various numbers of years and have done so well in academic growth, character development and personal confidence building. The community of students, teachers, faculty and parents is one not found in many other schools (two of my children have since moved on to other schools and have sorely missed that level of community). Although all three of my children are very different individuals with distinct learning styles, they've all excelled in many ways at Odyssey and I would highly recommend this school.

Posted: August 11, 2012

We are looking forward to returning to Odyssey for our second year at the school. The first year, in kindergarten, was an enriching experience, with our child gaining great confidence in all academic areas and growing both academically and socially. The collaborative approach used in the classroom, and the child-directed presentation style of parent teacher conferences are added bonuses as they help develop skills that will be needed in future workplaces. After our first year, we have only good things to say about the acadmics, atmosphere and support of the school.

Posted: June 20, 2012

I attended a Site Seminar at Odyssey last year. I was amazed at the amount of student engagement. The students, staff and faculty were all so respectful to each other and really believe strongly in what their school is doing. Odyssey is an excellent example of how Project Based Learning increases student learning.

Posted: March 18, 2012

We are new to Odyssey this year, and couldn't be more pleased and impressed! My child has progressed rapidly in reading and writing, and I have not seen a lack of focus on basics at all, quite the contrary. The children are encouraged to be "the change they want to see in the world," and this behavior is modeled by the entire staff who clearly all love what they do! The field trips the students go on give them opportunities to learn teamwork, strengthen relationships, and most of all see the lessons they are learning in the classroom applied to the real world. Communication from both our teacher and the director are frequent and detailed. Great environment, great staff, great education, we are looking forward to many happy years at Odyssey!