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ODYSSEY ACADEMY - THE SCHOOL
What time does school begin and end?
- School begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m.
- The school building is open 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten is a full-day program.
Students may enter the building at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. All students are expected to be in their classrooms, ready to learn, by 7:50 a.m. If your child arrives tardy to school, an adult must sign them in at the school office.
If you plan to pick up your student early, please send a note so his/her teacher can collect any homework your student may need.
See also: Student Handbook
What do I do if my child will be absent?
If your child is ill or will not be in school for any reason, please call the absence line at 763-549-2388.
Is there a lunch program?
Odyssey has breakfast and lunch programs. Our lunches are provided by Caravan Kids Catering and are prepared in accordance with Federal School Food Program guidelines. We offer a hot lunch option, a vegetarian option, and a salad or sandwich option.See also: School Lunch Menus
How many students are in each class?
- Kindergarten- 18 students per classroom
- First-Fifth Grades- 21 students per classroom
- Sixth-Eighth Grades- 22 students per classroom
What is the teacher/student ratio?
Our classrooms are staffed by one licensed teacher for every 18-22 students. In addition, some classrooms are staffed with a licensed paraprofessional.What are Odyssey's demographics?
Odyssey's students are representative of the surrounding area, which is very diverse. Specifically, our demographics are:
Asian 6% Black 70% Latino 4% White 20%
OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
What are Family Groups and how do they work?
Family Groups are comprised of students from each grade level, K-8, who meet every Friday morning for about 30 minutes. The students in family groups remain together all year. We find that working and celebrating together in mixed-age groups makes learning and hands-on experiences more meaningful and personal. The sense of connectedness between the youngest of our kindergarten students and the oldest middle school students is amazingly strong. Family group activities typically include an art project, a game, or preparation for special events. This practice ensures that everyone has a core of schoolmates and teachers across the grades that they know well and trust.
Do you do testing?
Students in grades 3-8 take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II (MCA II) each year. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students are tested in the areas of math, reading and writing. Student in grades 5 and 8 are also tested in science.Students at Odyssey also take Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) tests three times each year in the areas of math and reading. Northwest Evaluation Association is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping school districts throughout the nation improve learning for all students. As a result of NWEA tests, we can make informed decisions to promote your child’s academic growth.
What are Odyssey Academy's Yearly Adequate Progress scores?
The Minnesota Department of Education measures whether or not students are meeting the state math and reading academic standards, which are what they should know and be able to do in a particular grade. The Minnesota Department of Education has created a growth model. The growth model is designed to help parents and educators to track students' progress toward proficiency from year-to-year, in order to better determine whether they are gaining and maintaining skills necessary to be successful after high school.
Making Adequate Yearly Progress depends on schools and school districts achieving annual proficiency targets on state reading and math tests. We encourage parents to review this information and discuss questions on Yearly Adequate Progress scores and how it affects students with our staff.
The following are links to the MN Department of Education:
How much homework is there?
All students are expected to read or be read to outside of school for at least 20 minutes. Sometimes teachers in the lower grades will give packets with suggestions on how you, as a parent, can help enrich your child's learning. As your child progresses to the higher grades, more nightly homework and longer term projects will be assigned to prepare them to be successful students after graduating from Odyssey.
How does Odyssey handle discipline and conflict?
Most discipline is handled in the classroom, in accordance with the principles of Responsive Classroom. If further discipline intervention is needed, a student may be referred to our Dean of Students, Mr. Reed. Severe discipline issues are subject to the educational code and students may be subject to suspension in accordance with the Fair Pupil Dismissal Act.
Odyssey employs a counselor, Mrs. Linde, to work one on one with students and with small group conflict resolution.
Odyssey employs a counselor, Mrs. Linde, to work one on one with students and with small group conflict resolution.
Where do students go to high school after graduating?
After graduating from Odyssey, students have attended traditional public high schools like Brooklyn Center High School or Park Center High School, charter high schools like SAGE Academy or Avalon High School, and private schools.Do Odyssey Academy graduates find it difficult to transition to High School?
Most students find that they are more than prepared for the academic rigors of high school after leaving Odyssey Academy. What we hear most often is that our students miss the Odyssey community and the individualized attention that they get from staff who have known them for several years.
SUPPORTING ODYSSEY AND YOUR CHILD
How can parents participate at Odyssey?
Odyssey Academy parents are asked to take a proactive roll in their child’s education by participating in school related activities and functions. Parent involvement strengthens the important partnership between the family and the school and contributes greatly to our student's success. In order to achieve this goal, parents are asked to commit to participating in the following areas:
Academic Support - Provide support to students in their studies. This is a fundamental form of involvement for all families. Studying with your child and nurturing his/her learning allows families to understand where their child is at in the learning and developmental process.Volunteering - Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom, at Odyssey Academy school events, or through involvement in Odyssey Academy groups and committees. These opportunities enable parents to be engaged in their child’s classroom and school life.Building Community - Becoming part of the Odyssey Academy School community enables each of us to partner in the education process. Parents, families, and relatives are all encouraged to attend at least three events a year. Check our Calendar for the dates of upcomming events.Donating - Odyssey Academy is a not-for-profit institution. Check out our Support Odyssey page for information on how you, your friends, and family members can to donate to help Odyssey continue to provide your children with a rich education.
See Also: Support Odyssey
ACADEMICS AT ODYSSEY
Does Odyssey Academy have an art program?
Odyssey employs a full-time art teacher. Elementary students have art class several times each week. Students in middle school have art one trimester each year, and thereafter may choose art as an elective.Does Odyssey Academy have a music program?
Odyssey employs a full-time music teacher. Most students have music class several times each week. Students in middle school have music for one trimester and thereafter may choose music as an elective.Does Odyssey Academy have P.E.?
Odyssey employs a full-time physical education teacher. Most students have music class several times each week. Students in middle school have Phys Ed for one trimester and thereafter may choose Phys Ed as an elective.Does Odyssey Academy have a Special Education Program?
Odyssey employs three special education teachers. Student who qualify receive special education services. If you feel your student needs special education services, please contact his/her teacher.
What is SES (Supplemental Educational Services) and who can use them?
As part of No Child Left Behind, and as a result of Odyssey Academy's Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) status, students who qualify for federal school lunch benefits also have access to Supplemental Educational Services. This tutoring program can provide your child with tutoring at school, in your home, or at a mutually agreed upon central location.See Also: Supplemental Educational Services
What subjects will my child study?
- The curriculum for all K-8th graders include reading, writing, and mathematics.
- All students receive music literacy instruction.
- Art courses are offered.
- Spanish courses are offered.
- Other courses in the appropriate grade levels are offered, such as Social Sciences, History, and Physical Education.
- We have a 50-station computer lab to support the curriculum.
Is there an after school program?
- This year Odyssey offers free Tae Kwon do classes on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Math tutoring is available to middle school students on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
- Odyssey Kids' Club, a fee based child care service, is open 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m and 2:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. every day.
ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are K-12 public schools started by parents, teachers, and/or community members who apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for a "charter," which defines the school's specific mission and goals, and how these goals will be measured. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsors, parents and families, the state, and the public for achieving measurable results in student achievement and for implementing fiscally sound management. Sponsors of charter schools vary widely but are often charitable or service organizations, local school districts, or post-secondary institutions. From project-based schools to arts-intensive schools to online learning and technology-focused schools, the missions of charter schools in Minnesota vary widely.
See also: Odyssey's Charter/ByLaws
Do I have to pay to go to a charter school?
Odyssey Academy is open to all students free of charge. As a public schools we are bound by public law that defines public school admission policies as nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, and tuition free.
What's the difference between charter schools and other public schools?
Charter schools are site-based managed, meaning that parents, teachers, and local community members choose the people who govern the operation of the school. Charter schools elect their own school boards to oversee all aspects of the school's mission, goals, and operations. The autonomy charter schools enjoy creates an environment where creativity and innovation in teaching and learning flourish. In addition, charter schools often have a particular approach to education or focus for their programs that differentiates them from other schools. For example, some charter schools focus on experiential learning, or Core Knowledge, or project-based learning, or technology. Often, charter schools are smaller than neighboring schools offering smaller class sizes and lower student to teacher ratios.
How are charter schools doing in Minnesota?
The charter school sector in Minnesota continues to grow. As charter schools continue to succeed in serving students and families who seek innovative, unique, and creative environments for teaching and learning, the charter school sector will continue to grow. The Minnesota Department of Education has also released a report card for every public school in the state outlining a school's performance in academic achievement, school safety, student participation, parent satisfaction, and overall financial management. For specific information about Odyssey Academy's Yearly Adequate Progress, see "What are Odyssey Academy's Yearly Adequate Progress scores?"
Do charter schools have admissions policies?
Charter schools are public schools and are, therefore, bound by public law that defines public school admission policies as nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, and tuition free.
Where can I find a complete list of Minnesota's charter schools?
The MN Public Charter School Directory on the MN Association of Charter Schools provides a list of charter schools with links to their individual school web sites, their locations of operation, and their telephone numbers.
How are charter schools funded?
Charter schools are funded by the State of Minnesota on a per-pupil rate. In addition, charter schools receive state support for their facilities expenses because they cannot issue bonds or raise taxes through levies like other schools in the district. Charter schools are funded their first three years of operation by federal charter school start-up funding. In addition, many charter schools qualify for federal title funding.
Who authorizes Odyssey Academy?
Odyssey has a new authorizor for the 2011-2012 school year. Watch this space for an official announcement in the near future!What about Odyssey’s facility?
Odyssey is housed in a spacious and functional school building owned by the Osseo School District. The building is surrounded by 12.75 acres of green space and is adjacent to the MACS Arboretum, which provides teachers and students with a great opportunity for nature hikes and study.
ENROLLING IN ODYSSEY ACADEMY
How do I enroll my child at Odyssey?
Odyssey Academy enrolls students on a first-come, first-served basis. When a classroom is full, prospective students are placed on a waiting list and openings are filled using a lottery system. If you would like to enroll your child at Odyssey Academy, please fill out a registration form found under Parents & Students Documents and mail or fax it to us.
See Also: Parents & Students Documents
How does the lottery work?
When an opening occurs in a classroom with a waiting list, a student from the waiting list is chosen at random to fill the opening.
Do parents need to attend a tour and then fill out the registration form?
We encourage all parents to tour Odyssey and to attend an open house so they know how the school functions. Families may fill out a registration form at any time.Our tour dates will be posted on our Calendar under News & Events as tours are set up. If the times do not work for you our you would like to set up a tour at another time, please contact us and we will do what we can to accommodate your schedule.
See also: News & Events