Plato Post

As Arizona Public Schools Face Declining Enrollment and Closures, One Local K-12 Charter School Network, The Odyssey Preparatory Family of Schools, defies all declining enrollment trends.

Across Arizona, district and charter schools are grappling with a unprecedented shift in K-12 education. Facing declining birth rates, demographic shifts, and severe budget pressures, school districts across the state have been forced to consolidate or close campus doors entirely.

Yet amid statewide contraction, The Odyssey Family of Schools stands out as a clear exception, continuing to report steady enrollment growth and thriving classroom communities.

According to recent state education data, thousands of families across Arizona are re-evaluating their school choices as traditional models struggle to adapt.

Educational analysts note that large, corporate-style school networks often attempt to solve retention issues by importing rigid, standardized programs into new markets—often missing the specific needs of the local community.

Odyssey’s sustained growth highlights the value of a locally tailored, community-focused educational model. Rather than applying a blanket system designed elsewhere, Odyssey has spent years refining an educational environment crafted specifically for local families, built on deep community roots and direct relationships with parents and scholars. Odyssey started in the West Valley and Odyssey will continue to serve only West Valley Families.

"When schools grow during a statewide downturn, it is a direct reflection of trust," said Co-founder and Executive Director, Megan Olson.. "Families aren't looking for a corporate framework or a one-size-fits-all model shipped in from another area. They want stability, local connection, and a school that was built specifically for their children. Our enrollment growth proves that staying true to our community’s unique identity works."

As national and regional chains expand across the state, Odyssey remains focused on maintaining its deep local ties, ensuring every scholar receives a personalized education deeply rooted in the community they call home.

For more information on enrollment opportunities or to schedule a campus tour, visit www.odyprep.com.

With The Odyssey premiering in theaters today, the world is revisiting one of history's greatest stories of adventure, resilience, and perseverance. At The Odyssey Family of Schools, we celebrate those same themes every day but our scholars aren't battling Cyclops or sailing stormy seas. Their odyssey is learning to overcome challenges, build character, ask big questions, recover from setbacks, and discover who they're meant to become.

Homer's Odyssey was about finding the way home. OUR Odyssey is about helping every scholar find their way forward. Every great future begins with an epic journey, and at Odyssey, that journey is supported by dedicated educators, engaged families, and a community that believes in every child.

Enjoy the movie. Live the journey.

#TheOdysseyFamilyOfSchools #EveryScholarHasAnOdyssey #AdventureCharacterPerseverance #FutureReady #EducationJourney #SeeYouSoon

This week, across the country, we are celebrating National School Choice Week. While the "big picture" of school choice is about policy and educational freedom, at Odyssey, school choice is ​a personal one. It’s about the specific moments that happen when a family finds the right environment for their child/children to flourish.

When we look​ed through our community feedback from this year, it’s clear that "choice" isn't just about a curriculum—it’s about the people who show up for our scholars every day.

For some of our families, choice means finding a place where their child is truly understood. As one parent shared, "Ms. Walker truly understood my child and his needs... she made it easy as a parent to navigate this new transition for our family!" For others, it’s about the extra mile our staff goes during difficult times. We were so moved by the story of a scholar facing dental surgeries, "My child's teacher wrote her special notes on procedure days to help her be brave and it made a huge difference for us."

School choice allowed these families to seek out a community that treats their children like individuals. Whether it’s "teachers contacting parents for positive reasons and role model behavior" or the "5th grade team helping a scholar love school again," these stories are a reflection of why we do what we do.

Thank you for choosing Odyssey. We are honored to be your "right fit."

At Odyssey, we’ve always believed that the transition from preschool to the big world of elementary school is one of the most important steps in a scholar’s journey. For years, our pedagogically sound half-to-full day model (14 scholars per class, half-day) transition model has been our signature. It respects the stamina of a five-year-old while expertly bridging the gap to the rigors of first grade.

Innovation Never Stands Still. We are incredibly proud of the success this model has brought our scholars. As we continue to grow we are still listening to the evolving needs of our families. We know that for many modern families in the West Valley, a "full-day" rhythm is more than a preference—it’s a necessity for their family’s daily flow.

Removing Barriers, Expanding Excellence We want to ensure that every scholar who belongs in our community has a seat at the table. We’ve heard from many prospective families that while they love our philosophy, the current schedule can be a logistical barrier.

That is why we are exploring the addition of a "True, Free Full-Day" Kindergarten track!

Our goal isn't to replace the program you love; it’s to expand our offerings. We want to provide the Best of Both Worlds:

1. The Classic Transition Track: Our pedagogically sound half-to-full day model (14 scholars per class, half-day).

2. The New Full-Day Track: A robust, full-day experience from Day 1 that aligns with a 2:00 PM or 4:00 PM dismissal. To maintain our commitment to high-quality instruction and individualized attention, we are proposing a capped class size of just 22 scholars for this full-day program. This program will be free.

We aren't changing who we are; we are simply making sure our doors are wide open. We need your voice to help us shape this next chapter!

Please click on the link below to fill out the interest survey. If you know someone who would like to enroll in Odyssey but cannot because there was not a free full day option, please forward this survey on to them as well!

https://forms.gle/1oZtE34qW9vDcyqE7

In the world of public charter schools, it has become increasingly common for organizations to expand rapidly across cities, states, and even the country. Many networks rely on constant growth to sustain their financial model—opening new campuses to infuse cash into existing ones, or leveraging expansion to profit from building development and construction.

At Odyssey, we believe there is a better way.

Our philosophy is simple and intentional:

We Don’t Grow Out, We Grow Up.

From the day we opened our doors in Arizona’s West Valley, we made a commitment to serve this community—and only this community. We are not expanding to other regions. We’re not building franchises. We’re not creating a national network. And we have no intention of doing so.

Why? Because expansion isn’t our mission. Excellence is.

While many school systems use growth as a business strategy, Odyssey centers its focus on refinement, continuous improvement, and deepening our impact where our roots were planted. Instead of building outward, we build upward—perfecting our academic programs, elevating our IB pathways, strengthening scholar supports, and investing in teachers year after year.

Remaining local gives us a unique advantage:

• We are not distracted by the demands of expansion or the pressure to open new markets.

• We do not profit from construction, real estate deals, or spreading our charter across states.

• We answer to no private owners or shareholders who want financial growth.

• We can devote our full attention to the scholars and families of the West Valley—the community that trusted us from the start.

Staying small is our strategic strength.

Because we are intentionally rooted, we can keep every decision aligned with Odyssey’s mission, vision, and values.

• Our focus stays where it belongs:
• On academic excellence
• On teacher retention and support
• On creating safe, innovative learning environments
• On developing scholars who are globally minded, compassionate, and prepared

We do not chase expansion. We chase mastery.

We do not measure success by the number of campuses we build, but by the futures we help create.

The West Valley is our home—and our lifelong commitment.

Odyssey will always remain a West Valley institution because this community is woven into the fabric of who we are. “We Don’t Grow Out, We Grow Up” is not just a slogan—it’s a declaration of our values.

By choosing depth over breadth, and purpose over profit, Odyssey stands apart in a landscape where growth is often pursued for the wrong reasons. Our scholars deserve a school that is dedicated, stable, mission-driven, and fully invested in them—not in building empires or lining pockets.

We are proud of where we started.
We are proud of how far we’ve grown.
And we are proud to keep growing up, not out.

Scholars Over Dollars. It isn’t just a slogan—it’s the foundation of how our organization is structured and why families can trust the integrity, transparency, and purpose behind every decision we make.

Odyssey is a single, nonprofit public charter school operating under one charter. We do not have a for-profit management organization (CMO), a parent company, or any external ownership group. There are no shareholders to pay, no investors expecting a financial return, and no corporate structure siphoning funds away from classrooms.

Because of this, Odyssey operates with the ultimate level of transparency and accountability. Our budget, our priorities, and our results are reviewed annually by the state, our authorizer, and our governing board. Families and community members can see clearly how resources are allocated—because the answer is simple:

Every dollar Odyssey receives goes directly back into the school.

That means more support for teachers, stronger academic programs, safer and more innovative campuses, and expanded opportunities for scholars. It also means that our mission—educating and preparing scholars for a global future—never competes with a financial bottom line.

Many school systems across the country operate through complex networks of parent companies or management organizations. Odyssey has intentionally chosen a different path. By remaining a single, nonprofit charter with local governance, we ensure that our scholars remain at the center of every financial and academic decision.

This model reflects what we believe:
Education is a public good
Schools should serve communities, not shareholders
Transparency strengthens trust
Resources belong in classrooms

At Odyssey, “Scholars Over Dollars” isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a promise. And it’s why families continue to choose Odyssey as a place where their children are known, challenged, supported, and truly valued.

Odyssey would like to give a big thank you to all the community members who completed our fall survey. In a world where it feels like you’re asked to “take a quick survey” every time you blink, we genuinely appreciate the time, thought, and honesty you shared with us.

As we dig into your feedback—spotting trends, setting goals, and celebrating wins—we also wanted to jump quickly on a few things we could act on right away. One clear message came through loud and clear across our campuses:

Our bathrooms need a little extra love.

While our cleaning crew works hard every evening and our facilities team takes care of the grounds daily, we realized it’s the little things that make a big difference—trash not quite emptied, the need for a fresher smell, or a quick mid-day wipe-down. Thanks to your feedback, we’ve taken a closer look at our bathroom routines and put some immediate changes in place:

1. Bathroom caddies: Each bathroom now has a supply caddy with air fresheners, wipes, gloves, and other essentials, stored safely for the staff assigned to bathroom duty.

2. Regular checks: Administration and facilities staff will rotate through bathroom checks scheduled regularly during the school day.

3. Scholar helpers: Volunteer scholar “RA” helpers will assist with quick lunchtime checks so we can keep bathrooms open and still keep an eye on things.

4. Cleaning accountability charts: Outside each bathroom, you’ll now see a “Last Cleaned” chart so everyone can see when it was last checked and refreshed.

We’ll be sending out another survey in the spring and are excited to hear how we’re doing on this quick-action item. We were actually thrilled that the most frequently mentioned concern wasn’t about our mission, vision, or values—but something we could improve quickly and concretely for our scholars and families.

And we’re not stopping there.
Stay tuned for our next focus area: lunchtime—the second most-mentioned topic on the survey. We’re already brainstorming ways to make that part of the day smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you again for being such an engaged and honest community. Together, we’re making Odyssey better—one survey (and one bathroom) at a time.

You won’t see “charter school bonds & overrides” listed on your Arizona ballot—and here’s why.

Traditional public school districts ask local voters to approve bonds (for buildings) and overrides (for extra operating funds). If passed, these are paid back through property taxes, so homeowners see the impact directly on their tax bills.

Charter schools, like Odyssey, don’t have that option. Charters can’t ask taxpayers to raise their property taxes—so you’ll never vote on a charter bond or override, and Odyssey’s facility costs never show up on your tax bill.

How Charters Finance Buildings

To pay for buildings, charters use tools like municipal conduit revenue bonds. These allow Odyssey to finance facilities, but the debt is repaid by the school—not by taxpayers. Odyssey funds bond payments from its own operating budget—money that could go toward staffing, programs, or transportation.

What This Means for Odyssey Families

• No ballot questions for charter bonds or overrides—they’re not allowed.

• No property tax impact from Odyssey’s facility costs.

• Odyssey covers facility payments from everyday operating funds, which means tighter margins compared to district schools.

• For Odyssey, facility debt adds about a 20% cost to the budget that districts pass to taxpayers, but charters must absorb themselves.

Doing More With Less

Odyssey’s mission and mandate is to deliver excellent results while operating with fewer taxpayer dollars. Each year, Arizona families have the opportunity to directly support that mission through the state tax credit program. Your contribution goes straight to scholar programs, enrichment opportunities, and experiences that shape the Odyssey journey. Every dollar counts—and your support truly makes a difference. Together, we will continue to make Odyssey a truly exceptional place for scholars to learn, grow, and lead.

What does the future hold for education? It's a question that captivates parents and school leaders alike, and one that took center stage at the Harvard Kennedy School's fourth annual conference on emerging school models.

The livestreamed conference brought together school choice leaders from across the country to share innovations and insights. What we heard was both inspiring and affirming—because many of the ideas being celebrated as cutting-edge are principles that Odyssey Preparatory Academy has been practicing for over 15 years.

School choice remains a powerful gift to scholars and families, with educational options richer and more varied than ever. Throughout the conference, leaders from across the nation highlighted themes that align perfectly with Odyssey's mission:

• K-12 and 6-12 models promote stability and continuity
• Scholar-centered learning maximizes critical thinking and engagement
• Flexibility to pivot with new programs keeps schools relevant
• Strong community connections foster thriving parent engagement

What these school leaders aspire to implement, Odyssey has been practicing and refining for more than 15 years. Our commitment to school choice isn't just a philosophy—it's woven into everything we do, from our comprehensive educational model to our scholar-centered classrooms to our vibrant community partnerships.

We should be proud of what we provide to the West Valley community. While others are exploring these ideas, our scholars, families, and staff have been living them—and that's something worth celebrating as we continue leading the way in innovative, choice-driven education.

Each year our school administration requests that all parents and guardians complete the annual Income Eligibility Form. This quick form helps Odyssey qualify for additional cost saving programs and fee waivers that benefit our students. Some of the programs include:

E-rate Program Access: Helps us qualify for the E-rate program, which provides discounts on telecommunications and internet services. These savings allow us to strengthen classroom resources, expand technology access, and ensure all scholars have the digital tools they need for success.

Reduced Testing Fees: Enables high school scholars to qualify for free or reduced fees for ACT and IB exams, which can otherwise be costly.

Grant Opportunities: Allows us to apply for grants we are not currently eligible for without this data, bringing in additional resources that directly support our school community.

We ask that all parents complete this form for each of their scholars that attend Odyssey. Your participation is vital in helping us continue to provide the very best for our scholars. We sincerely appreciate your time and support in completing this form!

If you have not yet submitted responses for your scholar(s), please take a moment to submit your form responses now. The form can be found here. Thank you!

At The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies, we don’t just offer the International Baccalaureate (IB)—we live it.

Time and time again, visiting IB officials, coordinators, and evaluators tell us the same thing: “You’re one of the few public schools that truly understands what IB is meant to be.”

That’s because from the beginning, Odyssey has made an unwavering commitment to implementing IB the right way. Not just to check a box, not to boost rankings—but because we believe in what it stands for:
Critical thinking. Global awareness. Academic integrity. Compassionate leadership.

IB Done Right Means College Done Easy

When Odyssey scholars graduate, they don’t just walk across the stage—they leap into college years ahead of their peers. Thanks to the rigor and depth of their IB coursework, many of our graduates enter university as college sophomores, earning up to a full year of college credit before setting foot on campus. And once they're there? The message we keep hearing is: "College is easy compared to IB at Odyssey." (Yes, that’s a direct quote from multiple alumni.)

What Does IB Really Do for Scholars?

When implemented with fidelity and care—as it is at Odyssey—IB prepares scholars to:

✅ Write clearly and think deeply
✅ Ask meaningful, challenging questions
✅ Work independently with discipline
✅ Engage in local and global issues
✅ Present confidently in front of peers and professionals
✅ Respect diverse perspectives
✅ Thrive in the college classroom and beyond

The Odyssey Difference

At many schools, IB is just a program. At Odyssey, it’s a mindset that extends into every hallway, classroom, and conversation. Our teachers are trained IB practitioners. Our scholars are supported every step of the way. And our results speak for themselves. We don’t water down the experience. We elevate it. And it shows—year after year, scholar after scholar.

So, is it possible to do IB correctly in a public school?

Yes. We’ve been doing it for years. And we keep getting better!

The Odyssey Family of Schools has always operated on a Monday through Thursday schedule. For the 2025–2026 school year, we’re proud to introduce a new 200-day academic calendar paired with a Flexible Instructional Time model. Together, these changes provide families and schools with more opportunities to offer meaningful enrichment activities for scholars on Fridays and during breaks.

Friday attendance is strongly encouraged, scholars will be given optional “Friday Challenges”—fun, engaging tasks designed to keep their minds active over long weekends and school breaks. These challenges may be completed at home and in some cases be available on campus, depending on your family's preferences.

For years, many of you have asked for more learning opportunities to help keep scholars fresh and engaged outside the traditional classroom schedule. We’ve listened, and we’re excited to share more details with you soon.

We hope your family will enjoy these new activities and feel even more connected to the Odyssey learning experience. As always, we value the partnership between home and school and are committed to including all stakeholders in the Odyssey Family of Schools.

At The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, we understand that the educators we welcome into our classrooms play a vital role in your child's journey. In our commitment to keeping families informed and maintaining trust, we thought it would be valuable to outline the thoughtful approach we take to hiring.

We've long maintained a comprehensive process that we believe serves our scholars and families well. Each candidate participates in multiple interviews, beginning with our Executive Director and continuing with campus principals to explore alignment with our community values. Our Human Resources team then conducts thorough reviews, including:

• Internet searches
• Reference and former employer verification
• Arizona fingerprint clearance card validation and monitoring
• Third-party national background screening for all new hires

Given the current hiring challenges facing education, we're committed to doing our part to maintain safe, supportive learning environments. When concerns arise, we address them promptly to preserve the trust families place in us.

This approach has helped us build a team of dedicated educators who choose to grow with our community. We're grateful for the talented professionals who have joined us and for the families who trust us with their children's education because you deserve nothing less.

In the 1970s, my parents ultimately had three options: public schools, private parochial schools, or boarding schools. In the 1980s, more options, such as charter and magnet schools, were added. Fast forward to the 2000s, and with open enrollment, parents in Arizona have choices that lie outside of the traditional public school system. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually all students across the United States transitioned to online learning because it was the only option. Many look back on this as a failure, and I remember watching commercials with cheerful video clips of kids attending school, with the voice-overs advocating for getting our children back into the classroom because they needed the social interaction; the isolation was creating anxiety, and learning was a ected due to a lack of collaboration with teachers. Nothing is ever black and white. To be fair, many schools were not prepared to switch to online learning, and not all students have internet access and a computer. The public school district we are in limited the class time to twenty minutes a couple times a week because they were attempting to accommodate families having to share one computer. Oftentimes, there were only three students who logged in to attend class. In our quest to return to normalcy during the first online semester, I spent three months debating with myself and losing much sleep. Should we enroll the kids in an online school? If we do this, will we be ruining their futures? We took a leap of faith and enrolled our kids in an online school, which was night and day di erent from the temporary pandemic online learning our public schools o ered. As with any decision we make in life, there are pros and cons. If you’re considering online school as an option, here are a few things to consider. The benefits of online schooling: Flexibility: Our kids learned at their own pace, on their schedule. Our oldest is not a morning person; he learns better in the afternoon. Our youngest is an early bird and starts assignments before his brothers get up. Online school o ers the ability to “learn” when the students are mentally the most engaged. Likewise, online schooling o ers flexibility for students pursuing sports or the performing arts who want more time perfecting their area of interest. Our youngest works his classes around the time he spends on the golf course. Asset Ownership: Time is our most valuable asset. It’s irreplaceable. Online schooling allows students to breeze through the content they know, accelerate on the subjects they’re interested in, and gives them the additional time needed for the subjects they struggle with. Some students don’t do well with the 50-minute classes and then have to pick up where they left o when they get home. Some prefer to stay focused on one subject until they finish the assignment before moving on to the next. Gifted students scoring in the 99th percentile on IQ tests tend to have high levels of cognitive prowess and grasp complex concepts quickly. They may have issues with the amount of time spent in a classroom learning a topic when they already know it. Technology and Variety: The educational technology and software used in online schooling, not to be confused with the technology used during the pandemic online learning, has been developed to give students a personalized experience. Many online schools o er a variety of courses that might not be taught in local schools. Comfort: For some students, the in-person educational experience can be stressful or overstimulating, depending on the circumstances. Online schooling eliminates the need for constant social engagement, and with fewer distractions, students can stay focused on their educational tasks. This can also benefit learners on the spectrum who must manage their sensory input. Challenges of online schooling: Self-Discipline: For some, the high level of self-motivation and discipline needed to succeed with online school is hard to grasp. Students need to attend the classes themselves. Online schooling requires staying focused on the subjects, good time management, and organization. Students must have an organized study area free of clutter, phones, and video games to help minimize distractions. A look at your child’s backpack will indicate how much attention this area will need. This is important for parents, too. While we’re not homeschooling, we do take on the roles of monitor, collaborator, facilitator, motivator, and social coordinator. Parents need the self-discipline to stay involved, and the ability to help their students create a routine while encouraging independence. Tech Issues: Reliable internet and a dependable computer can make or break the student’s experience. If you regularly get the “spinning wheel of death” in the middle of an assignment, your child will get frustrated rather quickly. Time Management: It took my children a while to realize that it didn’t matter if they took 10 hours or 10 minutes to complete an assignment; the completion mattered. Many students don’t face this issue until they enroll in college. Limited Social Interaction and Access to Resources: Online schooling does create social separation, making it harder to make friends and participate in extracurricular activities. It also limits access to resources like libraries, tutoring, and hands-on learning. When the pandemic was over, and schools returned to in-person, we o ered our kids the opportunity to return to their public school, which they declined. For our family, the benefits outweighed the challenges. Parents know their kids’ interests, strengths, and challenges. Long before the pandemic, when we lived in the West Valley, we were fortunate enough to have our kids experience the Odyssey Family of Schools. These schools have a culture that wants their scholars to do more than memorize answers; they want their scholars to comprehend the topics and become global, creative problem-solvers. I loved this and was sad when we moved and had to transfer to a di erent school. So, I was excited to learn they were expanding with the Odyssey Global Academy. While it’s too late for our kids who already graduated, I can’t help but feel they would have benefited from a program like this, which gives the best of both worlds. They would have loved the opportunity to keep the quality education they were receiving online, combined with the opportunity to return to Odyssey, and the ability to play sports, join clubs, and participate in band and field trips again. Every family is unique, and online schooling can be the perfect solution. If it’s something you’re thinking about, research it, ask questions, discuss it with your teens, and don’t lose sleep over it. Online school was beyond an acceptable solution for us, and it provided a great future for our sons.

The International Baccalaureate Program is focused on developing the whole child, not just the academic. A key element of that in the Diploma Program is the focus on CAS: Creativity, Activity and Service. CAS enables scholars to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. Scholars choose creative, active and service endeavors, create goals, and track their progress. This allows them to see their growth and accomplishments outside of academics. Another component is the CAS Collaborative project. The class of 2025 has embarked on two projects: Providing free feminine hygiene products on campus and creating a day of service and community donation. Both have provided the scholars to support their school and wider community and work together to accomplish a service goal.

The class of 2026 planned and executed our first Culture of Knowledge experience in which our sophomores got to learn about future DP and elective courses directly from our current scholars. It was a huge success that will become an annual event.

It is critical that our scholars have the opportunity to see themselves and their strengths outside of academics. CAS, provides that opportunity.

Guest Post by Kristin Caraway

In November 2013, the United States of America sent a young troupe of actors from Odyssey Institute to the United Kingdom to perform on a London Stage. After going through the application process, this group of young actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts and their directors became the very first school from the United States ever to be invited to perform in the largest dramatic festival in the world!

Odyssey Will Power Troupe has represented our school, community, and country at five subsequent Festivals, with our unique interpretations of Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, The Winter's Tale, and in 2023, a reprise of a newly imagined Taming of the Shrew: the one that started it all for us in 2013! To this date, we are still the only United States school to be invited to perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival!

On March 12th, 2025, we will board a plane once again to fly over the pond to perform Much Ado in '42, a twist on one of our previous favorites. This project as truly been a journey of fun and celebration for us all, and what better way than to light up the stage with a comedy set in London in 1942, which, although a time of a World War, was also a time of big band music and swing, and a “We Can Do It!” attitude.

We have updated our name now to Will Power Dance Troupe, as we combine Shakespeare's timeless words, stories, and themes with the elegance of dance. This allows us to create unique theatrical visions that truly set us apart on the London stage, earning us standing ovations and brilliant reviews from the London directors we have the privilege of working with. We believe that offering our scholars the chance to perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and here on our own stage gives them a powerful voice and helps them uncover amazing gifts and incredible opportunities they may otherwise never have realized.

Will Power Dance Troupe is directed by Kristin Caraway and Tabbatha Prewitt. We only rehearse on Fridays so scholars involved in other artistic and athletic endeavors during the week can participate. We perform in London at the Shakespeare Schools Festival every other year to allow scholars time for fundraising. If you have a heart for the arts (or a soul for Shakespeare), we welcome your support!

Much Ado in '42 debuts on the stateside stage this Thursday, March 6th, running through March 8th. Tickets are selling quickly, secure your seats to day at https://our.show/willpower25

Why Every Scholar Should Take an Online Class in High School

In today’s digital world, online learning is no longer just an option—it’s the new normal, especially in college. At The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies, we believe that preparing scholars for success means equipping them with the skills they’ll need for higher education and beyond. One of the best ways to do that? Taking at least one online class during high school.

The Benefits of Online Learning:

Independence & Self-Discipline – Managing deadlines and coursework without a daily in-person class structure teaches scholars valuable skills they’ll need in college.

Time Management – Online courses require scholars to plan their schedules, balance responsibilities, and stay organized—essential habits for college success.

Flexibility for College & Work – An online class allows scholars to gain experience balancing coursework with work, internships, or even dual enrollment in college courses.

Same Rigor, Same Support

At Odyssey, we are committed to maintaining the same high academic standards in our online courses as we do in the classroom. Scholars will receive structured lessons, engaging coursework, and access to teacher support to ensure success. We also understand that online learning can be an adjustment, so we will have built-in support to assist struggling scholars along the way.

Taking an online class in high school is an investment in future success. Whether scholars are headed to college or the workforce, mastering digital learning now will set them up for a smoother transition.

Are you ready to take on the challenge? Explore our online course offerings and prepare for the future—because at Odyssey, we are always launching leaders!

WANT TO LEARN MORE? - Visit our Odyssey Global Academy Newsletter. And sign up for online or hybrid classes by completing this FORM. For more detailed information, contact Odyssey Administration at Odyglobal@topamail.com or make an appointment your school counselor.

What is Intercultural understanding in relation to IB?

One of the primary aims of the IB program is to encourage scholars to “create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” What is ‘intercultural understanding’? It is the ability to recognize, respect, and appreciate cultural differences and similarities. Culture can mean many things-family values, heritage, country of origin, language, symbols, even the town we are from. Scholars are able to grow in their intercultural understanding through dialogue with their peers. Scholars are offered debatable questions and are then able to share their ideas in a professional and courteous way.

Where can I see Intercultural understanding in my scholar’s classroom?

9th grade Biology, Ms. Rose-Scholars are currently studying the relationship between biological elements and the environment-ecological successions. The recent tragedy in Los Angeles due to wildfires provided the opportunity for scholars to explore the implications of wildfires-an example of secondary succession. Scholars researched the impact of wildfires on the environment and then engaged in a debate about the benefits and drawbacks of wildfires. Scholars had very strong opinions but were able to have a professional dialogue to share their ideas.

12th grade Language and Literature: Scholars are currently reading The Purple Hibiscus. Scholars develop a broader perspective of the human experience as they read a very personal, 1st person POV account of a young girl growing up in a wealthy but dysfunctional family in Nigeria. Scholars are able to explore what they think they know about Africa and specifically Nigeria, in order to challenge the single stories they may have of a place and a people. In reading Kambili's story, scholars discuss the universal struggles, pursuits, experiences, and insecurities that shape all humans as they come of age, regardless of their culture.

7th grade leadership considered the question: Is healthcare a right or a privilege and discussed why the UN added Good Health and Wellbeing as one of its Sustainable Development Goals. The scholars were assigned one or two injuries and traveled to countries (table stations) with various levels of healthcare to learn their treatment, prognosis, recovery plan, and likelihood to live if they received their injury in that country. The countries considered were Germany, USA, Somalia, South Africa, Haiti, and India.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. The day was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, a nonprofit charter school in the west valley of Phoenix, Arizona is kicking off their Empower Excellence Campaign this Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Stay tuned for details regarding this opportunity to give.

Odyssey committed on day one of inception that they would strive to maintain a 28:1 or lower student to teacher ratio in order to facilitate a positive and effective learning experience. As a charter school funded by the state of Arizona, Odyssey is funded (on average) $2,000 per scholar less than their district counterparts. Despite this discrepancy (which is base on charter schools not having the same access to facilities money, transportation reimbursement, and local bonds and overrides to cover budget shortfalls), Odyssey has core values they will never budge on within their control, and one of those is class size. Sometimes, based on schedules and leveling, we may have one or two children above the cap, but in comparison to local schools that can range from 30-45 kids in a classroom, most of our classrooms enjoy sizes of less than 28 with Kindergarten being less than 13 per class. This directly impacts personalized teachers instruction and fosters personal and academic growth.

To ensure these class sizes stay small, please consider a one time or monthly recurring donation using this link: https://pysly.co/FDyKd

At Odyssey, we do our best to ensure our scholars have access to amazing instruction, and, three years ago, we implemented a program aimed at not only retaining excellent teachers, but also raising the average teacher salary.

You may have heard about this program during school tours, coffee chats, and parent meetings. If you follow Ms. Jackson on @OIJRHIGH, you're likely already familiar with the process used and high standards teachers must be met. However, we are now sharing it more broadly because it is a cornerstone of our success.

Our initiative has led to the highest teacher retention rates and the highest average salaries our schools have ever seen. In April of 2024, 95% of the teachers who were issued contracts for the 2024-2025 school year signed their contracts. Additionally, it has contributed to the most significant academic growth our scholars and schools have experienced.

For the first time ever, all our schools received an A rating!

Teachers achieving at the high level of excellence receive a bonus and, after maintaining their level of excellence for three years, receive a permanent increase in their salary. They also become eligible to take on a position of leadership for additional money. Achieving this distinction is not easy—it requires countless hours of hard work, dedication, training, and coaching.

In the summer of 2023-2024, 98 of our 180 eligible teachers reached the highest level, and Odyssey paid out a total of $862,000 to teachers! The number of teachers achieving this distinction increased by 38 teachers from the previous year!

Odyssey teachers have demonstrated excellence both in and outside of their classrooms. Teachers who took on additional leadership roles such as leading teacher training, spearheading school safety initiatives, engaging in community outreach, and mentoring scholars both academically and behaviorally, have positively impacted the overall well-being of our school and our Odyssey families.

For years, parents have asked us what they can do to help retain great teachers. Previously, we didn’t have a way to contribute funds directly to teacher salaries, but now we do! Our program has helped Odyssey maintain its status as one of the most academically rigorous and well-rounded schools in Arizona. With longitudinal data supporting the program’s effectiveness, we are confident that it should remain a permanent part of the Odyssey way.

We can now say with certainty that funding this program directly results in increased teacher retention, which is closely linked to scholar success. We believe this program not only rewards our teachers for their dedication but also directly benefits our scholars by ensuring they have the best educators in their classrooms. If you would like to help keep this program going please consider a one time donation or a monthly recurring donation using this link:

The donation can be anonymous or we can let your scholar's teacher know you donated to their fund! https://pysly.co/FDyKd

One of the core values of Odyssey is helping to create well rounded scholars. There are multiple studies that re-affirm that the more extracurricular activities scholars are involved in, the happier they are and the more connected they feel to their school. Their self esteem also increases and the need to belong also increases: If you would like to help us keep these programs going please consider donating to the program of your choice: https://pysly.co/FDyKd

Teachers are the most important part of a schoo​l, and as you know​, they have the most direct impact on student achievement. Attracting and developing the best teachers is a core value of the Odyssey organization, that is why it is built into the budget to honor the 3% raise, the teachers deserve it! If you would like to contribute to teacher raises please consider donating today! https://pysly.co/FDyKd

Odyssey was founded and is run by former teachers who make it a priority every day to make sure teachers and scholars feel appreciated and respected. This is done through a myriad of programs, a variety of classes and a caring staff​. ​Every staff member is trained in the language of ​Love and ​Logic and ​Responsive ​Classroom and is adept at dealing with scholars on their best days and their worst days. Scholars are noticed and recognized everyday for their hard work and dedication.​ https://pysly.co/FDyKd

Charter schools do not receive any funding for facilities. School buildings are funded by different sources in the State of Arizona. One is the school facilities board who will fund the building of new schools should the population of the district boundaries warrant it. The School Facilities Board also helps district schools maintain the buildings with repair and replacement funds. Bonds can also be voted on and used on the building of new facilities, and the taxpayers fund the construction. Neither of these options are available to charter schools. Charter schools must go out to the private sector to secure funding for the building and maintenance of the schools, as you can imagine, it can be quite costly. If you would like to donate to help with the upkeep and improvement of new facilities please consider donating using this link; https://pysly.co/FDyKd

​The Odyssey cornerstones consist of providing excellent programs, quality teachers, top-notch facilities so that a spirit of curiosity and joy of learning can lead all scholars to their greatest potential. Please consider contributing to this important investment of our schools' mission by using this link: https://pysly.co/FDyKd

At Odyssey Family of Schools, we believe that education is about more than just standardized tests. While we acknowledge that these assessments provide one snapshot of a scholar's progress at a specific moment, they do not define the entirety of our students' educational journeys. Instead, we focus on what truly matters: fostering well-rounded individuals through a rich and diverse curriculum.

In the next week to ten days, the state school letter grades will be released. We are proud to share that these grades will reflect the highest grades as a network we've ever achieved. However, we recognize that they only tell part of the story. We have never wavered on our commitment to not teach to the test, rather to teach scholars how to critically think and expect the test scores to follow.

Our commitment to holistic education is reflected in our robust foreign language programs, mandatory physical education, and fine arts classes. These essential components not only enhance academic learning but also nurture creativity, physical health, and cultural awareness among our scholars. As a result, our teacher retention rates are at an all-time high, indicating a supportive and engaging environment that cultivates passionate educators dedicated to their scholar's success. Our graduation rates are some of the highest in the state of Arizona and the amount of scholarship monies awarded every year continues to rise.

Our organization values the diverse cultures within our community, robust interventions and extensions that support all learners, and a myriad of extracurricular activities that allow students to explore their interests and passions.

Ultimately, our goal is to produce well-rounded scholars who are prepared for the challenges of the future. By measuring what truly matters, we ensure that our students receive an education that equips them with the skills, knowledge, and character to thrive.

#Odysseyschools #grademeasurement #lifelonglearners

Curious about charter schools in Arizona? Here’s a quick, easy breakdown:

• Publicly funded, tuition-free: Just like district schools, charter schools get state funding based on enrollment, but they never charge tuition.

• Independently operated: Charter schools don’t follow some of the same rules traditional public schools do. This means more flexibility to design their own curriculum, hire staff, and manage budgets.

• Charter approval process: To start a charter school, groups have to apply to the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, detailing their mission and educational plans.

• Accountability matters: While they have more freedom, charter schools must meet state standards, show academic progress, and undergo regular evaluations. They also get audited annually for financial transparency.

• Open to everyone: No selective admissions here! Charter schools use a lottery system if more students apply than they have spots available.

• Specialized options: Many Arizona charter schools focus on specific areas, like STEM, arts, or language immersion, giving families more tailored educational choices.

In short, Arizona’s charter schools offer a flexible, tuition-free alternative to traditional public schools, with an emphasis on innovation and accountability.

Stay tuned for more information about Odyssey's Charter vision when it began in 2011 and how it continues today.

If you have questions regarding Odyssey as an organization, please email communications@topamail.com.

At Odyssey, we believe that developmentally appropriate environments are key to creating the best possible learning experiences for our scholars. A K-5 campus allows us to tailor our academic and social-emotional programming specifically to the needs of elementary-age scholars. By focusing solely on these age groups, we can create a nurturing and safe environment where scholars can grow emotionally, academically, and socially without the pressures or influences of older peers in middle school.

One of the major benefits of this model is that it allows our younger scholars to remain emotionally younger a little longer. They are given the time and space to develop at their own pace, build friendships within their peer group, and navigate the world of elementary school without feeling the pressure to grow up too quickly. By providing them with this space, we help preserve the joy, curiosity, and wonder that naturally comes with childhood, which can sometimes be rushed in mixed-age environments.

Additionally, this model fosters unique opportunities for our 5th graders to step into leadership roles at an early age. Without the presence of older middle school students, our 5th graders take on important responsibilities within the school community, acting as role models and leaders for their younger peers. This experience not only builds their confidence but also helps them develop essential skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving. These opportunities for leadership would be more limited if they were on a shared campus with older students.

In a K-5 environment, each grade level thrives in an age-appropriate atmosphere that caters to the distinct needs of growing minds. As educators, this allows us to focus on creating intentional learning experiences that prepare scholars for their next steps in education, while also ensuring that their elementary years are full of joy, discovery, and personal growth.

We are proud of the community we’ve built here at Odyssey and believe that our K-5 campus offers the best foundation for your child’s development. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education, and we are thrilled to partner with you on this journey.

For our Kindergarten families, you may be wondering why we begin the year with a half-day program for the first semester. This structure is intentionally designed with both research and the well-being of our youngest scholars in mind. Starting with a half-day allows your child to gradually adjust to the rhythms and expectations of school in a way that feels manageable and nurturing. With class sizes of 13 or fewer, each child receives more individual attention, fostering strong connections with their teacher and classmates.

By easing into the school day, we can help reduce any feelings of overwhelm and give our scholars the space they need to develop confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning in this new environment. As we transition into the second semester, we introduce a modified full-day schedule to help prepare your child for the longer days and larger class sizes they will encounter in 1st grade. This gradual shift ensures that your child has ample time to build the stamina, focus, and social skills necessary for the longer days ahead while maintaining the nurturing environment of a smaller class size.

This thoughtful approach truly offers the best of both worlds—balancing the need for a gentle introduction to school with the preparation required for future academic success. It’s a decision rooted in research and our deep commitment to your child’s growth, development, and well-being.