About Us

Mission Statement
Odyssey Community School provides a positive intermediate elementary and middle school experience that emphasizes academic excellence, the ability to communicate effectively using traditional and technological media and the development of strong character and self-confidence.

The unique heart and mind of each child is nurtured as students are taught to internalize the CIRCLE values (Courage, Integrity, Respect, Curiosity, Leadership and Excellence) and to become productive members of their community.

Equal Opportunity Education
OCS is committed to a policy of diversity and does not discriminate in membership, admissions, employment and administration of school policies on the basis of race, disability, sex, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or age.

Charter School Information
What is a Charter School?
Charter schools are nonsectarian (not religious) public schools of choice. These schools are given a great deal of autonomy to operate as they want, but in return, they are highly accountable to show improved student achievement and to remain financially responsible.

Charter schools are given a “charter” by the state—this is like a contract between the State Board of Education and the school. The charter spells out things like the school’s mission, program, goals, types of students it will serve, methods of assessment and ways that the school will measure success.

The charter is usually granted for 3 – 5 years, and at the end of that time, the State may choose to renew the contract.

How was Odyssey Community School created?
In 1996, Connecticut passed a charter school law, and a small group of education pioneers in Manchester began to dream about a better way to educate children. They envisioned a small learning community where each student would be well known by the teachers, and where every student would be encouraged to reach his or her academic and personal potential.

This group of teachers, parents, students and community members built every aspect of the school from scratch, and in February, 1997, OCS was given the very first charter in Connecticut.

In September 1997, OCS opened with 44 sixth and seventh graders in the basement of the Beacon Light Building in the north end of Manchester.

What makes Odyssey Community School unique?
  • Our size—OCS will never grow to more than about 300 students. Class sizes will remain small—this helps teachers give individual attention to every student.
  • Our focus on media and technology literacy—we believe that students need to be intelligent consumers of information in this ever-changing information age. We provide state-of-the-art technology tools to help students learn.
  • Our CIRCLE values—we teach these values in formal and informal ways every day. We strive to live these values in our lives.
  • Our academic curriculum is rigorous, with a strong focus on helping students become critical thinkers and problem-solvers.
  • We are a true community where people care about one another and help each other achieve personal and academic success.

10 things to know about Charter Schools:
  1. Charter schools are publicly funded.
  2. Charter schools are open to all students.
  3. Charter schools are innovative and creative.
  4. Charter schools are great places for parents to become involved.
  5. Charter schools allow teachers to be more creative and flexible in how they present the curriculum.
  6. Charter schools were created to improve public education.
  7. Charter schools are often run by non-profit groups.
  8. Charter schools are playing an important part in school reform in the USA.
  9. Charter schools are demonstrating a record of improving student achievement.
  10. Around 3,573 students are enrolled in 16 public charter schools in Connecticut.