WELCOME
Welcome to The Odyssey Family of Schools. In March of 2008, our first informal parents meeting took place at the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce. On January 13, 2009, The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools granted us our charter. The Odyssey Family of Schools started off in a strip mall with over 400 scholars in kindergarten through sixth grade. In the fall of 2010, we opened up the Odyssey Buckeye Apache campus with 600 scholars. In 2011 we opened up the Odyssey Goodyear campus, followed by opening of the Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies for junior high and high school in 2012. In the 2016-2017 school year, the Sienna Hills elementary school campus and the Junior High campus were officially opened.
Today, the Odyssey Family of Schools consists of five campuses educating approximately 3,000 scholars from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Our Mission
Our youngest scholars begin their learning adventure at The Iliad Preschool where they are exposed to academics, foreign languages, art, music, physical education, and making responsible choices. The quest for knowledge continues as scholars navigate their way through our phenomenal Odyssey Preparatory Academies and The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. The journey concludes–not simply with college admission–but by the wholehearted admission of life-long scholars and principled individuals into a global society in which they are prepared to flourish and lead.
We emphasize our mission, vision, and core values every day.
Our Mission
The Odyssey Family of Schools aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring scholars who work to create a better and more peaceful community through intercultural awareness, understanding, and respect. Our scholars will grow as part of a challenging environment that facilitates creativity and fun. Our scholars will be empowered to use their unique talents to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, contribute to solution.
Info Night Overview
Small Groups
Teacher Recruiting
Vision
At The Odyssey Family of Schools each child matters. Odyssey provides a safe and secure environment where all children are given the opportunity to discover and use their talents to make a positive impact on their community and the world. Through the use of innovative curriculum and technology, students at Odyssey will be prepared to lead in the ever-changing global market place. The positive nature of the Odyssey environment will inspire all team members and will contribute to low teacher turnover and extensive parent volunteerism.
Core Values
Arrive at any Odyssey Preparatory Academy campus between 7:45-8:00 in the morning and you will be greeted by the voices of scholars quoting The Odyssey Core Values out loud and in unison. Not just something that we repeat each morning and then go about our day, our Core Values inform each of our decisions at The Odyssey Preparatory Academy. From our curriculum choices, all the way down to our tardy policy, we expect, require, and believe that:
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At The Odyssey Family of Schools every scholar matters and all scholars will be empowered to use their talents in order to grow emotionally and academically.
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The Odyssey Family of Schools will promote an environment of excellence and professionalism.
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Growth isn’t always measured by test scores.
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Scholars will be challenged and will feel safe to explore and learn new things on a daily basis.
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All scholars will be engaged in a learning environment of creativity and fun.
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At The Odyssey Family of Schools all team members are appreciated and valued for their hard work everyday.
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Teachers, staff, parents and the Buckeye/Goodyear Community are all team members.
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All team members will engage each other through positive communication and display appropriate behavior.
By reciting these values every morning, posting them prominently in every classroom, referring to them frequently throughout each school day, (and even removing them from the wall and taking them with us on a fire drill!) we emphasize their importance and model our respect for guidelines and rules. At The Odyssey Preparatory Academy we actively seek to create and nurture a culture of academic excellence and ethical behavior that is embraced by all team members. Our bar of expectation is set nothing short of excellence for our scholars, staff, and faculty.
As a school of choice, we acknowledge that the challenges of our academic pacing and our emphasis on individual scholar responsibility may not be the best fit for every family. However, for those who are willing and able to make a commitment to the rigors of Navigating Knowledge, Creating Character, Launching Leaders, and Focusing Globally…we say, Let the adventure begin!
Four Pillars
At The Odyssey Family of Schools each child matters. Odyssey provides a safe and secure environment where all children are given the opportunity to discover and use their talents to make a positive impact on their community and the world. Through the use of innovative curriculum and technology, students at Odyssey will be prepared to lead in the ever-changing global market place. The positive nature of the Odyssey environment will inspire all team members and will contribute to low teacher turnover and extensive parent volunteerism.
The Odyssey Family of Schools – Family of Schools grounds itself in principles recognized as the Four Pillars. Odyssey differentiates itself in the educational community by implementing the programs within these pillars that will prepare scholars to succeed in University and beyond.
Pre-Enrollment
The Odyssey Family of Schools is excited you’re interested in enrolling at one of our schools. Enrollment slots are awarded on a first-come, first served basis, based on the date that complete pre-registration information is submitted. Enrollment preferences for children of employees and governing board members and siblings of enrolled scholars are given as per ARS §15-184. We will begin contacting new scholars for enrollment on November 26, 2018. Following that date, enrollment is offered on a rolling basis as seats become available. Completed enrollment documentation must be submitted within ten days of the offer or the offer will expire and pre-enrollment must be completed anew.
School Calendar
State of Arizona Tax Credit
The State of Arizona will reimburse you dollar for dollar up to $400 for those filing jointly and up to $200 for those filing single on your contributions to our school. These contributions will support activities that are considered extracurricular. Extracurricular activities include:
- Field Trips Sports
- Drama Choir
- Band Clubs
We are encouraging all our families to include The Odyssey Family of Schools (The Odyssey Family of Schools and The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies) as one of your yearly charitable donations. If you donate $400 to Odyssey, and you are eligible for reimbursement, you will receive $400 back from the state of Arizona. If you owe the state taxes this donation will reduce the amount you owe by $400. A contributor can also deduct this donation on the federal tax form.
Campus Phone Numbers
The Odyssey Institute High School: 623-327-1757
The Odyssey Institute Junior High School: 623-777-1740
Sienna Hills Elementary School: 623-444-9934
Apache Elementary School: 623-327-3111
Goodyear Elementary School: 623-882-1140
In The News
San Tan Foothills falls to Buckeye Odyssey Institute
San Tan Foothills scored two touchdowns in the first six minutes, then couldn’t get a break for the rest of the game as Buckeye Odyssey Institute sailed to a 33-14 win on Friday night...
Summer Stem Program Coming To Odyssey Prep
Camp Invention, a nationally recognized nonprofit summer enrichment camp program, is coming to Odyssey Preparatory Academy-Goodyear June 11 to June 15....
Odyssey Group Headed For Africa
Africa will be the destination for a field trip for two students and an administrator from the Odyssey Preparatory Family of Schools who will participate in a project to improve access to drinking water for a village.
The group that will leave Thursday will be part of a Water Is Life team working in the west African nation of Ghana....
Governance
The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Family of Schools operates as one district composed of TOPA-Buckeye; TOPA-Goodyear; TOPA-Casa Grande and The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. District-wide information can be found below
Public Notices:
Board meetings for The Odyssey Preparatory Academy will be held at 1495 S. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85326. The meeting agendas are posted on this website below. Agendas will be posted no less than 24 hours prior to the meeting. Meeting Minutes from any prior meeting not posted are available upon request.
Board Meeting Notices:
Notices are in chronological order. Please scroll to the bottom for the most recent notice.
June 23rd, 2014 Notice
July 8th, 2014 Notice of Public Hearing – Expenditure Budget for 2015
FY 2015 Proposed Budget
July 14th, 2015 Notice of Public Hearing – Expenditure Budget for 2016
June 27, 2018, Budget Worksheets
TOPA’s 3rd Core Value is “Growth is not always measured by test scores.” We will always adhere to the core value as we know scholars learn more when they are engaged in meaningful learning, not simply test taking skills. However, we also understand that AZ Merit scores always peak public interest; as a way to make TOPA’s AZ Merit scores easy to read, we have compiled the following data by campus. To see the result graphs for the 2015-2016 year, click here: AZMerit_2015-2016.
It is the policy of The Odyssey Preparatory Academy (“TOPA”) to not discriminate in employment, admission,
treatment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of disability. TOPA has adopted an
internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging
any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) or by Title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 504 and Title II prohibit discrimination on the
basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. TOPA’s Director
of Special Education/Section 504-Title II Coordinator has been designated to coordinate the efforts
of TOPA to comply with Section 504 and Title II.
The Director of Special Education/Section 504-Title II Coordinator can be reached at: Director of
Special Education/Section 504-Title II Coordinator 1495 S. Airport Rd. Buckeye, AZ 85326 623-327-1757
(Phone) 623-327-0554 (fax) Holly Johnson (admin@topamail.com) Any person who believes she or he has
been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of disability may file
a grievance under this procedure. TOPA prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a grievance
or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance. Procedure: Grievances must be submitted to the
Section 504/Title II Coordinator within six months of the date the person filing the grievance becomes
aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
A complaint should be, but is not required to be, in writing, containing the name and address of
the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory
and the remedy or relief sought. If the Complainant is unable to put the complaint in writing, TOPA
shall provide reasonable accommodations to assist the Complainant with submission of his/her complaint.
(Note: Please see the attached Complaint form, which may be used to file a complaint in conformance
with these procedures).
The Section 504/Title II Coordinator (or her/his designee) shall conduct an investigation of the
complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested
persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint, including the opportunity to
present witnesses. The Section 504/Title II Coordinator will maintain the files and records of TOPA
relating to such grievances.
The Section 504/Title II Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than
30 days after its filing, unless extenuating circumstances require an extension of the 30 day timeline.
In such a case, the Section 504/Title II Coordinator (or her/his designee) will communicate with
the Complainant concerning the need for an extension.
The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Section 504/Title II Coordinator
by writing to TOPA’s Co-Directors within 15 calendar days of receiving the Section 504/Title II Coordinator’s
decision. The Co-Directors shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than
30 calendar days after its filing.
TOPA shall maintain confidentiality as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA). The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing
a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U. S. Department of Education,
Office for Civil Rights. TOPA will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons
are provided other accommodations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements
may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes
of material for the blind, providing a scribe for submission of the complaint, or assuring a barrier-free
location for the proceedings. The Section 504/Title II Coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. Please click here for the documentation. Ferpa-052115
The intent of Child Find is that all children from birth through age 21 with delays or disabilities are identified, located and evaluated to receive the supports and services they need.
Public schools and the Arizona Early Intervention Program are responsible for “finding” eligible children and providing services needed for them to reach their developmental milestones or meet their educational needs.
When children are “found”, they are referred to a specialist to screen their development. The screening helps “identify” any areas of concern that need to be evaluated further. In order to receive early intervention or special education services, a child must be evaluated to confirm they have a delay or disability that falls under state definitions.
If needed, the child is evaluated using state criteria for specific delays or disabilities. If eligible, the Arizona Early Intervention Program or a public school system will offer early intervention or special education services according to the child’s needs.
- Early intervention supports and services assist families of children who are eligible by helping children ages Birth to three years develop to their full potential. In Arizona, early intervention services are provided through the Arizona Early Intervention Program (or AzEIP).
- Preschool special education services for children ages 3 to 5 provide special strategies to help children reach their developmental milestones.
- Special education services for school-aged children in kindergarten through the age of 21 provide specialized instruction and services to assist children in the educational environment.
If you have any concerns, please contact the special education office at any campus or call the district office at (623) 327-1757.
The Arizona Early Intervention Program, also known as AzEIP (pronounced Ay – zip), is a statewide system of support and services for families of children, birth to three, with disabilities or developmental delays. For more information, please download this form: Early-Intervention-Program-AZEIP
“Section 504,” is a federal statute that prohibits discrimination against persons. For more information, please click here: 504ProceduralManual
Any person who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of disability may file a grievance under this procedure. For more information click here:504grievance
For information regarding the procedural safeguards for Section 504, please click here.
Click here to view the Annual Financial Report as submitted to the Arizona Department of Education.