Enrollment Policies and Procedures

The Odyssey School is a charter school, a Denver Public School based on the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound educational model. There are more than 50 Expeditionary Learning schools nationally - located in both urban and rural areas. The 2007-2008 enrollment is 224 students. There are 24-25 students in each class: one kindergarten classroom, one grade 1 classroom, two classrooms grades 2/3, two classrooms grades 4/5, one classroom grade 6, and two classrooms grades 7/8.

Kindergarten Tuition

DPS provides funding for 1/2 day programs, therefore Odyssey charges monthly tuition for its full day Kindergarten program. Any family that meets the free or reduced lunch guidelines will have their tuition waived. The cost this school year, 2007-2008 is $270 per month. This cost is set according to tuition charged by Denver Public Schools. It is expected to be close to this amount again next year.

Lottery

Enrollment is determined by a lottery system. The student portion and questions for families on the application do not determine enrollment. They are reviewed by teachers once a student is selected in the lottery to better familiarize teachers with families. All complete applications* turned in by the deadline will be eligible for the lottery. The lottery is done by a random computer sort. Each applicant receives a random number and the order is therefore determined. This process starts over each school year. Wait lists are not carried over from year to year. You must re-apply each year.

Low Income Preference

The Odyssey School is committed to a diverse community. 33% of the Odyssey School's enrollment will be filled by children whose families qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.

Sibling/Household and Alumni Policy

It is the intent of the Odyssey School to support whole families and create school community. Siblings of enrolled students will receive priority for admission if their applications are received by the designated deadline. Families may also apply for household priority. Household priority is given when a child who is not a sibling, lives with a current family. In this situation, custody papers or other legal documentation must be provided to claim priority. Alumni students/families receive priority with guardianship or residency changes.

Staff Policy

Children of full-time staff members will receive priority for admission if their applications are received by the designated deadline. These children will be allowed to remain in the school regardless of whether or not the parent/guardian remains employed by the school. The total number of students enrolled under the Staff Policy will not exceed 10% of the school's population.

Founder/Board's Policy

Those children whose parents were active in the planning process by serving on the founding Interim Governing Board or as an advisor to the founding Interim Governing Board will receive priority for admission if their applications are received by the application deadline or with residency or guardianship changes. Board members also receive enrollment priority. The total number of students enrolled under the Founder's Policy will not exceed 10% of the school's population.

If there are fewer spots than the number of priority applicants, then a separate lottery is held for these applicants with priority status. Children of Founders and staff members are given priority over siblings.

Grounds for Denial of Admission

Subject to the school's responsibilities under the Exceptional Children's Educational Act and applicable federal, state and local laws, the following will constitute ground for denial of admission to the school:

• Failure to meet age requirement.
• Having been expelled from any school district the preceding twelve months.
• Having engaged in behavior in another school during the preceding twelve months that is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other students or of school personnel.
• An applicant who is not a Denver resident, unless otherwise entitled to attend, is not eligible for the initial lottery.
• Failure to comply with the immunization provisions. (Families who choose not to immunize their children must sign an immunization waiver.)
• Falsification of application or enrollment documents.
• A determination by the Odyssey School's administration that the Expeditionary Learning model or the school's culture would not contribute to the applicant's success as a student or that the school is unable to meet the student's special needs. In this case, administration will advise the family of other options.

Applications are considered complete only if all areas, including the student portion and family information are complete.

Enrollment Procedure

Step One: Learn what The Odyssey School is All About

Step Two: Complete an Application

Step Three: Get the Application to Us