Incoming Odyssey students commonly say that they “love learning but hate school.” We aim to change that. Our students are typically of average or above average intelligence but struggle in conventional school settings. Most, but not all, have been diagnosed with either an academic learning disability or ADHD. Frequently, our students are described as being “twice exceptional,” meaning they are both gifted and learning disabled. They are truly unique individuals, which is why we prize them so much. At Odyssey School, we aim to celebrate exceptionalities.
Odyssey follows a Multiple Intelligences approach, but we refuse to pigeon hole our students with labels. We want our students to have a positive, strength-based opinion of themselves as learners, while still having an accurate conception of their weaknesses. Our teachers have designed the Connections program as a way to capitalize on their own Multiple Intelligences (their teaching styles) to our students’ maximum benefit.
At Odyssey, we are focused on developing independent thinkers who have the confidence to think originally and to solve real world problems. Our students learn to look at problems from multiple perspectives; they learn to reflect on their thinking; they learn to be flexible, pragmatic thinkers. They grow to be strong collaborators, strong partners, strong communicators. The process of collaboration helps our students develop an appreciation and respect for their own work and the work of their peers. Whether they’re members of our tightly-knit middle school Tribes, or students at our secure and supportive private high school here in Austin, TX, we want them to get used to being part of a learning community.
