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 2010-11 enrollment is 226 students. There are 25 students in each class grades K-6: one kindergarten classroom, one grade 1 classroom, two classrooms grades 2/3, two classrooms grades 4/5, one classroom grade 6, and three classrooms grades 7/8 (17 students in each class).

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, 2010-2011 is $325 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. 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 current Odyssey employees, who are eligible for benefits, will receive priority for admission if their applications are received by the designated deadline or with residency or guardianship changes. These children will be allowed to remain in the school regardless of whether or not the parent/guardian remains employed by the school.

Children of current or former Odyssey employees that worked at The Odyssey School for five years or longer, will receive priority admission if their applications are received by the designated deadline. The total number of students enrolled under the Staff Policy will not exceed 10% of the school's population.

Board's Policy

Current Board members, in good standing as determined by the Board Chair, who have served at least one full year of Board service by the designated deadline for applications will receive enrollment priority.

Children of former Board members, who left in good standing, on Board of Directors of The Odyssey School for five years or longer, will receive priority for admission if their applications are received by the designated deadline. The total number of students enrolled under the Board Policy will not exceed 10% of the school's population.

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.
• Enrollment is contingent upon review of a student's IEP to determine if the student's needs can be met, program limitations are discussed.

Enrollment Procedure

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