Enrollment Policies & Procedures

The Odyssey School of Denver is a charter school, a Denver Public School based on the EL Education model. There are more than 160 Expeditionary Learning schools nationally – located in both urban and rural areas. The 2023-2024 enrollment is 304 students. There are 40 students in grades kindergarten through 4th grade; grades 5-8 each have 26 students this year. As we continue our expansion plan, we will grow to 318 students. 40 students in each grade K-5 and 26 students in each grade 6-8.

DPS Choice/Lottery Process
Odyssey is participating in the DPS SchoolChoice process.  All families that wish to apply must fill out the choice form.  Check the DPS Choice site for dates and deadlines.

Low Income Preference
The Odyssey School of Denver is committed to a diverse community. A minimum of 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 Priority
It is the intent of the Odyssey School of Denver to support whole families and create school community. Siblings of enrolled students will receive priority for admission if their choice forms 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. Sibling of Odyssey graduates and children of alumni students/families (only those that graduated from 8th grade at Odyssey) receive alumni priority.

Staff Priority
Children of current Odyssey employees, who are eligible for benefits, will receive priority for admission if their choice forms 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 of Denver 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 Priority
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 choice forms will receive enrollment priority.

Children of former Board members, who left in good standing, on Board of Directors of the Odyssey School of Denver for five years or longer, will receive priority for admission if their choice forms 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.

Central Park Priority
33% of our open seats will be prioritized to Central Park residents.

Priority Numbers
The number of priority students varies every year. Please know that waitlists are live and changing regularly. If you are waitlisted and a seat becomes available we will contact you as soon as possible.

The Odyssey School of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, religion, national origin, immigration/citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis on which discrimination is prohibited by law. The Odyssey School of Denver serves students with disabilities and multilingual learners and provides services to students as required by state and federal law. 

  • The Odyssey School of Denver participates in the Denver Public Schools SchoolChoice system and we encourage all students to apply.
  • As an alternative education campus, The Odyssey School of Denver, follow the process and timelines set by the DPS Transitions team for student enrollment. We encourage all interested students to contact us. 

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