Odyssey School

4407 RED RIVER ST

Austin, TX 78750

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

5-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 26, 2025

Learning differently is a bigger struggle for some kids than for others, for our son it was HUGE. From preschool age he noticed that he wasn't picking up things like reading as easily or readily as his classmates - and it was devastating to his self-concept. After years of struggle, his work with Odyssey has been transformative. It began slowly in sixth grade with incremental progress, but now in tenth grade he is proactive, confident, and engaged. He has taken ownership of his education and earned the respect of his teachers - a shift that would not have been possible without the positive, nurturing, and flexible environment that Odyssey offers to kids who learn differently. When he was struggling in third and fourth grade, I honestly couldn't see a future for him that included college. Today, I see a young man who - sometimes despite his differences & sometimes because of them - can choose college, vocational school, or whatever path is best for him, and succeed. Thank you Odyssey School.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2024

Odyssey School has been a game-changer for my daughter and our family. She feels good about going to school every day and actually gets all of the accommodations that public schools put in their IEPs but then don't implement. The faculty and staff are supportive, communicative, and responsive. I always feel comfortable calling or walking in and voicing any concern. And so does my daughter!
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2024

We are so grateful we found the Odyssey School. We feel like it has changed the trajectory of our child's life. Public school was not working and this is working. Our child is learning, engaged and loves her classmates and the staff at Odyssey.
Submitted by other on September 16, 2023

So I've been looking at the reviews for Odyssey and their a mix of "it was good" or "it was bad". One thing I noticed is that all the reviews are from a parent or guardian. So I'm writing a review as a former student of Odyssey and let me say this: It was the worst experience of my life. I was constantly bullied not just by other students but by the teachers as well. During a dissecting exercise in science I asked the teacher if I could sit it out because I was uncomfortable, than he shamed me by calling out to everyone that I was uncomfortable. Mind you this I someone I thought I could trust. The other teachers weren't much better either ignoring what was happening among the students or the were punishing the wrong ones. Another thing is that I'm autistic but they put in classroom filled with ADHD students. For parents who don't know the difference autistic children need to be in quiet areas to stay calm while ADHD children typically need areas to moved around a lot. Basically putting autistic and ADHD kids in the same room is a bad idea, yet another reason why Odyssey was terrible because they couldn't or rather didn't bother to tell the difference. Next the principle, is not only a terrible principle but a terrible person. He only cares about his reputation so if anything looks bad like a student asking for help against bullies he pretends nothings wrong. He even lies to the parents saying things like "It was the parents decision" when they had no say in the matter. I'm pretty sure the only reason he's at Odyssey is because no other school would hire him. Lastly they call the Odyssey because they want the go a "journey to find themselves". I'm not sure naming a school after a story were the main character spends years lost at sea, faces numerous monster, loses all his crew mates, and finally returns home to see a bunch of greedy suitors pressuring his wife and eating him out of house and home is a good idea. So for any parents out there with special needs children DO NOT send them to Odyssey, because instead of helping them they will only chip away at their confidence and self-worth.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2017

We struggled with our son's diagnosis (Aspergers and dyslexia + more) and I didn't want him in a special school, but we checked out Odyssey for 7th grade and it was the best choice we've made. They didn't prep him to ace the SATs- that's not the point of Odyssey. They did prepare him to mainstream into public school for his last 2 years of high school. He graduated early with a solid GPA, and he currently is working on 2 degrees while living on his own and running a side business for computer repair. Odyssey taught him to advocate for himself and request the help he needs, and they gave him space and support to rebuild his confidence after other schools eroded it. We had some spectacular teachers for Reading/Literature, Math and History/Geography. Also their program for having the students present their work each semester helped my son become a confident and persuasive public speaker. I also greatly appreciated that they offered an optional study period at the end of each day so the students can get help from trained staff to complete their homework. Not having to battle a crabby teenager with learning challenges every night over homework was a huge relief for our family.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2016

We transferred our son in his senior year of high school due to the BS over the standardized testing. He is dyslexic and has dysgraphia and they expected him to take the standardized test without any modifications or accommodations. I don't blame the public school district, but I do blame the TEA. What a bunch of blockheads! We were thrilled with the education our son received in one year of attending this fabulous school! He made life long friends there and continues to go back even though he's finishing up his second year of college. He helps out the teachers and administrators and hangs with the students he still knows. They look up to him and it is gratifying to see how much he has grown and how he can succeed in college. Thank you to Odyssey's teachers and administrators. You are unsung heroes to many!
Submitted by other on February 22, 2016

My daughter has made exceptional strides at the Odyssey School in the 6 months that she has been there. The staff has and continues to go above and beyond the call of duty to help my daughter be successful. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to send my child to such an accepting and supportive school.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2015

This school really lacks academically. The small classrooms don't really give students the edge that one would hope for. In many ways the school has less structure and discipline than a regular public school which is not necessarily a good thing for students in the long run. The smallness of the school almost contributes to their being too many "social issues" as everyone knows each other which can actually be a negative versus a larger school where there is more overall activity. The PE program is not very challenging if you have a child who needs or likes physical activity.
Submitted by other on October 01, 2015

Odyssey is a great school where students get individualized attention and they can earn all the credits they need to graduate. Good classes too like cooking and spanish, music and art. Teachers are great too and really care about the students.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2012

We are very disappointed in Odyssey School. Although our daughter is a high achiever academically, she suffers from anxiety and our local public school was not working out for her. She needed a less noisy and more controlled environment to succeed. Odyssey did provide this and she was doing quite well. However she only made it 38 days before being kicked out for walking off campus to cope with the stress she felt after an unpleasant interaction with a fellow student. We had told the school that walking alone was one of her coping mechanisms. Their attempt to restrain her only made things worse and there was a bad scene. Perhaps we did not do enough to make sure our daughter had workable options available to her. However we feel the school/principle could have handled things better and worked with us more. We now are on our own to find alternate arrangements.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2012

Odyssey School is a wonderful place. The teacher's are patient and creative. Your child's esteem will shoot up from being here. Our only complaint was that the academic standards were lower than we had expected. The academic work was not challenging. This is a great school for someone who needs a break from the regular class environment, but probably not a good idea if your hoping for four-year college.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

The teachers at this school are amazing! Extremely dedicated, very well educated and truly understand the challenges of their student population. For those with extreme difficulties in the social aspects of peer relations and problems with the rigors of a public school, this school is your best bet. Extremely bright students capable of higher academics, will be disappointed. We assumed the Study Skills class would address organizing and planning issues. This isn't needed as there is no homework assigned. Students will have multiple chances of completing assignments without penalty. No AP courses. Language, computer and P.E. are in addition to tuition. Too small for class rankings and no standardized testing to help when applying to colleges. You will get a diploma. We were sure this would be the right place for our student, based on interviews of staff. If academics are secondary to you, and you are looking for a safe learning environment where all of your child's social disabilities will be tolerated and accepted, this school will be a great choice for you. If you want all of that and an education that will prepare them for a 4-year college experience, you will be disappointed.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2011

A few things about Odyssey School in Austin TX. Before attending Odyssey my son suffered from a lack of confidence in himself, but more importantly in the institutions (public school s) he was attending. He just wanted not to be seen and left-alone. He is currently a second year student and best known for being a spirited supporter of his school. In under a year he managed find himself and reclaim his self-esteem. The atmosphere supports intimate class sizes and one-on-one mentorship. These conditions coupled with faculty that are enthusiastic about their positions, have helped to renew my sons fanaticism for learning and growing-up in public. Odyssey is a firm supporter of its community and has an excellent Service Learning Program. The students are taught to go out to make a difference, by giving back to those that would accept a helping hand. My son is proud of who he is today and I feel we owe that to the wonderful faculty at Odyssey.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2011

Our son has attended the Odyssey school for 6 years. The staff has bent over backwards to find ways to accommodate his challenges. He feels capable and confident and sees himself as a successful student. We feel so fortunate to have a school of this caliber in the Austin area. The facilities may not be state of the art, but the teaching that takes place within those walls is stellar. Odyssey's commitment to serving in the community on a monthly basis has fostered a heart for others in my son. Because of his experiences in the Service Learning Program he has a desire to make positive contributions to his world and give back to his community. That lesson alone is priceless in my book.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2011

This school has been very good for my son, who didnt fit the "mold" of the local AISD middle school. Wish it were nicer looking and more structured, sometimes feels "too easy" for some of the kids. Effective though in using different techniques to teach. Very friendly teachers. This is an open and accepting environment for student with learning differences and students with learning disabilities, which is nice but not sure how that contributes to the overall learning environment. Overall a positive experience as a parent and for a kid who has come to dislike school.