O'Dea Elementary School

312 Princeton Road

School District

Poudre R-1
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Poudre R-1 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 01, 2022

O'Dea is a wonderful core knowledge school that focuses on a sense of belonging. The principal, vice principal, guidance counselor, teachers, and other staff all truly care about the kids. Family involvement is encouraged.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2018

The teachers have been extraordinary with no support from administration. It makes their efforts more impressive, but they are unable to protect the children from the damage caused by code of conduct violations from adults
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2016

This school is way overcrowded. They were denied extra teaching space by the district because they have too many school of choice children. The principal will be jamming 35-40 children in some classrooms because of their choices. Time for change, and PSD to move some of these people along.
Submitted by other on April 05, 2016

This school used to be good. Now there is lots of favoritism and too much focus on special needs kids. Yes, special needs kids need services but not at the expense of other students. School has gotten way too big without offering any better services or staff. Staff is well known for picking favorites among students and parents. No homework sent home so it is hard to know what my child is working on and what achievement she is making. Wanted to like this place better. :(
Submitted by other on May 17, 2014

Last year I went to O'Dea in 5th grade and it made sixth grade seem so easy. They had pushed me hard enough that I was able to achieve my best and now I'm a strait A student in 6th grade. O'Dea changed my life.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2014

O'Dea Core Knowledge is a warm, welcoming, environment where students are encouraged to learn according to their own learning style. Students are taught different strategies for learning and completing tasks so they can approach lesson materials and assignments in a way that makes sense to them. At O'Dea teachers strive to educate and meet the needs of the whole child making sure that social emotional and physical needs are met along with educational goals. It is both a blessing and a privilege to be a part of this school!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

Both my daughters have spent four or more years at O'Dea and both have nothing but wonderful things to say about their teachers, their principal, and their school community. As a parent, I think the O'Dea community is one of the best I've ever experienced. After-school activities and opportunities are abundant and enriching. Teachers are knowledgeable and generous with their time. And the principal understands what it means to cultivate a positive learning and working environment. O'Dea is growing because it is awesome! To me a school with a space issue means the school is doing something right, and this shows in my daughters' test scores and growth, and in the school's ranking in the district, consistently near the top. All this with a diverse population of students and a fantastic autism program to boot. I'm an elementary teacher in Poudre School District. Speaking as a teacher, I love the high expectations and caring nature of O'Dea Core Knowledge Elementary. I couldn't recommend it more.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

Lovin' on O'Dea! Sometimes I think my kids' teachers can't get any better and then my kids come home with something off-the-wall amazing. You can tell how much the teachers put of their own time and creativity and talent into their teaching. Also, there is definitely a family or community feel with O'Dea. I think that starts with the principal. She learns all the kids names (and many of the parents) within a few weeks of school beginning. I think that creates a positive,caring relationship from the beginning. I am finding that O'Dea has the right balance of performance, nurture, nudge, and even fun. O'Dea was a "school-of-choice" for my kids and we definitely made the right choice.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

This school is amazing! All students who come here grow tremendously, both academically and also as responsible, well-rounded citizens. Just two days ago the school received the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award because the children are making so much academic growth. The principal is wonderful. Her open-door policy applies to teachers, parents, students, and community members. She has developed an amazing culture in the building among teachers and students. She knows every child by name and greets them all with a smile. She is constantly bombarded with hugs from the students. Two of my children go here and i cannot wait for my third child to start. The teachers are incredible! They are always trying to improve their skills. They know and love each child in their classroom and challenge each child at his/her level. They are always accessible and communicate well. This is a great school. Be wary of the naysayers. They are upset because they didn't get their way when a decision was made. Teachers and staff are caring, careful listeners. They are fair and reasonable and strive to educate every child every day.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2013

This school talks a good talk. But, there are big gaps in performance - especially is upper grades like 4th and 5th. The teachers don't always give good information about cultural issues and then don't follow up with researching the question. These grades don't integrate into the rest of the school well either. The principal is great in the school preview meeting but isn't responsive later when problems arise. She once told me that not all schools will be the right for all families rather than helping address an issue we had. She also doesn't share information readily with parents. This is our neighborhood school and don't want to have to look around when it could be fixed there. First weeks of school and last month of school are worthless b/c endless partys and fun days.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

I love O'dea and will be so sad to leave My daughter has been here for Kindergarten but we are moving out of state. The school has such a great feeling. The principle knows my daughter by name and her teacher is caring, amazing, talented and so good at teaching these kids all kinds of important things.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

My kids have been at O'Dea since kindergarten. The first couple of years were great! Communication to parents was fantastic and my kids grew so much academically and socially. This last year has not been stellar and what we had come to expect from the staff. The principal has become more of a dictator over the scholl and doesn't want to hear parents concerns at all. The principal seems to think she knows what is best for your child not you as their parent. The teaches try their best but there is becoming an issue with an unbalance of special needs kids with autism in some classrooms. 5 autistic kids to 21 kids totalling 26 in one class is a bit much on one teacher. Academically both kids were achieving far beyond their grade level and this year we have seen that slip a lot. The school is growing too fast and combine that with the budget cuts, lets just say they aren't as great as they once were. The focus is shifting off of the kids and its not resulting in positive changes for the kids or the parents. I would recommend looking into another school for your kids until this principal is gone at least. I know we have started looking else where.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2011

When we moved to Fort Collins we decided to try our neighborhood school before researching other options. We could not be happier with O'Dea! All teachers are highly involved and treats students as "everyone's student". The principal has years of experience and knows every kid in that school by name. The principal is quick to resolve any issues that may arise and all staff and faculty are dedicated to the success of students and the community. There is an active parental community. The autism program here is top notch and gifted students are readily identified and curriculum is tailor appropriately. We love O'Dea!
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2010

They have a great group of teachers and faculty. Their teachers are great and I dont know about you, but I like a principal that knows every student by name and grade!! The principal is very helpful in many ways and LOVES her students. The teachers are fabulous and the way they teach the students is wonderful! My daughter loves the school and never wants to change. Im happy because she's happy!!!
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2007

N/A