Odessa Christian School

19521 Michigan Avenue

Odessa, FL 33556

30 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 28, 2024

Disappointed is a gross understatement. The treatment my child received at this school was abusive and traumatic. If you are a discerning Christian, you will quickly see that there is a highly religious spirit at this school and they use tactics of shame, humiliation and fear - I can’t speak on every teacher, but my child’s high school teacher was toxic and verbally abusive on multiple occasions. My child was SCREAMED at and humiliated in front of her classmates for sitting the wrong way wearing a skirt (she had shorts underneath) and the skirt was past fingertip length- my child e-mailed me distraught, humiliated and afraid she would get in trouble for telling me. This is the least of the instances, some of which I will not publicly address for the protection of my child. There were no apologies from the teacher or repercussions on any occasions, and the principal is just as bad (if not worse). Please beware especially if you have a daughter that goes to this school - our church has amazing female pastors & speakers in addition to our male pastors - but in Bible they were taught women “teach don’t preach” in addition to other poor theology. I was extremely saddened to hear this! In addition, I had my child evaluated academically and though she received mostly straight A’s at her time there, there were HUGE gaps in her learning because the core curriculum is on a computer - the teacher does not assist or instruct, it is self-taught computer courses. So, it’s not like the teachers are teaching a math or English lesson every day, or ever. You can get the programs they use online for free at home! My advice is to get your kid out sooner rather than later.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2024

As a concerned parent deeply invested in my child's educational journey, I feel compelled to share my (more than) disappointing experience with Christian Odessa School. Initially drawn in by promises of academic excellence and a nurturing environment, my child and I quickly discovered that the reality fell far short of expectations.Despite the significant financial investment of nearly $3000 for just 33 days of schooling, the educational experience at Christian Odessa School left much to be desired. Academic standards were shockingly low, with minimal emphasis on actual learning. It became evident that the school's primary focus was not on fostering student growth and development, but rather on preserving its image at any cost.Of particular concern was the school's mishandling of racial incidents and sexual assault. Despite my daughter being subjected to derogatory remarks, the response from the administration was disappointingly inadequate. Even after raising the issue with the head of school, Erin, who was already aware of our family's previous experiences with racial discrimination, there were no meaningful repercussions for the offending student. This failure to address such serious matters undermines the school's professed commitment to diversity and inclusion.Furthermore, the school's disciplinary approach was deeply flawed, with students facing expulsion for expressing legitimate concerns publicly. Such heavy-handed tactics only served to erode trust between the school and its student body.Perhaps most troubling is the school's disregard for financial fairness. Despite my daughter's withdrawal from the school in September, the administration callously refused to refund the unused portion of her scholarship, pocketing an additional $600 without explanation. This blatant prioritization of profit over the well-being of students is unacceptable.In conclusion, I urge parents to exercise caution before enrolling their children in Christian Odessa School. Instead, seek out educational institutions that prioritize genuine learning and student welfare over financial gain. Your child deserves an educational environment where their growth and development are the top priorities
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2023

Odessa Christian school was a lifesaver for us. My child is highly intelligent and introverted. We wanted a safe and caring environment for him, that focuses on academics. Odessa Christian school is exactly what we were looking for. Not only are they focused on high standards of education, but also on good morals and developing good character. Both my children went to school here and I can say that they’re both outstanding young adults that I am very proud of. I highly recommend this school. When making a decision where to send your child seven hours a day without you, choose wisely.
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2020

This school entices and wows during the tour. Promises of accommodations and support are proffered. Kindness seems to abound. Then you believe, and you enroll your child. That's when things begin going downhill. Promises are broken. No accommodations are provided. No instruction happens - there is only one teacher for the high school, and she doesn't seem like she wants to be there. Your child will be responsible for teaching himself everything using online sites like Khan Academy and IXL. And if he has a question, too bad. The "teacher" does not provide answers or guidance. He is told to "ask a friend" or "find the answer" on his own. This school used to be great, but cost cutting measures and change to "self-directed" learning means the teachers have left the building. Literally. Your child can do better. So should you.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2019

My son has been going to OCS for 2 years. OCS staff and teachers loved on my son and has helped build his confidence spiritually, emotionally and with his education. I know my son feels very loved from the Office Manager, to the head of school to his teachers. As for education, my son is able to get the extra help he needs in certain subjects while being able to advance in other subjects. I have no doubt my son will only continue to grow in his education and while he is only in Elementary I know he will be able to go to any University he chooses with the foundation of education he is getting. I can't say enough about the teachers and staff. They each have been a very impactful part of my son's growth.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2019

Our family is truly thankful that we found this school.
Submitted by student on July 10, 2019

I am currently an OCS student and have been for the last 7+ years. Over my time at OCS, I have learned and improved in a variety of different skills. Since class sizes are generally small compared to other schools, each student is able to receive individualized attention to help them succeed. The teachers and staff at OCS are amazing and always desire for their students to be successful. In response to a previous comment stating that OCS does not report SAT and ACT scores because their students don’t perform well on them, I can assure you that this comment is entirely false. I scored a 1500 on my SAT on my first attempt, which would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the great teachers I’ve had so far at OCS, especially Mrs. Mummau and Mrs. Ciulla. OCS has also helped prepare me for success on AP exams, math completions, and more. They offer a wide variety of learning opportunities through field and service learning, including a week long trip for high school students to Georgia. OCS has also had a student represented in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the last two years. I highly recommend this school to others, especially those looking to obtain a valuable Christian education and useful skills to help prepare their child for college:
Submitted by other on June 03, 2019

Fantastic, They make learning fun which in turn makes the student and parents happy. They do a wonderful job and I would recommend this school to all
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2019

My daughter has been going to this school for about 8 years. She loves it and would be deeply upset if we ever tried to move her to another school.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2019

Great! This school makes learning fun. My daughter has been going to OCS for 8 years and loves it! She is doing very well academically as well.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2019

A mi me parece que Odessa Christian school es un colegio excelente es un lugar que Dios a puesto en nuestra vidas para saber de q nuestras hijas están en el mejor lugar
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2018

Look at the reviews very carefully. The owners put up good reviews after every bad review. It's how they operate!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2018

With a heavy heart I am going to write this review.... Our experience at OCS with our children was all fake. We were so excited from the tour and beautiful campus but that is not what you get. Please carefully read the negative reviews...they are all TRUE. The teachers all leave and the administrators are not honest. Money is very important to this "family". A Very fractured environment , Please look at other schools to send your children to.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2018

I am so pleased with OCS. After having my child here over 4 years, and having had him in a prior Christian school, I am thankful for the Christ-focused education my son has received, as well as the strong academics. I signed in to write a review for Odessa Christian and was so shocked and saddened to read some of the poor reviews on this site. While I cannot speak to another's experience, I can say that my son, while certainly a "high achiever" type, has been challenged to step out of his comfort zone to try new things, learn to "problem solve" rather than merely regurgitate information, and, especially this year, learn and put in to practice some "soft skills" that have really impressed me and my family. My son's friends and their families have also expressed pride in what their children have gained at OCS, and I am very excited for the steady and continuous improvement we have seen here. This year several teachers have made such obvious transformations in their classrooms to make them more inviting and conducive to learning, engaging, and fun, while at the same time, stretching my son academically, spiritually, and more. I think the middle school trips are so awesome, and a great way for the kids to experience the community and cultural activities. I am excited for the future high school "field learning trips" that I know they take almost every week! On a last note, I wonder if some of the higher expectations, accountability that teachers apply to the students (very age-appropriate, in my opinion), and the "no quitting," "no whining," mentality of the school may not work for a lot of people in our culture who prefer things to be easy. Well, I would rather have my son challenged NOW in love, rather than leave school and enter a world without having developed true thinking skills. Just my two cents!
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2018

This is the worst school ever and that’s as nicely as I can put it!!! They really could care less about your child’s education. They are only interested in your money. We paid a fee for our elementary school to have computers this year. We “had” them for a day and they were gone. Who knows what they did with all our money. Half of the school left after Christmas break. It’s amazing the turnover of teacher and students. They are obviously not doing anything right. They plan fun activities, but your child is falling behind in school the entire time. This is a warning to all parents thinking of sending their children here. You will regret it!!
Submitted by other on June 27, 2017

I went to Odessa for 5 years and loved my time there. I was fully prepared for college and was ahead of the game there. It's sad to see false reviews on here claiming the owners taking money and having a horrible education. I know the owners personally and they want the best for Odessa. The education especially in English is incredible, I already knew how to write college papers, while the rest of my college freshman classmates were learning how to do so. Plus this claim that no alumni have gone to a good college is ridiculous. The claim is saying that no alumni has gone to 4 year state school. Well most of the alumni have gone to private higher education including University of Tampa. Also they have gone to Christian higher education. Some going to Bible school to study for ministry and some to stay away from bad scenes of state university. Plus the claim is false there are alumni attending 4 year state schools. Also there are alumni in spc, but today most students that graduate from public school go to a community college because it saves money. $1000 a year is great deal for rising prices for college. Also no one told me to write this, this comes from my heart. I would not be where I am in life if it was not for Odessa. The Lord led me here to follow his path and not my own.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2017

Please be very careful with sending your children to OCS. Most of the children are not educated to their appropriate grade level. This means that your children will only fall behind as well. I had three of my children at this school for several years. There are too many issues to include in this review, but I will discuss a few. First, it seemed very odd that the school was always asking for money. They already receive a great deal of money from parents and the many children on state funded scholarships. It is a mystery where all the money goes. Erin and most of the teachers have no experience or education in educating children. The buildings are falling apart, the roofs are in need of repair, and the bathrooms and classrooms are dirty. The owner runs a group home for men on the school premises. These men come in contact with the children in the school. This is something that parents are not told. These are only a few of the major issues we noted while our children were attending OCS. Erin is dishonest and has lied to us on several occasions. Notice how a bad review on this site is followed by one or two good reviews? This is because Erin is writing reviews to try and bring up their ratings. Please note that you can see school test score on the niche website. However, OCS does not report SAT or ACT score where other private schools in the area report scores. This is because their high school students don’t do well on their tests! Please think and do your research before you send your children here. You will be kicking yourself if you don’t listen to the warnings!
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2017

My children went to OCS for approximately five years. The school started out great, and I had very high hopes that my kids would be able to stay throughout their school career. However, things in the school took a turn for the worst. Promises were made that were never fulfilled, promises of a gifted program and high school accreditation. When my student was entering high school, it was represented that the school was accredited, which was not true at the time. When we learned of this mid-year, we contacted universities in the state of Florida to see if that would make a difference when it came time for admissions. It was conveyed to us that it absolutely makes a difference. However, when speaking to the head of the school, it was shrugged off and told to us that it didn't matter and all that mattered was test scores, which is simply a falsehood. We had to make a switch immediately so that our student's future was not in jeopardy. There has not been a student that has graduated from there that has gone on to a public four-year institution. Next, I have a student on the autism spectrum. The teacher that I entrusted my student to was inexperienced and unwilling to help. I had to provide this teacher research on how to effectively deal with my student, but all of my cries for help fell on deaf ears. We had to move our child to a public school where he would receive the help he needed.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2017

I have two kids at OCS; my oldest for the last 7 years. We have being long enough at school to know without a doubt that is an excellent school. From the our great principal, Mrs Erin Ciulla to all our wonderful teachers and staff, everyone is focus on having a Christ centered education and environment.Academics have high standards... specially in Math and English, students get advances classes since Elementary.In another hand, behavior issues are very well handle... with discipline and not tolerance for bad behavior but also with love and encouragement of improving.There is not a perfect school, because the only perfect one is GOD.OCS is a wonderful family that had impacted my kid's life in a very positive way.
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2017

Our daughter was primarily homes chooled from Pre-K through 6th grades, so we consider our standards to be high.Mrs Ciulla's tour only touches on what great opportunities OCS offers academically and otherwise. Many buildings are old (so is my house) but they and the grounds are extremely well maintained. Beautiful grounds! Had we stayed in the area, I'd have made certain our daughter stayed at OCS until graduation.