Odyssey School

201 Polhemus Road

San Mateo, CA 94402

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 02, 2024

My daughter started 6th grade at Odyssey this year. We knew the school would be a great fit for her, but it has exceeded our expectations.First, we are very pleased with the academic program. Math is fantastic; they have math every day, covering pre-algebra and Algebra 1 in 6th grade. I see no need to enroll my child in RSM or any other extra math classes—Odyssey teaches effectively, and students can progress to pre-calculus by 8th grade. The Japanese language program is comprehensive, not just a basic introduction and cultural exploration.Language arts consists of two components: one focusing on standard curriculum and the other emphasizing writing. In addition to regular science classes, they have a field class once a week, either on school grounds or at an off-site location. The kids are very active; they start every day with PE (we drop them off at a rec center just five minutes from school). The school has a large territory, and students enjoy a 45-minute lunch break to eat, play, and socialize.From Monday to Thursday, kids can stay at school for free until 5 PM to complete homework, work on projects, and meet with teachers for extra help. On Fridays, they participate in electives. My daughter is currently enjoying biking with the principal, and this semester’s options included origami, cooking, guitar, and several others.The expeditions are exceptional. I could write extensively about them, but I’ll get maxed out on space. As a very active and adventurous family, we were amazed by the quality of the expeditions. My daughter specifically wanted a small school where teachers would know and care about her, and we found exactly that. Students from all grades form strong connections after just the first expedition; they interact constantly during the school day and belong to mini groups that connect kids across grades.The principal, Jon, and all the teachers operate like a big family. They know the kids, are approachable, and participate in expeditions, field trips, and PE alongside them. The school is rich with traditions and stories of past adventures. They prioritize your child’s happiness and fit; there are no demands for five parent social events or essays and tests. They ask for two shadow days to get to know your child. We moved to Burlingame for this school. We look forward to many years at Odyssey, as we have two younger kids who can’t wait to experience all the wonderful things their older sister shares.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2024

Odyssey Middle School is an incredible school! Our son is in his second year and we could not be happier! The academics are absolutely top notch. Math, science, and English are some of our favorites. In addition, field class gives the kids a unique experience to explore the world through nearby parks and resources. Students also have the ability to pursue more advanced tracks, particularly in math. I’m constantly amazed at how the teachers are able to bring out the best in students each and every day. Expeditions are a huge part and highlight of Odyssey. Each year, students go on 5-6 expeditions that include camping in a nearby state park, boating and exploring the Channel Islands, mountaineering in the Sierra Nevadas and more. The amount of thought, planning, preparation and communication for each expedition is astonishing. Staff will go out in advance of the trip to scout out the location and trails to ensure that they are safe and to provide an optimal experience for the students. Several teachers are certified lifeguards and many are certified for outdoor wilderness survival to ensure that they are prepared for any situation that comes up. Safety is incredibly important and we are happy to know that it is priority #1. Each expedition is introduced to the students with a thorough walkthrough of the trip, schedule, packing list and logistics. The same information is also shared with parents. Families also get regular communication throughout the expedition along with photos of the kids. IThe kids always return tired, happy, and full of stories. We always look forward to getting a full debrief on the expedition and living vicariously through our son. This year, Odyssey has also continued to improve the quality of programs and offers that it provides. Students now get to use the San Mateo Highlands recreational facility which gives them access to swimming, sports courts and other facilities each morning. In addition, Odyssey has ramped up SEL with an incredibly experienced SEL teacher and even added Sex Ed to the curriculum. The Sex Ed teacher has been really amazing — the students were super enthusiastic about going to class each day and we have been impressed by how well the topic was covered. Overall, our family has been incredibly happy with our experience at Odyssey. Our son wakes up each day, excited to go to school. The level of engagement between students and teachers as well as the community, as a whole, is wonderful.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2024

Odyssey Middle School in San Mateo offers an exceptional educational experience that goes well beyond traditional classroom learning. One of the school’s standout features is its six week-long expeditions each year, which give students the opportunity to learn hands-on through real-world experiences. From snorkeling and kayaking in the Channel Islands to study marine biology, to learning ice mountain climbing on Mount Whitney during winter, students engage in adventures that expand their knowledge and character. Eighth graders finish their three-year journey with a memorable summit climb of Mount Fuji in Japan.These expeditions aren’t just thrilling experiences—they are deeply integrated into the academic curriculum, fostering a close-knit community among students and faculty. The adventures also serve as essential background for subjects like science, math, and writing, enriching the entire learning experience. For families seeking a program that balances high academic standards with a tight-knit, supportive community and unforgettable challenges, Odyssey Middle School is an excellent choice. Your child will leave with not only strong academic preparation for high school, but also memories and life lessons that will last a lifetime.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2024

Odyssey Middle School was a remarkable institution with a wonderful mission and educational philosophy. It has been very sad to see the rapid decline of this middle school under new leadership. I fear it is only a matter of time before an accident or lawsuit marks the end of this school.My child attended this school from 6-8th grade. My child started out as a motivated and curious student, never wanting to miss a day of school. However, by the end of their time there, the experience had become rather dreadful. Leadership: The Board made a decision to replace the Head of School in mid-2022. Instead of conducting a proper search, they appointed the assistant to the role and chose not to fill the vacant position. Managing both the responsibilities of Head of School and teaching duties proved too overwhelming for this individual. Their struggles with stress and sleep deprivation were openly shared with both parents and students, which led to a noticeable decline in educational quality. Students grew fearful to approach the Head of School with concerns, and the organization of expeditions suffered. Outbursts, lack of follow-through and a general shift away from the school's previously calm, vision-driven approach was jarring for both parents and students. Philosophy & Safety: The lack of vision from both the current Head of School and the Board has seriously jeopardized the future of Odyssey. The Board makes no attempt to gather feedback or address questions from parents, further endangering the school’s standing. The handling of school incidents, such as bullying, lacks professionalism, deviates from institutional standards, and are heavily flawed with privacy infringement for all parties. This raises concerns about their ability to manage expeditions, which can involve serious potential dangers. Communication regarding these trips has deteriorated, with fewer details provided about site conditions or contingency plans. Additionally, reports from students about certain decisions made during these trips raised serious safety concerns.Given the current state of affairs, I can no longer recommend this school. I will not send my other children here. As a professional institution, Odyssey should recognize that one serious accident or lawsuit could permanently jeopardize its future, erasing what was once a life-changing educational experience.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2024

As a parent of two students at Odyssey, I’m excited to share that after 10 years of wonderful, dedicated service, our former Head of School has retired, paving the way for a seamless transition to our new Head. With 12 years of experience designing and leading expeditions at Odyssey, our "new" Head also created the school's innovative, accelerated math program.Our new Head has maintained his impressive safety record during expeditions, including the 8th graders’ three-week trip to Japan, which features homestays and a climb of Mt. Fuji. Remarkably, he has achieved zero staff turnover in the past year, reflecting a strong and supportive community.Under his leadership, the school’s vision for accelerated academics has expanded, diversifying our Japanese, English Language Arts, Science and Math programs to include more advanced course options. He has revitalized our electives, bringing back music, art, gardening, and culinary classes, enriching our students' educational experience. Additionally, he reintroduced Social Emotional Learning classes, incorporating DEI values both in and out of the classroom.Importantly, he has shown amazing support to families and staff going through hardships, demonstrating his commitment to our community. Finally, his dedication to experiential learning truly sets Odyssey apart as a unique middle school.I highly recommend Odyssey Middle School to any parent looking for a highly personalized experience, an individualized challenging curriculum, and an emphasis on social-emotional development through expeditionary learning.
Submitted by other on September 06, 2024

Odyssey was a great school for kids just a few years ago. However, the headmaster left because of board politics. Most of the faculty quit when the head left. The new head has no vision and the school is going downhill quickly. This is sad because the school was great in the past.
Submitted by other on November 23, 2023

As an Odyssey alum, I think back to my middle school experience with fond memories. The small, tight community, caring teachers, and incredible expeditions made such a positive affect on me. Middle school is generally looked back on as a terrible awkward time in someone’s life, and i’m glad Odyssey gave me a safe space to find myself without all the uncomfortableness.
Submitted by parent on November 12, 2023

Odyssey is a special place that creates the environment and culture for young children to explore their love for learning, be curious about the world, gain independence, build courage, and practice kindness. Teachers are patient, nurturing, and supportive of all learning approaches and makes the time to connect with kids and parents. There is tremendous effort, competence, care and determination to support the kids' expeditions, as well. Jon and the administrators and teachers work extremely hard to research, test and prepare for every scenario, ensuring that the safety and security of our children are met with the highest levels of standards - and exceed beyond requirements. From the in-class room curriculum to the outdoor education and expeditions, we know our children will thrive and establish the foundation to be incredible citizens of the community. Thank you Odyssey!
Submitted by other on November 10, 2023

As a current 8th grade parent I am sad that we will be leaving Odyssey at the end of the year. The experience has been transformational for my child. The expeditions are amazing and unique experiences that have built confidence and independence. The academics are really strong across the board - my child came in thinking of themselves as a "math kid" and now loves writing. And the teachers are so connected to my child - they have been amazing at providing just the right balance of support and challenge. This year, the new head of school is building on all the strengths of this small school and has already expanded and advanced how the curriculum is connected across all the subjects and activities. I can only imagine the school will get even better in the coming years.
Submitted by other on November 09, 2023

I've had two kids go through Odyssey and think very highly of the school - it's been great for both of my (very different) children. Odyssey has an exceptional math program (my 8th grader is currently doing pre-calc) and a really strong Language Arts program. The visual art program is also top-notch, getting the kids to explore a lot of different media, techniques, and collaborations. Their weekly "Field Class" seems quite innovative and is a highlight of the week for my son. This year the new Head of School has also introduced a variety of electives that let the kids explore different topics outside of the core academics (and have fun while doing so). The school met both of my kids where they were. My daughter got the academic challenge she needed, and found the social community she had been looking for (one of the reasons we moved schools). She is still closely connected to the friends she made in her three years there. Odyssey has provided enough accommodations for my son that he has been able to discover and grow his aptitudes in writing - he's gone from avoiding writing to Language Arts now being his favorite subject. The expeditions are touted as a signature element of the education, and I found they really grew both of my children's confidence. My daughter proved to herself that she had real determination and took great pride in being able to summit multiple peaks by the time she graduated. My son went from finding the expeditions intimidating to looking forward to them.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2023

Our daughter, who is now on 11th grade at a private high school, was a student at Odyssey throughout all. middle school years. She benefitted enormously from how much she learned and how much more resilient she became. She has fond memories of Odyssey and continues to participate in school activities such as open house days. We chose Odyssey for a few reasons: 1) social emotional support and learning, 2) expeditionary learning, 3) strong academics, 4) small size. Odyssey is completely different to and better than other middle schools in our area. The small size allows the teachers to know the students very well. They know their strengths areas for improvement, they understand the emotional part of a middle school child. The school provides outstanding support in a safe and caring way that allowed her grow through this potentially challenging time, a child becoming a teenager. The expeditionary learning is absolutely unique. Our daughter had virtually no experience with hiking and camping. In the beginning she thought she would not be able to make it. In her last expedition, though, her class beat the school altitude record on Mt. Whitney, 11,000 ft. On that expedition, after a long day hiking, she texted me and said: 'I am completely exhausted, but I am persevering'. That's the resilience that the school helped build. The expeditions also come in handy when the world went into lockdown for COVID. Odyssey put together a robust plan to reopen, and it was in the very first wave of schools approved to do so in our area. The school put up large tents to function as classrooms, and incorporated hikes that were coupled with science and social studies classes. Being outdoors was safe, healthy, and avoided the challenging zoom virtual classes. How good is that? Finally, academics. I'll cite math as the example. Although she was not in the advanced math class, when she entered high school she was able to move up to the 10th grade classes as she had all the 9th grade requirements completed at Odyssey. In summary, if she had younger siblings they would definitely be going to Odyssey. It was the best thing we did for our daughter's education. I cannot recommend the school enough.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2023

My family has sent both of our boys to Odyssey School in San Mateo, at separate times over the years - and it's made a huge difference for them. My wife and I have always prioritized academics, given the important role education played in our lives (coming from public K-12 schools and then college). For middle school, initially I had some reservations about enrolling in Odyssey School due to its smaller size. However, on the recommendation of a trusted family, and after meeting the teachers, we decided to enroll at Odyssey. I was glad to see the kids build a very strong academic foundation, and was surprised to see how the school's smaller size meant that teachers were able to tailor the education to each student (which I'd heard about but rarely seen).Both of our sons thrived at Odyssey. Upon graduation, each of our kids enrolled into their top-choice local private high school. While we initially looked at middle schools with a focus on academics, over time I've seen how the the expeditionary learning experiences at Odyssey really made a difference in who they each are today. By taking on and completing the challenging expeditions, each of our sons created their own personal proof points of accomplishment - whether that be climbing Mt. Whitney or Mt. Fuji, going on a capstone expedition to Japan or sailing in the Channel Islands. Overall +2 for a great experience, and I credit the school for laying such a solid foundation.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2023

I am so grateful for the experience my son has had at Odyssey School in San Mateo. The school’s community is warm, caring, and inclusive. We chose the school because we wanted our son to experience expeditionary learning and appreciate the beautiful natural resources of California. In addition, he is passionate about the arts, and we were highly impressed by the teachers during the school visits. Fast forward nearly 2 years, my son has grown more in the past few years than I could have hoped for. His mathematical skills are at the level of high school students. His appreciation of literature, social studies, and reasoning skills have matured beautifully. And he still maintains his love for the arts, nurtured tenderly by the school’s wonderful art teacher. I cannot recommend Odyssey School enough for any family looking for a school to help their teenager grow in these formative years before they hit high school, to gain direction in life and have a moment to discover more of who they are. Odyssey has truly been transformative for him and our family. You can learn more about the school at www.odyssey-school.org
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2018

This is a very small school. Every teacher knows every student. Teachers are mostly caring and providing a good learning environment. Overall it's a good experience for our child.Academics:Math teacher (Jon) is the glue of the school. His instructions are excellent and he provides differentiations for faster math learners. Social study is also excellent and much better than the traditional method (memorizing facts). The teacher (Matt) guides students to learn new topics through research, critical thinking and meaningful discussions. Japanese teacher (Madeleine) leads students to learn a quite difficult language in a fun environment, and she also teaches students about Japanese Culture.Science is good. Although there is not enough lab sessions. Language art (English) is just inadequate. It's very disappointing. Electives: all the courses (arts, dance, theater, swimming, karate, etc.) are all REQUIRED in this school. To any student who's not interested in any of these courses is just waste of time. Social emotional learning (used to called self science) is just ineffective, and sometimes run the contrary of learning collaborating and being mindful. There is not technology course (e.g., robotics, programming).Expeditions: this school is big on expeditions (long field trips). It's good for my child to get out of the comfort zone and learn how to live with limited resources, and look out and help each other.
Submitted by other on March 18, 2016

I think it is an exceptional school with an accelerated curriculum and a penchant for adventure! It's small size allows for individual attention to every student. It is set in a wooded, four acre hillside. Inside the small school there is an unbelievable energy and excitement. I found it after seeing one of its drama productions, a musical called "Zombeo and Juliet". The entire school is climbing Mt. Whitney at the end of the month. I can't wait until my kids are old enough to apply!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2015

Odyssey School is awesome. They do college-level work in all subjects especially in math and science. My oldest is there now and I will apply for my youngest in 3 years when she reaches the fifth grade. Their expedition program is amazing. They do oceanographic expeditions, they climb Mt Whitney, Mt Shasta, and even Mt Fuji in Japan. Kids learn the value of hard work and planning on these amazing adventures.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2015

Ask about high school acceptance rates for the 2015 class. The earlier reviewer is misinformed. The 2014 graduating class had few acceptances into private schools with one top Odyssey male being rejected by every private school! Acceptance data is misleading with less than 50% of students attempting applications to private high schools. The school provides no formal guidance on high school selection and no counseling on the application process for either the student or the parents. Although the lack of guidance may lead to the very poor acceptance rate, likely it is the lack of rigor in the science and math programs. In recent years the school moved to a study hall style math, citing flexibility of independent study and ability to soar ahead. The reality is many students use Aleks.com for their entire math curriculum. No wonder students are demotivated and end up repeating algebra in 9th grade. The school prides itself on a lack of text books. There are none used in Japanese or science. The occasional electronic article provides some background information, but the science curriculum is run as a very loose cursory overview of topics year to year.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2015

Our gifted son is in 7th grade and joined the Odyssey School this year after being homeschooled previously. The transition couldn't have been smoother. This school is a truly special place! The teachers go above and beyond daily. Their generosity of spirit, warmth, sense of humor, understanding and unwavering expectation for the best from each child is absolutely priceless and commendable. A very small, close knit community in a magical setting. Our son can not wait to get to school every day! Worth every penny of the tuition!!!
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

Odyssey Middle School is a hidden gem in the Bay Area! I urge any parent looking for a life-changing experience for their child to explore Odyssey Middle School. The school delivers on its promise to educate the leaders, thinkers and creators of tomorrow. Odyssey prepared my son for the high school of his choosing. The students get individual attention not only for their academics but for their social development. The result is the students are happy, polite, curious and active in their communities. The academics are solid, but more importantly the students are being prepared for life. The three years of trips, journaling, friendships, self science, helping tasks, group projects and so much more --- builds confidence rarely seen in middle school students. School events are well attended by current, past and prospective Odyssey families. The parents are supportive and actively involved. As my son enters his sophomore year in high school I still see a little Odyssey in him everyday.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Our son, now a sophomore at a local public high school, had a fantastic experience at Odyssey Middle School. Odyssey helped him grow during his three-year journey through a carefully designed series of hands-on experiences and big challenges. He left Odyssey happy, confident, and resourceful. One example: early as first-years, students attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. During the day, they pair up for a scavenger hunt. For many, this is the first time they have navigated without parental help. Over the 3 years, the size and complexity of the challenges grow until they ready for the keystone Odyssey experience: 3-week-long immersion in Japan. The students again pair up but this time to get from Kyoto by bullet train to Tokyo and back in a single day with a fixed budget. In Tokyo, they have to choose wherever they would like to visit using only public transit and speaking only in Japanese with locals to get directions or ask for their help in getting 100 responses to a cultural survey done by each student. Odyssey is full of experiences like this, building the students' resiliency by taking on an ever-more-complex set of challenges inside and outside of the classroom.