About
Odyssey opened its doors in 2006 as the state’s first mathematics focussed, 2nd language elementary charter school and has since grown to serve over 2,200 students in K-12. Knowing that 50% of science vocabulary words come from the Greek language, Odyssey Charter prepares students with a dual-language approach paired with classical learning at its finest. The rigorous charter enjoys a partnership with the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware which allows them to recruit credentialed instructors from Greece who co-teach with Americans and its 36 acres provide everything from access to a hydroponic garden to the arts. Head of Schools Elias Pappas, who himself struggled to speak English and communicate with his teachers, is dedicated to giving a diverse population of students every opportunity to learn the language of democracy.
Their Story
An independent charter that instills a love for and proficiency in the classics, languages, and democracy among typically underserved students.
Elias Pappas
Head of School
“Odyssey charter schools outperform the state of Delaware by 200-400%…our schools are comprised of 55% minority [students] and 99% are non-native Greek speakers.”
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Why they stand out
“Filotimo” is Greek for a spirit of empathy, kindness, and generosity, and this value guides everything at Odyssey Charter Schools. The second largest charter school in Delaware provides a customizable education including six different levels of Greek language learning, innovative design labs that foster creativity and critical thinking, and a hydroponics program that produces two tons of fresh produce every year for the local community.
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How they STOP for education
Odyssey receives fewer dollars than traditional public schools but is becoming sustainable in part by creating and maintaining its own transportation department and contracting to other schools for supplemental income.
The school has begun to use AI to transform learning for students for today’s demands.
To address the teacher shortage, Odyssey utilizes the H1B1 pathway to build and sustain an outstanding base of educators from Greece.
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Winning their award
Odyssey Charter School will use their STOP Award to retrofit and build out space in its current facility to enroll more students into its innovative immersion program, with the plan to expand both horizontally and vertically on its K-12 campus.
