Admissions - Odyssey Charter Schools
Free, Public and Open to All
Odyssey Charter School is a public, tuition-free TK–8 charter school open to all California students — no entrance tests, no tuition and no special requirements. The admissions process is grounded in equity and transparency, outlining clear eligibility criteria, application steps and enrollment procedures for families applying to either of Odyssey’s two Altadena campuses.
One Tree. Two Branches. Shared Purpose.
We give students the foundation to grow on two campuses rooted in Altadena.
Odyssey
Transitional Kindergarten–8th grade
OCS South
Transitional Kindergarten–8th grade
Why Families Apply to Odyssey
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Small Class Sizes
Small class sizes allow for more individualized time with teachers.
TK: 20 students
K - 3rd: 25 students
4th-8th: 28 students -
Diversity
. . . is our strength.
We welcome students from all backgrounds, languages and communities, fostering an inclusive environment.
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Academics
Instruction aligned with CA state standards supports positive academic outcomes and high test scores across all grade levels.
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Enrichments
Beyond the classroom.
Enrichment courses extend learning through classes like art, music, theatre, cooking, drumming, athletics and more.
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SEL
Whole child focus.
Social emotional learning is integrated across all grade levels, building a foundation for confidence and relationships.
How to Apply for Charter School Enrollment at Odyssey
Applications are open from:
October 2, 2026—February 26, 2027 at 10 pm
Click the button above to create a SchoolMint account and apply to Odyssey Charter, OCS South or Classroom Without Walls, our Independent Study Program, serving Transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
Campus tours are available from:
October 13, 2026—February 24, 2027
Click the button above to schedule a campus tour. Visit our campuses, learn more about our programs and get your questions answered. Come see what makes Odyssey Charter Schools so special.
Our School Lottery takes place on:
March 1, 2027 at 3 pm.
Odyssey follows California’s required lottery process when applications exceed available seats. Selected families are notified with registration next steps. Click the button above to contact us with any questions.
Transparency and Accountability
Odyssey maintains required policies, reporting and oversight structures to ensure alignment with applicable regulations. Review related documentation and materials on our Compliance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Odyssey and OCS-South are free, public charter schools. Odyssey (1999) is chartered through LACOE and OCS-South (2018) is chartered through Pasadena Unified.
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Odyssey consistently ranks in the top 10% of California public schools on CAASPP assessments. Teachers use CAASPP results and curricular data throughout the year to guide instruction, monitor progress and support continuous improvement across academic standards.
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Odyssey is tuition-free and funded by district and state allocations based on enrollment and attendance. Each year we raise private funds to maintain assistants, workshops, electives and enrichment. Contributions are voluntary, tax-deductible and directly support programs.
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Eligibility is based on California Department of Education age requirements. Families can check the state cutoff dates to confirm whether their child qualifies for TK or kindergarten for the upcoming school year.
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TK is part of the public school system and follows state standards with credentialed teachers. It focuses on early literacy, math readiness and social-emotional development in a structured classroom environment.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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Each class is led by a credentialed teacher, who is supported by a teacher’s assistant. Maximum students per class: TK: 20, K-3: 25, 4-8: 28. The adult-student ratio in each class is: TK: 10:1, K-3 = 13:1, 4-8 14:1.
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Families will need proof of age, immunization records and residency verification as required by the California Department of Education. Additional forms may be listed on the school’s enrollment webpage.