The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Goodyear

Posted: May 31, 2023

This school has ZERO social-emotional support for its’ students and makes them feel unwelcome and isolated.
They hire teachers without degrees or proper training, and the Principal Liz, is the worst.

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: April 6, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2022

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Posted: April 6, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2022

Posted: April 6, 2022

It's fine if you have no where else to go, but, since the pandemic and the return to classes, NOT ONE TEACHER wears a mask. Not ONE. They don't encourage it and most of the children therefore do not wear them. Also, it's almost certain that because of this stance, COVID-related illnesses weren't reported either by the parents, nor taken seriously by the staff, of course.

As for the school itself, it it small, the parking lot doesn't hold all the cars when an event is happening, so you'll be parking far away in the dirt and walking. The kids only get 20 MINUTES to scarf down their lunch, and they are stuck in the cafeteria this whole time. They are not allowed to leave and walk around the campus if they like. They don't have lockers, but are expected to leave and go to multiple classes (approximately grade 3 and above) while hauling around their life in their heavy heavy backpacks. Also, in 4th grade, a music instrument is expected to be played, and therefore you have no choice but to haul that around too! (Heaven help you if your child picked the cello like mine), when it is only played for maybe about 10 minutes in class total. There is no extra room for ANYTHING in classes, and my child has told me that they have to sometimes put their BACKPACKS outside too! So far, nothing has been stolen, but who knows how long until that happens? There is no formal playground. No play equipment. Basically the only thing to do during recess is to sit, walk around, or find a game involving a ball and play that.

The one good thing, is they only go Monday through Thursday, and there's never any homework.

Posted: August 5, 2021

As a mom of multiple kids who went to this school, we had several teachers, some great some not so great. The principal doesn’t handle bullying in a professional manner, along with many other matters. Research Wit and Wisdom curriculum, from what I’ve seen is appalling. I used to think this was such a great school but my point of view has completely changed after our experiences.

Posted: August 5, 2021

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Posted: July 30, 2021

Posted: March 25, 2019

there is no homework at any grade... no studying at any grade...

Posted: March 25, 2019

Posted: March 25, 2019

Posted: March 25, 2019

principle ran and she is passes the buck to the teachers

Posted: March 25, 2019

Posted: March 25, 2019

they have a serious bulling problems because they do nothing about it. Their zero tolerance is just words. Even the staff allows adult bulling, favoritism and cliques. You better be in one if you want to be apart of the experience

Posted: March 25, 2019

Couldn't be happier to leave that school, such a shame because their music program is top noch and 90% of their teachers are the best. The day to day, bulling, cliques and communication is horrible. All information is sent last second, or if sent it is incomplete with several questions. Weekly frustrated as a parent to get help, guidance, from the school as a whole.

Posted: October 29, 2018

The test scores for Odyssey are lower than the local low income public schools. They say they do not teach to the test, but this is basic math and English skills that are being tested, no excuse to do so poorly (the junior high scores are abysmal). Bullies are rewarded for their behavior by getting more attention while teachers play favorites more than any school I have seen. There is ALOT of teacher turnover. Luckily, we left the state and I was happy to put this school in my rear view mirrror.

Posted: October 29, 2018

Posted: October 29, 2018

Posted: October 29, 2018

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Posted: October 29, 2018

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Both of my children have been attending this school since Kindergarten simply because the teachers and administration are extremely involved and invested in every child! It shows throughout every activity and assignment. I could not imagine my children attending any other school!

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

Posted: January 11, 2017

I've been at this school 5 years now (multiple kids).y kids are thriving and happy. Plus, I smile every time I see the statewide test results; Odyssey scores high. The teacher are proficient, they have many extracurricular activities, and they enforce good values. They even have a Middle and High School with sports programs for both. Also great school - parent communication. I love the music programs and they always have a Christmas concert.

Posted: June 12, 2016

It is a good school within the AZ area, but with that said there's a lot of issues the school needs to work on. There's a lot of bullying that goes on that the school ignores and tries to keep quiet! And the principal is in denial that the school needed any type of improvement ( there is always a need for improvement). Also there's very little communication between school and parents bedsides emails.

Posted: June 12, 2016

Posted: June 12, 2016

Posted: June 12, 2016

Posted: December 8, 2015

Posted: December 8, 2015

Posted: December 8, 2015

These are very important core values for our scholars. The students recite their importance and are recognized for their behavior.

Posted: November 18, 2015

Posted: November 18, 2015

They are not overwhelmed with homework but yet are given just enough to learn how to be responsible with completing it and turning it back in.

Posted: November 18, 2015

I have not witnessed unfair behavior toward the kids but I have seen Principal Douglass not keep her word. She told me she was going to do something for me and then didn't follow through. That was disappointing and made me view her in a different way.

Posted: November 18, 2015

My children have been at TOPA since they opened in Goodyear 5 years ago. I was very excited to become a part of the family and have always had good things to say about the school. But unfortunately it seems as though the school has changed a bit. It seems like there are so many mean and insensitive teachers. My kids come home repeatedly saying how much the teachers yell. Within the 5 years, I can say we have not had many nice teachers. And I have always been a parent to volunteer at the school. Or any time they need supplies or any assistance, I have always tried to help, but it took just one misunderstanding out of 5 years and Principal Douglas to jump down my throat! I was so shocked that out of all the time and effort I have always put in to supporting the school, it took one disagreement for her to disrespect me. That was very disappointing and I almost felt betrayed because of all the support I have given to the school. The academics are great, but let one thing bother the principal and she will treat you poorly from there on out. I would expect better behavior from someone in her position.

Posted: October 13, 2015

Posted: October 13, 2015

The teacher is really great. The receptionist is sweet and always smiling. The quality of people here is much nicer than the public schools err came from.

Posted: March 31, 2015

My son has been attending this school for two years now. I was so excited for him to start here because I had heard great things about the school. I was in for a little surprise, there is not a lot of parent and teacher interaction. Everything is done online. I really think this school is over rated. Its definitely not what I expected. They don't have parent teacher conferences, so if you are not constantly checking your email you wont know what is going on. Odyssey definitely needs some improvement, maybe for starts they can organize a PTO.

Posted: March 21, 2015

Our family is very happy with the more challenging cilurriculum and focus on global education at Odyssey. The administration is attentive and committed to a smaller, more intimate education setting for our scholars.

Posted: September 3, 2014

This has been our 3 children's 4th year with odyssey. I have seen this school just continually improve. The minute I walk in the door, the secretary has a smile on her face and acknowledges that I am there. The principal treats me like an equal while maintaining her position with professionalism. She knows every child from the looks of it. And then there are the teachers....I can't even begin to express my appreciation to them for not only teaching my children knowledge, but instilling good social values as well. I do recognize that Odyssey is not a good fit for every family and child, but it has been the best choice for ours. Thanks for being our children's home away from home.

Posted: August 30, 2014

Goodyear Campus. Horrible!!!! My son attended this school for a total of 2 weeks 4th grade. Within the first week he was threatened by another student in class. After defending himself verbally, he was suspended for 2 days. The other student had no punishment what so ever. The principal's reason for these actions, in her exact words, "I assure you that he would never say that to (my son's name). I've known him and his parents since he started here in kindergarten. I don't know (my son's name) at all." My interactions with her and some of the other staff was very bias and unprofessional. The before after school program is just as bad. The employees eat in front of the children there. The children attend school from 7:30am to 4pm so they are hungry after school. Very unprofessional and rude for them to eat in front of hungry children. When my sitter would pick my son up, the woman at the front counter was always very rude to her. I removed my son from a bad school, thinking this school would be a good place for him where he would not be bullied or treated poorly, big mistake.

Posted: May 26, 2014

This is the best school on so many levels. There are multiple levels of learning in each grade so all students are challenged, no bored children here! What sets the school apart is the core values. The children are taught to be thinkers and are held to a high moral standard.

Posted: April 30, 2014

We have been a part of the Odyssey famil of schools for three years now and are very pleased with our experience. The curiculum is challenging but the delivery is fun. A very nice combination. Love the focus on international language.

Posted: March 26, 2014

Odyssey is a great school! I love that my kids have already read so many amazing books! They get to read all the classics and I'm truly jealous because I love literature and wish I had that opportunity growing up. I really like they teach Spanish, music to all students via their instrument of choice, a health and physical education program in which the there is actually a teacher coordinating different activities. I even like their method of Peaceful Playground for recess which means being involved in something not just sitting around. My kids have also had the opportunity for great field trips like, Catalina Island, etc. I also love that they wear uniforms, saves us money and stress when purchasing back to school items and deciding what to wear every morning. My daughter was also in 2nd grade at public school becoming quite the fashion diva and I didn't like it. I really like how wearing uniforms has help her relax and not give such importance to what she or others are wearing. School is the focus. We also enjoy that it is only a four day school week. The only thing I don't like is that it is a drive for us about 15 minutes but it is worth it!

Posted: January 29, 2014

I am very satisfied with this amazing charter school. My daughter is in kindergarten and I couldn't be more pleased with the quality of education she is receiving Ms Walker her teacher is very caring and warm. She wakes up every morning excited to go to school and comes home telling us how much fun she had and what she learned which for only half day is amazing. I also see the school principal out directing traffic in the morning she seems very hands on everyone is so friendly and seems to love working there. I like that they also get Fridays off

Posted: January 7, 2014

This school is amazing. My son goes to kindergarten here & I have nothing but great things to say. The school encourages parent involvement, has an extensive curriculum (Spanish, music and daily PE starting at kindergarten!), and is extremely creative. His teacher has gone above and beyond to ensure his personal success, which is just an extension of the entire organization. The quality at Odyssey is superb, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get a 10 rating in the future. Odyssey truly cares about not only the students in the classrooms, but the families of those students as well.