Expansion Proposed For Charter School In Manchester

Manchester CT

10 March, 2022

9:34 AM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — Additional classroom space has been proposed for the Odyssey Community School in Manchester. A Planning & Zoning Commission application was submitted this week requesting a special exception modification to increase the school at 579 Middle Turnpike West by 18,000 square feet. The additional space is to be used for "classroom expansion purposes," according to the application. Odyssey is a state charter school with a mission of "striving to support the development of our students into successful, well-respected members of their community by promoting academic excellence, self-confidence, and the internalization of our core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Curiosity, Leadership, and Excellence." Odyssey has an enrollment of 329 students in kindergarten through Grade 8. Class sizes are designed to remain small, so "teachers give individual attention to every student." Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice. They are given a high degree of autonomy to operate as they want, but in return, they are highly accountable to "show improved student achievement and to remain financially responsible," according to Odyssey's profile. School charters are given by the state and serve as contracts between the State Department of Education and the schools. The charter dictates each school's mission, program, goals, types of students it will serve, methods of assessment, and ways in which the school will measure success.