Differentiated Experiential Learning
Individualized curriculum's are created together by the student, parents and teachers. Special emphasis is put on academics, emotional needs, problem-solving skills, hands-on experience and discovery. Basic skills, such as math, reading and writing, are integrated and taught in small classes of two to four students or on an individual basis. Students are grouped by their ability and interests, rather than by grade level. On a daily basis, the students come together in a group circle for discussion, to make plans and to solve problems. Students are given ample opportunity for unstructured play and to choose their own activities - be it fantasy or a project of their own design.
The students work on many activities as a group. Special classes are available to the students including, cooking, Spanish, archaeology, music, art, nature studies, woodworking, computer literacy, dancing, theater and others as determined by student interest and skills found among the parents, teachers and community.
There are field trips in the local community and overnight trips to places in our region. We visit people from other cultures in places like Akwesasne, Ottawa and Montreal. Students have an opportunity to do community service, such as assisting an elderly neighbor or raising money for a food drive. Annually, we attend the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools conference held at different schools across the country.
Like the ancient Greeks we at The Academy consider philosophy the daily practice of living. Certain principles guide us as we work through our busy lives solving problems, communicating, planning, and creating. We view each person as unique with special needs for safety, love, and esteem. We know there are individual interests, worries, skills, and dreams to consider. Our main goal is to enhance each person's sense of self, knowledge, and curiosity.
We are members of a small school community nested within sections of larger communities. To be good citizens we must learn to accommodate different points of view, be flexible in our requests, be patient with others, and contribute to the community. This dynamic interplay of individual desires within a society forms the basis of our learning. We seek the ever-changing balance that helps us grow both as individuals and a family.
The Odyssey Academy provides experiences that will benefit our greater society by strengthening the children today. The discussions we have in our daily meetings validate the students' concerns and allow practice in meaningful problem solving. We know the skills learned and practiced now will evolve into solid skills in management, parenting, community involvement, and, above all, understanding and tolerance of diverse viewpoints.
Our greatest challenge at The Odyssey Academy is developing self-motivation in children. They come from other educational settings where too often students are expected to wait for an assignment or a task to be given before acting. The greatest fault of most schools is their creation of passive, conforming people. Students are trained by others to comply through passive education rather than stimulated to learn on their own. Those who are active, follow their own interests, set their own schedules are often labeled as hyperactive, undisciplined, or just plain troublemakers. We welcome children with energy!
At The Academy we peel off the layers of self-doubt, passive habits, and negative attitudes to reveal the curious person present at birth. Because each person is unique, we tailor a program to fit the individual. We are knowledgeable about child development, the proper sequences for studying certain bodies of knowledge, and the powerful affect of curiosity on learning. All of this is encompassed in a caring, supportive environment.