The Odyssey Program

How to Apply for the Lottery 

There are two pieces to apply for The Odyssey Program lottery...

THE SCHOOL PIECE

The Odyssey Program is a special type of Portland Public School, known as a Focus Option Program. It is open to all PPS students and families.

Information meetings are usually held at the school, however due to COVID-19 we will be holding Zoom Q&A meetings this year.

Please view the below videos and submit the Form via the provided link.  An Odyssey Statement of Understanding (SOU) will then be emailed to you for your completion; which is required to be eligible for the lottery.  The SOU states that you understand the expectations and uniqueness of the Odyssey Program.

Frequently asked questions

1. Watch these videos:

                         Welcome from Principal Berg:  Click here to view the video
                         All About The Odyssey Program:  Click here to view the video
                         A Middle School Parent's Perspective: Click here to view the video   
                         A Student’s Perspective:  Click here to view the video

2. Submit this form to receive a Statement of Understanding.

            A signed Statement of Understanding is required to be submitted to the school in order to be eligible for the lottery. 

                         (Return SOU to school via email, fax or US mail)

3. Middle School Parent Q & A Zoom meeting was held on Wednesday, October 28th, 4-5 PM.

             Click here to watch the recorded meeting.

                           Note:  A parent Q & A meeting for the K-5th Grade Lottery will be scheduled
                           within the Lottery window determined by the district (typically in February). 

THE DISTRICT PIECE

The district office will be accepting lottery applications for Middle School, grades 6-8, beginning Nov. 12th through 5 PM Dec. 11th.  The K-5th Grade Lottery occurs in the spring.  Exact dates have not yet been released.  Due to very few open spots in our program, listing Odyssey as your first choice school is highly recommended.

                            pps.net/enroll

The K-5th Grade Lottery occurs in the spring.  Exact dates have not yet been released.

Attending a school outside your neighborhood:
PPS offers a petition process for students who wish to attend a school outside their neighborhood. Learn more. PPS also holds a lottery every February/March for the following school year for schools/programs accessed via lottery. Learn more.

Learn about services, options:

• Head Start and other Pre-Kindergarten Programs
• Before and After-School Care
• Focus options schools (Science, History, The Arts)
• Dual Language Immersion programs
• Alternative Schools
• Charter Schools

English as a Second Language

• Register at your neighborhood school. If language assistance is needed, register at a Welcome Center (Link) in August. Centers also assess students English language level.

Special Education

• PPS encourages families with concerns about their child's development under age 5 to get an assessment for special education services. Call the Multnomah Early Childhood Program, 503-261-5535, for a referral to the PPS Early Childhood Evaluation Team. Contact the PPS Team directly if you have questions: 503-916-3426. (English/Spanish).
• Families concerned about their school-age child's academic, motor, self-help, communication or social-emotional skills should talk to their child's teacher about an assessment for services. If you have questions, contact your principal.

Talented & Gifted

• Students K-12 are first nominated by their teacher or parent/guardian and then assessed by PPS. If the student meets the criteria, he or she is selected to participate in the program.