OUR VISION
WHAT IF EDUCATION ACTUALLY CARED FOR ALL STUDENTS AND HELPED THEM BECOME WISE, VIRTUOUS, AND COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS?
THE GOAL
of Odyssey Leadership Academy is to focus on the values of identity formation, virtue development, compassion, and the pursuit of wisdom through constructive mentoring relationships, transformative curriculum, and real-world experiences.
THE FOCUS
of OLA is on shaping the next generation of thoughtful leaders, innovators, storytellers, and visionaries to be voices of change in their communities and architects of repair in the world!
OUR MISSION
The pressing issues of our times demand individuals possessing the skills, desire, and courage to bring light to dark places. That is why we seek to shape an educational experience that focuses on what truly matters in the human experience:
Wisdom:
the capacity to choose the Good, the Noble, the Beautiful, and the Praiseworthy in life
Virtue:
the cultivation of habits that lead to well-being and full human flourishing
Compassion:
the ability to "suffer with"--to engage in the suffering of another; to spend oneself on behalf of the oppressed; to learn how to act out of an ethic of love
OUR VALUES
At Odyssey Leadership Academy, we are dedicated to fostering the following core values:
Identity Formation
Covenantal Relationships
Mentoring
The Pursuit of Wisdom, Virtue and Compassion
Living intentionally, mindfully, and sacrificially
Deep thinking and deep work
Vocation (from the Latin vocare="calling or mission")
At OLA, we believe that identity formation and the cultivation of wisdom and virtue happen best in the presence of deep, covenantal relationships over the long haul. We are committed to fostering mentoring relationships between teacher and students and students to students in a safe, caring environment.
OUR LANGUAGE
At Odyssey Leadership Academy, you will hear us use words like creativity, mission, intention, mindfulness, and passion as we pursue what it means to live wise, virtuous, and compassionate lives on behalf of the common good.
You will also notice that we use a different vocabulary to talk about ourselves:
Instead of "teacher," we call our instructors Mentors because we believe that building deep, long-lasting relationships is the core of who we are and what we do.
Instead of "principal" or "superintendent," those who oversee the leadership functions are called Deans, for we believe it is their job not just to oversee the community life of the school, but, most importantly, to mentor the Mentors
Instead of "district," we call our region of responsibility our Community as a way to identify the reciprocal relationship that should exist between the community and the school. We believe that the school should serve the needs of its local community and vice versa.