Odyssey earns renewal of charter school status

Odyssey, the state’s largest and second-oldest charter school, received a six-year contract renewal Thursday from Clark County School Board members, who unanimously agreed without debate to continue sponsoring the K-12 school near Jones Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.

Charter schools are run by private organizations but don’t charge tuition because they’re still public, relying on tax dollars for funding. Charter schools must receive approval from either a district or the state and meet the same state-mandated reporting requirements as other public schools.

With 1,700 students, Odyssey was praised by board members for the Clark County School District.

“Anywhere is fine with us as long as we get good, educated kids,” board member Deanna Wright said.

Most of Odyssey’s students were once enrolled in district schools but wanted something different, charter school Superintendent Tim Lorenz said. At Odyssey, students don’t attend class five days a week but meet with teachers once weekly, receiving most of their instruction and assignments online.

“For a lot of kids, it’s another chance,” Lorenz said.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.