Washington Site
Our Future Home at Washington School
30 Years of Odyssey. A Permanent Home. A Future Full of Possibility.
For 30 years, Odyssey Community School has provided students and families with a high-quality, innovative PreK–8 public education grounded in academic excellence, belonging, curiosity, and community.
Now, we are preparing for an exciting new chapter.
Odyssey Community School is working in partnership with the Town of Manchester to establish a permanent home at the former Washington School. This transformational project will provide Odyssey with a learning environment intentionally designed for our students and educators, allow us to serve more families, and bring new life to an important Manchester community asset.
Approximately 420 Students Today
More Than 450 Students on Our Waiting List
Phase in our full enrollment over 3 years to 630 Students at Washington
Growing Opportunity
More Than a New School
Washington School represents much more than a building project. It is an opportunity to imagine what the next generation of Odyssey can be.
Our vision is to transform Washington into a vibrant PreK–8 learning environment that supports academic excellence, creativity, collaboration, student belonging, and future-ready learning.
Current plans envision opportunities for:
- Large, light-filled classrooms and flexible learning spaces
- Expanded programming opportunities
- Dedicated spaces for the arts, music, and performances on a stage
- An expanded gymnasium and recreational opportunities
- A library and media center
- Spaces for whole-school gatherings and celebrations
- Outdoor classrooms and learning areas
- Updated playgrounds and recreational spaces
- Expanded green space and park areas
- Improved accessibility, safety, and security
- Spaces that encourage collaboration among students and educators
As schematic design progresses, these plans will continue to evolve and become more detailed.
Hands photo
More Students. More Opportunities. The Same Odyssey.
Demand for an Odyssey education has grown significantly beyond the capacity of our current school.
Today, Odyssey serves approximately 420 students, with more than 450 additional students on our waiting list.
Washington School would allow Odyssey to grow to approximately 630 students by adding an additional classroom at each grade level.
Growth will be thoughtful and intentional.
As Odyssey expands, we remain committed to preserving what has made our school special for three decades: strong relationships, small learning communities, excellent educators, high expectations, academic excellence, and a culture where students are known, valued, and challenged.
Our goal is not simply to become larger.
Our goal is to provide more children with access to an Odyssey education while preserving the quality and culture that define our school.
From Vision to Reality
Transforming Washington School is a significant, multi-year undertaking.
We are currently advancing several important areas of work simultaneously.
Schematic Design
Our architectural team is developing schematic designs that will further define the educational spaces, building improvements, expansion, outdoor areas, and overall vision for the Washington site.
Construction Planning
We are meeting with contractors and other professionals to refine preliminary construction estimates and better understand the scope, phasing, and cost of the project.
Funding Strategy
A project of this magnitude will require a combination of public funding, philanthropy, financing, organizational resources, and community partnerships. We are actively developing relationships with foundations, corporations, philanthropic organizations, and other potential partners.
Town Partnership
We continue working closely with the Town of Manchester as planning progresses for both the school and the surrounding community spaces.
Community Engagement
Students, families, staff, alumni, and community members will have opportunities to learn about the project and help shape Odyssey's next chapter.
Help Us Open Doors
Your Relationships Can Help Build Odyssey's Future
One of the most powerful ways our community can support this project is by helping us build relationships.
Do you have a connection to a charitable foundation, family foundation, corporation, business leader, philanthropic organization, or individual who cares deeply about education, children and families, STEM, the arts, parks and recreation, or community development?
We would welcome an introduction.
You do not need to make a funding request on Odyssey's behalf. Simply opening the door and introducing us can make an enormous difference.
Documents and News
-
-
Our staff provided input on the main Educational Specifications for a larger school. The architect will consider these design requests in their plans.
-
Slides from the Town of Manchester Board of Directors Meeting Presentation 8/11/26