We provide professional, affordable assessments at the Odyssey Educational Testing Center.

As Austin’s leaders in quality education for students with learning differences for over a decade, our team is uniquely qualified to guide you through the process of diagnostic testing. Our team of experts works to create the best assessment experiences possible, from kindergarten to college.

ASSESSMENT OPTIONS

FULL ASSESSMENT

The Full Assessment provides comprehensive psycho-educational and language testing. Results are delivered as written reports and shared during an in-person consultation and interpretation session to assure full understanding. Our assessments are Texas Education Agency-compliant and are appropriate for presentation to school districts, the College BoardTM and ACT Inc.

Bilingual and non-verbal assessments are available, as well as specialized testing services for students on the Autistic Spectrum.

INDIVIDUALIZED POST-ASSESSMENT SUPPORT

We provide consultation for families who want support with implementation of findings or with school communications. We offer:

• Consultation and in-school observations
• Attendance and advocacy for your child at school meetings such as ARD/IEP or 504 accommodations meetings.
• Teacher-friendly recommendations for specifc accommodations and strategies
• Guidance identifying therapeutic needs
• Recommendations of appropriate therapeutic professionals
• Experience and advice in selecting a long-term educational path for your child

REEVALUATION OR UPDATING PRIOR TESTS

Is your student preparing for college testing? The reevaluation process will help support and assist in appropriate accommodations. It’s also a great option when working with the College Board™ and ACT tests.

CAREER AND SKILLS TESTING

For students preparing for a career, we offer the Highlands Ability Battery™, which is the gold standard among tools measuring human aptitudes or abilities. More than any other test, it helps outline what kinds of college study and career a person should pursue, and what kinds they should not pursue.

You may learn even more from the Strong Interest Inventory, which provides deeper understanding of individual strengths and blind spots, including work style and interaction needs.

Click here and fill out the contact form to set up your initial consultation, or call Odyssey School: 512-472-2262

Our expertise is the education of students with dyslexia, ADD & ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other learning disabilities. Our methods are research-based and reflect the most current understandings. Please visit our blog to learn more about what’s happening now in the world of LD education—and see our unique philosophy in action.

STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH

We take a strengths-based approach for our students: we help them recognize what they are good at. Equipped with knowledge of their strengths, students learn to capitalize on them. Confidence and self-esteem are integral to a successful learning process.

Our 8:1 staff-student ratio allows our teachers to check for each student’s understanding and comprehension over the course of each lesson in a meaningful and effective way. We closely track performance on key skills and make sure that students achieve measurable progress over time— progress that they can describe and

We view students as people, not as diagnoses. At the same time, specific accommodations and adjustments are available to meet each student’s needs.

• For example, dysgraphia strategies minimize requirements for the student to hand-write assignments and maximize opportunities for typing and dictation.
• Attention deficit strategies get students in close proximity to instructors, provide as much structure and predictability as possible and allow students to move around the classroom.
• Autism spectrum strategies allow for frequent breaks to help self-regulate sensory input and improve attention and performance, and build in time for transitions and shifting-of- tasks.

For all students, we emphasize quality of work over quantity. These are just a few of the many accommodation strategies we employ to make sure each child can learn successfully.

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

All classes engage our students in active group projects that keep them moving, keep them curious, and challenge them to integrate different skill sets. In project-based learning, students develop mastery without even noticing, they’re having so much fun.

CONNECTED CURRICULUM

Every nine weeks, our teaching team chooses a new unifying theme, chooses partners across disciplines, and builds coursework around that theme and contemporary issues. Recent themes include Ethics, Invention, The Future, Social Responsibility, Technology, Collaboration, and Discovery. For example, with the theme of Discovery, Social Studies students focused on understanding immigration. The Language Arts classroom wrote speeches and hosted a debate on the subject. The Math classroom examined data and statistics, including methods by which data can be skewed and the ethical responsibilities that accompany data analysis. A connected curriculum helps students see the relevance of each discipline and builds on the enthusiasm and strengths of the peer group.

ODYSSEY EDUCATIONAL TESTING CENTER

We are proud to provide affordable, professional learning assessments at the Odyssey Educational Testing Center. As Austin’s leaders in quality education for students with learning differences for over a decade, our team is uniquely qualified to guide you through the process of diagnostic testing. Our team of experts works to create the best assessment experience possible—from kindergarten to college.

At Odyssey, we understand the importance of educating your child beyond today. Each step of the way, we guide them to imagine, articulate, and reach for their highest dreams. Our Pragmatics and Dual-Enrollment programs provide a springboard for college and careers.

Through college counseling over two years, we strive to achieve an excellent match between student and college. Teachers, parents and student consider academics, aptitude, personality, independence, financial resources, geography and goals. With wrap-around support, students find this important decision less confusing and more rewarding.

PRAGMATICS

Pragmatics is a 2-year course entirely dedicated to helping juniors and seniors prepare for their transition into post-high school endeavors. We start early so that students have time to integrate their skills and ideas.

Students visit university campuses, tour dorms, make plans for college application, prepare for and schedule college testing together. They write resumes, take personality tests and skills assessments and explore a variety of careers through shadowing, light internship and meet-and-greet interviews with professionals.

Last but not least, they practice independent living and practical life skills like keeping a budget spreadsheet, understanding car maintenance, and cooking for one.

Every Pragmatics class is tailored to help young people envision their futures with confidence.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Odyssey offers dual-enrollment at Austin Community College through our College Connections program. For eligible juniors and seniors, we rearrange student schedules and do tutoring to support their enrollment. In our first two graduating classes, 40% of students had taken at least one ACC class by the end of their Odyssey careers!

COLLEGE BOARDS AND COLLEGE PLACEMENT TESTING

We work with students and parents to plan for college placement testing and can host that testing for students, providing accommodations for those who qualify.

ALTERNATE PATHS

We encourage all students to attend a two-year or four-year college, and most do! We also acknowledge that for some students, college is a long-term goal and the right path begins with professional school, apprenticeship in a trade, or beginning a career path. Those students are equally supported in their journeys.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle school students in 5th through 8th grade have daily classes in Math, Science, Literature/Reading, English/Writing and Social Studies and each class period is a full 55 minutes. We also offer two paid electives; students can choose between Studio Arts, PE, Technology and Study Skills.

MATH

Middle School Math classes emphasize hands-on experience and discussion. Students develop and strengthen their skills in the areas of numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. We explore problem-solving and logical thinking to apply mathematical concepts to the world around us.

LANGUAGE ARTS

For middle school and the first two years of high school, Odyssey offers a unique double-intensive language arts program. Students enroll in both a reading class and a writing class. These two distinct classes allow them to focus deeply on skill-building and ensure a balanced, rigorous language arts learning process.

READING/LITERATURE

Reading/Literature Courses expose students to a variety of literary genres. We study fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry, as well as contemporary texts like graphic novels, news stories and opinion editorials. Students are encouraged to become self-motivated, life-long readers. Our Middle School Language Arts program aligns with the National Council of Teachers of English 21st Century Literacies framework.

ENGLISH/WRITING

In Middle School English/Writing, Odyssey students are taught to write coherent, organized prose. They learn research methods and discover how to find credible sources—a key skill in the Internet age. Students complete Middle School Writing with the ability to articulate their thoughts (written and verbal); analyze for meanings, values, and intentions; research and organize information and ideas; and communicate clearly.

SCIENCE

Odyssey teachers specialize in interactive, hands-on science. Students explore, hypothesize, predict, experiment and test in projects that bring their science books alive. We also create a unique science fair. Students choose a concept, research and learn it in-depth and then teach it to others in a science fair atmosphere. Everyone learns, without the high-pressure competition.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies and history are all about people—why they do the things they do, what factors influence them, and what consequences or possibilities arise from a confluence of events. We guide our students to see social studies as a global classroom. They learn to make relevant, real-world connections and develop a nuanced understanding of cultures, governments, and human lives.

HIGH SCHOOL

Students in 9th through 10th grades have one 55-minute class each day in the foundational subjects of Math, Science, Writing, Reading and Social Studies. In 11th and 12th grades, Reading and Writing are combined into one English class, and all students take Pragmatics (Preparation for College and Careers).

We also offer two paid electives. High school students have the option of taking Spanish Language, Studio Arts, Physical Education/Health, Robotics and Technology Programming, and Study Skills.

MATH

In high school math, we focus on higher-order abstract numeracy. Odyssey students gain a solid lifetime understanding of math and its applications. Students are prepared to use complex math in college, the work place, and to explore their intellectual curiosity. We also ground the study in areas like real estate or consumer math for students needing a less traditional curriculum.

LANGUAGE ARTS

For middle school and the first two years of high school, Odyssey offers a unique double-intensive language arts program. Students enroll in both a reading class and a writing class. These two distinct classes allow them to focus deeply on skill building and ensure a balanced, rigorous language arts learning process.

SCIENCE

Through close examination of everyday phenomena, our high school students learn to apply concepts in biology, physics, chemistry, environmental science and psychology. They learn to observe, innovate and experiment as they explore the interdependent relationships that govern how matter and energy, earth and organisms co-exist.

SOCIAL STUDIES

As our current students become adults, they need the capacity to navigate across cultural barriers. We guide them to understand multiple perspectives, and evaluate the information they encounter with an open mind and a critical eye. Our high school social studies program challenges students to understand diplomatic, economic and cultural issues facing the United States and the world—and to imagine innovative solutions.

ELECTIVES

In order for us to offer flexibility and opportunities for choice, the electives program is separate from our academic core. This allows us to also support students who are participating in a dual-credit program, working, pursuing their own chosen talent or sport, or receiving supporting services. Electives are offered at an additional cost

MAKER SHOP

Class is project-based. Students work with technology, carpentry, mechanics and other tools and skills to build projects and invent new or innovative items. This is an excellent opportunity to build practical skills like carpentry while also learning to invent and problem solve.

STUDIO ARTS

This course focuses on project-based activities like mixed media, painting, ceramics, culinary gardening and crafts. The class also partners with other programs and organizations to broaden the student’s experience with activities such as music, video development and fine arts.

STUDY HALL

Study Hall provides additional study time for students to complete homework and other class assignments. Work in the class supports and reinforces the organization and study skills taught in Odyssey Classrooms.

TECHNOLOGY

Class emphasizes hands-on projects and discussions exploring topics in technology such as video and image editing, computer aided design (CAD) and printing 3-D from that design, robotics, computer game creation, and digital citizenship.

SPANISH

Odyssey offers high school students Spanish I and Spanish II. Both emphasize listening, speaking, reading and writing. They also employ role-play, class presentations and communication in real-life situations. Students examine language structure, acquire a good accent, working vocabulary and set of verb forms, and explore the cultures and peoples of Spanish-speaking countries.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

In our Physical Education program, students participate in a wide variety of games, sports practice periods, discussions and drills. Students learn to cooperate in a group, work on a team, evaluate performance, build character, and appreciate physical fitness. We also draw on community-sponsored programs to promote healthy lifestyles and relationships.

HEALTHY LIVING

This course is a comprehensive study and development of health living habits, individual personal health, managing positive interpersonal relationships and safety. Students will also focus on achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of personal fitness through participating in physical activity.

LANGUAGE THERAPY

Our reading program follows the research based, proven Orton Gillingham scope and sequence and can strengthen accuracy, fluency, and decoding skills, which increases comprehension, confidence, and the general desire to read. Group and individual Language Therapy available.

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE THERAPY

Our reading program follows the research based, proven Orton Gillingham scope and sequence and can strengthen accuracy, fluency, and decoding skills, which increases comprehension, confidence, and the general desire to read. Group and individual Language Therapy available.