Odyssey Program May Expanded To Eighth Grade

Thu., March 4, 1999

Amy Scribner Staff writer

Education

Spokane’s full-time gifted magnet program may expand again to include four grade levels next year.

Parents in District 81’s Odyssey program are being surveyed to determine whether there’s enough interest to add an eighth-grade classroom.

The Libby Center program currently includes grades five through seven.

It started in 1997 with just fifth and sixth graders and added seventh grade in the fall of 1998.

Surveys returned so far show that parents would support both continuing the seventh-grade classroom and the possibility of extending to eighth grade, said Libby Center Director Deborah Johnson.

“It’s looking very promising,” said Johnson. “But we still have to make sure we have enough kids.”

Some district officials expressed concerns earlier this year that low interest might halt plans to continue the program into the eighth grade.

But the seventh-grade program has maintained between 23 and 25 students all year, said Johnson. The full capacity is 25.

“I would feel horrible if we couldn’t offer the program for those kids who wanted it,” said Johnson.

Odyssey offers accelerated curriculum to the district’s top students, leaving kids with more time to pursue individual interests and research.

The program is renewed each year based on enrollment. Parents are cautioned when their kids enter that it’s a year-to-year arrangement.

Johnson said the surveys will be tallied this month and that an official recommendation to the school board could come by the end of the month.

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