After nearly five years of looking for a home, it appears that Odyssey School

will open this fall for students.

"The road to opening has been a long one," said board president

Cammy Tidwell, "but we are confident that Odyssey will have a positive

impact upon the children and families of the community."

Odyssey was the first group to apply for a charter school in the county,

and has had trouble finding a location to house its students.

But the school will now open in the White Oak Shopping Center on Ga. Highway

34 in the old Lazer Worx location. The building is nearly 10,000 sq. ft.

and will house students in grades K-5.

School officials said the average class size will be no more than 20 students

and will group students in multi-grades. Tidwell said the grouping allows

teachers to better teach students according to their academic level, and

no their age.

The school operates under a charter by the state of Georgia and receives

state funding, but does not receive any local monies.

Odyssey will be overseen by a board of directors, which consists of many

of the parents at the school.

The school is a free public school that is open to any student, regardless

of where they live. Parents will have to provide transportation and meals

for the students.

For more information on the school, call 678-446-9050 or visit www.odysseycharterscool.net .