Odyssey Charter School, with approximately 2,500 students, mandates the teaching of the Greek language at every grade level, even though 98% of its student body is not of Greek heritage.
Located in the Greenville area of Wilmington, Delaware, the public school is defying the stereotypes of American education.
A cornerstone of the Hellenic model
Founded in 2006, the school chose the Greek language as the foundational pillar of its wider Hellenic Education Model. Greek is not an optional course; it is taught for two hours daily, a commitment that initially impressed families outside the Greek diaspora.
The school proudly calls itself “Our Nation’s Filotimo School,” driven by a core ethical philosophy. As Elias Pappas, the Executive Director states, the school is:
“Driven by the spirit of empathy, generosity, kindness, collaboration, and dedication to uplifting our community through acts of Filotimo.”
The continuation of the program has been overwhelmingly supported by parents, who observed that their children achieved better scores on US standardized tests. They recognize bilingualism not just as a cultural asset but as a powerful tool for developing cognitive skills.
The dedication to Greek is comprehensive, with instruction part of the curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12, ensuring high-quality foreign language instruction throughout a child’s entire academic career.
The immersion model and global goals
Today, the Odyssey campus features six buildings, including a brand-new facility that houses the Greek Language Immersion School. There, young students divide their academic day:
- English-speaking teachers cover Language Arts and Social Studies.
- Greek-speaking teachers conduct Math and Science classes exclusively in Greek.
This method allows students to utilize Greek beyond theoretical language study, applying it to technical and scientific subjects. The school’s ambitious goal is to leverage its award-winning Hellenic Education Model—which integrates the teaching of Greek, a strong civics education, and classical thinking with AI technology—to “create the global change-makers of the world.”
Why Greek? The practical answer
The question is unavoidable: Why choose a language that lacks immediate practical necessity in the United States? The answer, according to school administrators, is entirely practical:
- STEM foundation: Over 90% of the terminology in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects has Greek or Latin roots.
- English vocabulary: Approximately 30% of the English language is etymologically derived from Greek.
By learning Greek, students gain a deeper, intuitive understanding of the English language and complex scientific vocabulary, significantly enhancing their overall academic comprehension. The school also relies on external validation, preparing students for the Ellinomatheia Exams (the official Certificate of Attainment in Greek).
“We need more Odysseys across America”
The program’s success has earned international recognition, including the Yass Prize, and substantial funding. Notably, it received a grant of $1.6 million from the Longwood Foundation, capital used to construct the new building that opened on September 18th. Currently, the immersion program alone enrolls 550 students.
Despite its innovative nature, Odyssey remains a public charter school. Students are admitted via a lottery system, ensuring that the school reflects the average social fabric of the state. The program relies on a dedicated Greek-speaking staff, including over 40 permanent teachers and 6–10 assistants. Most are native speakers, recruited from both the Greek diaspora and directly from Greece.
The school’s impact extends beyond the classroom and includes:
- Higher education partnerships: Odyssey partners with institutions such as Harvard University, offering students opportunities to participate in programs in Greece.
- College credit: Proficiency in Greek is recognized by US universities, allowing students to bypass mandatory foreign language courses and save significantly on tuition costs.
Ioanna Lekkakou, the current Vice President of the school, took over Odyssey five years ago, viewing the effort not just as an educational project but as a form of “soft diplomacy” that strengthens Greece’s presence in the US.
Her vision is clear: “We need more Odysseys across America.” Her goal is to establish a network of schools that associate the Greek language with innovation, culture, and modern education.
Related: New Initiative Aims to Bring Greek Language and Culture to American Schools
