Academics
Curriculum
O’Dea High School is a college preparatory high school. As such, our curriculum is designed so that each student who successfully fulfills our graduation requirements will meet the minimum admission requirements to attend a four year public university in the State of Washington. Individual institutions may have more rigorous standards so we always encourage students to take the most challenging curriculum in which they can be successful.
Faculty and Staff
O'Dea High School is directed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The faculty includes five Christian Brothers and six alumni. There are 37 instructors, all holding BA or BS degrees, and 69% of the instructors have attained at least one advanced degree. There are five members of The Counseling Department. The student/teacher ratio is 13:1.
Individual student grade point average (GPA) is computed on a four point value scale including plus and minus grades. Honors and Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses are so identified on student report cards and transcripts; they are not weighted in calculating GPA. O'Dea does not provide a rank of students.
Accreditation and Affiliation
O'Dea High School is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the State of Washington.
O'Dea High School also completes evaluations similar to accreditation to gain formal approval from the Archdiocese of Seattle as a Catholic School and from the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers to gain formal approval of a Christian Brothers' School.
Advanced Placement
Courses designed to prepare students to take Advanced Placement tests given under the supervision of the College Board are offered for AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish Language and AP Latin, Vergil.
Matteo Ricci
Matteo Ricci is an innovative curriculum that coordinates and integrates high school and university level studies. In their senior year, students are challenged with curriculum designed jointly by O'Dea and Seattle University faculty. The Religion, English and Social Studies departments work collaboratively to implement the curriculum. The program is designed to provide for the development of each student's ethical, religious, emotional, aesthetic, and intellectual potential, as well as a strong sense of pragmatism in dealing with the realities of the world. Successful completion of this curriculum can generate ten quarter credits from Seattle University.
Student Assessment
The Metropolitan Achievement Test is administered to 8th grade applicants. O’Dea administers the Explore test to freshmen and the PSAT to sophomores, and juniors. Student scores on the SAT and ACT tests are sent to O'Dea as well.