Odyssey Learning Center began operation in 1979 as the Kaplan Foundation. The first school and residential program was located in the foothills east of Sacramento in Placerville, California, in a small farm house. It soon became clear that more space was needed. Five acres in Orangevale were purchased in 1980 to accommodate the six residential children. A school to provide for their educational needs began as well. Kaplan grew to four six-bed residential facilities with all the residents attending the school program.

In 1999 a new administration began developing along with a new philosophy regarding the implementation of services to children with autism. The name Odyssey Learning Center was adopted in September of 1999.

The Spring of 2002 was a milestone with the educational program. After approximately 20 years of providing educational services to 28 students with autism, a use permit was obtained from Sacramento County to increase the total school program to 100 students. To accommodate the increase in students, a kitchen, laundry area, shower room and additional bathrooms for students and staff was completed in December 2002. Additionally, the students were provided a multi-faceted program with on-site Speech Therapy, Behavior Therapist, Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy. With the increase in students, additional office space became necessary to accommodate the need for additional support staff.

In May 2003, the residential program located on the Santa Juanita property was moved to a larger home in Orangevale on Old Orchard. This opened up space for a much needed staff room, additional Occupational Therapy, as well as the expansion of office space.

Again, growth in the school enrollment meant more classroom space was needed. Construction of five buildings with two classrooms each began in 2006, with new parking areas and a fenced quad activity area for the students. We were able to move into the new classrooms in August of 2007 to the delight of students, staff and parents.

By July of 2010, we had purchased five vans to begin transporting a third of our students. A year later another group of vans was added. We now transport two-thirds of our students to and from school.

Sadly, in the Spring of 2011 we made the difficult decision to close both of our residential programs due to funding cuts and the rise in the cost of providing services.

Today we are working on yet another school expansion. As we moved toward one hundred students in the school program, we felt it necessary to make more changes. Our use permit was recently approved for up to two hundred students, with a new parking area in the works.

Odyssey Learning Center takes pride in striving to create and implement progressive techniques in teaching children with autism.

Odyssey Learning Center began operation in 1979 as the Kaplan Foundation. The first school and residential program was located in the foothills east of Sacramento in Placerville, California, in a small farm house. It soon became clear that more space was needed. Five acres in Orangevale were purchased in 1980 to accommodate the six residential children. A school to provide for their educational needs began as well. Kaplan grew to four six-bed residential facilities with all the residents attending the school program.

In 1999 a new administration began developing along with a new philosophy regarding the implementation of services to children with autism. The name Odyssey Learning Center was adopted in September of 1999.

The Spring of 2002 was a milestone with the educational program. After approximately 20 years of providing educational services to 28 students with autism, a use permit was obtained from Sacramento County to increase the total school program to 100 students. To accommodate the increase in students, a kitchen, laundry area, shower room and additional bathrooms for students and staff was completed in December 2002. Additionally, the students were provided a multi-faceted program with on-site Speech Therapy, Behavior Therapist, Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy. With the increase in students, additional office space became necessary to accommodate the need for additional support staff.

In May 2003, the residential program located on the Santa Juanita property was moved to a larger home in Orangevale on Old Orchard. This opened up space for a much needed staff room, additional Occupational Therapy, as well as the expansion of office space.

Again, growth in the school enrollment meant more classroom space was needed. Construction of five buildings with two classrooms each began in 2006, with new parking areas and a fenced quad activity area for the students. We were able to move into the new classrooms in August of 2007 to the delight of students, staff and parents.

By July of 2010, we had purchased five vans to begin transporting a third of our students. A year later another group of vans was added. We now transport two-thirds of our students to and from school.

Sadly, in the Spring of 2011 we made the difficult decision to close both of our residential programs due to funding cuts and the rise in the cost of providing services.

Today we are working on yet another school expansion. As we moved toward one hundred students in the school program, we felt it necessary to make more changes. Our use permit was recently approved for up to two hundred students, with a new parking area in the works.

Odyssey Learning Center takes pride in striving to create and implement progressive techniques in teaching children with autism.