The Odyssey Project is named for the Greek hero, Odysseus, who for 10 years, sought the purpose of life. The Project is based on the philosophy that a new generation of American schools must be viewed as a lifelong quest for excellence. The project is one of 11 designs for schools funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, a private corporation in the spirit of the America 2000 strategy. This overview recounts the program's development and describes its approach. Odyssey calls for a formal system of basic schooling for students aged 3 to 18, with a developmental prenatal to age 3 component. The project will use an outcome-based education model to focus on knowledge, skills, and outcomes. Upon exit, each student should be successful as (1) a communicator; (2) a collaborator; (3) a creative producer; (4) a critical thinker; and (5) a concerned and confident citizen. Performance outcomes are to be set for each level, with world class standards for evaluating graduates. There will be five levels of schooling in a year-round schedule. Community service, parent involvement, and expanded use of technology will be features of the project. Barriers and challenges to implementation are reviewed. A fact sheet is presented as an appendix. (SLD)