OM at Montgomery Elementary
Montgomery Elementary hosts CCC's elementary programming for students in grades 1–5, including introductory experiences and student-owned competition teams.
2026–27 program structure
Odyssey of the Mind offers age-appropriate entry points for elementary students, introducing concepts such as teamwork, spontaneous problem-solving, creative construction, and performance before students commit to a full competition season.
Students do not need prior Odyssey of the Mind experience.
Montgomery is the host school, but students from nearby public and private schools are welcome when space is available.
Introducing students to the Odyssey of the Mind creativity competition.
1st–5th graders only, up to 30 participants
Primary1st–2nd grade students work together for approximately six months to create, build, write, rehearse, and present an original solution. Equal balance of after-school practices and weekend collaborations.
Capacity limited to 7 students per team coach
Division I3rd–5th grade students work together across six months to create, build, write, rehearse, and present an original solution. Equal balance of after-school practices and weekend collaborations.
Capacity limited to 7 students per team coach
Payment plans of up to six monthly installments are available for all competition teams, or you may pay in full upfront.
What families should expect
We want families to walk in with clear eyes—Odyssey of the Mind is a real commitment, and it's also an incredibly rewarding experience.
Families help with attendance, communication, transportation, supplies, and healthy team habits. Coaches provide safety, structure, and reflective questions. The students make the creative decisions and complete the work themselves.
Quick FAQ
No. Coaches guide the process. Kids problem-solve; you mostly supply glue sticks and encouragement.
Students give a short prepared creative presentation and take part in a collaborative spontaneous challenge, then meet prospective teammates and coaches. Parents get a chance to ask about schedule, cost, and commitment. A parent or guardian must attend with their student.
Please note that team placement is not simply based on performance ability. It also considers student readiness, interests, grade level, collaboration style, team balance, coach availability, and available space.
Life happens—communicate with your team's coach as soon as possible. Consistent attendance matters because every team member plays a critical role in building skills, trust, and teamwork. One absence won't derail the team, but frequent missed practices can affect everyone's progress. We ask all team members to attend every practice they can and make attendance a priority.
A lot of the building happens at home, between practices—expect about 30–60 minutes per week. Your kid may come home with an unfinished prop, a half-painted backdrop, or a costume piece that needs glue-gunning. That's normal—it's part of the process, not extra homework. Instead of worksheets, however, it may involve cardboard, costumes, scripts, painting, research, testing an idea, or working with another teammate.
The competition-team commitment runs approximately six months: from team formation in September through the regional and state competition season in March. Teams advancing to World Finals continue through late May.
Montgomery Elementary program