Compass Classes Meet on MLK Day, Plus January Announcements!

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Reminder! After an exciting first week of winter, Compass classes will meet today, Monday, January 19, on the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

1. 3rd Quarter/2nd Semester Fall Registration: Registration for winter quarter classes is open and ongoing. Most classes began the week of January 12. Compass allows late enrollment in classes with available spaces- Contact Us about prorated fees for the missed week. In addition, several classes begin this week. Interested students will not have missed any class sessions:

  • 3D Design & Printing Studio for Tweens- begins Jan 19
  • 3D Design & Printing Studio for Teens- begins Jan 19
  • Medical Mission: Crisis Care (EMR/EMT Training)- begins Jan 19
  • Beginner ‘Bots: Rush Hour! (junior robotics)- begins Jan 22
  • Robot Fab Lab: Tomb Explorer- begins Jan 22
  • Number Ninjas: Learning Logic- begins Jan 22
  • Manipulating Math: Geometry Games- begins Jan 22
  • Mastering Microsoft Office: Excel (Certificate Program)- begins Jan 23
  • Criminology: Cold Case Files- begins Jan 23
  • American History: Civil War to Spanish-American War, 1812-1898- begins Jan 23

SCHEDULE

2 Federal Holidays: Compass classes will meet on Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr Day) and Monday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day)

3. Save the Dates: Update your new 2026 calendar with the events and activities below and watch for details on:

  • Northern Virginia Homeschool Geography Bee- February 4
  • 3rd Annual GM Chess Tournament– February 7
  • Sweetheart Soirée (father-daughter dance)- February 8 Tickets now on sale
  • Homeschool Ski Adventure- February 9
  • Annual Valentine’s Exchange- February 9-13
  • Love at First Bite Cookie Workshops- February 13
  • Midwinter Masquerade (high school winter semi-formal)- February 21 Tickets now on sale
  • Polar Party (middle school mixer)- February 22 Tickets now on sale
  • Homeschool Ski Adventure- February 23
  • Annual Junior Spelling Bee- February 25
  • Annual Senior Spelling Bee- March 4
  • Winter Make-Up Week- March 9-13 (If needed)
  • Math Kangaroo Competition- March 16
  • Spring Break- March 30- April 3
  • High School Prom- April 25
  • Spring Marketplace- May 6
  • Quads Chess Tournament- May 20
  • Year End Picnic and Field Day- May 21
  • Graduation- May 23

EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

4. Homeschool Ski Adventures: Compass is hosting two day trips to Liberty Mountain Resort for skiing on February 9 and February 23. Chose one or both dates. Package price includes equipment rental, lessons, and ski lift. Chose from transportation provided ($199 youth/ $149 adult) or drive yourslf and save ($105 per person). Sign up on the Special Events Registration page.

5. NEW: Love at First Bite: Valentines Cookie Academy: Sign up now for a 3-hour workshop on February 13, 2026, to make 4-5 kinds of Valentine’s cookies. Kids’ Workshop (3rd-6th grade) from 9:00 am -12:00 pm or Tweens/Teens Workshop (7th-12th grade) from 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm. Sign up on the Special Events Registration page.

6. Homeschool Band: Homeschoolers don’t have to miss out on band! Brand new players in 5th grade and above can enroll in Homeschool Band: Beginning Winds (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn or tuba) on Mondays from 10:30 am – 11:25 am. Advanced Players (with 1+ year experience) can enroll in Homeschool Band: Advanced Beginner section on Mondays from 11:30 am – 12:55 pm. Read more and sign up on the Class Registration page.

COMPETITIONS

7. Geography Bee: Homeschool geography enthusiants in 4th-8th grade are invited to participate in the annual NoVA Homeschool Geography Bee on February 4, 2026. Sign up online on the Special Events Registration page.

8. 3rd Annual GM Chess Tournament: Compass’s own chess instructor Grand Master Rashad Babaev will be hosting his 3rd Annual GM Cup Chess Championship at Compass on February 7. See attached flyer or his website for more information.

9. Spelling Bees: Registration is open for the annual Junior Spelling Bee on February 25, 2026 (ages 5-8), and Senior Spelling Bee on March 4, 2026 (ages 9-15). Sign up online on the Special Events Registration page.

10. Math Kangaroo: Compass will host the annual international Math Kangaroo competition on Thursday, March 19. MK is a 75-minute math quiz with fun challenge problems. Compass offers two test sessions: 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Sign up online through Math Kangaroo.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES/CLUBS

11. Build Zone: Enter a construction-themed lab with dozens of building sets and more than 10,000 building componets. Mix and match sets or collaborate with a classmate. Meets Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 3:00 pm- 4:00. Register for an 8-week session online or watch for day passes starting in January.

12. TGIF Teen Game Night: For Compass students only, ages 13+. Game Night meets weekly from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm

13. Middle School Social Club: For Compass students only, 6th-8th grade (min. age 11), Middle School Social Club meets bi-weekly from 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm, with the next get-together on January 28.

14. Other Clubs: See the Clubs Registration Page for more information:

  • Alpha Rho Chapter, Homeschool National Honor Society
  • Checkmate Champs Chess Club
  • Creative Journaling Club
  • Crochet Club
  • Cryptids Club
  • Middle School Social Club
  • RolePlayers Realm D & D Club
  • Teen Party Planning Committee

15. Spring Clubs: Watch for Run Fit Kidz Club (Wednesdays) and Pickleball Club (Tuesdays) to return in the spring!

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

16. Reading Rally: Do not let language arts fall behind! Compass offers the Reading Rally complete language arts program at 12 distinct levels with Reading Specialist Catherine Vanlandingham. Reading Rally is a complete curriculum, so families do not need additional spelling, grammer, writing, or comprehension materials. Students and parents must meet with the instructor and take a brief skills assessment to determine placement prior to registering. Sign-up and pay for assessment online and you will be contacted to schedule time/date.

17. Tutoring: Some Compass teachers are available to work 1:1, with pairs, or small groups in:

Individual instruction is also available in sewing, cooking, drawing, or painting. Let us know what your needs are. Contact Compass for available time slots and fees.

18. Educational Assessments/Support: Compass’s new team member, Heidi Conradt, will be offering functional educational assessments to identify educational strengths, weaknesses, and general academic performance and suggest grade-level placement. She will also be available on an hourly basis to consult with parents on educational topics like curriculum selection, special needs, social and behavioral issues, making/reviewing student goals, and designing individualized student programs. Contact Compass for more information on Heidi’s services. 

19. Educational Consultant: Compass partners with Todd Lanier, Ed.S. who performs educational evaluations such as complete psychoeducational testing, screenings, IQ batteries, and provides individualized academic coaching and counseling. He works with students who have a range of learning differences including ADHD, 2e, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ASD, processing disorders, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges. Mr. Lanier can meet homeschool families at Compass. Contact him directly through his practice, Lanier Education Group, or stop by the Compass front desk or office for his contact information.

MISCELLANEOUS

21. Music Lessons: Compass music teachers have weekday openings for private lessons in:

Contact Compass about music lessons!

22. New Families/Tours: New and prospective families are welcome to schedule drop-ins for tours and Q & A any weekday between now and May 15.

23. Workout Passes for Parents: Get fit while your child is in class! Compass PE Coach, Iman Castaneda, is offering drop-in passes and packages for parents who wish to work out during the day while they are at Compass. 10 Drop-Ins ($230), 15 Drop-Ins ($335), 20 Drop-Ins ($440), or 25 Drop-Ins ($525). Drop-in workouts will be supervised and monitored for safety, but do not include individualized coaching. Parents can schedule personalized coaching with programming with her for $65.00 per hour for one person; $80.00 per hour for two people, etc. She also offers a discount for Compass parents enrolling in her evening classes.

24. LEGO Gift Cards: Enrolled students can receive a $5.00 gift certificate to Bricks & Minifigs, a Herndon store that sells LEGO sets and Supplies. Pick up your gift certificates at the D, H, or C desks.

25. Student Awards: Compass students can earn the American Volunteer Service Award (AVSA), the American Citizenship Award (ACA), and/or the National Distinguished Student Leadership Award (NDSLA) with a FREE Elite Membership to partner organization Volunteer Scholars (regularly $179). Non-Compass homeschooled students from northern Virginia can pursue the AVSA with a discounted, $29.00 Premier Membership (regularly $99.00). Sign up on the Special Events Registration Page.

26. Winter Weather: As a reminder, in the event of inclement weather, Compass makes an independent decision by 7:00 am about closures or delays. Follow Compass on Facebook for these announcements and many more: https://www.facebook.com/CompassClasses

27. Illness: With flu and viral illness season in full swing, Compass families are asked to refrain from attending classes, activities, or events if they have had any signs of contagious or communicable illness- such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, aches, persistent cough, sore throat, or runny nose- within the last 48 hours.

28. The Power of Midlife: This is a conference with information sessions and exhibitors being organized by doctors and practitioners on the subject of, “thriving through menopause and beyond.” The event will be held at Compass from 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 25. This is not organized by Compass. See event flyer for more information.