Compass 2 College

There is far more to high school than simply completing courses for students who aspire to attend college. The path to acceptance is layered and strategic- involving transcripts, GPA calculations, course rigor, SAT/ACT testing timelines, AP options, dual enrollment decisions, essays, leadership development, community service, and meaningful internships. Most parents are not expected to be experts in a process they last navigated 20 or 30 years ago, and today’s landscape is more competitive and complex than ever.

Compass 2 College provides structured guidance, planning, and a four-year roadmap so families can move forward with clarity and confidence. Rather than guessing at requirements or scrambling senior year, students build a thoughtful academic and extracurricular profile from the start, positioning themselves not just to apply to college- but to stand out.

Compass 2 College: Foundations (for 9th-10th grade students)
Annual Advising

Foundations students will have two, 45-minute meetings each academic year with the Compass Director or academic advisor, generally fall and spring, to review coursework, proposed and earned class credits, and answer questions about college planning.

Transcript Design & Updates

Foundations students can begin building their high school records and transcript while course details, credits, grades, and accomplishments are still fresh. Compass will design, update, and maintain the student’s high school transcript, including both Compass classes and outside or independent coursework. Compass will also calculate the student’s GPA and maintain a record of completed course descriptions. Students are responsible for providing complete details and documentation for all non-Compass coursework, and parents are expected to provide input on final course grades.

PSAT Preparation

Foundations students may enroll in one or more of the Compass SAT/PSAT Skills & Strategies Workshops. These students can be Priority Registered for these workshops, so they are guaranteed a space in their preferred session. For 2026-27, there are six workshops, providing between 14-16 hours of skills practice per session.

Internship Opportunities

Foundations students may apply for one of the Compass-exclusive internships designed to help high school students explore career interests, build real-world experience, and strengthen their college applications.

Community Service & Leadership Advising

Foundations students may receive guidance and advising on pursuing leadership opportunities, completing meaningful community service, and earning awards such as the American Volunteer Service Award, American Citizenship Award, and/or the National Distinguished Student Leadership Award with a complimentary membership in Compass’s affiliate partner, Volunteer Scholars.

Annual Evidence of Progress Testing or Evaluation (VA)

Foundations students can complete their year-end Evidence of Progress requirement for the state of Virginia by either taking the BASI standardized test or meeting with an evaluator.

Compass 2 College: Scholars (for 11th and 12th graders)
Annual Advising

Scholars students will have two, 1-hour meetings each academic year with the Compass Director or academic advisor, generally fall and spring, to review coursework, proposed and earned class credits, and answer questions about college planning.

Transcript Design & Updates

Scholars can begin building their high school records and transcript while course details, credits, grades, and accomplishments are still fresh. Compass will design, update, and maintain the student’s high school transcript, including both Compass classes and outside or independent coursework. Compass will also calculate the student’s GPA and maintain a record of completed course descriptions. Students are responsible for providing complete details and documentation for all non-Compass coursework, and parents are expected to provide input on final course grades.

SAT Preparation

Scholars may enroll in one or more of the Compass SAT/PSAT Skills & Strategies Workshops. Scholars can be Priority Registered for these workshops, so they are guaranteed a space in their preferred session. For 2026-27, there are six workshops, providing between 14-16 hours of skills practice per session.

Personal Essay Writing

Scholars may enroll in one of Compass’s Prompted to Write: College Essay-Writing Workshops taught by Dr. Anne Taranto. Scholars can be Priority Registered for these workshops, so they are guaranteed a space in their preferred session. For 2026-27, there are two workshops, each providing 5 hours of instruction: 4 hours of small-group work and one hour of 1:1 individual writing coaching.

  • Session 1
  • Session 2
Internship Opportunities

Scholars may apply for one of the Compass-exclusive internships designed to help high school students explore career interests, build real-world experience, and strengthen their college applications.

Community Service & Leadership Advising

Scholars may receive guidance and advising on pursuing leadership opportunities, completing meaningful community service, and earning awards such as the American Volunteer Service Award, American Citizenship Award, and/or the National Distinguished Student Leadership Award with a complimentary membership in Compass’s affiliate partner, Volunteer Scholars.

Parent Documentation

Homeschool parents of teens applying to colleges through the CommonApp have several written responses that they must prepare as the “guidance counselor” of record. Compass will provide feedback on the parent’s Common App “counselor recommendation” and “school report” responses, helping families present the student’s academic experience clearly and professionally. This may include reviewing how parents describe the student’s homeschool experience and learning environment, such as educational philosophy, motivation for homeschooling, instructional setting, and other context that may be helpful to an admissions reader.

Diploma

Senior Scholars have the option to receive an attractive, professional homeschool diploma printed on parchment paper with gold embossed seals and presented in a navy leatherette cover. The diploma is designed to be signed by the student’s homeschool parents and may be presented at Compass’s graduation event or another family-selected graduation ceremony.

Graduation Cap, Gown & Compass Stole

Senior Scholars have the option to receive the Compass standard matte navy blue graduation gown, cap with tassel and gold year charm, and embroidered, silver satin Compass graduation stole to be worn at Compass’s graduation or another family-selected graduation ceremony.

Annual Evidence of Progress Testing or Evaluation (VA)

Scholars can complete their year-end Evidence of Progress requirement for the state of Virginia by either taking the BASI standardized test or meeting with an evaluator

Enrollment in Compass 2 College runs annually from June 1 through May 31, allowing students to receive advising during the summer before the school year begins. The annual fee is not prorated and must be paid each year.

  • Foundations Level (9th and 10th grade): $1,295/ year. Sign up HERE
  • Scholars Level (11th and 12th grade): $1,995/ year. Sign up HERE