Compass News & Announcements, Semester Wrap-Up (Dec. 2025)

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Compass has just completed a highly successful fall semester, offering hundreds of classes, workshops, clubs, and special events. We are grateful for our many homeschool families and our dedicated, talented instructors, and we look forward to an exciting and full winter quarter ahead. The Compass office will be closed from December 20 through January 4; however, online registration will remain open during this time. New and prospective families are welcome to schedule drop-ins for tours and Q & A during our make-up week of January 5-9, 2026.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

1. 3rd Quarter/2nd Semester Fall Registration: Registration for winter quarter classes is open and ongoing. Classes begin the week of January 12. Spaces remain in many classes. Pick up a paper copy of the schedule at the front desk and invite other homeschool friends. New families are welcome!

2. NEW: College Essay Writing Workshop: For high school seniors applying regular decisions or juniors wanting a jump-start: Dr. Anne Taranto is offering a 5-hour workshop, “Prompted to Write” to help you start and complete a personal essay for college applications. The workshop will meet on Saturday, January 17 and Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, plus an additional 1:1, one-hour session scheduled individually. Register online.

3. 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.

SCHEDULE

4. Calendar/Holidays: Compass will be closed from December 20 through January 4. See the complete Compass calendar online.

5.Make-Up Classes: Some classes have make-up sessions due to unplanned instructor absences in the fall. See the Compass calendar online for classes with make-up sessions and watch your email for details from your teacher and reminders sent by Compass. All make-ups will be held at the same day, time and room during the week of January 5-9. Please let the instructors know if your student will not attend the make-up classes so they can plan activities and supplies accordingly.

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

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

  • Sweetheart Soirée (father-daughter dance)- February 8
  • Annual Valentine’s Exchange- February 9-13
  • Midwinter Masquerade (high school winter semi-formal)- February 21
  • Middle School Mixer (winter party)- February 22
  • Spring Marketplace- May 6
  • Quads Chess Tournament- May 20
  • Year End Picnic and Field Day- May 21
  • Graduation- May 23

EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

8. Homeschool Ski Adventures: Compass is hosting three day trips to Liberty Mountain Resort for skiing on January 12, February 9, and February 23. Chose 1, 2, or all 3 dates. Package price includes equipment rental, lessons, and ski lift. Chose from transportation provided ($199 youth/ $149 adult) or drive yourslf and save ($105 youth/$75 adult). Sign up on the Special Events Registration page.

9. 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. Kids in 2nd-4th grade can enroll in Children’s Beginner Band on Mondays from 1:00 pm- 1:55 pm. Read more and sign up on the Class Registration page.

10. Homeschool String Ensemble: Compass is looking for violin, viola, and cello musicians with 1-1/2+ years experience to play in the Homeschool String Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Steffany Shock. Meets for 16 weeks on Wednesdays from 11:00 am- 11:55 am starting January 14. Experience the joy of playing as a group. Read more and register online.

COMPETITIONS

11. 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.

12.3rd 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.

13. 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.

14. National Mythology Exam: Students in grades 3-8 who love mythology can register to take the National Mythology Exam (Pegasus Level) as a group on Monday, February 23. This year’s theme is “The Underworld.” Registrants will receive study materials. Sign up online on the Special Events Registration

15. 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 before December 31.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES/CLUBS

16. Build Zone: Enter a construction-themed lab with dozens of building sets and more than 7,500 building componets. Mix and match sets or collaborate with a classmate. Meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00 pm- 4:00. Register for an 8-week session online or watch for day passes starting in January.

17. TGIF Teen Game Night: For Compass students only, ages 13+. Meets weely, Will resume on Friday, January 16 from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm

18. Middle School Social Club: For Compass students only, 6th-8th grade (min. age 11), Meets bi-weekly. Will resume on Wednesday, January 14 from 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm.

19. 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

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

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

21. 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. Skills assessments will be held on January 5, 7, and 8. Sign-up and pay for assessment online and you will be contacted to schedule time/date.

22. 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.

23. Educational Consultant: Compass partners with Todd Lanier, Ed.S. who performs educational assessments 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.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

24. Music Lessons: Learn a new instrument next year! Compass music teachers have weekday openings for private lessons in:

Contact Compass about music lessons!

25. Get Kids Moving: Get kids moving more! Check out the many fitness and movement based classes such as Fun Fit for PE for Little Kids, FUNctional Fitness for Kids or Tweens, Jiu Jitsu Fit, Total Teen Training, Self Defense & Personal Safety, Teen Weight Training, Krav Maga, or Junior Gymnastics. Consider Homeschool Swim Lessons, Fencing, Compass’s Outdoor Science, Outdoor Survivor, and Natural Leaders classes which also keep kids active. Browse fitness classes online.

26. Healthy Eating: Encourage your kids to eat healthy and try new foods by cooking it! Enroll kids in Compass cooking classes such as Cooking Winter Warm-Ups for Little Kids/Kids/Tweens/Teens (4 levels!), Global Gourmet: Japanese Cuisine, Chef’s Special- Say Cheese!, Copy Cat Favorites- Restaurant Rewinds, or Copy Cat Favorites- Mock Munchies. Browse cooking classes online.

27. 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.

MISCELLANEOUS

28. Compass Gift Certificates: For last-minute gift ideas, Compass offers gift certificates for either the full amount of a class or a dollar amount towards a future class/program. Contact Compass to inquire.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Lost & Found:Please check the photos for items your family might have left behind fall semester. Items not picked up by Friday, January 12 will be donated.

32. 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