Compass News & Getting Started- Fall 2026

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Welcome to Compass! We are pleased that your family has chosen to join us this fall for the start of our 15th year! For a smooth start to the year, we have compiled a few reminders and helpful hints.

GET READY

1. Handbook: Review the 2026-27 Compass Family Handbook .

2. NEW! Family/Student Schedule Grids: You can now view your family’s complete Compass schedule or each child’s individual schedule in a convenient, printable grid organized by hour. Log in to your Family Account and select “My Schedule Grid.” From there, you can:

  • Toggle between one child or the whole family
  • Assign a custom color to each child
  • View room assignments
  • Print a master family schedule or an individual schedule for each student

No more creating your own spreadsheet or schedule document—we’ve done it for you!

3. Lab/Supply Fees: Lab/supply fees are due before or on the first day of class. Some teachers accept Venmo and Zelle, and their links are shown on your schedule and in the class reminder email on online in your family account. If you are sending a check, confirm the payee because some payments go to the instructor and some are paid to Compass. If you are sending cash, please place it in an envelope with your child’s name.

4. Emails: Add the following e-mail addresses and @compassclasses.com domain to your contacts and/or safe senders list so messages are not sent to your spam, trash, or promotions folders:

5. Phone Numbers: Add the following phone numbers to your phone so you recognize a call or text from Compass.

  • 703-539-5075 (main)
  • 703-539-2111 (community relations)
  • 703-539-5472 (outgoing texts only)

6. Text Opt In: Compass sends texts for occasional to reminder of deadlines, main events, wait lists openings, and cancellation for weather cancellation or last minute teacher illness. Make sure you Opt-In to text messaging in your Family Account or you might miss an important update.

7. Parent Proxy Form: Sign a Parent Proxy Form if anyone other than a parent will be dropping kids off, picking them up, or staying with them during breaks between classes.

8. Teen Form: Complete a Teen Form if your child is age 13+ Read through the Compass family handbook with any teen who will be dropped off at Compass.

9. Textbook/ Equipment/Class Supplies: Read the class descriptions to see if there is a textbook or equipment that you need to purchase or supplies that you need to bring to class.

LEARN MORE

10. Class Adds: Compass welcomes last minute, same-day, walk-in, and late registrations. Class registration will remain open on the website until September 14. Families can continue to register themselves online or stop by the Front Desk for help.

11. Private Tutoring:  Private tutoring is available on campus in math, writing, reading/comprehension, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, sewing, cooking, executive functioning skills, and more. Ask at the Front Desk or contact Compass through the Private Tutoring/Lesson Request Form with your needs and availability.

12. Individual Music Lessons: Individual music lessons are available on campus in piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, violin, viola, trumpet, drumming, song writing, and music theory. Ask at the Front Desk or contact Compass through the Private Tutoring/Lesson Request Form with your interest and availability. Lesson slots are filling up quickly.

ARRIVE

13. NEW! Sign-In: There is a new interface on the tablets where families check in upon arrival at Compass. Families will search by the first few letters of the parent’s or child’s last name, locate the family’s last name, then enter the last 4 digits of the phone number associated with the family’s profile. There, you will check in your child(ren) who are going to class and whether you will remain on campus or leave. If you are dropping your child (age 8+) off or do not want to wait at the check-in tablets, you can check-in on your phone.

14. NEW! Boundary: Families are asked not to park, congregate, play, or walk in/around the company located at the end of the 520 building. “IST” has asked that we do not go beyond the limits of suite D and avoid interfering with or blocking the windows, doors, entrances vehicles, and deliveries in their suite. Look for the yellow A-frame sign that says, “No Compass Beyond Here.” Other than this area, families may park in any open parking space not marked “reserved.”

15. Campus Map: See the map of the buildings and room numbers.

16. Offsite Locations: If your child is enrolled in Outdoor Science, Outdoor Survivor, Natural Leaders, or Swimming, make sure you know where these off site locations are.

STAY ON CAMPUS

17. Room Assignments: Final room assignments are listed in the individual class reminders that are emailed. They can also be confirmed in the Family Account including the new My Schedule Grid view.

18. Seating: There will be a lot of people vying for seating this week because all parents tend to remain on campus for the first few days of class. Once families have routines and begin to drop students off, there will be plenty of seating for everyone. Common Area café tables seat four people. Please share seating and welcome others at your table.

19. Backpack/Bag Storage: Students are asked not to leave their backpacks or tote bags on Common Area chairs and tables when they go to classes. These items can be placed in the cubbies storage near the Suite D restrooms so tables/chairs remain available for people.

20. Play Area: There is a small play area in Suite D near Room D-3. The area can accommodate up to 6 children under age 5 at a time. Parents must be present and watching children to ensure safe play and that indoor voices are used.

21. Coffee/Tea/Snacks: Complimentary coffee and tea are available for parents at the front desk in Suite D. A variety of packaged snacks and drinks are available for sale near the front desk. Cash, Venmo, and Zelle payments are accepted for snack purchases.

22. Outdoor Amenities: There are picnic tables and benches and small grassy areas that families may use behind the 510 and 520 buildings. Children and teens must have an adult accompanying them to access these areas, and play cannot disrupt people learning or working in the surrounding buildigs. Children may not climb the trees on the property.

23. Dress Code: Families are encouraged to review the Compass dress code with their students as we begin the school year. With several weeks of warm weather likely still ahead, please remember that shirts must be full-length and cover the abdomen, shorts and skirts must be an appropriate length, and undergarments must remain completely covered. These and the other dress code guidelines help ensure that attire is appropriate for Compass’s mixed-age educational environment.

24. Co-Working Offices:  Six co-working offices are available for rent ($20-1 hour, $35-2 hours, $45-3 hours) for parents who must work or take video calls while their children are in class. Parents must email Compass to ask to be added to the Skedda room reservation system where they can reserve and pay for office space.

MAKE CONNECTIONS

25. Afternoon Clubs: Compass has more than 20 afternoon clubs where students can connect with friends over similar interests. Some clubs begin the first week, and some begin the second week. Look for fun options like the Crazy 8s Math Club, Fast Break Basketball Club, Homeschool Band, Urban Motion Parkour Club, Havana Heat Latin Dance Club, Pickleball Club, and more.

26. New Family Folders: New families who did not attend orientation may pick up a New Family Folder at the front desk.

27. Social Media: Follow Compass on Facebook and Instagram for additional updates and announcements. Join the Compass Parents Facebook Group to connect with other families.

28. Information Screen/Displays: Check the screen by the Front Desk in Suite D for scrolling reminders, recent photos, and announcements of upcoming events. Look for event flyers in the display case in the Suite H waiting area.

LOOK AHEAD

  • 9/11/2026: Teen Ice Cream Icebreaker RSVP HERE
  • 9/14/2026: Band Bash Demo Day RSVP HERE
  • 9/18/2026: Curious Naturalists Field School- Algonkian Park
  • 9/25/2026: Chef’s Special Homemade Ice Cream 3-Hour Workshop
  • 10/2/2026: Curious Naturalists Field School- Lake Fairfax Park
  • 10/5/2026: Get Your Year Together! Organizing Workshop (for parents)
  • 10/5 – 10/9/2026: Fall Food Truck Week
  • 10/13 – 10/15/2026: Homeschool Book Fair
  • 10/14/2026: National Fossil Day
  • 10/16/2026: Curious Naturalists Field School- EC Lawrence Park
  • 10/17/2026: Grandmaster Gambit Chess Event
  • 10/19, 10/26/2026: Get Your Stuff Together! Organizing Workshop (for teens)
  • 10/19 – 10/23/2026: School Pictures (sign up starting 10/1)
  • 10/23/2026: Special Effects SFX Make-Up Workshops
  • 10/23/2026: Chef’s Special Sushi from Scratch 3-Hour Workshop
  • 10/28/2026: Fall Volunteer Scholars Awards Ceremony
  • 10/29/2026: Alpha Rho Red Cross Blood Drive
  • 10/30/2026: Curious Naturalists Field School- Walker Nature Center

Information