Club Registration

Compass's Mock Trial team has a required information session, audition, and mandatory concurrent enrollment in the "Courtroom Drama" semester-long class. Do not pay this fee if you have not been selected through audition. This fee is a deposit for selected members of the Compass Mock Trial Team. This fee goes toward team registration, travel and accommodations for coaches to the state competition, copies, and team expenses. When final expenses are reconciled, members will be invoiced for a balance of shared expenses. For more information on the Mock Trial Team, see the team web page.

Homeschool musicians who play violin, viola, cello, or bass are invited to join this homeschool string ensemble! Musicians will have an opportunity to develop orchestral skills and enjoy the experience of practicing, playing, and performing as a group. The ensemble will start each week with tuning and warm-ups such as playing musical scales and simple exercises. Then the musicians will work on several group songs each semester where they will improve musical literacy, learn to follow the directions from the conductor, and learn to play in different keys-- as a group. During the final session of the semester, a concert will be held for friends and family. This ensemble is intended for advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced strings students who are concurrently enrolled in private lessons. As a guideline, a student should be able to play a D major scale in two octaves on his/her instrument to be prepared for string ensemble. Students are expected to be able to locate notes on their instruments, read music and be able to identify all rhythmical patterns. The instructor will provide the ensemble repertoires, and these arrangements will be specially composed to accommodate the range of abilities of all stringed players in the ensemble. Participants are expected to prepare and practice at home for at least 15 - 20 minutes per day. The cost of the cost of photocopied music is included.

Enter the BuildZone and step into a world of endless possibilities, where over 10,000 building components are at your fingertips! From Keva Planks to K'Nex, Magnatiles to Marble Runs, Tubelox, Chaos Tower, and Pipe Builders-this is the ultimate mash-up of all things construction. Here, you're the architect, the engineer, the mastermind. Stack it, snap it, connect it- then remix it! What happens when you combine pieces from totally different sets? You get taller towers, stronger structures, and mind-blowing mega builds! Build solo masterpieces or team up for cool collaborations. Every session is a chance to dream big, build bigger, and let your imagination break all the rules. This is a hands-on afternoon lab intended to provide opportunities for kids to socialize and tap into their creative energy in a relaxed club setting. No formal curriculum or lessons are provided. This is a supervised free-build session. All participants are expected to help pick up and to follow all Compass rules on indoor behavior including respecting materials, supplies, and furnishings.

Don't write poetry? Think you can't draw? Maybe not, but you may still want a creative way to record your thoughts, feelings, dreams, and ideas! Journaling is an ongoing process of discovery and exploration that allows one to be conscious of and connect with his/her own thoughts, emotions and ideas. It is a form of expression that supports both academic and personal growth. Creative journaling is not writing daily "Dear Diary" style entries on dated pages. Instead, students will explore various journaling methods, blending self-expression and self-discovery to guide them in learning new ways to problem-solve, achieve goals, and process emotions. Students will work with several writing techniques and a range of art media to develop a personal journal throughout the quarter and will have the opportunity to expand on it in subsequent quarters. Techniques such as freeform writing, black-out poetry, stream-of-consciousness writing, and creative list making will be explored, in addition to experimenting with a wide variety of layered techniques and mixed media with collage, photography, cardstock, book pages, art markers, stencils, tempera sticks, acrylic, paints, washi tape, and stickers. Weekly prompts will cover a range of topics such as gratitude, compassion, ambitions, choices, fear, self-care, and self-esteem as they relate to the students' personal lives and current events. Conversation around the prompts will complement the students' work in their individual journals. Topics in this Series: Journal work is done in an open studio environment that allows students to join in any quarter throughout the year. Lab/Supply Fee: A supply fee of $35.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Fee covers art journal for student to use in class and shared class supplies (paints, inks, brushes, markers, collage materials, glue, washi tape, etc.) What to Wear: Students may wish to have an apron or old shirt to wear when working with paints.

**Returning students meet for 1 hour (2:00 pm- 2:55 pm) first semester and for 2 hours (1:00 pm- 2:55 pm) second semester so they do not have to repeat instruction in Python coding.** Imagine a phone app that could quickly reunite lost pets, connect the poor with resources that they need, or report a problem in the community! Code for a Cause is the Compass-based Technovation hub where middle school and high school girls will participate in the "world's largest technology entrepreneurship program for girls." Each year, Technovation teams solve real world problems through technology that they develop! Through Technovation, girls work with women mentors, identify a problem in their community, develop a mobile app, and launch a startup. Since 2010, 140,000 girls around the world have developed mobile apps and small businesses to solve problems ranging from food waste and nutrition to women's safety, education, and much more. In this year-long program, girls will work in teams and learn the skills they need to change the world through technology. First semester, the class will participate in team building activities and will be introduced to coding. Students will use Ozaria from Code Combat, a Python-based platform that applies stories and a gamified approach to teach the logic of coding and terminology. Once students understand these fundamentals, they will apply what they've learned in the PyCharm application outside of Code Combat's environment. Second semester, students will form teams of 2-3 girls who will brainstorm and identify a community problem. They will propose a mobile app or AI solution to the issue and conduct market research to see if their idea is unique and feasible. Next, the team will begin developing an app following the Technovation curriculum using Python for the logic and Kivy for the Graphical User Interface. In class, girls will be coached step-by-step on the process of creating an interactive application. Finally, girls will learn how to brand their app, create a business plan, look at what it would take to bring the app to market and plan and record a pitch video for their app. The weekly Technovation work sessions will be facilitated by an experienced Technovation coach and cybersecurity engineering student at GMU. In addition, there will be guest speakers spread throughout the semester talking on topics such as APIs, AI ethics, Marketing, Pitching to Investors, and more. Guest speakers in the past have had job titles such as CEO, Senior Cybersecurity Executive, Manager of Marketing and Communications, and Software Developer. Participation in Technovation gives girls the confidence to pursue more computer science courses (70%) and the foundation to eventually major in computer science (26%). Technovation teams are in 100 countries, and the program is sponsored by Oracle, Google, 3M, Adobe Foundation, and others. Level: All students will meet together, but student teams will compete in either Junior or Senior division depending the ages of the team members as of August 1, 2026: Junior Division is for girls ages 13-15, and Senior Division is for girls ages 16-18. In addition to the app and competition document, the Junior division has an additional submission of a User Adoption Plan. The Senior division has an additional submission of a Business Plan. Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class. Assignments: Will be posted on Teams classroom for students, and key reminders will be emailed to parents. Assessments: Students will receive informal feedback throughout the project. Lab/Supply Fee: A software fee of $50.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class for access to Code Combat. What to Bring: For this class, students should bring their laptop and charger. Chromebooks or Tablets cannot be used. Non-Meeting Days: This is a 24-week class. In addition to the scheduled days-off on the published Compass schedule, this class will not meet on 12/18/26 , 3/12/27, 5/14/27, 5/21/27, plus one fall date TBD and one spring date TBD. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Technology or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Push your limits and own the course! At MindShift Gym, teens train on real parkour obstacles, learning to vault, climb, and flow through complex environments with precision and power. With expert coaching and a high-energy setting, this club builds strength, agility, and confidence while giving teens the thrill of mastering movement. Teens should wear comfortable athletic clothing and sports shoes (sneakers) to Parkour. Crocs, sandals, slides, or flip-flops may not be worn. This is an afternoon club for teens 13+ that meets offsite at the MindShift Gym. Teens are responsible for their own transportation. Urban Motion Parkour Club continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve fitness and agility. No two workouts are the same!

Step into a world of imagination, strategy, and storytelling! In this club, teens will work together to create characters, explore fantasy worlds, and go on epic adventures using the popular tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. Through creative problem-solving, teamwork, and storytelling, members will learn the basics of the game while building friendships and having fun. No experience is needed-just a sense of adventure! All games and scenarios will be moderated and facilitated by an experienced Compass instructor and Dungeon Master.

Cryptids Club is for fans of "cryptozoology" meet to discuss and debate mythical (or real?) creatures sich as Big Foot, Yeti, Loch Ness Monster, chupacabra, and others. Club members will examine reports and news stories to consider the possibility of these popular creatures. The club is open to all area homeschooled students, whether or not they are enrolled at Compass. There is a no activity fee for Compass students to participate.

Bring your game and hit the court! Fast Break Basketball Club combines fast-paced fun with focused skill-building so players can improve their game while enjoying plenty of action, challenges, and friendly competition. Each week will feature structured instruction in ball-handling, shooting, passing, rebounding, footwork, and offensive and defensive concepts, followed by games, contests, and scrimmages where players can put those skills into play. Newer players will build confidence and strong fundamentals, while more experienced players will be challenged to sharpen their technique and take their game further. This is a co-ed club led by former college basketball player, youth league coach, and clinic coordinator Tom Roth of Heads Up Hoops.

Middle School Social Club is a biweekly get-together for students ages 12 - 14 who want a fun, low-pressure way to meet other middle schoolers, build friendships, and enjoy time together outside the classroom. Every other week, students will take part in supervised group games, icebreakers, team challenges, and other collaborative activities designed to get everyone talking, laughing, and participating. Past activities have included field-day games and sand volleyball (outdoors), "Honey, I Shrunk the Middle Schooler!" (jumbo games such as giant Twister, Jenga, UNO, and checkers), BINGO, making personal pita pizzas, watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and puzzle- and riddle-based group challenges. Activities will vary from meeting to meeting, with an emphasis on participation, teamwork, conversation, and simply having fun with peers.

Journey through dance to Andalusia in southern Spain in this semester-long, 14-week contemporary ballet and choreography club inspired by Alchemy Ballet's original production, The Andalusian Nutcracker. Set in Granada at the magnificent Alhambra Palace, The Andalusian Nutcracker reimagines the familiar holiday ballet through an original story by Lorraine Spiegler. Young Maria receives a magical Andalusian Horse Nutcracker and embarks on an adventure into an enchanted world inspired by the history, stories, music, dance, and diverse cultures of southern Spain. Students will experience ballet not only as technique, but as a theatrical art form that brings together movement, music, character, culture, and storytelling. Throughout the semester, dancers will explore contemporary and classical ballet, original choreography, musicality, and ensemble work while discovering some of the Iberian, Flamenco, Moorish, Sephardic, and Mediterranean influences that have helped shape Andalusian culture. Dancers will learn original choreography created for Alchemy Ballet's Andalusian Nutcracker while developing coordination, artistry, musicality, spatial awareness, choreographic memory, and performance skills. Working collaboratively as an ensemble, students will also gain insight into how an original ballet develops from story and musical inspiration into choreography and theatrical performance. The club is designed to be a rewarding dance and cultural experience in its own right. Students may participate fully in the semester-long club without committing to the December stage production. OPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY Students enrolled in the club may opt to perform with Alchemy Ballet in The Andalusian Nutcracker, December 18- 20 at George Mason University's Harris Theatre. Participation in the December production is entirely optional. Dancers who choose to perform will have the opportunity to take the choreography learned during the semester from the studio to the stage as part of Alchemy Ballet's full theatrical production. An additional $150 performance and costuming fee applies to students who elect to perform. Additional rehearsals and performance calls outside regular club hours may be required; schedules will be provided to participating families in advance.

The Checkmate Champs Chess Club meets weekly at Compass for supervised play. Students will be paired by experience and ability. Players are expected to be familiar with the basic rules of chess or be currently enrolled in a chess class. There will be no formal instruction during club meetings. Checkmate Champs is a friendly, low-stakes atmosphere where players will have the chance to play in person, OTB ("over the board") and practice winning and losing graciously, self-discipline, concentration, and critical thinking. Club members will learn about local tournaments and may chose to register and play as a team.

Pay annual member dues here. For more information on Alpha Rho, the Compass chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha, the National Homeschool Honor Society, see the chapter website. Note that there is an application and acceptance process before a student can pay chapter dues online. Chapter dues are $35.00 for enrolled Compass students, and there is a $2.00 credit card convenience fee for those paying online.