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.

**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.

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.

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.

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.

Sign up here to join the Middle School or High School Quiz Bowl Team. For more information on Quiz Bowl, see the club web page. The teams are open to all area homeschooled kids in 5th-12th grade. The team meets virtually twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, with additional in-person practices before tournaments. A partial tournament schedule is: There is a $130.00 activity fee for Compass students ($150 for non-Compass students) to participate which covers a team t-shirt, 2 tournament entries, team materials, and awards.

Welcome to the Compass Crochet Club- where creativity loops us together! Kids, tweens, and teens enjoy crochet because it's relaxing, hands-on, and lets them turn yarn into something uniquely their own. Whether they're stitching up scrunchies or crafting colorful creatures, it's even more fun when shared with friends in relaxing afternoon club. For new beginners, Crochet Club is run as a facilitated, quarter long workshop that teaches the fundamentals needed to get crafting. Third quarter, Beginners will create a small throw using the Barclay's Stitch. New students are welcome to join the club at any point during the year and will begin with foundational stitches and starter projects. Intermediate and advanced crocheters are encouraged to refine their skills, share tips and techniques, and serve as peer role models for newer members. More experienced participants may bring their own works in progress or contribute to meaningful service projects, such as crocheting NICU infant hats, caps for the homeless, or blankets for Project Linus. Parents are welcome to join the club and may register to learn and crochet alongside their children. There is a $30.00 supply fee is due payable to the instructor on/before the first week of the club.