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Students will learn to think like inventors and designers when creating 3D! 3D design is used not only for modeling and fabricating objects but is also at the heart of many cutting-edge technologies such as AR and VR, video game design, interactive exhibits, and more. 3D printing is used in nearly all industries and design fields today from art to animation, manufacturing to medicine, and engineering to entertainment.
In this class, students will first learn to use Tinkercard, a 3D modeling software that works in solid forms (like LEGO bricks). Then, students will transition to MeshMixer, a software that creates smooth, curved, organic shapes (like clay). They will learn to think about their design from all angles and how to subtract forms to create holes, voids, and concave features, and add forms to create projections, contours, appendages, and convex details. They will discover the limitations of 3D printing and how to handle overhanging elements or delicate details.

Students will practice the artistic design process with simple sketches before diving into the software. They will be encouraged to use reference material, whether photos, a model, or even by modifying existing, public domain 3D files. Students will use an iterative printing process in which they print their project, check it for design intent, functionality, or fit, make modifications, and print again. The class will learn how to save and convert between 3D solid object files (.stl) and object files (.obj) and work with metadata fields to protect the intellectual property of their designs.

To demonstrate the range and capability of 3D-printed designs, favorite student projects include D & D miniatures, cosplay props, Minecraft-designed creations, and beloved characters such as anime, baby Yoda, and Pokemon creatures.

Second semester, continuing students will progress to more complex assemblies including multiple parts and parts with hinges. Second semester, some students may wish to work with alternative filaments such as TPU (rubber), metal, or magnetized filament. Because of the studio format, new students can enroll second semester.

The class instructor is a design engineer with 3D Herndon and expert in 3D technologies and other areas of design and invention. A typical class will be structured with 5-10 minutes of lecture or demonstration of a new design skill, followed by 40 minutes of design "studio" time where students can receive trouble-shooting support and design tips from the instructor and have dedicated work time, and 5-10 minutes of sharing time at the end of class. As a studio class, students will work on individual projects at their own pace.
Topics in this Series: As an open studio for individual projects, students may continue from one semester to the next or enroll mid-year. Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

Prerequisites: None

What to Bring: Students will need to bring a laptop to class for design work.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1+ hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Project criteria will be explained in class to students.

Assessments: Informal, qualitative feedback will be given in class throughout the semester as the student works.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $25.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for 3D printing and filament. This provides the student with 800 g of printed product per semester. Students who are prolific designers and print often will be asked to pay an additional $5.00 per 100 g or fraction thereof.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Visual Arts, Technology, or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

5th grade math is a full-year, complete math curriculum for students who have covered the 4th grade equivalent math skills (see prerequisites). This course uses the Grade 5 Math Mammoth curriculum which homeschool guru Cathy Duffy (cathyduffyreviews.com) calls "an amazingly well-developed program." She praises the program saying, "Math Mammoth has created a very high-quality product... the content is also top-notch. Some people have compared Math Mammoth with Singapore Math since both programs teach for mastery and understanding." Read more about Math Mammoth here: https://www.mathmammoth.com/complete-curriculum

This class meets twice a week and is designed to be a complete program in which students receive instruction in person at Compass and complete homework on off-days at home. Parents do not have to select a curriculum or deliver the instruction, but rather are expected to ensure that assignments are being completed on time and assisting the student in checking attempted homework.

Topics covered in Grade 5 Math Mammoth include:

Chapter 1: The Four Operations
Chapter 2: Large Numbers and the Calculator
Chapter 3: Problem Solving
Chapter 4: Decimals, Part 1
Chapter 5: Graphing
Chapter 6: Decimals, Part 2
Chapter 7: Fractions: Add and Subtract
Chapter 8: Fractions: Multiply and Divide
Chapter 9: Geometry

5th Grade Math is being offered at Compass as a full year class with 60 in-person class meetings. (28 sessions in first semster and 32 sessions in second semester- separate registration.) Attendance is very important. In the event of a missed class due to illness or travel, students may cover the missed lesson through online recorded lectures by the author available on YouTube.

Prerequisites: Grade 4 Math or equivalent, with experience/familiarity in following:

-Addition and subtraction
-Early algebraic thinking
-The order of operations
-Graphs
-Large numbers and place value
-Rounding and estimating
-Multi-digit multiplication
-Word problems
-Some basic conversions between measuring units
-Measuring length
-Time calculations
-Long division
-The concept of remainder
-Factors
-Area and perimeter
-Measuring and drawing angles
-Classifying triangles according to their angles
-Adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers (like fractional parts)
-Equivalent fractions
-Comparing fractions
-Multiplying fractions by whole numbers
-The concept of a decimal (tenths/hundredths)
-Comparing decimals

Placement:To gauge if a child is ready for Grade 5 math, parents should administer the Math Mammoth end-of-4th-grade placement test. A score of 80% is recommended to place into Grade 5.

Enrollment: This course is priced as a small group class with a minimum of 5 students. If 3-4 students enroll, families will be asked to pay an additional fee for the class to run with low enrollment. If 1-2 students enroll, Compass will present options for private or semi-private instruction.

Assignments: Assignments will be made in class as a range of pages to complete on the topics that were taught in class. The instructor will follow up with an email repeating the assigned pages.

Assessments: Each class, the instructor will check that students have completed the assigned homework. Homework will be recorded as attempted or not attempted. Parents will be provided with an answer key for homework. Students will have take-home unit tests that will be graded by the instructor. Parents may track unit test scores in order to assign their own grades and complete homeschool record-keeping.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $26.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for Grade 5A, color edition worktext books.

What to Bring: Students should bring a spiral notebook, pencil, and their worktext to class each week.

Prerequisites: 80% min score on placement test. See description

Kids take to the stage as they collaboratively write and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. What happens by the light of the midnight moon? What trouble lurks in the twilight? What dangers are disguised in the dark?

Students will begin with improvisational games to get to know each other and start to brainstorm about their original play. Through group activities and guided discussion, the student actors will decide on characters, conflict, and conclusion, and the story they want to tell. The script will be developed and customized for this class with input from the students.

The class will learn the practical aspects of acting, as they work on script read-through, blocking, costume/prop design, and planning the show. Student actors will explore skills such as stage movement, character development, emotional expression, and observation/concentration while learning to portray their original character. Students will develop their own "actor's toolkit" of voice, body, and imagination in this creative process! Actors will grow in confidence and communication skills in preparation for a final sharing with parents on the last day of the quarter.

Once the script is fully developed with everyone's parts, it will be emailed to parents. Parents will be expected to help their children memorize their script/lines/cues and assemble a simple make-at-home costume, ideally from clothing items and accessories you already own and a little creativity.

Note: Students who are emerging readers (not able to read at a 3rd/4th grade level) would be better suited to the Young Actor's Playhouse class, rather than this level.

Topics in this series: Camping Catastrophe (Quarter 1), Mystery After Midnight (Quarter 2), Fractured Fairy Tales (Quarter 3), and Upside-Down Universe (Quarter 4).

Sew it begins! Whether you are a captain, crusader, or cavalier, every great character needs a dramatic silhouette. In this advanced sewing course, students will design and construct a custom cloak and coordinating boot covers while learning techniques for working with heavier fabrics, closures, and fit.

For this project, students will learn accurate measuring and fitting, pattern reading and layout, flat lining patterns, cutting fabric on the grain, pressing, felling seams, sewing boning channels, interfacing and lining, edge binding, top-stitching, eyelet installation and lacing, and adding trim and embellishment.

Students will be guided by instructor Judith Harmon who has a degree in costume design, creates the costumes for many local theaters, and teaches Compass sewing classes. The class is recommended for intermediate to advanced stitchers, including students who have taken her Learn to Sew classes. Students who are unfamiliar with machine sewing should schedule at least 4 hours of private sewing lessons through Compass before the start of class. Introduction to sewing will not be taught in this class.

Students will also need to bring a portable sewing machine to class each week. If you are purchasing a new sewing machine for the class, a Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine, 4400 series, model is recommended. ($160-$180 from Amazon or Michaels). Students who are bringing a pre-owed or loaned sewing machine are expected to have the machine professionally serviced before the start of class. Students must bring bobbins, replacement needles, the foot pedal, power cord, owner's manual, and extension cord to class each week. A student who forgets his/her sewing machine or who must send their machine to the shop may rent one from the instructor for $20.00 per hour. Students should also bring a basic sewing kit.

Prerequisites: Recommended for intermediate to advanced stitchers such as those who have taken the Learn to Sew class or have experience using sewing machine. Alternatively, the student must enroll in 4-hours of private sewing instruction before the start of class.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1 hour per week outside of class finishing whatever step could not be completed in class.

Assignments: Will be made in class and notes/lectures will posted in the Google Classroom platform.

Assessments: Informal feedback will be provided as students work.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $40.00 is due payable to the instructor for sewing patterns and additional classroom materials. Optional: Students can also elect to purchase a basic sewing kits from the instructor for $25.00. On the first day of class, after students have selected their patterns, they will be given a supply list of fabric to purchase.

What to Bring: Sewing machine (recently serviced, with owner's manual foot pedal, power cord, bobbins, and replacement needles); basic hand-sewing kit.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Art, Career Exploration, or General Elective for purposes of a high school transcript

This is a complete course in high school Algebra I which will cover fundamental concepts in algebra and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. This course is designed to emphasize the study of algebraic problem-solving with the incorporation of real-world applications. Topics in Algebra I include number systems, linear systems, rational numbers, complex numbers, exponents, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, absolute values, ratios, and proportions. In addition, the course will cover solving and graphing systems of functions, linear equations, and inequalities. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem-solving.

Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in pre-algebra topics in order to take this class. In addition, students should be capable of copying the sample problems and solutions worked in class on the white board to his/her own notes as examples for completing homework.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-1.5 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 7-day cycle, with assignments posted on Thursdays and due the following Thursday. Students are advised to start homework once it is assigned (i.e., not wait until the night before it is due). Weekly homework assignments will be of a length that a student should be able to complete them in two or three at-home work sessions. Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of their work.

Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload.

Assessments: Student progress will be assessed by: (1) The instructor checking that weekly homework sets are attempted and complete and (2) detailed grading of periodic take-home tests. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. See the instructor's webpage for detailed homework and test policy, including late work and re-work.

Textbook: Textbook: Students should purchase the 2024 paperback reprint of: "Algebra I" by Paul A Foerster as sold by Veritas Press (https://store.veritaspress.com/foerster-algebra-i-student-text.html)

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra I for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Pre-Algebra

This is a complete course in high school Algebra II which will cover fundamental concepts and provide a solid foundation of mathematical literacy, problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for the exploration of more advanced and rigorous topics in mathematics. Topics in Algebra II include linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic functions and complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, rational and irrational algebraic functions, and quadratic relations and systems. In addition, this course will cover higher degree functions with complex numbers, sequences and series, probability, data analysis, and trigonometric and circular functions. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem solving.

Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation Algebra I in order to take this class.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-1.5 hours per day on reading, review, and homework on most non-class days. Homework assignments will run on a 7-day cycle, with assignments posted on Thursdays and due the following Thursday. Students are advised to start homework once it is assigned (i.e., not wait until the night before it is due). Weekly homework assignments will be of a length that a student should be able to complete them in two or three at-home work sessions. Solutions will be provided for some homework problems, but students are expected to show all steps of their work.

Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address in order to be set up as users of the Canvas system. Parents can also be set up as Canvas guests/observers for purposes of tracking the student's progress and workload.

Assessments: Student progress will be assessed by: (1) The instructor checking that weekly homework sets are attempted and complete and (2) detailed grading of periodic take-home tests. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for the purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. See the instructor's webpage for detailed homework and test policy, including late work and re-work.

Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications- Prentice Hall Classics (ISBN-10 0131657100, ISBN-13 978-0131657106). A scientific calculator similar to the Casio fx-115ES PLUS is required for this class.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Algebra II for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Algebra I

Wish you could learn how apps, data, the internet, and technology shape the world-but don't know where to start? AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the broad and creative field of computer science, asking powerful questions like: "How do computers solve problems?" and "How does technology impact our lives?" It explores how data is used to make decisions, how the internet connects the world, and how computing influences everything from communication to culture. It examines topics like how information is stored and shared, how programs are designed, and how technology can both help and challenge society.

AP Computer Science Principles is a year-long, college-level course that provides a wide-ranging introduction to computing. Students will learn how to design and evaluate programs, develop algorithms, and use abstraction to manage complexity. The course emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and problem solving, as students create original programs and analyze how computing systems work. Students will also explore how data is collected and used, how computer networks function, and how computing innovations affect society, including issues such as bias, privacy, and the digital divide.

Five major areas from the College Board's AP Computer Science Principles framework are covered: (1) creative development; (2) data; (3) algorithms and programming; (4) computer systems and networks; and (5) the impact of computing.
Calendar:

The AP Computer Science Princples exam fee (May 2027) is not included in tuition. Families are responsible for registering and paying for their student's AP exam at their local public high school by the end of October 2026.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours on homework outside of class.

Assignments: All assignments will be posted on a Google Classroom site. There, students access assignments, upload homework, take automated quizzes and tests, track grades, view scores and narrative feedback, and message instructor and classmates. Parents may be set up as "observers" on the account to view assignments, scores, and other feedback.

Assessments: Completed homework, projects, presentations, quizzes, tests, and class participation are graded and receive points and other feedback from the instructor. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available; the instructor has programmed an automatic gradebook that does this in Canvas, based on a scale derived from several area high schools.

Textbook/Materials: Students will use the Ozaria platform to learn to code Python. They will need to purchase an access code for a student license through the teacher for $50.00.

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/career elective for purposes of a high school transcript.

More than 70% of the Earth's surface is water! Understanding the planet's oceans and freshwater systems is critical to understanding life on our planet- from beginnings in the seas to the water cycle that supports ongoing life. The study of aquatic and marine biology provides a basis for understanding much of the chemistry, physics, biology, and meteorology on our planet. Budding marine biologists will travel inland to learn about freshwater systems like lakes and ponds, rivers and streams before returning to the coast to study marshes and estuaries followed by extreme marine environments. The focus will be on hands-on, dynamic learning, and students will engage in several demonstrations and experiments in each class.

Second quarter, students will learn the basics of Riparian Biology, the study of aquatic life in rivers and streams. The class will discuss differences in water flow, sedimentation, and hydrodynamics that are used to classify riparian habitats and will learn about the characteristic assemblages of organisms that occur in different flow regimes. Students will compare various major river systems around the world and study the diversity of riverine biomes and organisms.

Topics in this Series: Lakes and Ponds (Quarter 1); Rivers and Streams (Quarter 2); Marshes and Estuaries (Quarter 3); and Extreme Marine (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

Students of ASL will continue to improve their fluency in this 2nd year course. As students become more advanced signers, emphasis will be on focusing on the meaning of a conversation (whole) rather than individual signs (parts). In conversation, students will learn to confirm information by asking questions in context. Second year students will continue to build their vocabulary, apply ASL grammar, and will learn to make requests, ask for advice, give opinions, make comparisons and use superlatives, and narrate stories. Other skills covered in ASL II include expressing year, phone numbers, time, and currency in numbers, appearance, clothing, giving directions, locations, etc. Each unit will include presentations and readings on Deaf culture and Deaf history. Class time will be dedicated to interactive ASL activities and signing practice.

This course will focus on Units 4-6 of the TRUE+WAY ASL curriculum, building on foundational skills and supporting continued development of conversational ASL in a structured, interactive environment.

ASL students will have a Deaf instructor. She regularly teaches all-hearing classes and is an excellent role model for students to meet and interact with a native speaker of ASL and to learn natural facial expressions, gestures, and body language used in Deaf communications. ASL students will have more confidence when they encounter Deaf instructors in college or greet speakers of ASL in social settings. Because the instructor is Deaf, students are not permitted to
speak aloud in class. This approach improves visual attention and encourages immersion in the language. Students will be able to ask questions of the instructor by writing on individual whiteboards, but they will be encouraged to sign in order to communicate with the instructor. Lessons are facilitated with Power Point presentations, and a professional ASL interpreter will assist the class on the first day of class.

Hundreds of colleges and universities, including all public institutions of higher learning in Virginia, accept ASL as a distinct foreign language. This allows hearing and Deaf students to fulfill foreign language requirements for admission to college. Teens who have difficulty writing, spelling, or have challenging pronunciation in English, can be successful with ASL as a second or foreign language choice. Penn State University research demonstrated that the visual and
kinesthetic elements of ASL helped to enhance the vocabulary, spelling, and reading skills in hearing students.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours each week outside of class on vocabulary exercises, readings, and signing practice.

Assignments: Homework assignments will be posted online in the Canvas digital classroom platform. Through Canvas, students will be asked to post short videos of themselves signing as homework. Enrolled students will be asked to review ASL 1 vocabulary, grammar, and facial expressions.

Assessments: The instructor will assign points using a class rubric for the parent's use in assigning a course grade. Course rubrics will evaluate students on their sign production, fingerspelling, ASL grammar, facial expressions including "above the nose" grammar (brows and body movement), and "below the nose" modifiers (lip expressions).

Textbook/Supply Fee: There is a supply fee of $45.00 payable to the online publisher for the digital access code for the interactive e-textbook, TRUE+WAY ASL for 3 units. With their subscription, students may also access a free searchable, bilingual ASL and English dictionary called What's the Sign?

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in World Languages for purposes of a high school transcript.

This is a 29-week class, with a non-meeting day of 4/23/2027.

Prerequisites: ASL I

Did you know that a single image from the James Webb Space Telescope can contain thousands of galaxies, each with billions of stars, and that some of that light has traveled for over 13 billion years to reach us? Or that scientists can detect distant planets by measuring a tiny flicker of starlight? Space is vast, dynamic, and measurable. In this course, students will explore the universe from our solar system to deep space, using the tools and methods of modern astronomers. Through hands-on investigations, models, and simulations, students will discover how we know what we know about a universe we cannot touch and begin to think like scientists exploring the final frontier.

First semester focuses on the mechanics of our cosmic neighborhood and the methods scientists use to explore it and discover new worlds beyond. Students will begin by learning how scientific thinking works- distinguishing observation from inference and applying the scientific method to solve mysteries. They will investigate the tools of astronomy, from early observations to modern imaging, and develop a sense of cosmic scale through hands-on models of distance, mass, and motion. As the semester progresses, students will explore how planets form, compare terrestrial and gas giant planets, and examine the forces that shape them, including impacts, tectonics, atmospheres, and magnetic fields. Interactive labs- such as cratering experiments, density models, and planetary simulations- bring these concepts to life. Students will also explore moons, small bodies like comets and asteroids, and the methods used to detect exoplanets, including the transit method. The semester culminates in a "Solar System Tour Guide" project and an introduction to astrobiology, challenging students to consider where life might exist beyond Earth.

Butter, batter, and bold bakes. Step into the rhythm of real baking as students build skill and confidence in the kitchen. In Baker's Batch, students mix, measure, and master the techniques behind favorite desserts while learning to think like true bakers. Each week, they create a fresh batch of treats such as cakes, pies, cookies, bars, breads, and pastries, sharpening skills like precision measuring, timing, and presentation. From first mix to final bite, this class is all about consistency, creativity, and leveling up in the kitchen. This quarter, the Compass bakers' culinary adventures will include:

• Mini Mixed Cerry Cornmeal Cobblers
• Mini Apple Pies
• Chocolate Mocha Pie
• Sweet Potato Praline Pie
• Meijer Lemon Shaker Pie
• Maple Pie
• Apricot Almond Pie with Caramel Sauce (contains nuts)

Students will be eating what they make each week and bringing home the recipes and leftovers. This engaging sweets class will get students excited about helping in the kitchen and entertaining. They will learn important baking skills such as safety, sanitation, measuring, knife skills, and other tricks of the trade. Culinary vocabulary is introduced each week.

Notes: Students with allergies to food ingredients or dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in this class. Recipes may contain nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. All food supplies will be conventional, mass market ingredients. Specialty food preparations/certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic will not be used due to cost and sourcing logistics.

Topics in this Series: Piece of Cake (Quarter 1); Easy as Pie (Quarter 2), Chocolate Works (Quarter 3), and Dessert First (Quarter 4).

Assessments: Qualitative Feedback will be given in class. Formal grades/assessment will not be given.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class.

What to Bring: None- Disposable aprons and take-home containers provided.

What to Wear: Students should wear clean clothes and have long hair tied back, braided, or secured under a bandana (male and female).

Cooking Class Requirements: For more information and FAQs, see the Compass Cooking Classes webpage.

Start on the right note and discover the excitement of making music with others! Beginner Band introduces students to the fundamentals of playing, reading music, following a conductor, and performing with others within Compass's comprehensive, multi-level homeschool band program.

Beginning band students will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. They will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading and practice simple songs as a group.

Students in beginner band may select from one of the following band instruments. Most instruments are appropriate for all ages, but a few are recommended for grades 7th and up due to the weight of the instrument or distance of the fingering:

Woodwind:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Alto saxophone

Brass:

• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Euphonium (7th+ grade)
• French Horn (7th+ grade)
• Tuba (7th+ grade)

Percussion:

• Drum practice pad
• Bell kit
• Xylophone kit
• PLUS, percussionists will learn on and rotate through a variety of drums and mallet instruments owned by Compass (snare drums, bass drum, cow bell, bells, tambourine, etc.)

Beginning band students are expected to practice 10 minutes per day, 5 times per week. Parents will be asked to sign a weekly practice log, and students completing their target 50 minutes per week will earn small weekly incentives.

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories. See the band instrument webpage.

There is a $30.00 supply fee due payable to Compass on/before the start of class for the Level I instrument-specific music book.

Take command of the battlefield as you design and deploy your own 3D military diorama. After early defeats across the Pacific, the United States halted Japanese expansion at Midway and carried the fight to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. What followed was a grueling campaign on land and sea, where control of a single airfield could determine the fate of the entire region. This class examines the brutal island fighting and the repeated naval battles at Iron Bottom Sound that marked the beginning of the Allied offensive.

Using artistic model-making techniques, hand tools, and historical maps, students will each form a 10" X 14" shaped, foam diorama with landscape elements (hills, valleys, rivers, ridges, vegetation, airfields, etc) to represent a scene of a famous historical engagement. Students will each receive scale miniature naval ships to populate their scene. Once individual projects are constructed, students will combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to approximate the larger battlefield terrain. Students will spend the remainder of the quarter learning about the tactics and outcomes of the military engagement while playing a table-top strategy game. Student strategists will use a simplified version of the Axis and Allies gaming rule system for moving troops and equipment. Along with their classmates, students will see how this battle progressed and test different outcome scenarios that might have occurred with different battlefield choices.

The instructor will use maps and visual presentations to explain the historical background and circumstances leading up to the specific battle. Course documents, such as period maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents. There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Topics in this year's series include: Pearl Harbor (Quarter 1), Guadalcanal (Quarter 2), D-Day (Quarter 3), and Battle of the Bulge (Quarter 4).

This full-year lab science course introduces classic biology topics updated for the 21st century. Biology studies living things and their relationships from microscopic to massive, ancient to modern, arctic to tropic. Our survey includes: (1) cellular and molecular biology, (2) ecology, (3) genetics, (4) biology of organisms (with selected human health and anatomy topics), and (5) evolution and diversity.

You will observe microscopic organisms and give monarch butterflies a health exam before tagging them for their 2,800 mile migration to Mexico. You will extract DNA, model its processes, and learn how scientists manipulate this magnificent molecule to make mice glow. You will observe animal behavior, test your heart rate, and practice identifying and debunking pseudo-science.

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain the nature of science as a system of knowing; cite evidence for foundational theories of modern biology; explain basic biological processes and functions; describe structures and relationships in living systems; outline systems of information, energy, and resources; demonstrate valid experimental design; discern ethical standards; relate their values and scientific ideas to decision-making; and apply biology knowledge to their own health.

Students are responsible for pre-reading and reviewing new material such as readings from the textbook and additional popular and scholarly sources, videos, and animations PRIOR to class meetings. In-person sessions focus on active discussion, clarification, exploration of content, review, modeling, and hands-on activities.

Labs address not only technical skills and sequential operations, but also forming testable predictions, collecting data, applying math, drawing conclusions, and presenting findings. Hands-on dissection, always optional, is taught with preserved crayfish and fetal pigs.

Sensitive issues: human reproduction is not taught separately, but mentioned as students learn about other, related topics such as sperm, eggs, stem cells, genetic disease, hormones, fetal development, breast-feeding, adolescence, and HIV. While there may be some debate-style discussion of topics such as GMO, abortion will not be debated. Birth control and sex education are not covered, but distinctions between gender and biological sex are discussed in detail in the genetics unit. Evolution is embedded in every topic, from molecular to ecological, inseparably from other content. It is addressed in a scientific context, not from a faith standpoint.

Levels: The course provides a substantive, full-credit experience on either an Honors or On-Level track. All class members share core material and participate in the same labs. Honors has longer or additional readings, more analytical work, and more thorough and difficult assessments. Brief, required summer assignments are due in August for those who elect to take Honors. Students register online for the same course, but must indicate which level they wish to study via e-mail by August 15. Students may move down a level (from Honors to On-Level) at any time.

Prerequisites: It is recommended that students are concurrently enrolled in Algebra or a higher-level math and have successfully completed a full-year science course prior to taking biology. Students should also be very strong, independent readers and able to understand graphs, tables, percentages, decimals, ratios, and averages.

Class Meetings: This class will be taught in a Hybrid format with an online lecture on Mondays (9:00 am - 9:55 am) over a live, online platform and in-person lab and activities on Fridays (9:30 am - 10:55 am). Registration for the Lab section will automatically enroll the student in the Lecture section.

Workload: All students should expect to spend 4-6 hours outside of class reading and preparing homework. Homework includes term cards, brief written responses, weekly online quizzes, unit tests, occasional lab reports, and some creative assignments including sketching. Students will sometimes prepare short, in-class presentations, participate in group projects, run simulations, or conduct simple experiments at home.

Assignments: All assignments will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site. There, students access assignments; upload homework, take automated quizzes and tests; track grades; message instructor and classmates; and attend virtual conferences.

Assessments: Completed homework, projects, quizzes, and tests receive points and narrative feedback. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available, in weighted categories that include assignments, reading quizzes, tests, and participation and presentations. Parents may view all scoring and comments at any time through the Canvas site.

Textbook/Materials: Students must purchase or rent the textbook Biology Now: Third High School Edition (2022) published by WW Norton. A 360-day digital license directly from the publisher costs $53.00 HERE (ISBN: 978-0-393-54247-9) or $130 when bundled with a hardcover text (ISBN 978-0-393-54010-9). Used books may be available from past year's students. Core textbook readings are supplemented by the instructor with updated information drawn from sources such as peer-reviewed science journals, popular science publications, and podcasts.

Lab/Supply Fee: A lab fee of $130 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Supplies/Equipment: Students will need access to a computer/internet, compound microscope with 400X magnification and cool lighting, splash goggles, water-resistant/acid-resistant lab apron, kitchen or postal scale, 3-ring binder, approximately 400- 3"x5" index cards; and plain, lined, and graph paper. Some of these supplies are used at home. Weekly "Read Me First" web pages and class announcements on Canvas tell students what items to bring to class.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Lab Science for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra I and completion of a prior year-long science course

The best way to understand a biome is to build (a model) one! A biome is a large zone on Earth characterized by its climate, soil, vegetation, and organisms with special adaptations for the unique environment. In modeling biomes, students will learn how they are different than similar ecological concepts like habitats and ecosystems. Students will discover how human activities, such as deforestation and habitat destruction, are transforming biomes.

In this science-themed diorama class, students will be exposed to concepts such as trophic levels, the water cycle, biological competition, geographic isolation, convergent evolution, species diversification, natural vs unnatural climate change, food webs, habitat loss, and ecological niches, while they are working on their models.

Marshlands are dynamic ecosystems found along the edges of lakes, rivers, and coastlines. They are distinguished by their waterlogged soils, which support the growth of diverse, soft-stemmed vegetation such as grasses, rushes, and reeds. These plants play a critical role in stabilizing the shore, filtering water, and providing habitat and food sources for a diverse population of birds, amphibians, insects, and small mammals.

Each student will create an individual diorama. Students will craft and hand-shape their scene on a 10 x 14 inch foam board using artistic, model-making techniques. They will customize their dioramas with landforms, waterways, plant life, and paint. Once individual projects are constructed, students will populate them with miniature figures and combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to create a larger terrain. Students will then compete in a zoology-based survival strategy game. Each student will create one board and receive a set of miniatures to take home with them. Course documents such as maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents. There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Topics in this series include: Mangrove Swamps (Quarter 1), Marshlands (Quarter 2), Coral Reefs (Quarter 3) and Deep Sea Trenches (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: Minimum age 8

If you like to "Turn Up the Music" (Chris Brown, 2012), "Play That Funky Music" (Wild Cherry, 1976), or "Dance to The Music" (Sly and The Family Stone, 1967), then you know that there is an impressive variety of American music. America is the birthplace of some of the most influential genres of music and musicians in the world. Much of the world's modern music has roots in American blues, jazz, or rock, while American music has elements from West Africa, the West Indies, and diverse communities such as New Orleans, Detroit, Memphis, St. Louis, Nashville, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the Bronx. American music has influenced behavior and culture such as dance, entertainment, fashion, technology, popular opinion, lexicon, marketing, and more.

This is a focused class in music appreciation for students who enjoy listening to or playing music. The class will evaluate a century of American music by listening to and discussing influential performers, writers, and producers. Students will learn to identify music elements unique to each genre- melody, rhythm, harmony- and will develop a musical vocabulary to help them think and talk about musical works. They will also explore innovations in instruments and technologies that evolved with the music, such as drums being placed in a "set" at the advent of jazz music, the rise of electric instruments, and electronic production/mixing.

First semester will explore music from the 1920s to the 1960s encompassing the genres of blues, ragtime, jazz, boogie-woogie, swing, soul, rhythm and blues, rock-and-roll, Motown, pop, funk, disco. Featured artists will include Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Elvis, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mack, Robert Johnson, Scott Joplin, John McLaughlin, and many others. Find out why the Rolling Stones and the Beatles claim they were influenced by Little Richard, and why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame described Jimi Hendrix as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

Like other fine arts classes, music appreciation is a fun break from academics which enriches and engages students in a topic they enjoy. Genres that will not be highlighted in this course include gospel, folk, country, western, tejano, reggae, zydeco, or salsa.

Topics in this Series: 1920-1960s (Semester 1), 1970s-2020s (Semester 2), etc.

Everyone can learn to sing! This quarter, children will sing classics that shine such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz,
"Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, or "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. Once the group is formed and their musicality is evaluated, the instructor will offer a selection of pieces tailored to the ensemble.

The quarter's repertoire will include at least one group choral number. Students will work on other music as solos, duets, or small group numbers. This introduction to vocal development and performance includes posture, breathing, intonation, and the principles of blending vocal harmonies. Basic musical notation will be introduced as well as melodic and harmonic intervals. No previous musical experience is required- just the joy of singing! Singers will be expected to memorize pieces and participate in a showcase for parents at the end of the quarter.

Topics in this series include: Broadway Beats (Quarter 1), Classic Chorals (Quarter 2), Screen Sensations (Quarter 3), and Hollywood Hits (Quarter 4).

Can your child sit in a circle for story time? Line up for lunch? Take turns talking? This one-day, 3-hour (half-day) program is a "taste" of kindergarten for 5- year-olds. Start your child's week off right with "Mornings with Miss M" at Compass Kindergarten. Children will work in a small group with an experienced early elementary educator for this dynamic, play-based program that offers regular interaction and socialization.

This fun, activity-based program will create rhythm and routine in a homeschooled kindergartner's week and give them a sense of community and a peer group. Children will practice routines and transitions as they move through the morning. Each session will include some simple structure such as a daily arrival song/greeting, circle time, story, snack time, activity, lunch, active game, and closing/goodbyes. Through games and activities, they will also practice key childhood social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and entering play with others. Academic basics such as the ABCs, days of the week, colors, shapes, and number sense will be integrated into activities involving fairy tales, nature and art. The teacher will provide ideas for parents to work on at home with their child during the week.

Compass Kindergarten is offered in three weekly sessions: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Registration is stand-alone for each day so parents can register for one, two, or all three. While each kindergarten class will give children the opportunities for learning and playing in a social environment along with classroom routines, each of the three days will focus on a particular area of study and discovery of how each is connected.

On Mondays, the focus will be on Language Arts where students will be exposed to folktales, seasonal stories, and classic favorites while also practicing some foundational language arts skills. The stories read in class will be used as inspiration to connect aspects of literacy such as comprehension, comparing similar/different, recalling sequences, and predicting outcomes. The Alphabet Book will be used as as "spine" to spark discussions on capital and lower case letter forms, initial letter sounds, blends, vowel sounds, rhyming words, and other pre-phonics skills. The language arts-themed kindergarten session is intended to enhance and clarify literacy skills being introduced at home, but is not a comprehensive reading curriculum.

Readiness: Students must be age five (5) by the start of the program or have the teacher's approval for younger. To be successful in this program, entering kindergartners must be able to do the following preschool-level skills: (1) be able to separate from parents with little discomfort; (2) be able to sit and listen to a story or stay on a task for 10 minutes; (3) be able to follow simple, age-appropriate directions from the teacher or another adult; (4) be able to write and recognize his/her first name; (5) be able to hold and use crayons and scissors correctly; (6) be completely self sufficient in a public restroom (wiping, flushing, washing hands, etc.)

Other Notes: Children should bring a bagged lunch and water bottle to each session. There is a $50.00 material fee for class consumables due payable to the teacher on the first day of class.

Parents can choose to drop children off for this program (different than Compass's school-year policies for 55 minute classes.)

Registration for this program is by 13-week semester with priority registration for continuing students.

Parents who are shopping around or applying to alternate kindergarten programs should review the Compass withdrawal policy.

Middle school students will learn how to improve their critical thinking for deeper understanding using strategies in reading comprehension. They will learn how to sort, analyze, describe, and compare information according to the rules of logic.

Throughout this semester, students will read a selection of short stories and excerpts. Students will learn to ask: Is this a good argument? What beliefs is it based on? Is it well constructed and convincing? Are there fallacies in it? They will discover how to define terms and break a whole concept into its component parts in order to formulate and defend their own arguments.

The semester will build toward an exciting debate in the Lincoln-Douglas format. Students will develop a law code for Wonderland and put a character on trial according to that code. Prosecution and defense will develop arguments, write speeches, and work to convict or acquit the accused.

Students should expect to spend an average of two hours per week on reading and short written responses. Topics in this series include Critical Thinking Through Short Stories (Semester 1) and Critical Thinking Through Non-Fiction (Semester 2). There is a $25.00 supply fee dur payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class for class materials.

Kids will enjoy making delicious recipes and family favorites that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Recipes are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:

• Carrot Hummus
• Zucchini Ribbons with Sunflower Seeds
• Corn Chowder
• Orange Garlic Broccoli
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken
• Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby
• Mini Grasshopper Pies

Students will be eating what they make each week and bringing home the recipes and leftovers. These engaging cooking classes will get students excited about helping in the kitchen, experimenting, and trying new foods. Students will be exposed to healthy ingredients they may not regularly eat. They will learn important kitchen skills such as safety, sanitation, measuring, knife skills, and other tricks of the trade. Culinary vocabulary and terms are introduced each week, with no-pressure verbal review of those words the following week.

Notes: Students with allergies to food ingredients or dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in this class. Recipes may contain nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. All food supplies will be conventional, mass market ingredients. Specialty food preparations/certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic will not be used due to cost and sourcing logistics.

Topics in this Series: Fall Fare with Flair (Quarter 1), Festive Fall Flavors (Quarter 2), Winter Warm-Ups (Quarter 3), Savory Spring Specialties (Quarter 4).

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor via Zelle or Venmo on or before the first day of class.

What to Wear: Students should wear clean clothes and have long hair tied back, braided, or secured under a bandana (male and female).

Cooking Class Requirements: For more information and FAQs, see the Compass Cooking Classes webpage.

Teens will enjoy making delicious recipes and family favorites that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Recipes are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:

• Carrot Hummus
• Zucchini Ribbons with Sunflower Seeds
• Corn Chowder
• Orange Garlic Broccoli
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken
• Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby
• Mini Grasshopper Pies

Students will be eating what they make each week and bringing home the recipes and leftovers. These engaging cooking classes will get students excited about helping in the kitchen, experimenting, and trying new foods. Students will be exposed to healthy ingredients they may not regularly eat. They will learn important kitchen skills such as safety, sanitation, measuring, knife skills, and other tricks of the trade. Culinary vocabulary and terms are introduced each week, with no-pressure verbal review of those words the following week.

Notes: Students with allergies to food ingredients or dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in this class. Recipes may contain nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. All food supplies will be conventional, mass market ingredients. Specialty food preparations/certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic will not be used due to cost and sourcing logistics.

Topics in this Series: Fall Fare with Flair (Quarter 1), Festive Fall Flavors (Quarter 2), Winter Warm-Ups (Quarter 3), Savory Spring Specialties (Quarter 4).

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor via Zelle or Venmo on or before the first day of class.

What to Wear: Students should wear clean clothes and have long hair tied back, braided, or secured under a bandana (male and female).

Cooking Class Requirements: For more information and FAQs, see the Compass Cooking Classes webpage.

Tweens will enjoy making delicious recipes and family favorites that feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients. Recipes are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. Each class will focus on a portion of a meal including appetizer, salad, soup, side dish, main dish, and dessert. The Compass chefs' culinary adventures will include:

• Carrot Hummus
• Zucchini Ribbons with Sunflower Seeds
• Corn Chowder
• Orange Garlic Broccoli
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken
• Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby
• Mini Grasshopper Pies

Students will be eating what they make each week and bringing home the recipes and leftovers. These engaging cooking classes will get students excited about helping in the kitchen, experimenting, and trying new foods. Students will be exposed to healthy ingredients they may not regularly eat. They will learn important kitchen skills such as safety, sanitation, measuring, knife skills, and other tricks of the trade. Culinary vocabulary and terms are introduced each week, with no-pressure verbal review of those words the following week.

Notes: Students with allergies to food ingredients or dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in this class. Recipes may contain nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. All food supplies will be conventional, mass market ingredients. Specialty food preparations/certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic will not be used due to cost and sourcing logistics.

Topics in this Series: Fall Fare with Flair (Quarter 1), Festive Fall Flavors (Quarter 2), Winter Warm-Ups (Quarter 3), Savory Spring Specialties (Quarter 4).

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor via Zelle or Venmo on or before the first day of class.

What to Wear: Students should wear clean clothes and have long hair tied back, braided, or secured under a bandana (male and female).

Cooking Class Requirements: For more information and FAQs, see the Compass Cooking Classes webpage.

In Cover-to-Cover, middle school-aged students will read renowned classics and award-winning young adult literature. This book discussion group will examine a different theme each quarter to introduce students to literary analysis. Students will read, examine, and compare two full-length novels that share similar themes through facilitated discussions and extension activities which encourage students to make personal connections to what is read. The group will evaluate themes, characters, setting, and writing style.

Second quarter, students will study the genre of Animal Tales with Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Call of the Wild by Jack London.

Assigned chapters are expected to be read at home, either as read-aloud, individual silent reading, or listening to the unabridged audiobook. Students should come to class prepared to discuss the reading. Classroom discussions will emphasize the use of textual evidence when explaining thoughts and opinions. Students will be assigned creative, short assignments to enhance and demonstrate their understanding of each novel such as quote explications, thematic questions, or imagining a conversation between characters from different books.

Topics in this Series: Science Fiction (Quarter 1); Animal Tales (Quarter 2); Dystopian (Quarter 3); and Mystery & Detective (Quarter 4).

Textbook/Materials: The cost of new, mass market paperback editions are included in class tuition because students need clean copies for annotation and must be able to reference identical page numbering.

Supply Fee: Included
What to Bring: Students should bring the current novel, paper, pen or pencil and highlighter to class each week. Some students may wish to bring paper clips, adhesive flags or post-it notes for marking pages.

Prerequisites: Reading at Grade Level

Crafty Kids Club is a weekly after-school meet-up for kids in grades 2-5. Kids will gather and socialize while completing a craft around a monthly theme. An experienced Compass arts instructor will facilitate the crafting each week. Projects are selected to showcase a variety of materials and crafting techniques and to promote creativity and imagination. Each month, a minimum of four projects will be included from among eight craft categories: wooden, wearables, simple sewing, painting, sculpting, paper, beading, and mixed media.

Kids will enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside a group of friends in Crafty Kids Club, and parents will appreciate the break! Parent Notes:

Winter/spring themes and example projects are:

If a student misses a week, no problem! His/her supplies for the missed project will be bagged and sent home with instructions to complete it solo or with parents. Registration is for 16-weeks ($139) or 8-weeks ($79).

Student artists will enjoy working hands-on, in 3-dimensions with clay and mosaics to create original decorative arts. Clay sculpture and mosaics are multi-sensory, and students enjoy the tactile experience of shaping, sculpting, cutting, arranging, layering, texturing, and finishing a variety of materials. Decorative art engages a different artistic skillset than coloring, drawing, and writing, and encourages creativity to represent objects in three dimensions. In this studio environment, students will create original hand-made pieces using a range of artistic techniques and a myriad of materials.

Second quarter, students will work hands-on with natural clay, exploring the many forms and possibilities of this versatile medium. Projects will be sculpted in weeks one, three, and five, with painting and finishing in weeks two, four, and six. In week seven, students will complete a make-and-take multimedia project using air-dry clay. Throughout the quarter, they will experiment with texture and pattern using a variety of tools, as well as explore different painting techniques and color applications. With each new lesson and project, students will continue to develop their hand-building techniques and finishing skills.

Projects this quarter include: a pinch-pot acorn bowl, a fall leaf plate (slab building with imprints), and a coil-build harvest pumpkin.

A supply fee of $40.00 per student is due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Mosaic Makers (Quarters 1, 3) and Clay Crafters (Quarters 2, 4)

Meet Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and Brachiosaurus! Travel millions of years back in time to the Jurassic period, when towering giants dominated the landscape.

Second quarter, students will dive into the environments these dinosaurs ruled and learn how paleontologists uncover their stories. Each class will feature a dynamic lesson and hands-on activities like creating imaginary dinosaurs, a dinosaur egg hunt, or fossil digs. Students will continue their "field explorer" journal, sketching each dinosaur and noting fun facts to expand their bestiary.

There is a $25.00 supply fee payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Triassic Time Travel (Quarter 1), Jurassic Jam (Quarter 2), Cretaceous Creatures (Quarter 3), and Museum Makers (Quarter 4)

A shudder in San Francisco or a tremor in Tokyo may hit headlines- but what mysterious movements in Earth's mantle make continents quake and coastlines crumble? Relentless rivers, grinding glaciers, and wandering winds sculpt and scour the surface of our restless planet. Find out what further forces carve caverns, move mountains, forge fossils, and vent volcanoes. From the planet's fiery core to its powerful plates, Earth is a dynamic, dramatic sphere of stone and story.

Earth Science is an interdisciplinary field that unites geology, physics, and chemistry to explore the dynamic forces and phenomena on Earth. First quarter, students will examine the solar system, Earth's early history, orbital patterns, seasonal cycles, and long-term changes, including the emergence of water and the atmosphere. Second quarter, the class will focus on large-scale geology which includes plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain-building. Third quarter, students will investigate the water cycle, rock cycle, sedimentary geology, erosion mechanisms, and the cryosphere. Students will vote on fourth quarter's theme(s) from among topics like atmospheric science, oceanography, paleontology, or planetary science.

In this year-long laboratory science course, students will pair weekly discussions with hands-on experiments and activities such as rock classification, tectonics using an earthquake table, spectra/light analyses, and more. Students' laboratory work may also include citizen scientist projects using data and images collected by NASA and other institutions. Some lab activities will require laptops and spreadsheet software to analyze data.

Note: This Earth Science course is taught using current scientific models and evidence-based frameworks. The class includes topics such as planetary formation, geologic time, plate tectonics, fossils, and geologic dating. As part of studying the fossil record and geologic time, students will examine observable changes in species over time. The course does not focus on evolutionary mechanisms or theories in depth, but will address patterns of change as they relate to Earth's history and paleontology. All content is presented within prevailing scientific frameworks and may differ from some faith-based interpretations of origins. Families are encouraged to review the course description to ensure it aligns with their educational preferences.

Level: Earth Science is an ideal introduction to high school science and recommended for most 9th graders. The course combines rigorous scientific thinking with topics that are concrete and easy to visualize, such as weather, rocks, and oceans. Students practice data analysis, graphing, and evidence-based reasoning without the need for advanced mathematics. This course builds strong foundational skills and academic discipline needed for future laboratory sciences.

Prerequisites: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Algebra or a higher-level math. 8th graders may only enroll if they are enrolled in Algebra I and have successfully completed Compass's Integrated Middle School Science class, a year-long equivalent, or obtain permission from the instructor.

Class Meetings: This class will have two class meetings per week- an in-person lecture on Mondays (10:00 am - 9:55 am) and in-person lab and activities on Fridays (9:30 am - 10:55 am). Registration for the Lab section will automatically enroll the student in the Lecture section.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class reading and completing assignments.

Assignments: All assignments will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site. There, students access assignments, upload homework, take automated quizzes and tests, track grades, and message the instructor and classmates.

Assessments:Completed assignments and quizzes will be assessed points. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available, in weighted categories that include assignments, labs, quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations. Parents may view all scoring and comments at any time through the Canvas site.

Textbook/Materials: Students will use an open source (no cost) digital textbook from Virginia Tech: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/1264. Students will need to bring a laptop to some lab sessions.

Lab/Supply Fee: A lab fee of $100.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook, pen or pencil, and laptop when requested.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit lab science for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Co-Requisite: Algebra I

Become a world-traveling eco adventurer and earth scientist without leaving Compass! Study the world's most exciting and diverse ecosystems and learn about the incredible biologic and geologic phenomena that shape them. Venture into caves and coasts, tundra and taiga, and forests and fjords. Each week, student scientists will begin by locating the fascinating features on a map before learning about these incredible habitats from the ground-up, starting with the geology of a place, then working their way through the climate, biome, flora, and fauna. Hands-on labs and in-class activities will reinforce regional and ecological diversity by examining rock types, classifying plants, observing insects, or modelling weather phenomena.

Bundle up! Second quarter, students will journey to the northern latitudes. The class begin in the frozen north of the Arctic Circle, then travel south through Greenland, Russia, and Europe. Students will see how some animal and human populations deal with environmental extremes through seasonal migrations. Along the way, the class will learn about cold weather phenomena, polar ice, tundra and taiga (coniferous forest) biomes, inland seas, and the seasonal effects of polar nights and midnight sun.

Topics in this Series: The Americas and Antarctica (Quarter 1); Northern Latitudes (Quarter 2); Africa and Asia (Quarter 3); and All About Islands (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

Physician. Paramedic. Physical therapist. Phlebotomist. The healthcare industry makes up more than 18% of the U.S. economy and employs over 20 million people. This course gives students a meaningful introduction to that world by building real, practical skills used by first responders and healthcare professionals.

When seconds matter, will you know what to do? This hands-on course trains students to think clearly, act quickly, and provide effective care in emergencies. Students learn to assess responsive and unresponsive patients, manage airways, perform rescue breathing, and respond to life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, stroke, choking, and shock. Training includes CPR for adults, children, and infants, along with proper use of an AED.

Students also develop essential trauma response skills, including wound care involving applying dressings, pressure bandages, and tourniquets, and stabilizing injuries such as fractures. They learn how to respond to acute medical emergencies like seizures, allergic reactions, respiratory distress, diabetic complications, poisoning, fainting, and heat- and cold-related conditions.

The course is highly interactive and includes hands-on labs where students practice assessment skills, taking vital signs, administering select medications, and using emergency equipment. Through case studies and role-play scenarios, students build critical thinking skills and learn how to stay calm and make decisions under pressure. Instruction also includes medical terminology, relevant anatomy, triage, patient movement, and how coordinated emergency response systems operate. Students will also explore how to respond appropriately during a mental health crisis, including de-escalation strategies.

This course goes beyond basic first aid to provide training comparable to a 3-credit hour community college course. Students leave with practical, life-saving skills and a strong foundation for future study or work in healthcare. Teens earn national certification in Advanced First Aid, CPR, and AED that can qualify them for roles such as event or venue staff, camp counselors, outdoor program assistants, and positions in recreation, youth sports, or childcare.

Schedule: This is a 29-week year-long class.

Instructors: This course will be team-taught by Dr. Larry Newell, paramedic Jose Salazar, and Christine Notarianni, a registered nurse

Workload: On-level students should expect to spend up to 1 hours per week outside of class on reading assignments and activities

Assignment:s Students will be assigned weekly readings to complete at home each week so class time can be dedicated to group discussion and the practice of hands-on skills.

Assessments: The instructor will give short quizzes to ensure that students are keeping up with their reading. In addition, students will be "signed off" and approved on hands-on skills throughout the course.

Textbook/Materials: Students should purchase a copy of First Aid, CPR, and AED- Advanced, 8th edition by AAOS/ECSI/ACEP, published by Jones and Bartlett Learning (ISBN #978-1284234367).

Lab/Supply Fee: A supply fee of $25.00 is due payable to Emergency Training Resources, LLC for consumable and in-class supplies such as bandages, cpr mask, etc.

What to Bring: Students should bring their textbook, notebook/paper, and pen or pencil to class each week.

What to Wear: Students should wear comfortable clothing that would allow them to participate in occasional demonstrations on the floor.

Credentials: Students will earn certification by the Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) in "Advanced First Aid, Adult, Child, Infant CPR & AED,"

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in Science, Health, Elective, or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: None

This American Literature course is designed to prepare students for college-level academic writing. Students will strengthen their critical reading and textual analysis skills by examining the concept of the American Dream and exploring what it means to be American through texts spanning the 18th century to the present. Throughout the course, students will read and respond in writing to both fiction and nonfiction works. Written assignments will emphasize rhetorical analysis, with a focus on subject, purpose, and audience.

Literature: Second quarter will explore the themes of Promise and Illusion in The Jazz Age through The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald and other selections from the period.

Writing Lab: An essential component of this course will be an in-class Writing Lab. Students in this class should have mastered the basics of academic writing, such as constructing a thesis statement, organizing their thoughts with effective topic sentences and transition statements. This class will strengthen students' textual analysis skills with an emphasis on rhetorical analysis- the study of how a text creates meaning. Over the course of the year, students will develop familiarity with a variety of writing styles and forms including rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, critical response, close reading, opinion essay, and personal essay.

Prerequisites: Students taking this class should have an understanding of the types of literature (from Intro to Genres) and successful completion of British Literature (or equivalent). Students are expected to take an active role in discussion and complete all writing assignments.

Topics in this Series: Freedoms & Foundations (Quarter 10), Promise & Illusion (Quarter 2), Voice & Identity (Quarter 3), and War & Memory (Quarter 4).

Class Meetings: There will be two weekly, in-person class meetings: Tuesdays and Fridays.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: All assignments will be posted in a Google Classroom management site. Students will need their own gmail accounts to access Google Classroom.

Assessments: Students' written assignments will be graded using a rubric and assigned points that the homeschool parent can use when assigning an overall class grade.

Textbooks/Materials: The cost of new, mass market paperback editions are included in class tuition because students need clean copies for annotation and must be able to reference identical page numbering.

Supply Fee: Included

What to Bring: Students should bring the current literature, paper, pen or pencil and highlighter to class each week. Some students may wish to bring paper clips, adhesive flags or post-it notes for marking passages/pages. Students should also bring a laptop to class one day per week for in-class writing.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit (one quarter) or full credit (all four quarters) in English for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: British Literature or the Equivalent

In this Senior English course, students will engage deeply with World Literature while developing advanced literary analysis skills. Students will read a diverse body of global literature to identify symbolism, imagery, recurring themes and to develop an understanding of the narrative perspectives used. Through these works, the class will also examine the cultural, social, and historical contexts that shaped literature across different regions and time periods.

This course can be taken-on level or at the Advanced Placement (AP) level which will introduce college-level analytical writing and prepare the student for the AP Literature and Composition exam. AP students must also register for the Extended Coursework option.

Literature: Second quarter will examine the theme of Culture and Conflict through works such as Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, The Stranger by Albert Camus, and other selections.

Composition: An essential component of this course will be an in-class Writing Lab. Students in this class should have mastered the basics of academic writing, such as constructing a thesis statement, organizing their thoughts with effective topic sentences and transition statements. This class will strengthen students' textual analysis skills with an emphasis on rhetorical analysis- the study of how a text creates meaning. Over the course of the year, students will develop familiarity with a variety of writing styles and forms including rhetorical analysis, literary analysis, critical response, close reading, opinion essay, and personal essay.

Topics in this Series: Fate & Free Will (Quarter 1), Culture & Conflict (Quater 2), Conformity & Courage (Quarter 3), Power & Prejudice (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: Successful completion of year-long coursework in British and American Literature or the equivalent.

Class Meetings: There will be two weekly, in-person class meetings: Tuesdays and Fridays.

Levels: Two levels meet together: On-Level and Advanced Placement (AP). AP requires additional reading, writing, and AP skills practice. All students register online for the same course. AP students are required to also register for the AP World Literature: Extended Coursework activity which covers differentiated assignments, additional instruction, and feedback on AP-style writing and test preparation. Once the course begins, students may move down a level (from AP to On-Level) at any time, but may not "bump up." Students taking the AP level may designate the course as SP on their transcript and add one quality point when calculating their GPA.

Workload: On-level students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class. AP students should expect to spend 4-5 hours per week.

Assignments: All assignments will be posted in a Google Classroom management site. Students will need their own gmail accounts to access Google Classroom.

Assessments: Students' written assignments will be graded using a rubric and assigned points that the homeschool parent can use when assigning an overall class grade.

AP Testing: The AP English Literature and Composition exam fee (May 2027) is not included in tuition. Families are responsible for registering and paying for their student's AP exam at their local public high school by the end of October 2026.

Textbooks/Materials: The cost of new, mass market paperback editions are included in class tuition because students need clean copies for annotation and must be able to reference identical page numbering.

Supply Fee: Included

What to Bring: Students should bring the current literature, paper, pen or pencil and highlighter to class each week. Some students may wish to bring paper clips, adhesive flags or post-it notes for marking passages/pages. Students should also bring a laptop to class one day per week for in-class writing.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit (one quarter) or full credit (all four quarters) in English for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: American Literature or the Equivalent

From idea to script- tell the story before the camera ever rolls. Step into the creative world of cinema as you learn how stories are crafted for short films. Under the guidance of a local award-winning filmmaker and author, students will explore how great ideas become compelling scripts for the screen.

In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of pre-production used in professional film environments. Students will learn the jobs on a film set, the basics of directing, how to collaborate effectively as a production team, and how to hold auditions to cast their characters.

Through guided in-class analysis of high-quality film clips, students will examine what makes a scene effective and how visual and audio elements support storytelling. Students will develop skills in storytelling, including plot structure, character development, dialogue, and pacing. They will learn industry-standard script formatting and software. Workshopping is a central part of the class. Students will participate in peer review, table reads, and guided revision as they refine their writing and strengthen their ideas.

By the end of the semester, students will produce a polished, production-ready screenplay, along with a storyboard and shot list for either a short film or a commercial. These materials will serve as the foundation for filming in the second semester.

Bonjour and get ready for a full year French Fundamentals! French Fundamentals is a year-long class whis covers that same content and uses the same textbook as high school French I.

This level is for middle school-aged students who have taken at least two quarters of French Foundations with the instructor, but who are not yet ready to age up and attend Friday high school classes. The expectation is that middle school-aged Fundamentals students will be ready for high school French II the following school year. Registraton for Fundamentals is by semester.

The corresponding French I description follows:

French I is a conversation-focused program in which students will build their vocabulary quickly and learn essential grammar skills in French. Vocabulary will include numbers, time, dates, seasons, school, free time activities/hobbies, likes/dislikes, personal descriptions, family relationships, emotions, food/restaurants, and places/locations in town. There will be a strong emphasis on competency using regular and irregular present tense verbs and common grammar concepts such as articles, pronouns, adjectives, and comparative phrases.

Class will be conducted primarily in French and will focus on listening and speaking skills, asking and answering questions, and correct use of grammar. At home, students will be responsible for memorizing vocabulary and grammar, completing homework assignments, and watching both grammar instruction and language immersion videos.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 30-45 minutes per day, 4 days per week on homework outside of class.

Assignments: Are sent by e-mail to parents and students. Students must have access to a computer and internet service for computer-based videos and practice tools that are assigned as homework and are essential to success in the class.

Assessments: Quizzes, tests, and individual performance reviews will be given to all students at regular intervals to provide parents with sufficient feedback to assign a grade.

Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Bien Dit!: Student Edition Level 1 2013 (French Edition) (ISBN-13 978-0547871790)

Bonjour and welcome to the second year of high school French. This is a conversation-focused program in which students will build their vocabulary quickly and learn essential grammar skills in French. Students will cover the broad themes and vocabular for: my family and my friends, celebrations, shopping, high school, a typical day, and the good old days.

The class will begin with a review of adjective-noun agreement, negations, and regular -er, ir-, and -re verbs. They will review and continue to expand their list of irregular verbs such as avoir (to have) and etre (to be). Students will be introduced to the passe compose and Imparfait (imperfect) tenses, and they will learn how to use negations, direct and indirect pronouns, and reflexive verbs with present, past, and imperfect tenses. The class will practice comparative and superlative statements, and will continue to have brief cultural lessons integrated in their units.

Class will be conducted primarily in French and will focus on listening and speaking skills, asking and answering questions, and correct use of grammar. At home, students will be responsible for memorizing vocabulary and grammar, completing homework assignments, and watching both grammar instruction and language immersion videos.

Prerequisite: French I

Workload: Students should expect to spend 30-45 minutes per day, 4 days per week on homework outside of class.

Assignments: Are sent by e-mail to parents and students. Students must have access to a computer and internet service for computer-based videos and practice tools that are assigned as homework and are essential to success in the class.

Assessments: Quizzes, tests, and individual performance reviews will be given to all students at regular intervals to provide parents with sufficient feedback to assign a grade.

Textbook: Students should purchase or rent the required textbook for this class: Bien Dit! Level II: Student Edition Level 1 2018 edition (ISBN-13 978-0544861343)

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Foreign Language for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: French I

Fun Fit PE encourages young elementary schoolers to move and play during the day! Kids will enjoy games such as flag tag, tug-of-war, soft dodge ball, relays, and silly obstacle courses with challenges such as crab crawl, log roll, or bunny hop. Activities will engage hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills and improve accuracy, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility.

Fun Fit PE is a fun, supportive, small-group experience with a dedicated coach where the emphasis is on doing one's best and individual improvement rather than competition or comparison with classmates. Equally as important, young athletes get to practice valuable life skills such as working with teammates, good sportsmanship, taking turns, cooperation, and communicating with the coach.

All activities will take place on the thick mats of Compass's new physical fitness center. Children will play in socks or bare feet as shoes cannot be worn on the mats. They should wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a reusable water bottle.

The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Children may enroll in Fun Fit PE at any time, regardless of the color name No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.

FUNctional Fitness is a dynamic PE program for that incorporates well-rounded exercises to get tweens up and moving mid-day! No two workouts are the same, but each day's activities incorporate exercises that target 10 areas: cardio-vascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. FUNctional Fitness focuses on functional movements that are fundamental to all aspects of play and exercise- pulling, pushing, running, throwing, climbing, lifting, and jumping. Work-outs are scalable and adaptable to different individual's own level, and the emphasis is on fun, safety, and personal accomplishment rather than competition among classmates. When the weather permits, some exercises may be taken outdoors. The physical challenges of FUNctional Fitness will foster self-confidence, focus, and help instill a foundation for a lifetime of fitness.

The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Students may enroll in FUNctional Fitness at any time, regardless of the color name No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.

All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. FUNctional Fitness continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve fitness. No two workouts are the same!

Geo-Detectives discover the many mysteries of Earth Science. From large-scale disasters that come from inside the planet to microscopic contaminants in the water and soil, Geo-Detectives look high and low to understand the forces, systems, and cycles that continue to shape the Earth, its climates and ecosystems. Geo-Detectives will explore concepts as diverse as fossils to fault lines, ozone to ocean trenches, and trade winds to tundra. Hands-on labs and in-class activities will reinforce geological phenomena such as examining fossils, classifying rocks, reading the seismographic charts, or modeling the water cycle.

Second quarter, students will learn the physics behind air and water circulation, and how they combine to form wacky weather phenomena such as hurricanes, tornados, hail, fog, and even regular old rain showers. The class will see how air and water systems on earth govern global climate systems as well as local and regional weather patterns. Kids will learn how meteorologists and climatologists examine data from a variety of sources, such as ice cores, sediment cores, the fossil record, and historic records to trace large-scale changes in climate and sea level over geologic time.

Topics in this Series: Between A Rock & A Hard Place! -Geology (Quarter 1); When It Rains, It Pours! -Wacky Weather (Quarter 2); What a Disaster! Volcanoes, Tsunamis & Earthquakes (Quarter 3); and What Goes Around Comes Around!- Cycles & Seasons (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

Can the government take your stuff? Can you say whatever you want? Are you protected from hateful speech?

Students will receive their own copy of the Bill of Rights and analyze the freedoms it guarantees. Through discussion, current events, and historical examples, they will examine how rights are protected and when they may be challenged. Students will debate real-world scenarios and consider the balance between individual freedom and societal rules.

Students will continue participating in the mock government introduced in Quarter 1. They will hold new elections, form committees, and propose amendments as they explore how rights are defined and protected.

Learn the fundamentals of playing the guitar! In this class, students will learn basic melodies such as Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, as well as classic rock favorites like Smoke on the Water, etc. Kids will learn to play chords and strumming patterns for familiar songs chosen by the instructor and students. Students are encouraged to bring in music they are interested in learning. New chords and new songs will be added each week as students also learn to read music and basic music theory. Students will also learn how to hold, tune, and care for their guitars. Each student will need a least a beginner level acoustic guitar. Students should be able to read at grade level for this class and should plan to practice at home several times each week. Students should expect to spend 20-30 minutes per day most days practicing chords and melodies from class. There is a materials fee of $11.00 payable to the Compass on the first day of class for a tablature notebook.

Are we alone in the universe? What did people really see? Where does evidence end and imagination begin?

Students will explore mysterious events that blur the line between science and the unknown, including Area 51, the Nazca Lines, Big Foot, and the Loch Ness Monster.

Students will analyze timelines, examine historical accounts and discoveries, and evaluate evidence to weigh competing theories behind each mystery. Through guided discussion and intriguing lectures, they will use critical thinking to distinguish credible explanations from speculation, determining for themselves what might have happened and why these mysteries continue to endure.

Topics in this series include: Lost Worlds (Quarter 1), UnexplainedEncounters (Quarter 2), Conspiracies & Cover-Ups (Quarter 3), and Gadgets and Guesswork (Quarter 4).

Rovers roam, rockets rise, and researchers reveal remarkable results. Viral videos and bold breakthroughs flood the feed, but what is solid science and what is sensational spin? In this class, students become critics and commentators on science in the news. Each week, they will examine recent discoveries, products, and claims drawn from headlines and social media, digging into the science behind the stories. Is a breakthrough truly groundbreaking, or just overhyped? Who is behind the research- a reputable institution or a questionable source? And what real impact might these ideas have?

From AI-guided Mars rovers to scientists tackling microplastics and next-generation energy, students will investigate fascinating topics while learning to evaluate the strength of scientific evidence. They will consider testing methods, sample sizes, and sources in order to separate solid science from speculation and become thoughtful consumers of scientific information.

This class is especially well suited for students who enjoy reading, discussion, and current events, including those who may not be drawn to traditional lab-based science classes. It also offers a valuable perspective for science-minded students who want to engage more deeply with real-world applications of science. Students should be reading at or above grade level and can expect to spend 30 minutes to one hour each week engaging with assigned articles or videos.

Topics: This is a quarter-long class that examines new claims and scientific announcements in the news. Each quarter is unique, and students can take all four (4) quarters with no repeated information.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in science for purposes of a high school transcript.

Inside the Music is a fun, interactive guide to understanding how music really works. Designed for both instrumentalists and singers, this year-long program builds essential musicianship through games, movement, listening, and creative activities that make learning feel engaging, not overwhelming.

Students explore the fundamentals of music theory- from reading notes on the staff to understanding rhythm, pitch, scales, and chords through hands-on experiences and interactive classroom activities that reinforce each concept. Whether a student is just beginning or wanting to strengthen existing skills, this class provides a clear, structured path to deeper musical understanding and greater confidence.

Second quarter, students will learn to read music with confidence by recognizing notes, understanding pitch relationships, and identifying patterns in music. They develop skills in reading treble and bass clef, understanding steps, skips, and basic intervals, and beginning to read simple melodies. Activities include note-reading games, visual pattern exercises, and playing or singing short melodic examples.

Each quarter focuses on a different core skill and stands on its own, so students can join at any time and still gain meaningful, complete learning. This class is an excellent complement to private lessons, ensembles, or independent study, helping students move beyond simply playing music to truly understanding it.

Topics in this series include Rock the Rhythm (Quarter 1), Practice Pitch & Pattern (Quarter 2), Engage Your Ear (Quarter 3), and Compose & Create (Quarter 4).

Engineering is the discipline of turning ideas into reality- using mathematics, science, and creativity to design solutions that shape the world around us. From bridges and buildings to medical devices, renewable energy systems, and cutting-edge technology, engineers work across an extraordinary range of fields. The demand for these skills is strong and growing especially in areas like software development, data science, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. This course introduces students to the mindset and methods of engineers- problem solving, design thinking, collaboration, and innovation- while exploring the wide variety of pathways available in this dynamic and high-impact field.

The first semester focuses on Systems and Solutions, introducing students to the "language" of engineering- the foundational skills and ways of thinking that engineers use to solve real-world problems. Students will learn how to measure with precision, apply standard units, and perform essential calculations, while building an understanding of how machines and systems work. Through guided exploration of the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve), students will practice defining problems, identifying constraints, collecting and analyzing data, and developing thoughtful solutions. Topics include measurement and data analysis, safety margins, testing protocols, and "systems thinking." The class will examine real-world case studies of both engineering successes and failures. This is a highly hands-on semester, with students using tools such as calipers and micrometers, designing experiments, and completing collaborative challenges. By the end of the semester, students will have developed a strong technical foundation and the practical problem-solving skills essential for more advanced engineering study.

Prerequisites:Completion of Algebra I

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class reading and completing projects.

Assignments: All assignments and readings will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site.

Assessments:Completed assignments, projects, and participation will be assessed points. Parents can calculate a letter grade using the student's points earned divided by points available. Parents may view all scoring and comments at any time through the Canvas site.

Lab/Supply Fee: A lab fee of $25.00 is due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook, pen or pencil, and laptop when requested.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count both semesters of this course as a half credit in science or a career exploration election.

Prerequisites: Algebra I

Junior Art Studio is a colorful, hands-on art adventure designed especially for our youngest artists! Each week, students will discover a new artist or art style, learn a few fun facts, explore inspiring examples, and then create their own masterpiece inspired by what they have seen. Using a wide variety of materials, students will experiment with colors, patterns, textures, and embellishments as they bring their ideas to life.

Second quarter, students explore how environments and locations around the world inspire artistic expression.
Each lesson will explore the use of texture, layering, and visual storytelling while exploring the world. Featured topics and locations include: the Redwood Forests, Lascaux Caves, Grand Canyon, Mount Fuji, Great Barrier Reef, the Statue of Liberty, and the Sahara Desert.

A partial list of projects this quarter includes: tree bark rubbings, forest drawings, cave-style animal paintings, layered canyon landscapes, mountain paintings, underwater collage, paper sculpture, desert silhouettes, and a travel postcard using chalk pastels, crayons, watercolor paint, brown craft paper, tissue paper, glue, scissors,
sponges, acrylics, oil pastels, canvases, and specialty papers.

Topics in this series include: Color Quest (Quarter 1), Destination Discoveries (Quarter 2), Native Nations (Quarter 3), and Multi-Media Mix (Quarter 4). There is a $25.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day.

Tumble, turn, twist, and twirl! Junior Gymnastics is a beginner-level class designed to support the development of motor skills in children while introducing beginning athleticism through gymnastics. This class incorporates fundamental movements like hopping, skipping, jumping, and balancing while building strength, flexibility and coordination. Gymnastics encourages children to explore their body's movement through play and exercise.

Each session will include warm-up activities, cool-down exercises, and fun play with props like parachutes, while each quarter has a different gymnastics focus. Second quarter "Beam Basics" introduces balance and coordination on a low, 6" balance beam. All work will be done on padded floor mats and portable equipment on loan from the instructor's gymnastics school.

Students should wear workout attire, but preferably not lose or floppy clothing. Students with long hair are asked to tie their hair back. Students will play and exercise in socks, so they should not come in sandals, crocs, or slides.

Topics in this series include: Floor Fun (Quarter 1), Beam Basics (Quarter 2), Vault Ventures (Quarter 3), and Rhythmic Routines (Quarter 4).

Krav Maga is the Israeli martial art which teaches self defense and fitness. Students of Krav Maga are taught a series of strategies to assess and respond to common situations, such as facing a bully. Kids are always taught first and foremost to get away, to get help, and to try to deescalate the situation. When that fails, students practice a technique that includes a warning strike followed by escape, and finally, they learn how to stand up for themselves and how to counterattack if a situation escalates and becomes threatening. Kids are empowered and gain confidence when they rehearse how to handle real-life situations. Exercises and in-class practice incorporate balance, coordination, energy, and other key elements of fitness along with life skills such as confidence, teamwork, respect, discipline, and respect.

Students may enroll in Krav Maga at any time, and everyone will begin as a white belt. Each quarter, students will practice the full range of skills, but there will be two "featured" moves that a student can earn a belt stripe for being able to demonstrate. Featured moves will include a combative strike and a defensive escape technique. No one stripe is a prerequisite for any other color, and color stripes can be earned in any order.

Second quarter, students will have the chance to earn a Purple Stripe. The featured moves include:

• Red Stripe

- 360 Defense and Headlock Release

• OrangeStripe

- Inside Defense and Release from Front Choke

• Yellow Stripe

- Using Your Environment and Wrist Grab Releases

• Green Stripe

- Kick Defense and Ground Choke Release

• Blue Stripe

- Body Defense and Shirt Grab Releases

• Purple Stripe

- Protecting Others and Ground Headlock Release

• Brown Stripe

- Ground Strike Defenses and Bearhug Releases

• Black Stripe

- Ground Kick Defenses and Back Choke Releases

Students will be able to test for belt promotions to move through the ranks of white belt, yellow belt, orange belt, etc. On average, it is estimated that a student will be ready for a belt test after four quarters/four color stripes. Belt testing will be by coach approval.

What to Bring: Refillable water bottle.

What to Wear: In lieu of a full martial arts uniform, participants should wear their class t-shirt and belt along with shorts, leggings, or loose, comfortable athletic pants, and comfortable athletic shoes or sneakers.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $6.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class- for new students only- for a white belt to collect the colored stripes! A belt test fee of $25.00 is due payable to the instructor when a student is ready to test for promotion.

Topics in this Series: Blue Stripe (1st Quarter), Purple Stripe (2nd Quarter), Brown Stripe (3rd Quarter) and Black Stripe (4th Quarter).

LEGO Robotics Challenge League is a dynamic, semester-long team experience where students dive into real FIRST LEGO League (FLL)- style challenges in a high-energy, collaborative environment. Students work in teams to design, build, and program robots while tackling a complete FLL challenge from a previous season. This league format gives students the opportunity to experience the full scope of FLL without the intense 6- 10+ hour weekly commitment of official competition teams.

Participants are divided into smaller teams that compete in exciting in-house robotics challenges, testing their designs, strategies, and coding skills against one another. Along the way, students develop critical 21st-century skills in engineering, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork. As teams iterate, test, and refine their robots, they build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and experience the thrill of competition in a supportive, engaging setting.

Throughout the semester, students will complete a full FLL challenge, including the Robot Game and elements of the Innovation Project. They will gain hands-on experience with LEGO Spike Prime components and use drag-and-drop coding to program autonomous robots. No prior robotics or programming experience is required, though familiarity with LEGO Technic components (gears, beams, and axles) is helpful.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a globally recognized robotics program that combines engineering, research, and teamwork. Each year's theme challenges students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems in areas such as the environment, transportation, accessibility, and exploration. In addition to the Robot Game, students engage in brainstorming, research, and design while practicing the engineering design process: build, test, refine, and improve.

At its core, LEGO Robotics Challenge League emphasizes both competition and collaboration. Students encourage and support one another while striving to improve their designs and performance. Inspired by FLL's Core Values- discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun- this program fosters both technical skill and character development. While teams compete in-house throughout the semester, this league focuses on growth, creativity, and the excitement of engineering in action rather than participation in regional competitions.

Can your little one settle for story time? Share, smile, and socialize during play? Follow fun, familiar directions? This one-morning, 2-hour program is a "taste" of preschool for homeschooled youngsters. Young children will learn and play in a small group with an experienced child developmental specialist/preschool educator for this dynamic program that offers regular interaction and socialization.

Your little one will enjoy being with same-aged peers, building independence, and tackling new skills for a few hours each week. Little Learners Lab will introduce foundational concepts needed for future learning such as pre-reading skills (such as letter recognition); pre-writing skills (such as tracing or highlighting); and pre-math skills (such as colors, patterns). This play-based and language-based program will feature circle time, seasonal themes, songs, and stories. Games and free play time will allow young children to practice key childhood social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and entering play with others. Activities that incorporate multi-modalities and strengthen fine motor skills will be introduced. A mid-morning break consisting of a small snack (such as goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, or animal crackers) and water will be furnished at each session. The teacher will also provide ideas for parents to work on at home with their child during the week.

Little Learners Lab Preschool is offered in three weekly sessions: Tuesday morning, Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday morning. Registration is stand-alone for each day so parents can register for 1,2,or 3 sessions. As a learning lab, Compass may invite 1-3 high school students, ages 13+, to serve as classroom aides and learn about early childhood education/development.

Readiness: Students must be age 3-1/2 (42 months) by the start of the session (no exceptions). To be successful in this program, entering preschoolers must be able to do the following: (1) separate from parents with little discomfort; (2) be able to sit and listen to a story or stay on a task for 10 minutes; (3) be able to follow simple, age-appropriate directions from the teacher or another adult; (4) be able to voice needs or requests; and (5) be completely potty trained and able to use a public restroom (wiping, flushing, washing hands, etc.) with minimal oversight of a classroom aide.

Other Notes:
-There is a $40.00 material fee for class consumables due payable to the teacher on the first day of class.
-Parents must remain at Compass while their children are in preschool.
-Registration for this program is by 14- or 16-week semester with priority registration for continuing students.
-Parents who are shopping around or applying to alternate preschool programs should review the Compass withdrawal and refund policy.

A powerful hurricane season forecasted. Polar ice caps receding. Hydraulic fracking. Solar power. Everywhere we look, environmental science is in the news! Living Planet is a middle school environmental science class which merges the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, and meteorology to explain the earth as an interconnected system with both natural and human-made influences. This year middle schoolers will sample environmental science topics in a lab-based investigation.

Second quarter, students will embark on the study of our atmosphere, including global weather patterns, climate studies, and air pollution. The group will learn about the methods scientists use to study these phenomena, including satellite monitoring, air sampling, and chemical analyses. Students will do in-class labs to make predictions, collect and graph data, draw conclusions, and develop models of key Environmental Science processes.

Topics in this series include: Geology & Soils Lab (first quarter); Atmosphere Lab (second quarter); Water Lab (third quarter); and Climate Patterns Lab (fourth quarter). There is a $20.00 lab fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class for consumable materials.

LEGO Mindstorms components and motors are not just for building robots! These interconnecting pieces can be constructed into an infinite number of unique, mechanized machines- much like an erector set!

Each quarter, students will build three unique inventions like forklift, walking robot, and flapping wings. Students will incorporate simple machines, complex machines, and small motors into their projects. They will work with wheels, axles, beams, pulleys, tracks, gears, and specialty components used only in these classes.

Topics in this Series: Inventions (Quarter 1); Creations (Quarter 2): Innovations (Quarter 3); and Apparatus (Quarter 4).

Explore the world of gargantuan gods, humble heroes, and malevolent monsters! Some ancient myths have plots that rival today's comics and blockbuster movies. Many myths still have millennia-old appeal because of their timeless tales of good versus evil, life and death, creation and the afterlife. This class explores the origins of early mythology, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Aztecs, and more through epics, plays and poetry. Readers will explore the realm of mythology through short stories, class discussion, analyses, extension activities and projects that will boost comprehension and the understanding of myths as the basis for many other forms of modern media. Students will enjoy reading and discussing battles, romance, treachery, larger than life heroes and characters, intricate gods and goddesses, and all sorts of fantastical creatures!

Second quarter, the class will explore Monsters and Mythical Creatures, the strange and sometimes terrifying beings that tested heroes and guarded hidden knowledge. As examples, students will read about Perseus facing Medusa, the deadly Minotaur in its labyrinth, and the Sphinx, who challenged travelers with riddles. They will also encounter mysterious creatures from around the world, including Japanese yokai, Celtic selkies, and the legendary Wendigo.

Topics in this Series include: Heroes (Quarter 1); Monsters (Quarter 2); Gods and Goddesses (Quarter 3), and Origin Tales (Quarter 4).

This class will use an interactive role-playing game (RPG) to immerse students in Medieval History. Students will be assigned land and titles to create a mock feudal system in which students collaborate and compete with classmates to better understand medieval society. By chance or choice, will they amass armies, capture castles, take titles, and repel rivals, or fail and fade into the pages of history?

First semester begins in 1066 with the last successful occupation of Britain, the Norman Conquest by William, Duke of Normandy following the Battle of Hastings. The class will examine the history of Normandy and how the conquest eliminated the existing Saxon nobility. Students will learn how the Normans were able to maintain control of the countryside with a comparatively small occupying force, using control of language, law, and lethal force. In addition, the class will study the resistance, both the real forces and the legends the resistance inspired in the English people. Students will evaluate the history of earlier resistance by the British peoples and compare how previous conquests affected their culture.

Students will examine case studies taken from primary source documents in art and literature to learn how warfare, architecture, politics, law, and religion interplay to create the history of the world. Students will complete a semester project on the Bayeux Tapestry. They will build on this base of knowledge to continue the study of English history in future semesters.

In this semester's RPG, all students are Normans and assigned a medieval English county and awarded the title of title of "count" or "countess." Students will develop their own coat of arms in the unit on heraldry. Each begins with similar wealth, populations, knights, and land, and waits to see how their fates unfold each week in a custom game described as a complicated, semester-long game of Risk or Medieval Axis & Allies.

Topics in this Series: Rise of Norman Power (Semester 1), Crusades and Conquests (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

Prerequisites: None

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class on readings.

Assignments: Reading assignments will be assigned in class and noted in the weekly e-mail.

Assessments: Short, open note in-class quizzes will be given, and students will have a semester project.

What to Bring: Paper or notebook; pen or pencil; assigned articles.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in world history for purposes of a high school transcript.

This is a 13-week class, with a non-meeting day of 09/25/26.

Mindful Mosaics is run as a studio art class where students create unique compositions and work at their own pace under the guidance of an experienced mosaic artist. Each quarter, students are taught new design, cutting, layout, and finishing techniques and are introduced to new mosaic materials which they can incorporate into inspired, original pieces. The instructor can suggest possible themes for projects based on the featured materials, but most students work on individual projects that reflect their own interests, hobbies, or decor.

Students who are new to mosaics will complete a quick checkerboard project (complete with wooden checkers) to teach pattern, layout, and lines before starting an individual projects. For each project, students will choose from a variety of substrates- rectangular, square, shaped, or circular backboards (typically first-year students), or special forms or 3D objects (experienced students). Each project will expand a student's understanding of color, pattern, rhythm, texture, and spacing as they complete rich, dimensioned compositions. Students will be able to incorporate other glass, ceramic, and porcelain tiles into their projects and may select feature elements such as beautiful glass gems, millefiori, sliced stone, metallic ornaments, mirrored bits, or shells, to serve as focal points in their mosaic piece. The mosaic can be monochromatic, complimentary, or contrasting colors. A broad pallet of colors is always available, and new colors are added each quarter to reflect the season.

Students will develop a skillset for mosaic artistry over multiple quarters or years. As each student demonstrates mastery of basic skills, safety, and artistic expression, that student will be taught advanced techniques, materials, tools, composition, and color theory. A typical progression in mosaics is: (1) Whole tiles in symmetric design on a flat, rectangular substrate with emphasis on proper spacing and adhesion; (2) Tile cut with nippers in themed design and individual color choices on a flat wood substrate; (3) Sheet glass cut with pistol grip, breaking, and/or running pliers with emphasis on composition, color, and design on a flat or curved substrate; (4) Progress to 3D substrate and advanced adhesives; (5) Learn porcelain and ceramic cutting, special adhesives, and advanced design.

Note:There is no prerequisite for this class. The number of projects completed each quarter depends on the student's work speed and attendance in class. Compass parents are welcome to register for the class to work alongside their teens, or to work on their own, while their teen is in another Compass class.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class.

Assessments: will not be given.

Materials Fees: All material fees are due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class by cash, check or electronic payment. Materials used vary depending on a student's experience with mosaic.

Beginner Material Fee: $55.00 for a selection of Beginner Materials, including: vitreous glass, ceramic, mini, eco recycled glass, beach glass, glitter glass, glass gems, ceramic pebble, shells, metallic crystal, subway glass

Adhesive: weld bond

Grout: bone or charcoal color

Cutters: wheeled tile nippers

Substrate: 2D/Flat 12" x 12",10" x 10", 8" X 8", 4" X 4", framed mirrors, ornament shapes

Advanced Material Fee: $65.00 for a selection of Advanced Materials including: All Beginner Materials plus, iridized glass, cathedral sheet glass, opaque sheet glass, color fusion, millefiori, Van Gogh glass, natural stone and minerals, special effects glass, water glass, colored mirror, illumination glass, china plates, rhinestone, ball chain

Adhesives: weld bond, thin-set mortar, silicone

Grout: Custom colors (purple, rose, green, blue, earth, orange)

Cutters: wheeled tile nippers, porcelain hand tool, hand file, pistol grip, beetle bits cutting system

Substrates: All flat shapes plus, 3D forms (egg, sphere, cone, pyramid, etc.), cut out sentiments, trays, glass bottle, mini sleds, flower pot, picture frame, sun catcher.

Additional Fee: There may be additional fees for premium materials such as tesserae (by request and consultation with instructor), mother of pearl, 24 kt gold tiles (market rate), or specially cut substrates.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Fine Arts for purposes of a high school transcript.

Embark on a imaginative afternoon journey with "Misunderstood Minions!" This engaging club is for middle school students who adore fiction tales, creative adventures, and the thrill of tabletop role-playing games. During each club meeting, the group will weave a captivating story where each participant takes on the roles of villains, heroes, and "henchmen"- the mad minions who carry out an evil plot. Each meeting presents a new chapter, filled with challenges, mysteries, and opportunities for mischief. Tweens will unleash their creativity and collaborate with others to shape the adventure, solve puzzles, and make decisions to advance the story.

The club is facilitated by an experienced game master Judith Harmon, author of the "Misunderstood Minions" gaming framework, who will guide students through the art of role-playing. Tweens will connect and form friendships with other middle schoolers who share a love of exaggerated stories and imaginative play- in person! This class is best suited for students who are active listeners, flexible, and easily adapt, have a sense of humor, and can work collaboratively in a group. Students need to be able to stay in sync with the flow of the class. This is not an "anything goes" or free-for-all class. Previous role-playing experience is not required, but this club serves as a great introduction for tweens and teens who might be interested in embarking on Dungeons and Dragons.

Cash rules everything around us, from snacks and shoes, concert tickets and clothes, and the future ahead. "A penny saved is a penny earned," but small choices now can lead to big results later. If "money makes the world go 'round", how can you plan for the future? What decisions can you make now to reach your goals?

Second quarter, students will examine how money grows and how it can also be lost through everyday financial decisions. They will be introduced to investing concepts, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, while exploring the relationship between risk and reward. Students will see how compound interest builds wealth over time and participate in a stock market simulation to apply their learning. In addition, they will study basic economic principles like supply and demand and how those forces influence prices and choices. The unit also covers credit, including how credit scores are built, the differences between payment methods, and the true cost of borrowing. Students will evaluate good versus bad debt and learn practical strategies for avoiding financial pitfalls, including scams and identity theft.

Students will participate in simulations such as a stock market game, analyze case studies, and engage in discussions about real-world financial scenarios. Activities such as role-playing borrowing decisions, identifying scams, and completing interactive challenges will help students apply concepts in meaningful ways.

Topics in this series include: Earn & Spend (Quarter 1), Invest & Grown(Quarter 2), Create & Launch (Quarter 3), and Dream & Achieve (Quarter 4)

Can you crack the case before time runs out? Each week, students are presented with a new medical mystery. Armed with clues like a patient's age, symptoms, and history, they must ask the right diagnostic questions to uncover what is really going on. Has this patient traveled out of the country? Has he eaten a new food? Does she have a fever, rash, or weight loss? As they narrow down the possibilities, students will determine whether the illness is bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic while learning how diseases spread, how they are treated, and how they can be prevented.

Second quarter, the mystery patients will be suffering from fungal infections. A partial list of featured diseases includes: Ringworm (Tinea), Candidiasis (Candida albicans), Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis).Lab activities will utilize safe, lab-friendly organisms (e.g., non-pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and prepared slides).

Topics in this series include: Baffling Bacteria (Quarter 1), Foul Fungus (Quarter 2), Vile Viruses (Quarter 3), and Pesky Parasites (Quarter 4). There is a $25.00 lab fee due payable to the instructor on/before the start of class.

Out of breath, sudden fever, rash! What could be wrong with this patient? This class is a case-based approach to the many infectious diseases that humans share and contract from domestic animals. Each week, students will be introduced to a new pathogen.

The class will integrate principles of microbiology, immunology, physiology, and pharmacology within the framework of each epidemic. We will also discuss the historical, economic, and societal impacts that plagues and pestilence resulting from these infectious agents have wrought over the course of recorded history.

First semester lectures and labs will introduce the basic microbiology and diseases caused by bacteria and fugus, an introduction to the immune system, and antibiotic therapy/resistance. Cases will include zoonotic diseases such as Bubonic Plague, Lyme Disease, Mad Cow Disease, Anthrax, and many others!

The class will include laboratory activities in microbiologic techniques. Students will become familiar with principles of laboratory safety, light microscopy, biologic stains, culture techniques, and common immunologic tests.

Topics in this Series: Bacteria & Fungus (Semester 1), Viruses and Parasites (Semester 2), etc.

Prerequisites: Although previous classwork in Biology and Chemistry will be helpful, they are not prerequisites.

Schedule: This is a 12-week class that will not meet on October 12.

Levels: This class will be offered on two levels: Honors and On-Level. All class members share core material and participate in the same labs. Honors students will be assigned additional readings, homework questions, and lab reports. Students register online for the same course but must indicate which level they wish to study at via e-mail by August 15. Students may move down a level (from Honors to On-Level) at any time. However, once classes have started, students may not "bump up" a level.

This is a 12-week class, with a non-meeting day of 10/12/26.

Workload: On-level students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week on assigned readings and lab reports. Honors students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week on work outside of the classroom.

Assignments: All students will be expected to keep a lab manual for notetaking, lab reports, and assigned homework questions. Weekly readings will be documented in the course syllabus.

Assessments: At the end of the semester, the instructor will review student notebooks and assign numerical scores to their notebooks, if requested, for the parents use in assigning letter grades.

Textbook: Students should have access Microbiology: An Introduction (13th Edition) by Tortora, Funke, and Case, published by Pearson. It is available as a pre-owned hardcover book (978-0134605180), or through digital access as an e-textbook or e-book.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $100.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in Lab Science for purposes of a high school transcript.

Step outdoors and into nature's living laboratory! This outdoor science class immerses students in real-world field study where the woods, streams, and wetlands become the classroom. Each week, explorers will practice the methods of natural scientists as they investigate ecology, geology, zoology (local wildlife), botany (plants), ornithology (birds), mycology (fungi), and entomology (insects), in our own suburban ecosystem.

Students will observe natural systems in action as they examine life cycles, the water cycle, and the local watershed; explore suburban wetlands; and uncover the balance between producers, consumers, and decomposers, as well as predator- prey relationships and food webs. Seasonal cycles will guide discoveries as young naturalists watch habitats transform and learn how plants and animals adapt throughout the year.

Each week, students will explore the southern section of Sugarland Stream Valley Park in Herndon with a senior naturalist and outdoor educator. This program offers a refreshing break from sit-down, indoor, and screen-based learning,encouraging movement, fresh air, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. Students will learn to stop, look, listen, smell, touch, turn things over, and peek beneath the surface to uncover nature's hidden wonders. A portion of every session will focus on developing confidence and comfort in the outdoors. Emphasis will be placed on safe, respectful, and responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and appreciating what we find in nature. Students will also enjoy nature-based games that reinforce teamwork and exploration skills.

See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.

Step outdoors and into nature's living laboratory! This outdoor science class immerses students in real-world field study where the woods, streams, and wetlands become the classroom. Each week, explorers will practice the methods of natural scientists as they investigate ecology, geology, zoology (local wildlife), botany (plants), ornithology (birds), mycology (fungi), and entomology (insects), in our own suburban ecosystem.

Students will observe natural systems in action as they examine life cycles, the water cycle, and the local watershed; explore suburban wetlands; and uncover the balance between producers, consumers, and decomposers, as well as predator- prey relationships and food webs. Seasonal cycles will guide discoveries as young naturalists watch habitats transform and learn how plants and animals adapt throughout the year.

Each week, students will explore the southern section of Sugarland Stream Valley Park in Herndon with a senior naturalist and outdoor educator. This program offers a refreshing break from sit-down, indoor, and screen-based learning,encouraging movement, fresh air, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. Students will learn to stop, look, listen, smell, touch, turn things over, and peek beneath the surface to uncover nature's hidden wonders. A portion of every session will focus on developing confidence and comfort in the outdoors. Emphasis will be placed on safe, respectful, and responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and appreciating what we find in nature. Students will also enjoy nature-based games that reinforce teamwork and exploration skills.

See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.

Venture outdoors each week to explore the woods with a senior naturalist and mentor while learning valuable survival skills. Students will learn how to construct a temporary shelter, make cordage, craft a bow and arrow, identify edible plants, track animals, and purify water. The group will learn knife safety and skills like whittling a spoon and spatula; how to use maps and compass (orienteering), and basic first aid. Students will practice animal and plant identification and will catch and identify macro-invertebrates to determine stream health (outdoor temperatures permitting.)

Emphasis will be on becoming comfortable with things you encounter outdoors, safe exploration of the woods, how to be a good steward of nature, and what to do if you ever became lost or injured in the woods. Skills will be reintroduced and adapted each each quarter because the available plants, animals, materials, and water sources change with each season. Students will have a blast, develop greater self-confidence, and build a strong connection to nature and to the real world! Explorations in the woods is for enrolled students only, and tag-along parents and siblings cannot be accommodated. For information on where the class meets, what to wear, and inclement weather, see the webpage for Compass's Outdoor Classes.

See Compass's Outdoor Classes webpage for more information on meeting location, what to bring, what to wear, inclement weather, and more.

Ready to leap, vault, and move like a real-life ninja or superhero? In this action-packed parkour class, students learn to tackle obstacles with speed, control, and confidence as they run, jump, and climb through structured challenges. Along the way, they build strength, coordination, and focus while channeling big energy into smart, controlled movement.

All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Sandals, crocs, flip-flops or slides may not be worn. Power-Up Parkour continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve fitness and agility. No two workouts are the same!

Big creativity for little hands! This playful, hands-on
class is designed especially for our youngest artists to explore a wide variety of art materials in a fun and supportive environment. Each week, preschoolers will dive into themed projects using tempera paints, finger
paints, watercolors, markers, pastels, and more.

Circles, squares, triangles, and more come to life in this fun-filled art adventure! Second quarter, students will learn recognize, create, and combine shapes while building confidence and creativity through playful
experimentation.

Students must be at least 3-1/2 years old and able to separate and participate independently in a small group setting.

There is a $20.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Creative Color (Q1), Super Shapes (Q2), Terrific Texture (Q3), and Fun with Forms (Q4).

Every parent knows that kids are curious, captivated, and quick to learn technology-based products. Programming Projects builds on that curiosity to introduce computer science basics, problem-solving, and computational thinking through play-based learning.

Second quarter, students will enjoy a fun, intuitive introduction to computer coding with Scratch. Scratch is an open source graphical programming language created by MIT. It uses 'blocks' of pre-written code that students rearrange and manipulate to customize their own interactive stories and characters. They will create short animations by learning to link blocks of script (programming instructions). Students will learn to compile the instructions to control and change onscreen elements such as graphics, text, photos, sound effects, and animated characters. Young coders will use logic and computational reasoning while learning to manipulate variables. They will be able to access this same platform at home and continue with what learned in class. Learn more about Scratch here https://scratch.mit.edu/parents

Note: Students must be minimum age 6. Kindergartners may not enroll.

There is a $20.00 technology use fee due payable to the instructor on/before the first day. Topics in this series include: Sphero indi Robotic Cars (Quarter 1), Scratch Coding (Quarter 2), Sphero Robotic Ball Quarter 3) and Tinkercad Design (Quarter 4)

Prerequisites: Minimum age 6 (kindergartners may not enroll)

If your child is going to read, let's make it unforgettable. Rich stories, vivid characters, and books they actually want to open. No dry passages. No busywork. Just real literature that pulls them in and keeps them thinking long after the last page.

Strong reading and writing skills do not just matter in language arts. They drive success across every subject. This dynamic weekly reading group is built for small cohorts of 6 to 10 students working at a similar level. The setting allows kids to feel confident, appropriately challenged, and genuinely engaged. Guided by an experienced language arts teacher, students move through a literature-based curriculum that connects everything they learn.

In this class, books are the center of it all. Vocabulary grows naturally from the story. Grammar is taught in context. Writing assignments are meaningful and tied directly to characters, themes, and ideas. The result is a cohesive and immersive approach to language arts that sticks. Each week, students explore engaging texts while building critical skills such as comprehension, prediction, visualization, and verbal expression. Reading should feel like an adventure. In this class, it is.

Books covered in this level include:
Semester 1:

• Frog & Toad Together
• Poppleton in Winter
• Henry & Mudge
• Frecklejuice

Semester 2:

• Owl at Home
• The Fire Cat
• The Stories Julian Tells
• The Day the Crayons Quit

Placement: Readiness matters. Because this is a comprehensive program, students should be working at a similar level in reading, comprehension, and writing. Parents are encouraged to use results from a nationally normed assessment, such as those used for the Virginia Evidence of Progress to confirm their child's grade level equivalency.

This program is designed for students who thrive in a traditional literature-based setting. Students who are more than one year behind in language arts, or who show a significant gap between reading and writing skills, may be better supported in the Reading Ready program or through private tutoring. Students with diagnosed learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, or language processing disorders may benefit more from the structured literacy approach offered in the Reading Ready program.

Homework: Learning continues at home in a simple, manageable way. Families receive themed activities that reinforce skills without adding stress. For many learners, Reading Rally can serve as a complete language arts program, covering reading, comprehension, writing, spelling, and grammar without the need for additional curriculum.

Supply Fee: There is a supply of $26.00 due first semester ($31.00 for second semester) due payable to Compass on/before the first day of class for the semester set of books.

If your child is going to read, let's make it unforgettable. Rich stories, vivid characters, and books they actually want to open. No dry passages. No busywork. Just real literature that pulls them in and keeps them thinking long after the last page.

Strong reading and writing skills do not just matter in language arts. They drive success across every subject. This dynamic weekly reading group is built for small cohorts of 6 to 10 students working at a similar level. The setting allows kids to feel confident, appropriately challenged, and genuinely engaged. Guided by an experienced language arts teacher, students move through a literature-based curriculum that connects everything they learn.

In this class, books are the center of it all. Vocabulary grows naturally from the story. Grammar is taught in context. Writing assignments are meaningful and tied directly to characters, themes, and ideas. The result is a cohesive and immersive approach to language arts that sticks. Each week, students explore engaging texts while building critical skills such as comprehension, prediction, visualization, and verbal expression. Reading should feel like an adventure. In this class, it is.

Books covered in this level include:
Semester 1:

• The Giver
• Dragonwings
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
• The Dark Is Rising

Semester 2:

• The Outsiders
• My Brother Sam Is Dead
• M.C. Higgins, the Great
• The Boy in the Striped

Pajamas

Placement: Readiness matters. Because this is a comprehensive program, students should be working at a similar level in reading, comprehension, and writing. Parents are encouraged to use results from a nationally normed assessment, such as those used for the Virginia Evidence of Progress to confirm their child's grade level equivalency.

This program is designed for students who thrive in a traditional literature-based setting. Students who are more than one year behind in language arts, or who show a significant gap between reading and writing skills, may be better supported in the Reading Ready program or through private tutoring. Students with diagnosed learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, or language processing disorders may benefit more from the structured literacy approach offered in the Reading Ready program.

Homework: Learning continues at home in a simple, manageable way. Families receive themed activities that reinforce skills without adding stress. For many learners, Reading Rally can serve as a complete language arts program, covering reading, comprehension, writing, spelling, and grammar without the need for additional curriculum.

Supply Fee: There is a supply of $31.00 due first semester ($36.00 for second semester) due payable to Compass on/before the first day of class for the semester set of books.

Student engineers will be challenged to design, build, and program a Sumo robot to compete in compete in table-top combat. Will the robotic sumo wrestler be able to shove a full can or topple an opponent with the use of motors, sensors, and articulated components?

Student engineers will be challenged to design, build, and program a robot to complete several unique mazes in the fastest possible time. Students will learn to program their robots to make "decisions" when exploring an unfamiliar maze such as "go straight until you encounter a wall" and "turn to the right if you run into an obstacle."

Students will use the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 robotics sets. They will build with motors, wheels/axles, gears, levers, and special components. Students will have to install touch, sound, color, gyro, ultrasonic, and/or infrared sensors while also learning to program sequences and commands that use input/output devices for controlled movements and precise turns. Using the drag-and-drop EV3 programming menu, students will learn to program their robots while experimenting with key concepts such as fixed values, variables, loops, and logic constructs.

This course integrates science, engineering and computational thinking while introducing physical constraints, units of measurement, and coordinate systems. But, don't worry, this is a beginning robotics class. Prior experience is not expected, but returning students are welcome. Each student will build his/her own robotic project, so students can progress and customize at their own pace. In general, in this class, students will spend two weeks assembling, three weeks programming, and two weeks testing and re-designing. Topics in this Series: Maze Runner (Quarter 1), Sumo Bots (Quarter 2), Mars Rover (Quarter 3), and Explore Atlantis (Quarter 4).

Standardized test scores continue to play an important role in college admissions- especially for homeschooled students. Test scores provide colleges with a trusted, objective measure of academic readiness. Even at test-optional schools, strong PSAT or SAT scores can strengthen an application, open doors to merit scholarships, and help students stand out in a competitive pool.
Students will learn to approach the test strategically, decode challenging questions, and improve both accuracy and confidence. This class is designed to remove the stress and mystery surrounding standardized admissions tests so students feel prepared and capable. Each week, students will build skills for both the math and English sections, gaining a clear understanding of test design, question types, and varying levels of difficulty in reading, grammar, and math. They will learn effective strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions, reading passages for comprehension, and making smart decisions when they are unsure of an answer. Rather than serving as a short-term cram session, this class focuses on teaching lasting techniques that students can apply whenever they choose to take a standardized test. The instructor will also provide a structured study plan for test-ready students and offer guidance on key aspects of the college admissions process. By the end of the course, both students and parents will have a clear understanding of the SAT testing process and feel confident in navigating the challenge of the test experience.
Prerequisites: For this class, students should be reading and have comprehension at or above grade level and have completed Algebra I. While geometry is included on the tests, completion of geometry is not assumed. Geometry formulas are provided within the tests, and the instructor will teach how to find and apply those formulas.
Workload: Students should expect to spend one hour per week on homework for this class. Assignments: Prior to the start of class, each student should have taken a scored, practice PSAT or SAT exam (found on the College Board website). All other assignments will be made in class and e-mailed to parents/students.
Assessments: Students will take a variety of in-class and at-home time, practice test sections. The instructor will not provide additional assessments beyond the practice tests.
Textbook: Students should purchase the
What to Bring: Students should bring their test book, notebook/paper, and a TI-83 or equivalent calculator to class to practice math questions that permit the use of a calculator. Phone calculators cannot be used.

Prerequisites: Algebra I

Standardized test scores continue to play an important role in college admissions- especially for homeschooled students. Test scores provide colleges with a trusted, objective measure of academic readiness. Even at test-optional schools, strong PSAT or SAT scores can strengthen an application, open doors to merit scholarships, and help students stand out in a competitive pool.
Students will learn to approach the test strategically, decode challenging questions, and improve both accuracy and confidence. This class is designed to remove the stress and mystery surrounding standardized admissions tests so students feel prepared and capable. Each week, students will build skills for both the math and English sections, gaining a clear understanding of test design, question types, and varying levels of difficulty in reading, grammar, and math. They will learn effective strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions, reading passages for comprehension, and making smart decisions when they are unsure of an answer. Rather than serving as a short-term cram session, this class focuses on teaching lasting techniques that students can apply whenever they choose to take a standardized test. The instructor will also provide a structured study plan for test-ready students and offer guidance on key aspects of the college admissions process. By the end of the course, both students and parents will have a clear understanding of the SAT testing process and feel confident in navigating the challenge of the test experience.
Prerequisites: For this class, students should be reading and have comprehension at or above grade level and have completed Algebra I. While geometry is included on the tests, completion of geometry is not assumed. Geometry formulas are provided within the tests, and the instructor will teach how to find and apply those formulas.
Workload: Students should expect to spend one hour per week on homework for this class. Assignments: Prior to the start of class, each student should have taken a scored, practice PSAT or SAT exam (found on the College Board website). All other assignments will be made in class and e-mailed to parents/students.
Assessments: Students will take a variety of in-class and at-home time, practice test sections. The instructor will not provide additional assessments beyond the practice tests.
Textbook: Students should purchase the
What to Bring: Students should bring their test book, notebook/paper, and a TI-83 or equivalent calculator to class to practice math questions that permit the use of a calculator. Phone calculators cannot be used.

Prerequisites: Algebra I

"Empowered!" is how recent students of coach Iman Castenada described their self defense seminars. Teens and adults feel confident, capable, and in-control when they have the physical and mental tools to evade and escape uncomfortable or even dangerous situations. Self defense and personal safety are essential life skills for any teen or adult who is out in the community and interacting with others.

This class emphasizes situational awareness and making safe choices. Students will work in pairs and small groups to act out mock scenarios, rehearse strategies, and practice defensive moves and strikes. Topics will cover a range of situations from assessing the safety of a new place; conscientiously carrying out daily activities (like carrying a purse or backback, walking/jogging alone, parking a car, taking public transportation, and traveling), deescalating a bully, disarming an agressor, escaping an attacker, and if necessary, fighting back to save your life.

This workshop is taught by Iman Casteneda, Compass's homeschool PE and Jiu Jitsu Fit instructor. She earned a Green belt in Jiu Jitsu under Royce Gracie, a particularly grueling program that took her more than 10 years to prepare for. She is also personal trainer, Cross-Fit instructor, Muy Thai practitioner, former MMA (mixed martial arts) competitor, former EMT, and survivor of assault.

The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Students may enroll in Self Defense and Personal Safety at any time, regardless of the color name No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.

All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Self-Defense and Personal Safety continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to learn additional skills and build the reflexes, recall, and reactions to use when needed. No two sessions are the same!

Little kids will learn the basics of hand sewing and discover it is "sew simple" to create fun things they can play with and use every day. Second quarter, little kids will sew 6-12 Sea Stuffies like a shark , whale, dolphin or sea turtle.

Kids will learn practical sewing skills such as pinning and placement, a running stitch, attaching a button, scissor skills, and stuffing. The group will be working with pre-cut felt components from kits that will be enhanced with buttons and accessories. Since students may work at different rates, some projects may not be completed in class and will be sent home to finish sewing with the newly learned skills. Students should be at age/grade level for fine motor skills for this class and should be a minimum of age 6.

Topics in this series include: Plushie Pets (Quarter 1), Silly Sea Stuffies (Quarter 2), Dynamic Dinos (Quarter 3), and Cute Critters (Quarter 4). There is a supply fee of $35.00 due payable to the instructor on/before the first day of class.

In this joyful, play-based class designed for young children ages 4 - 5, children will explore the building blocks of reading through fun and engaging phonological awareness activities. Using research-backed strategies inspired by the work of David Kilpatrick and the Zgonc Phonological Awareness Skills Program (Z-PASP), this course will help children develop key pre-reading skills through movement, music, rhythm, and interactive games.

Children will develop awareness of syllables, rhyming, alliteration, and the individual sounds in words (phonemes) through playful exercises. Activities include clapping syllables, sound matching scavenger hunts, oral blending and segmenting games, and rhyming songs. The class is designed to meet children where they are developmentally and nurture their language skills in a supportive, social environment.

Buenas tardes! Spanish Exploradores (Explorers) is a fun, immersive introductory Spanish class for older elementary students. Much like learning their native language, students will be exposed to the sounds, vocabulary, and phrases in Spanish through songs, games, stories, and hands-on activities. The teacher will bring objects each week to give students tangible, hands-on examples of the vocabulary being introduced. In this level, students will be encouraged to begin to combine adjectives with nouns and nouns with verbs.

Each quarter introduces new themes and new vocabulary in Spanish, so children can continue to build their language basics. However, themes and units are non-sequential, so students may enroll in this level in any quarter. While the theme might be the same as that of a younger level of instruction, more vocabulary will be introduced at the older level.

Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. The goal of this introductory course is to lay foundations in sounds, vocabulary, and simple phrases while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Fluency should not be expected at this level.

Recommendations/Workload: Students should be at grade level for reading in English and should be able to copy words from the board. Students will be expected to take notes, write new words, and complete activities with new vocabulary and short readings. Some homework will be assigned.

Textbook: Students will be working from Viva el Espanol- System B (ISBN #978-0076029648) from McGraw-Hill. Compass pre-purchases copies of this book from the publisher. A supply fee of $26.00 is due payable to Compass on/before the first day. Students will only need to purchase this book the first quarter they are enrolled.

Que pasa? Get ready for an exciting year of high school Spanish. This course is conversation-focused and designed to help students expand their Spanish vocabulary and grammar skills while learning to communicate in practical, real-life situations. Through engaging, culturally rich lessons, students will develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities in Spanish.

In this course, students will continue to build vocabulary around everyday topics, including daily routines, household chores, family activities, health and wellness, travel and transportation, shopping, and dining out. The curriculum will also explore cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries, such as popular celebrations, traditions, and regional differences, helping students make meaningful cultural comparisons and deepen their global awareness.

Grammar will continue to be taught in context, practiced through conversation, and reinforced with interactive activities. Students will review present tense verb forms (including stem-changing and irregular verbs) and will deepen their understanding of reflexive verbs, direct and indirect object pronouns, and the preterite tense of both regular and irregular verbs. Students will also be introduced to basic uses of the imperfect tense, comparisons, sequencing words, and more complex sentence structures that allow for more expressive communication in Spanish.

Class will be conducted primarily en espanol to build fluency and confidence in the language. A strong emphasis will be placed on listening and speaking through partner activities, role-plays, storytelling, question-and-answer practice, and real-world scenarios. Reading and writing tasks will further support spoken communication and deepen comprehension.

At home, students will be responsible for completing vocabulary and grammar activities, writing short responses or dialogues, and watching engaging immersion videos. This course will help students continue developing their ability to use Spanish in real-life contexts and lay a solid foundation for future language study.

Levels: The course provides a full-credit experience in either the Honors or On-Level track. All class members share core material and meet together. Honors level has additional readings, more detailed writing assignments, and more rigorous assessments. Students register online for the same course, but must indicate which level they wish to study via e-mail by August 15. Students may move down a level (from Honors to On-Level) at any time.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 30-45 minutes per day approximately 4 days per week on homework outside of class.

Assignments: Are sent by e-mail to parents and students. Students must have access to a computer for videos that are assigned.

Assessments: Quizzes and tests will be scored with a points system that parents can use in calculating a grade.

Textbook: This class will be using a Spanish language curriculum from Voces Digital which includes an online textbook, video clips, interactive media, and digital quizzes. Students must pay a digital access fee of $16.50 to Compass by Venmo, Zelle, cash or check. Once paid, students will receive an access code to set up their account. Hard copy textbooks are available through the publisher for an additional fee for students who prefer physical copies. (The digital portal access will still be needed.)

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Foreign Language for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Spanish I

Buenas tardes! Spanish Para Estudiantes is an immersive introductory Spanish class for middle school students. In a natural learning progression, students will be exposed to vocabulary and phrases in Spanish through in-class activities and conversations. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks.

This is a conversation-focused class where students are encouraged to speak in class. Vocabulary and phrases will be introduced in thematic units such as weather, time, members of the family, clothing, food, places in town, hobbies and sports, holidays, etc. As students learn new vocabulary, they will be encouraged to begin to combine adjectives with nouns and nouns with verbs in short phrases, often in mock conversations with classmates.

Grammar will be introduced as it comes up in conversation and in phrases. Students will be exposed to pronouns, noun-verb agreement, adjective-noun agreement, familar vs. formal, ordinal and cardinal numbers, comparisons and superlatives, and more. Students are not expected to read or write at this stage, but are expected to take notes and to gain a sense of spelling in Spanish. Fluency should not be expected at this level.

Material/Supply Fee: The instructor will order a South-American written/published Spanish activity book for students in-class use after assessing their ages/skill levels. Parents will be asked to reimburse the instructor for the expense, typically $10-$15.

Hola! Spanish Para Pequenos (Spanish for Little Ones) is a fun, play-based, Spanish immersion class for young children. Following the native language-learning process, children will be exposed to the sounds, letters, and high-frequency words in Spanish through songs, games, stories, puppets, and other interactive activities.

The instructor will provide all necessary toys and objects to give young children tangible, and hands-on ways to apply new concepts in practical real-life situations. The instructor uses some Montessori-style activities that create a high-energy, playful environment, engaging tactile and kinesthetic learners alike while appealing to children's natural curiosities.

The vocabulary and language structures presented in each session follow a new letter of the alphabet each week that will include greetings, simple phrases, foods, colors, numbers, animals, common action verbs, calendar phrases, articles of clothing and seasonal topics. Vocabulary will be repeated and reviewed often to aid in the retention of the language, and will primarily develop listening and speaking skills.

The goal of this introductory course is to lay foundations in sounds, vocabulary, and simple phrases while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Who knows, your child might just come home singing their new favorite Spanish nursery rhyme!

Re-enact the great unseen intelligence battles of early American history, from Washington's spies to British double agents, using an RPGs (role playing game) custom designed by the instructor.

This semester will examine the clandestine activities of America's first intelligence network, Washington's spies of the famous Culper Ring in New York. The class will roleplay day-to-day life in occupied New York, with period appropriate jobs acting as cover while they spy on British headquarters to shape the outcome of the American War of Independence.

Real spying is less James Bond and more Sherlock Holmes, an intricate world of clues, codes, and covert communication where knowledge is power and every move matters. In this immersive, game-based class, students step into the role of rival intelligence agents, using a custom role-playing system to bluff, sneak, and strategize their way through secret missions. They will study real historical spies and practice authentic techniques, from cracking ciphers to crafting coded messages with tools like shift ciphers and code wheels. As teams compete to uncover and protect critical information, students will experience the high-stakes tension of espionage, where success brings advantage, secrets shift the balance of power, and every decision could mean triumph or capture.

Topics in this Series: The History of Espionage in the Revolutionary. War (Semester 1) and The History of Espionage in the Civil War (Semester 2).

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Google Drive (period maps, photographs and recreations) and YouTube (videos) links will be e-mailed to parents/students for homework or supplemental investigation.

Assessments: Will not be given.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in History for purposes of a high school transcript.

This is a 13-week class, with a non-meeting day of 09/25/26.

How do you explore the 139 million square miles of the earth's surface that is ocean when only 25% of the seafloor has been fully mapped? From finding shipwrecks to observing marine life, exploring hydrothermal vents to performing underwater inspections, and carrying out critical search, rescue, and recovery missions, submersible robots known as ROVs, or remotely operated vehicles, are up to the task.

In this class, students will work in pairs to build, test, redesign, and deploy a small ROV called a SeaPerch. SeaPerch is an "innovative underwater robotics" program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, NOAA Ocean Education Cooperative Institute, and RoboNation. Working from a kit of stock components, students will first build and test-drive the base model SeaPerch while learning about topics like buoyancy, hydrodynamics, propulsion, and displacement. Teams will learn basic circuitry and how to solder electronic components, first with a light-up practice circuit board, then by assembling, soldering, and wiring the control board for their ROV.

Once teams have assembled their SeaPerches, the class will meet at a nearby community pool for their first in-water trial. Students will test their assemblies and practice their skills of driving and maneuvering their ROV underwater. Next, it will be back to the classroom workshop to make modifications to their designs, and back to the pool for the iterative design-build-test-modify engineering process. Once teams have fully functional "stock" SeaPerches and understand how decisions such as the placement of propellers and floats affect performance, they will modify and customize their designs while adding features such as hooks or arms to perform underwater tasks. Ultimately, the SeaPerch ROVs will go through an underwater hoop obstacle course and complete challenges like gathering rings from the pool floor.

Students will gain an understanding of challenges faced by scientists and engineers in underwater applications and will be exposed to careers in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, marine/nautical engineering, marine sciences, oceanography, and more. In class, they will learn to use hand tools such as a ratcheting PVC cutter, wire cutter, wire stripper, soldering iron/solder, solder removal tool, clamps, screwdrivers, and more. They will also work with waterproofing, adhesives, and fasteners. Teams will be encouraged to keep an engineering design notebook with sketches, performance data, observations, and modifications. Each team will be required to prepare and submit a Technical Design Report using a template and rubric, and the teams will against other Compass teams.

Students who wish to add enhancements to their final build such as enamel paint, more powerful motors, lights, sensors, depth gauge, or underwater camera, may purchase their own accessories at a hobby or electronics store to install in class. (Enhancements cannot exceed $25.00 to remain eligible for the SeaPerch regional competition.)

Note: Parents should anticipate 3-4 class sessions to be held at the nearby Goldfish Swim School pool and plan for transportation there (4 miles).

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Assignments, if any, will be communicated in class and limited to individual investigation.

Assessments: Will not be given

Textbook/Materials: None

Lab/Supply Fee: There is a $110.00 supply fee due payable to Compass for students who are willing to work with a partner (and flip a coin who keeps the ROV). Alternatively, a student could opt to pay $190.00 for their own SeaPerch which they would build individually and keep at the end of the program.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in technology or career exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Successful social skills help children navigate nearly every aspect of their lives. Building confidence in social settings can improve self-esteem and increase comfort in group environments- whether at school, in sports, trying new activities, spending time with family, or connecting with friends.

While all children benefit from strengthening social skills, some need additional guidance and practice. In this class, students will work with an educational specialist and former school counselor to develop practical strategies for common social challenges. Topics include conversation skills, recognizing and expressing emotions, perspective-taking, managing stress, communicating with parents, building friendships, and navigating sibling relationships.

This small-group class is highly interactive and engaging, incorporating games, role-playing, video examples, modeled behavior, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

Students benefit most from participating for multiple quarters. While some activities are repeated for reinforcement, new content is introduced regularly. As new students join, the group dynamic evolves, providing opportunities to practice skills in varied, real-life scenarios. Over time, children build greater confidence and comfort in their social interactions.

Note: This class is designed for neurotypical children. It is not intended as a therapeutic or clinical intervention for children who may require more specialized support.

The tantalizing aroma of cookies in the oven. A mouth-watering burst of mint. The silky feel of melted chocolate. The sticky sweet of fresh-made caramel. A subtle hint of lemon. Student bakers will enjoy these delicious sensations- and more- as they explore the world of baking homemade desserts.

Sweet Shop treats are scrumptious, fun, and simple to make. Each week they will prepare a fresh, handmade dessert or sweet such as: pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, trifles, mousses, puddings, candies, fudge, brittle, or chocolate. The class will include some icing, decorating, and garnishing techniques for completed desserts. This quarter, the Compass bakers' culinary adventures will include:

• Blackberry Orange Cake
• Chocolate Hazelnut-Glazed Angel Food Cake (contains nuts)
• Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting (contains nuts)
• German Chocolate Cake (contains nuts)
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake (contains nuts)
• Sour Cream Poundcake
• Cardamom Pumpkin Pudding Cake

Students will be eating what they make each week and bringing home the recipes and leftovers. This engaging sweets class will get students excited about helping in the kitchen and entertaining. They will learn important baking skills such as safety, sanitation, measuring, knife skills, and other tricks of the trade. Culinary vocabulary is introduced each week.

Notes: Students with allergies to food ingredients or dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated in this class. Recipes may contain nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. All food supplies will be conventional, mass market ingredients. Specialty food preparations/certifications such as halal, kosher, and organic will not be used due to cost and sourcing logistics.

Topics in this Series: Piece of Cake (Quarter 1); Easy as Pie (Quarter 2), Chocolate Works (Quarter 3), and Dessert First (Quarter 4).

Assessments: Qualitative Feedback will be given in class. Formal grades/assessment will not be given.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor on or before the first day of class.

What to Bring: None- Disposable aprons and take-home containers provided.

What to Wear: Students should wear clean clothes and have long hair tied back, braided, or secured under a bandana (male and female).

Cooking Class Requirements: For more information and FAQs, see the Compass Cooking Classes webpage.

Homeschool Swim Lessons are taught at the Reston YMCA located 0.9 miles/ 3 minute drive from Compass's classroom facility. For more information on swimming lessons, see the program webpage.

During the first lesson, students will be observed and determined to be Beginner or Advanced Beginner level, and the class will be divided accordingly among two instructors. Beginners level is for students with little to no swim experience and will cover YMCA Level 1 skills such as water acclimation, floatation, water movement, putting face in the water, swimming 5 feet without a floatation device, and becoming comfortable on back in water. Advanced Beginners level will review all skills in beginner-level class and add YMCA Level 2 skills such as stamina, swimming one length of the pool (25 yards), performing elementary backstroke, rotary breathing, becoming comfortable in deep water, and stroke introduction to include: front crawl, backstroke, and elementary breaststroke.

Please note that these skills will be introduced and progress at different rates depending on the comfortable level and experience of enrolled students and may take more than one quarter to complete. At times, students might be moved to a different swimming group (same day, same time, different instructor) to better match the experience level of enrolled children.

Lessons are 40 minutes long, running from 0:05 until 0:45 after the hour, leaving enough time to towel dry, change clothes, and return to Compass for your next class. Students should bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes. Googles and swim caps are optional.

A parent (or parent proxy) is required to remain on site. Parents may wait on poolside benches or lobby seating. YMCA waivers must be signed and returned for each swimmer. All registration is completed through Compass. All YMCA swimming classes are taught by certified, experienced, background-checked adult instructors with experience teaching children.

Consider enrolling your child in both Tuesday and Thursday classes to improve their rate of learning.

Prerequisites: None

Teen weight training is an introduction to strength training in a small group class under the guidance of a seasoned, experienced coach. The primary lifts covered in class will be: back squat, bench press, deadlift, and strict press which are all compound moves that employ multiple muscle groups. These lifts are also "functional" meaning they engage the core and train muscles to work cooperatively in daily activities such as picking up a box or hoisting a parcel to a high shelf. Emphasis will be on correct form, posture, and safety.

The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Teens may enroll in Weight Training at any time, regardless of the color name. No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.
All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Teen Weight Training continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve strength.

Teen writers will take inspiration from other writers in this semester-long creative non-fiction workshop:

• • "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou
  • "Good stories are not written. They are rewritten." - Phyllis Whitney
  • "You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page." - Jodi Picoult

This quarter will cover the basics of writing creative using examples of Flash Nonfiction and Literary Journalism (topical nonfiction). Each week, students will read an essay that demonstrates a particular narrative technique, perspective, or topical approach and then complete a writing exercise designed to emulate that technique. The class will culminate in sharing any essays that may develop out of these exercises in a workshop setting.

Topics in this Series: Creative Writing (Semester 1) , Creative Non-Fiction (Quarter 3), The Personal Essay (Quarter 4) Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

Prerequisites: Reading/writing at a high school level (9th grade or higher)

Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Weekly reading assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Students will need their own email addresses to access the system, and parents may be set up as additional "observers" to their teen's account.

Assessments: A point scale of 1-3 will be used to evaluate students based on their level of preparation, their participation in discussion, and their completion of extension activities. Parents may use the total points earned to calculate a grade.

Textbook/Materials: The instructor will furnish a curated class anthology packet.

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for the select readings.

What to Bring: Short story collection, notebook or laptop (depending on student's preferred method of writing), and printed copies of student's writing on days he/she is ready to share writing.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in English/Language Arts for purposes of a high school transcript.

Prerequisites: Reading/writing at grade level

Total Training is a dynamic PE program for that incorporates well-rounded exercises to get teens moving mid-day! No two workouts are the same, but each day's activities incorporate exercises that target 10 areas: cardio-vascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Total Training focuses on functional movements that are fundamental to all aspects of play and exercise- pulling, pushing, running, throwing, climbing, lifting, and jumping. Work-outs are scalable and adaptable to different individual's own level, and the emphasis is on fun, safety, and personal accomplishment rather than competition among classmates. The physical challenges of Total Training will foster self-confidence, focus, and help instill a foundation for a lifetime of fitness.

The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Teens may enroll in Total Training at any time, regardless of the color name No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.

All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Total Training continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve fitness. No two workouts are the same!

Tweens take over as they collectively brainstorm and collaboratively write their own play. Find out what happens when tweens "act out" the unique characters and an original storyline they created. Disorder in the court! What causes a trial to turn tumultuous? Loud-mouth lawyers, a jokester judge, a wily witness, or a delirious defendant? What pandemonium plagues the prosecution in this hectic hearing?

Students will begin with improvisational games to get to know each other and to begin to brainstorm about their original play. Through group activities and guided discussion, the actors will decide on characters, conflict, and conclusion, and the story they want to tell. The script will be developed and customized for this class with the students' input.

The class will learn the practical aspects of acting, as they work on script read-through, blocking, costume/prop design, and planning the show. Students will develop their own "actor's toolkit" of voice, body, and imagination in this creative process! Actors will grow in confidence and communication skills in preparation for a final sharing with parents on the final day of the quarter.

Once the script is fully developed, it will be emailed to parents. Parents will be expected make sure their tweens memorize their script/lines/cues and assemble a simple make-at-home costume, ideally from clothing items and accessories they already own and a little creativity.

Topics in this Series: Haunted House of Horrors (Quarter 1), Chaos in the Courtroom (Quarter 2), No Exit Escape Room (Quarter 3) and Rock Start Rivalry (Quarter 4).

A radiograph for a roly-poly rabbit, a healthy habitat for a hedgehog, or fortified food for a ferret. Sometimes even the smallest mammal pets need medical care! Lots of kids love animals, and some even think about becoming veterinarians and animal specialists.

During the second quarter, students will be introduced to the world of veterinary medicine through the lens of caring for small mammals. There is a lot of science in the care and keeping of these micro pets. Hamsters and gerbils, rats and mice, hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets all have different needs in terms of diets, exercise, and habitats. Our budding veterinarians will learn to perform steps of a well-pet check-up and identify common medical
care needs and preventatives. Students will discover fun and fascinating facts, similarities, and differences in pocket pets.

Class meetings will include hands-on and interactive demonstrations, simulations, role-playing, activities, games, stories, or short video clips to convey the information. During the final week, students will create a habitat for a figurine pet they will adopt as well as receive a diploma.

A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Discover Dogs (Quarter 1); Micro Mammal Pets (Quarter 2); Horse Healthcare (Quarter 3); Bird Buddies (Quarter 4)

Wee Writers is a simple journaling class for emergent kindergarten writers ages 5 and 6. Beginning writers will use basic sight words and phonetics while writing about feelings and experiences. Students will learn basic sentence structure with noun-verb construction, initial capital letter, and ending punctuation. Beginning sentences such as, "I lik cak." or "I drnk wtr." would be typical of emergent writers. Students will illustrate their journal entries and have opportunities to share and discuss their writing with peers. Children may repeat this class each quarter as new writing activities will be introduced each session.

Note: This class is designed for students to enjoy a fun, new dimension of writing with peers and a teacher, but this will not take the place of a comprehensive language arts curriculum and regular writing practice.

Writing Readiness Enrolling students must be able to (1) recognize and write his/her first name; (2) recognize and write each letter of the alphabet and know the corresponding sounds; and (3) hold and use crayons and scissors correctly.

Social Readiness: Students must be age five (5) by the start of the class. To be successful in this program, kindergartners must be able to do the following preschool-level skills: (1) be able to separate from parents with little discomfort; (2) be able to sit and stay on a task for 10 minutes; (3) be able to follow simple, age-appropriate directions from the teacher or another adult; (4) be completely self-sufficient in a public restroom (wiping, flushing, washing hands, etc.)