Academic Clubs & Contests at Compass

Academic clubs and contests at Compass are a great way to enhance your child’s homeschooling experience! These clubs and contests allow your child to meet peers with similar interests and introduce new avenues to explore topics of interest.

Super Spellers LogoSuper Spellers’ Club

The Super Spellers’ Club meets from 9:00 – 9:50 am on Wednesday mornings before Compass classes starting September 13. Students who are passionate about spelling will play word games and learn tips and tricks for spelling words from various categories, roots, and etymologies. Students will work from various practice spelling lists, participate in mock spelling bees, and will learn the Scripps spelling bee rules. All ages are welcome, and age-appropriate word lists will be distributed. Students do not have to be stellar spellers to participate; those who would like to become stronger spellers are welcome. Super Spellers is run by a parent volunteer. The group meets each week until early February when the spelling bees are held. Homeschooled students do not have to compete in the bee or attend Compass to participate in the Super Spellers Club.   To sign up for the Super Spellers club, please go to the Store tab of the website (under Community.) There is no fee for Compass students to participate. Non-Compass students wishing to participate in this club are asked to register with a nominal $5.00 facility fee.

Pi Clip ArtNOVATAG Math Clubs

Two separate math clubs meet from 9:00 – 9:50 am on Wednesday mornings before Compass classes starting September 13. The Senior Math Club is for grades 6-8, focused on competition math, for math-loving students taking algebra 1 and beyond. The Junior club is for grades 4-7, offering engaging topics beyond the usual curriculum, for students through algebra 1. Algebra level students choose whichever group is most comfortable. The senior group varies from six to eight students, ages 10-14, and the junior group from six to fifteen students, ages 8-13.  Generally, if AoPS classes are a good fit for your children, they will fit right in at math club, too. Young students with advanced math skills are welcome; we ask a parent to accompany any student under age 9 for the first two meetings, to ensure a good fit and a fun time. The clubs will tackle math challenge problems, creative strategies and problem solving, and practice tests. To sign up for the NOVATAG Math Club, please go to the Store tab of the website (under Community.) There is no fee for Compass students to participate. Non-Compass students wishing to participate in this club are asked to register with a nominal $5.00 facility fee.

Eta Signma Alpha Logo SquareEta Sigma Alpha, The National Homeschool Honor Society

The  Alpha Rho chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha is for students in grades 7-12. The mission of the group is to (1) recognize and promote scholarship and academic excellence, (2) create opportunities for leadership, (3)foster networking and socializing among homeschooled students, and (4)plan and participate in service projects. For many, HSA will provide a noteworthy extracurricular activity and credential on future college or scholarship applications. HSA is a student-run organization. In order to qualify for the organization, students must be homeschooled, in good standing, and submit recognized test scores. See the Compass HSA webpage for more detailed information on qualifications. The Alpha Rho is open to all qualified homeschooled students in the area, whether they take Compass classes or not. The group will meet on the second Friday each month from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The first meeting, including election of students officers, will be on Friday, September 15. For an application or additional information, e-mail: HSAAlphaRho@compassclasses.com.

Contests

Save the date and watch announcements for additional details, including the start of registration for:

  • National Geographic Bee: January 24, 2018
  • Junior Spelling Bee: February 7, 2018
  • Senior Spelling Bee: February 28, 2018
  • Quads Chess Tournament: May 31, 2018

All clubs and bees listed above are held at Compass in Oakton. If a Compass family has an inspiration for starting another academic club or preparing for a contest, such as Model UN, Science Olympiad, National History Bee, and is willing to volunteer to lead the effort, please contact Compass to discuss!