4th Quarter classes begin the week of March 20, 2026.
You can see key dates in our Google calendar or view our Academic Calendar. You can also view the schedule as a grid (below) or as a list.
Quarter beginning March 20, 2026 |
Tuesday
Private Math Tutoring (55 min)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Private Math Tutoring - David Chelf
9:00 am-9:55 am
1st-Adult
(Semester Long)
Bold Beats: Intro to Electronic Music Production (Teens)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
In just four hours, students will dive into electronic music production- creating beats, shaping sounds, exploring rhythm and tempo, and building original tracks using professional-style digital tools. Students will be introduced to the basics of Electronic Music Production by industry professional, DJ, producer, musician, and educator Eric Jao. Eric brings 30+ years of working in the music industry, touring the world, and performing with artists like Madonna, Shakira, Rhianna, and Linkin Park. He is the founder of the Mix Major Electronic Music School and co-author of Electronic Music Element curriculum, a web-based platform where students can continue to create beyond the workshop. Students do not need to play an instrument or be able to read music for this course. Instead, they need to have a love of music and the desire to create their own, original compositions. Students should bring a charged laptop, Chromebook, or iPad to class. This is a 2-week workshop meeting for 2-hours each day. This workshop serves as an introduction for students interested in exploring Compass’s Electronic Music Production class offered in the fall.
11:00 am-12:55 pm
9th-12th
Preparation for Pre-Algebra
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Thu
Open Spots: 10
Preparation for Pre-Algebra is a year-long curriculum that will teach the fundamentals a student must master before embarking pre-algebra, algebra, and beyond. The class will review arithmetic skills, operations, and number theory. Key topics include fractions, rates, ratios, decimals, and percentages. Students will learn the computational operations of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals. They will learn what decimals stand for, how they relate to fractions, and how to convert between the two. They will discover how rates and ratios are also fractions. Students will learn how to work with negative numbers including strategies for completing all four common operations with negative numbers. The class will also cover exponents and orders of magnitude to make sense of really small and really big numbers and common operations. This class will also emphasize real world applications of the mathematical concepts through word problems so students become comfortable switching between prose (written descriptions) and mathematical representation (numbers, symbols) of real world examples such as money, mileage, weights, percentages, and scientific measures. Prerequisites: This course can be considered a pre-pre-algebra class that will teach the core concepts typically covered in later elementary school/early middle school after a general arithmetic curriculum and before pre-algebra. While different curriculums and student pacing will vary, this class would be appropriate for a student who has successfully covered long division, multiplication of multiple digit numbers, and an introduction to simple fractions and who has complete mastery of multiplication facts, skills often aligned with 5th grade mathematics. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week outside of class to complete practice problems, homework, and assessments. Assignments: The Canvas online class management system will be used to post assignments and scores. Students should have their own e-mail address to be set up 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: In this class, the instructor will assess a student's progress by: checking that weekly homework sets are complete; spot-checking the full solution 1-2 select problems in class each week, and giving quarterly take-home tests. Points will also be awarded for class participation. Parents will be able to view accumulated points awarded in the class for purpose of determining a parent-awarded course grade. Textbook: Students should rent of purchase the class text: EP Math 5/6 Workbook (ISBN# 979-8643323693).
10:00 am-10:55 am
6th-8th
(Year Long)
Pre-Algebra
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Thu
Open Spots: 10
This is a complete course in Pre-Algebra that will provide an introduction to basic algebra concepts and a review of arithmetic algorithms with an emphasis on problem solving. The major topics covered in this course are Numbers and Operations, Expressions and Properties, Equations and Inequalities, Functional Relationships and Ratios, Percent and Proportions. Students will learn to use formulas to solve a variety of math problems encompassing geometry, measurement probability, and statistics. Students will also be applying their learning to real life scenarios to solve problems. Prerequisites: Students must be fluent in the four basic operations- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will need to show proficiency and have a thorough command of basic computation. In addition, a basic, introductory understanding and ability to work with fractions and decimals is required to solve equations and simplify expressions. If you are unsure about your child's readiness for this class, the instructor will recommend one or more practice platforms and/or assessments to confirm placement. Workload: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week outside of class to complete practice problems, homework, and assessments. Assignments: All assignments will be posted on password-protected Canvas classroom management site. There, students access assignments, upload homework, link to quizzes and tests, track grades, and message the instructor and classmates. Assessments: All chapter tests will be taken outside of class with parental oversight to maximize in-class instructional time. Points will be assigned for completed homework, quizzes, and tests. A letter grade will not be assigned, but parents can use total points earned versus total points offered to assign a grade for purposes of a homeschool transcript. Parents can view total points earned at any time through the Canvas site. See the instructor's webpage for detailed homework and test policy, including late work and re-work. Textbook: The selected textbook is available free online, and a link will be posted on Canvas. Students who prefer a hard copy textbook may purchase or rent McDougall Littell's Pre-Algebra (ISBN #978-0618250035). As an alternative, for any student who struggles with reading, the textbook can be purchased as an audio CD (ISBN #978-0618478828). What to Bring: TI-34 calculator Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a full credit in Mathematics for purposes of a high school transcript.
11:00 am-11:55 am
7th-9th
(Year Long)
Algebra I (Tue,Thu)
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Thu
Open Spots: 11
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: 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.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
8th-10th
(Year Long)
English: American Literature with Writing (Sem 2)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 9
This full-credit English course is designed to prepare students for college level academic writing. It will deepen student's critical reading and textual analysis skills by asking students to think critically about the "American Dream" and what it means to be an American by reading texts that engage with these topics from the 18th century to today. In this course, students will read and respond in writing to both fiction and non-fiction texts, and our analytical method will focus on rhetorical context (subject, purpose and audience). Spring Semester will feature Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston), The Things They Carried (Tim O'Brien), and a selection of other short fiction and poetry. 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 that makes an argument and organizing their thoughts through effective topic sentences and transition statements. This class will deepen students' textual analysis skills with a focus on developing rhetorical analysis, the study of how a text makes 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. Students should bring a laptop to class one day per week for in-class writing. Prerequisites: Students taking this class should have mastered the foundations of Introduction to Genre and British Literature (or similar English courses), are expected to take an active role in discussion and complete all writing assignments. Topics in this Series: American Literature, Part I (Semester 1) and American Literature, Part II (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class. Calendar: This is a 15-week course that will not meet on Tuesday 2/13 and Friday 2/17. 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. Textbook/Materials: Because students will need clean, inexpensive copies of each novel to mark in, and they must be able to refer to the passages on the same page numbers, copies of mass market paperbacks will be pre-purchased and bundled for students. (See Supply Fee below). Supply Fee: A class fee of $44.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for the class pack of books and handouts. 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. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a half-credit (one semester) or full credit (both semesters) in English for purposes of a high school transcript.
10:00 am-10:55 am
12th
(Semester Long)
English: British Literature with Writing (Sem 2)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 7
This full-credit high school English class will focus on developing critical reading and writing skills through the study of a range of canonical and post-colonial genres and texts written in English. Through exposure to a variety of voices across time periods and geographical regions, students will investigate major themes, such as the importance of language as a locus of power, the continuity of human nature, and the role of the imagination. Spring semester will introduce students to post-colonial texts and genres featuring Vindication of the Rights of Woman (Mary Wollstonecraft), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen), Frankenstein (Mary Shelley), and Paradise Lost (John Milton). Writing Lab: An essential component of this course will be an in-class Writing Lab. Students will write two or three critical response papers and a full-scale literary analysis essay each term. Students will continue to hone the components of academic writing, including how to construct a thesis statement that makes an argument, how to support their ideas effectively with textual evidence, how to organize an argument logically, and how to cite sources in MLA format. Students should bring a laptop to class one day per week for in-class writing. Topics in this Series: British Literature, Part I (Semester 1) and British Literature, Part II (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Prerequisites: Students should be able to read at grade level and have completed Introduction to Genre or equivalent high school level writing class. Students are expected to take an active role in discussion and complete all writing assignments. Workload: Students should expect to spend 2-3 hours per week outside of class. Calendar: This is a 15-week course that will not meet on Tuesday 2/17 and Friday 2/13 . 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. Textbook/Materials: Because students will need clean, inexpensive copies of each novel to mark in, and they must be able to refer to the passages on the same page numbers, copies of mass market paperbacks will be pre-purchased and bundled for students. (See Supply Fee below). Supply Fee: A class fee of $22.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for the class pack of books and handouts. 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. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a half-credit (one semester) or full credit (both semesters) in English for purposes of a high school transcript.
11:00 am-11:55 am
11th
(Semester Long)
English: World Literature with Writing- Global Perpectives
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 2
In this intermediate high school English workshop, students will be introduced to world literature and analytical writing. Each quarter, the class will examine a variety of works from a featured country or region. Students will explore a diverse range of global literary texts to identify symbolism, imagery, and recurring themes and to develop an understanding of narrative perspective unique to that region of the world. Through these works, the class will also examine the cultural, social, and historical contexts that shaped literature across different regions and time periods. Fourth quarter will focus on how place shapes identity. By reading works from a variety of genres, time periods, and countries, students will gain facility in interpreting literature from a global perspective and learn to situate texts in their historical and cultural contexts. Texts may include traditional Japanese Haiku, selections from Jamaica Kincaid’s Lucy (Antigua), works by Isabel Allende and Pablo Neruda (Chile), short fiction by Jhumpa Lahiri and R.K. Narayan (India), and Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis (Iran). We will consider questions such as: How do politics and geography affect daily life? How can storytelling give us power over our circumstances? Composition: Students will also learn the fundamental components of academic writing, including how to construct a thesis statement that makes an argument, how to support their ideas effectively with textual evidence, how to organize an argument logically, and how to cite sources in MLA format. Some class periods will be dedicated Writing Lab session in which students write in-class in order to get on-the-spot support and feedback from the teacher. Students should bring laptops to these class sessions. Prerequisites: Students should be able to read at grade level, and it is recommended that students have had a middle school writing class. 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. Textbook/Materials: Because students will need clean, inexpensive copies of each novel to mark in, and they must be able to refer to the passages on the same page numbers, copies of mass market paperbacks will be pre-purchased and bundled for students. (See Supply Fee below). Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for the packet of select worka. 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 passages/pages. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in English for purposes of a high school transcript. (Full credit if all 4 quarters are taken.)
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
10th
Cover-to-Cover: Coming of Age Fiction (Middle School Book Group)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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. Fourth quarter, students will examine the genre of the coming of age novel: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and The View From Saturday E.L. Konigsburg. 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. Textbook/Materials: Because students will need clean, inexpensive copies of each novel to mark in, and because they must be able to refer to the passages on the same page numbers, copies of mass market paperbacks will be pre-purchased and bundled for students. (See Supply Fee below). Supply Fee: A class fee of $TBD is due payable to Compass on the first day of class. 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.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
7th-8th
Battle Strategies & Dioramas: WWII Pacific Theater- Iwo Jima (TUE)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
The US capture of the Mariana Islands in 1944 allowed American bombers to reach Japan's home islands. The US sought a halfway point, both to allow damaged bombers a life raft and to allow the shorter-range escort fighter planes a base to launch from. The island of Iwo Jima was an obvious choice as it was already serving as an air base for the Japanese military. Allied intelligence estimated that the island's defenses were weak enough to fall in as little as one week. In reality, it took five weeks of some of the most hellish fighting in WWII for "victory" to be declared, with thousands of Japanese soldiers holding out all the way until 1949! Iwo Jima has the dubious distinction of being one of the few battles in WWII where US forces suffered more casualties than the Japanese. 20,000 men of the Japanese 109th division and a handful of tanks, artillery, and Kamikaze suicide planes put up a difficult defense against Allied forces which consisted of an armada of 500+ ships and nearly 100,000 men. 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, vegetation, shoreline, etc) to represent the major battle sites of the Iwo Jima Campaign in dioramas of the beaches, the airfield, or to the site of the famous flag-raising on Mt. Surabachi. Once the dioramas are completed, students will stage 1/72 scale Japanese troops, US Marines, and equipment to refight the battles in miniature. This will allow the class to examine the tactics of the later Pacific battles of WWII and see the challenges of this type of warfare. The instructor will use maps and visual presentations to explain the historical background and circumstances leading up to the specific battle. 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. Topics in this series include: Operation Torch/North Africa (Quarter 1), Battle of Stalingrad (Quarter 2), Iwo Jima (Quarter 3), and Philppine Sea (Quarter 4). There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
6th-8th
Dynamic Dioramas: History & Culture- The Roman Republic and...
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 4
After the height of the Hellenistic period, when Greek Culture dominated the Mediterranean world, two rivals would emerge onto the scene- Carthage, on the coast of North Africa, and Rome in central Italy. Rome had tangled with the Greek successor states before, and despite losing, had fought so doggedly that King Phyrrhus of Epirus would declare, "one other such victory would utterly undo him" showing Rome's resolve to keep fighting after massive defeats. This gives us the phrase, "Pyrrhic victory," for a win so costly that it may as well have been a defeat. Rome suffered massive defeats in the second of three punic wars, at the hands of Carthage's greatest general, Hannibal. The winner of these titanic clashes would dominate for another 500 years and shape the core of Western History and Culture. Two empires enter, only one leaves! Hannibal's brilliance versus Roman obstinance. Using artistic model-making techniques, hand tools, paint, and miniatures, each student will craft a 10 X 16 diorama. In class, they will view historical maps, artistic renderings, and/or photographs to understand the topography and development of this time and place in history. Students will customize their dioramas with landforms, landscape elements, waterways, and structures to represent a scene from this period. Once individual projects are constructed, students will populate them with 1:72 scale miniature figures. Students will combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to approximate a larger terrain and then compete in a history-based role-playing game which will reinforce lessons about the culture, economy, and/or warfare of the time. Each student will have at least one board and 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 year's series include: Ancient Egypt (Quarter 1), Mesopotamia (Quarter 2), Ancient Greece (Quarter 3), Roman Empire (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
3rd-5th
Dynamic Dioramas: Biome Builders- Grasslands (The Savanna)- Tue
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 6
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. Grassland biomes are found on every continent (except Antarctica) and are flat, open regions dominated by grass with scattered trees and shrubs, and a warm, dry climate. Tropical grasslands, known as savannas, cover half the continent of Africa as well as areas of Australia, India, and South America. Compass ecologists will focus on African savannas where large, diverse animals such as elephants, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, rhinos, gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards, ostrich, and other birds and small mammals, graze and hunt in the expansive grasslands. 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: Tropics (The Rainforest)- Quarter 1; Tundra (The Arctic)- Quarter 2; Arid (The Desert)- Quarter 3; and Grasslands (The Savanna)- Quarter 4.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
3rd-5th
Artist's Academy: Waves of Creativity (Ocean Art )
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
Tween artists can get in on the action as they learn about a different artist or artistic style each week and create a representative piece using a wide range of artistic supplies such as tempura and water color paints, pastels, pencils, cray pas, oil pastel crayons, specialty papers, sculpting media, and embellishments. Fourth quarter, students will dive into the world of oceans to understand the importance of this a vital ecosystem while exploring their artistic abilities. This course encourages creativity while fostering a deeper appreciation for the ocean and the role it plays sustaining life on earth. Themes include learning about marine life, ocean habitats, and the interconnectedness of the living things in the sea. Example projects include a shell collage, a colorful watercolor and fabric coral reef, a sculpture, designing a wave, and our own sea creatures inspired by ocean mythology. Through the use of mixed media, including paint, markers, shells, sand, watercolor and various texture papers students will create their own ocean themed artwork. Topics in this Series: Stories in Strokes (Quarter 1), Around the World Art Adventure (Quarter 2), Artistry of Nature (Quarter 3) , Waves of Creativty (Q4). Supply Fee: There is a supply fee of $25.00, payable to the instructor on the first day of class which covers consumable class materials such a specialty papers, watercolor pencils, and paints.
10:00 am-10:55 am
5th-6th
Art in Action: Destination Art (TUE)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Elementary artists can get in on the action as they learn about a different artist or artistic style each week and create a representative piece using a wide range of artistic supplies such as tempura and water color paints, pastels, pencils, cray pas, oil pastel crayons, specialty papers, sculpting media, and embellishments. Fourth quarter, students will be introduced to a surprise countries or culture each week where they will learn briefly about the locale's unique tradition of art. The class will use a variety of materials and techniques to represent the projects inspired by the secret destination. Topics in this Series: Picasso in Perspective (Quarter 1); Original Works of the Worlds Oceans (Quarter 2); American Artist Spotlight (Quarter 3); Destination Art (Quarter 4). Supply Fee: There is a supply fee of $25.00, payable to the instructor on the first day of class which covers consumable class materials such a specialty papers, watercolor pencils, and paints.
11:00 am-11:55 am
3rd-4th
Junior Art Studio: Scenic Seascapes & Amazing Ocean Animals (TUE)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
This class is a multi-media art sampler for our youngest artists! Each week students will learn a few fun facts about a type of art or artist, view sample works, and then will create a project in the style of the artist using a wide variety of materials and representative colors, patterns, textures, and embellishments. Young artists will have the opportunity to work with a different media each week such as tempera paint, various papers, color pencils, markers, tissue paper, translucent tracing paper, cray pas, oil pastels, charcoals, and watercolors. Fourth quarter, Junior Artists will study seascape art and aspects of the ocean and its animals from artists such as John Groves, Jim Holland and Natasha Nazareako. Our art projects will vary and feature lighthouses, ocean animals, and seascapes. Through weekly projects, junior artists will create their own sea-inspired art while learning about the artist, the technique, and the subject matter. Topics in this Series: Kings and Queens- Kids' Medieval Art (Quarter 1); Artists & their Animals (Quarter 2); Whimsical Winter Works (Quarter 3); Scenic Seascapes (Quarter 4). Supply Fee: There is a supply fee of $25.00, payable to the instructor on the first day of class which covers consumable class materials such a specialty papers, watercolor pencils, and paints.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
K-2nd
Take Flight! Advanced Aircraft (Drones, Gliders, Rotorcraft & More)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 7
In this semester-long course, students will delve into the fascinating technology of advanced aircraft. The class will look at the aerodynamic concepts related to drones, how drones are being used today, and applications for drones in the future. They will look at FAA rules governing drones- even amateur, hobby drones- in our airspace today. The group will also look at gliders and sailplanes- unique, fixed wing aircraft with no engines. They will design and model gliders and consider their uses in aviation. Next, the students will learn about the forces, physics, and flight of rotorcraft, such as helicopters, autogyros, and gyrodynes and hybrid tiltrotors such as the V-22 Osprey. Students will weigh advantages, disadvantages, and applications of these blade and rotor- driven aircraft, including their unique ability to take of and land vertically. For these advanced type of aircraft, students will take the controls of RC (radio controlled) models. Finally, in order to plan and design for all types of aircraft, the class will learn about advanced meteorological concepts affecting aviation. This is a 16-week, semester-long class led by a professional in aviation.
10:00 am-11:30 am
6th-8th
(Semester Long)
Decorative Arts Studio: Upcycled Sculpture (12PM)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Student artists will enjoy working hands-on, in 3-dimensions with a variety of sculpting and crafting materials to create original Decorative Arts. Assembling decorative items is multi-sensory, and students enjoy the tactile experience of shaping, stacking, forming, flattening, and layering a selection of materials to create unique, personal projects. 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 to choose from. Fourth quarter, students will create unique sculptures and decorative items from salvaged materials. Upcycling and recycling are conscientious ways to transform and reuse materials that would ordinarily be discarded! Everyday throw-aways such as cans, bottles, lids, and cardboard tubes will be turned into sculptures. Example past projects include bottle top "mosaics", cute bottle people, and re-envisioned florist vases. Some projects will take two weeks to complete with the first week dedicated to the construction and second week focused on finishing techniques such as painting and embellishing. A supply fee of $20.00 per student is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Sculpture Skills (Quarter 1), Marvelous Mosaics (Quarter 2), Fiber Arts Fun (Quarter 3), and Upcycled Sculpture (Quarter 4).
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-8th
Decorative Arts Studio: Upcycled Sculpture (1 PM)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 4
Student artists will enjoy working hands-on, in 3-dimensions with a variety of sculpting and crafting materials to create original Decorative Arts. Assembling decorative items is multi-sensory, and students enjoy the tactile experience of shaping, stacking, forming, flattening, and layering a selection of materials to create unique, personal projects. 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 to choose from. Fourth quarter, students will create unique sculptures and decorative items from salvaged materials. Upcycling and recycling are conscientious ways to transform and reuse materials that would ordinarily be discarded! Everyday throw-aways such as cans, bottles, lids, and cardboard tubes will be turned into sculptures. Example past projects include bottle top "mosaics", cute bottle people, and re-envisioned florist vases. Some projects will take two weeks to complete with the first week dedicated to the construction and second week focused on finishing techniques such as painting and embellishing. A supply fee of $20.00 per student is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Sculpture Skills (Quarter 1), Marvelous Mosaics (Quarter 2), Fiber Arts Fun (Quarter 3), and Upcycled Sculpture (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-8th
Algebra I (Tue, Fri)
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 10
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: 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.
11:00 am-11:55 am
7th-10th
(Year Long)
Geometry
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 8
This is a complete course in high school Geometry 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. Students will learn deductive reasoning, and logic by completing geometric proofs. Topics in geometry include: lines, angles, congruence, concurrence, inequalities, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, transformations, area, similarity, right triangles, circles, regular polygons, and geometric solids. Students will explore these topics through class discussions, practice problems, and open-ended problem solving. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in 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: Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding, 3rd edition (ISBN-10 0716743612, ISBN-13 978-0716743613) A calculator is not needed for this course. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Geometry for purposes of a high school transcript.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
8th-11th
(Year Long)
Probability & Statistics (On-Level or Honors)
Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4
Day(s): Tue, Fri
Open Spots: 5
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million. 77% of teens ages 12-17 have cell phones. One out of every two youth voters cast a ballot in 2020. From election polls to stock market data and weather reports to medical test results, statistics and probability are all around us. They are quoted in the podcasts we listen to, the news we watch, and the textbooks and articles we read. Statistics and probability are used in almost every field of study and career for forecasting, decision making, and tracking progress. In 2021-22, the government will release a tsunami of 2020 census statistics about our country's population. (Coincidentally, the odds of a tsunami hitting the east coast- less than the Powerball win.) But statistics and probability are also often misused, misquoted or incorrectly applied, so having a solid understanding of what these numbers represent will help make teens informed consumers and decision-makers. This course will explore the collection and analysis of data, inferences and conclusions, and the use of this information. Themes include relationships between variables, gathering data, interpreting categorical versus quantitative data. The class will also cover sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies and evaluate randomness and probability. Finally, students will learn about making inferences, justifying conclusions, and using probability to make decisions. Prerequisite: Students should have a solid foundation in Algebra I and Geometry in order to take this class. It is an ideal class for a student who needs an additional credit in high school math, but who may not wish to pursue more advanced mathematics courses such as Algebra II and Pre-Calculus. 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 class lectures. Honors students will receive additional, more challenging problems. Students register online for the same course but must indicate which level they wish to follow by the first day of class. Students may move down a level (from Honors to On-Level) at any time. 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: The required textbook for this class is "Stats In Your World" 1st edition by David E. Bock (ISBN-13: 978-0131384897). Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a complete credit in Probability & Statistics for purposes of a high school transcript.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
10th-12th
(Year Long)
Experimental Methods & Design: Microbiology & Human Behavior
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
In this class, middle school students will learn to work as independent investigators using the scientific method. Students will observe the systems under investigation, choose a pattern or trend that interests them, and then develop a testable hypothesis. Students will learn how to: design a scientific experiment for either a laboratory or field setting, choose appropriate controls, minimize investigator bias, correctly perform measurements and to record and analyze data. Third quarter will focus on investigations of small and/or microscopic organisms such as Planaria, Euglena, brine shrimp and tardigrades (water bears). Students will spend time using microscopes, making slides, and learning to keep science journals/notebooks. Our overall themes will be understanding processes that are important for organisms' survival at the microscopic scale, and comparing these lifestyles and adaptations to those from macro-scale ecological communities with which students are more familiar. Students will learn how to locate peer-reviewed scientific literature to research their subject. By the end of the quarter, students will have completed their independent investigations, summarized the results in a poster, and will present their data to the class. Each quarter will focus on a different aspect of science. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Animal Behavior (Quarter 1), Chemistry (Quarter 2), Environmental Science (Quarter 3), and Microbiology & Human Behavior (Quarter 4).
10:00 am-10:55 am
7th-8th
Who Wants to Be a Scientist? Biologist, Entomologist (11AM)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
There are so many ways to do science! This class allows our youngest scientists to explore different careers in the sciences and shows them that science is fun, approachable, and that anyone can do it! Students will use real scientific equipment and learn actual science terminology to investigate questions in different fields. Try out SCUBA gear as a marine biologist, learn the basics for studying DNA, perform experiments in chemistry, and try your hand at operating an ROV (remote operated vehicle). The focus will be on hands-on, dynamic learning with demonstrations or experiments in each class session. Fourth quarter, students will learn some basics biology, using their powers of observation and digital microscopes to investigate plants and animals from the grounds. The class will discuss how these organisms survive and adapt. As entomologists, they will take an up-close look at insects and discover the many important ecological functions that they perform, from nutrient cycling to pollination. Guest insects will include pillbugs, millipedes, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and an ant farm. To emphasize the topic of nutrient cycling, students will also make their own worm farms to take home to observe and apply the basics of composting household waste. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Paleontologist, Geologist (Quarter 1); Physicist, Astronomer (Quarter 2) Chemist & Medical Scientist (Quarter 3); Biologist, Entomologist (Quarter 4).
11:00 am-11:55 am
1st-2nd
Science Synergy: Environmental Explorer (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
Science Synergy is a multi-disciplinary exploration that helps students discover the connections between scientific fields, emphasizing the interrelated nature of modern science. It offers a hands-on approach to the natural and physical sciences while integrating key concepts from biology, physics, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. Students will build a strong foundation in scientific understanding while applying critical thinking and scientific inquiry needed to succeed in middle and high school sciences. Each quarter centers around a unifying theme that reinforces essential principles and lab skills. Environmental Explorer brings together Earth and space sciences. Students will study Earth’s layers, plate tectonics, rocks, minerals, and fossils before expanding their view to the cosmos. By examining the solar system, stars, and galaxies, students will explore humanity’s place in the universe and the ongoing pursuit of space exploration. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Biology Basics (Quarter 1),Physics Fundamentals (Quarter 2), Chemistry Connections (Quarter 3), and Environmental Explorer (Quarter 4)
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-6th
Scientist for a Day: Biologist, Entomologist
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
Find out what different scientists do! This class allows young scientists to explore different careers in the sciences and shows them that science is fun, approachable, and that anyone can do it! Students will use real scientific equipment and learn actual science terminology to investigate questions in different fields. Try out SCUBA gear as a marine biologist, learn the basics for studying DNA, perform experiments in chemistry, and try your hand at operating an ROV (remote operated vehicle). The focus will be on hands-on, dynamic learning with demonstrations or experiments in each class session. Fourth quarter, students will learn some basics biology, using their powers of observation and digital microscopes to investigate plants and animals from the grounds. The class will discuss how these organisms survive and adapt. As entomologists, they will take an up-close look at insects and discover the many important ecological functions that they perform, from nutrient cycling to pollination. Guest insects will include pillbugs, millipedes, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and an ant farm. To emphasize the topic of nutrient cycling, students will also make their own worm farms to take home to observe and apply the basics of composting household waste. A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Paleontologist, Geologist (Quarter 1); Physicist, Astronomer (Quarter 2) Chemist & Medical Scientist (Quarter 3); Biologist, Entomologist (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
3rd-4th
Marine Biology: Marine Animal Close-Up
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
Earth is an ocean planet! Life began in the oceans, and they are the linchpin of the biological, chemical, and physical processes that allow our planet to support life. This class will give students a basic understanding of the chemistry, physics and biology of earth's oceans. We'll also learn how oceans are informing our search for life on other planets. The focus will be on hands-on, dynamic learning with demonstrations or experiments in each class session. During the fourth quarter, we'll be moving from a big picture perspective, looking at ecology and biomes, to focus in on individual species and how they live. We'll trace the evolution of the major groups of marine plants and animals, to see how their morphology and adaptations became more complex and diverse over time. The class will zoom in on representative species, let students vote on the most interesting, and compile a Case Studies science log that profiles these species. We'll also have a chance to observe and interact with living aquatic organisms in our classroom. Come meet bioluminescent dinoflagellates and feed an anemone! A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this Series: Oceanography (Quarter 1); Coastal Biomes (Quarter 2); Open Water Habitats (Quarter 3); and Marine Animal Close-Up (Quarter 4).
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
5th-6th
BuildZone (TUE, Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 5
Enter the BuildZone and step into a world of endless possibilities, where over 10,000 building components are at your fingertips! From Keva Planks to K'Nex, Magnatiles to Marble Runs, Tubelox, Chaos Tower, and Pipe Builders-this is the ultimate mash-up of all things construction. Here, you're the architect, the engineer, the mastermind. Stack it, snap it, connect it-then remix it! What happens when you combine pieces from totally different sets? You get taller towers, stronger structures, and mind-blowing mega builds! Build solo masterpieces or team up for cool collaborations. Every session is a chance to dream big, build bigger, and let your imagination break all the rules. This is a hands-on afternoon lab intended to provide opportunities for kids to socialize and tap into their creative energy in a relaxed club setting. No formal curriculum or lessons are provided. This is a supervised 75-minute free-build session followed by 15 minutes of clean up. All participants are expected to help pick up and to follow all Compass rules on indoor behavior including respecting materials, supplies, and furnishings.
3:00 pm-3:55 pm
2nd-6th
Wee Writers (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
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.)
10:00 am-10:55 am
K-1st
Spanish Exploradores- Mis Actividades (My Activities)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. 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. 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. Students will be expected to take notes, write new words, and complete activities with new vocabulary and short readings. 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. Some homework will be assigned. Textbook: Students will be working from Viva el Espanol- System B (ISBN #978-0076029648) from McGraw-Hill. Compass will pre-purchased copies of this book to ensure everyone has a copy for $42.80. Students will only need to purchase this book the first quarter they are enrolled.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
4th-5th
Spanish Amigos- Mis Actividades (My Activities)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Buenos dias! Spanish Amigos (Friends) is a fun, play-based, Spanish immersion class for young students. Much like learning their native language, students will be exposed to the sounds, vocabulary, and phrases in Spanish through songs, games, stories, interactive and hands-on activities. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. The teacher will bring toys and objects each week to give kids tangible, hands-on examples of the vocabulary being introduced. 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. 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. Instruction will be predominantly verbal, but key vocabulary words may be written down for students to begin a sense of spelling. A limited amount of writing, spelling, and reading will be expected to emphasize new vocabulary and complete workbook/handout exercises, but note-taking from the board will not be required. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Recommendations/Workload: Students should be at grade level for reading in English. Some homework will be assigned. Textbook: Students will be working from Viva el Espanol- System A (ISBN #978-0076029525) from McGraw-Hill. Compass will pre-purchased copies of this book to ensure everyone has a copy for $41.00 Students will only need to purchase this book the first quarter they are enrolled.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
2nd-3rd
Little Learners Preschool (TUE, Sem 2)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 8
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, 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 two weekly sessions: Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is stand-alone for each day so parents can register for one or both 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 policy.
10:00 am-11:55 am
PK(3.5)-PK(4)
(Semester Long)
Spanish Para Pequenos (Little Ones)- TUE Q4
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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 teacher 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 phonics and essential vocabulary words while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Who knows, your child might just come home singing their new favorite Spanish nursery rhyme!
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
PK-1st
Worldbuilding: Post Apocalyptic Worlds (TUE)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 9
Students will become immersed in the imaginary worlds they construct in this unique course that encompasses elements of fiction writing, sociology, and anthropology. Worldbuilding is the foundation of speculative fiction, such as sci-fi and fantasy, role-playing games, videos, comics, and other visual media. Countless examples of Worldbuilding exist in the movies and books we consume every day such as Tolkien's Middle Earth, the many elaborate settlements of the Star Wars franchise, and the popular RPG, Dungeons and Dragons. In this course, students will develop a fictional locale. Will it be a small village in a known place, a new planet, or an original universe? Students will be guided through an interactive, iterative process of "top-down" design of their unique world, determining broad characteristics first then then elaborating with increasing detail. Builders will make coherent and integrated decisions on geography, climate, ecology, flora, fauna, inhabitants, races, history, social customs, language, religion, origin story, powers/magic, legal system, currency, and technology. The class will read excerpts and watch clips of well-known fictional works which will provide strong examples of each of the elements. First semester, the class will create post-apocalyptic worlds and answer the questions of "what happened?" and "who remained" after a wide-spread disaster that threatened the very heart of civilization. Students, along with their instructor, will develop an in-class world as an example. They will use the lessons and exercises reviewed in class to further develop their individual world project. Students will be expected to keep a notebook of decisions and details as they progress through designing the elements of their world. Students will have the option to purchase a discounted student subscription to World Anvil, a web-based subscription service which allows students to create maps, timelines, and other tools to organize their made-up world. Each student will be expected to make a PowerPoint presentation at the end of the semester which addresses each of the built-world elements. Topics in this Series: Post Apocalyptic Worlds (Semester 1), Mythological Worlds (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester will receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Prerequisites: None Workload: Students should expect to spend 2 hours per week outside of class. Assignments: Will be posted in a Google Classroom and consist of weekly responses to prompts Assessments: The instructor will assign points for a final semester presentation and completed "Creative Sparks" which are written responses to weekly prompts. Parents may use the student's earned points versus total possible points to calculate a grade for the purposes of a homeschool transcript. Textbook/Materials: Students have the option of purchasing a discounted subscription to World Anvil (worldanvil.com) for approximately $35.00. Lab/Supply Fee: Included Non-Meeting Days: None. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in language arts for purposes of a high school transcript.
10:00 am-10:55 am
8th-12th
(Semester Long)
Writing Well (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Writing is not only a critical skill for school and life, it gives kids a voice! In this class, fifth and sixth graders will gain confidence, increase writing fluency, and learn how to incorporate writing into everyday work and play. The objective of this class is for each student to progress and improve his/her own writing. This class does not have a fixed curriculum trying to achieve the same outcome and same skillset for each child, because each student comes to class with different writing experience and varying needs. Instead, through personalized feedback from the instructor and peer feedback exercises, student writers will improve their writing skills from where they started. Students will learn the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Key skills practiced at this level include organizing one's thoughts, defining a purpose and audience for the paper, formulating a topic sentence or main idea, developing supporting details, using correct sentence structure (for example, initial capitalization and end punctuation). Students will always be encouraged to write about what interests them. They will write for a few minutes in class each week and will be expected to write short assignments at home and submit their work to the instructor for feedback. Each week, the instructor will share brief lessons on grammar (such as correct capitalization, agreement, tenses, parts of speech, use of adjectives/adverbs), and/or style (for example, using metaphors, adding details, building tension). Examples and exercises will be presented from a variety of styles and genres with the instructor using models from fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Students should be on or near grade level for reading. Writing Well is offered each quarter under the same class name, but students may take it each quarter to continue to improve their writing skills.
11:00 am-11:55 am
5th-6th
Writers @ Work (Sem2)
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 14
Writers @ Work is a fundamental writing class that will prepare seventh and eighth grade students for high school level composition. Writing is not only a critical skill for high school and beyond, it gives teens a voice! In this class, teens will gain confidence, increase writing fluency, and learn how to incorporate writing into schoolwork and hobbies. The objective of this class is for each student to progress and improve his/her own writing. This class does not have a fixed curriculum trying to achieve the same outcome and same skillset for each child, because each student comes to class with different writing experience and varying needs. Instead, through personalized feedback from the instructor and peer feedback exercises, student writers will improve their writing skills from where they started. Students will always be encouraged to write about what interests them, but prompts will also be offered. They will write for a few minutes in class each week and will be expected to write short assignments at home and submit their work to the instructor for feedback. Students will receive individual feedback to work on aspects of their writing such as organizing thoughts, defining a purpose and audience for the paper, formulating a topic sentence or main idea, developing supporting details, using correct sentence structure (for example, initial capitalization and end punctuation). The instructor will model the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Writing tips will be introduced throughout the year pulling from both a "toolbox" of grammar rules (i.e. sentence structure, complex and compound sentences, independent and dependent clauses, parts of speech, agreement, tense, use of dialogue and quotation marks, correct use of punctuation) and stylistic techniques (i.e., using metaphors, adding details, and building tension). Examples and exercises will be presented from a variety of styles and genres. Students should be on or near grade level in reading to take this class. Writers @ Work is offered both semesters under the same class name, but students may take it each semester to continue to improve their writing skills. This is a 15-week class that will not meet on 2/17/26.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Successful Social Skills for Tweens (TUE-Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Successful social skills can help tweens/teens navigate almost every aspect of their lives. Building confidence in social settings can help improve self esteem and comfort in group settings, sports, new endeavors, with family, in public, or just hanging out with friends. Every tween and teeen can benefit from improved social skills, but some need a little more practice. In this class, students will work with a certified, licensed therapist to develop strategies for navigating different social challenges- from conversation skills and identifying feelings and emotions, to seeing perspective, handling stress, talking to parents, making friends, tolerating siblings, and more. The small group class will be highly interactive with games, role playing, videos, modelling behavior, and projects using a evidence-based, social-emotional curriculum Tweens and teens will benefit most from taking Social Skills for several quarters. Some activities will be new each quarter, and some will be repeated for reinforcement. As new students join the group, the dynamic will shift, better imitating real life scenarios. Their confidence and comfort level will grow when they have multiple quarters to practice their social skills.
11:00 am-11:55 am
6th-8th
Successful Social Skills for Kids (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Successful social skills can help kids navigate almost every aspect of their lives. Building confidence in social settings can help improve self esteem and comfort in group settings, sports, new endeavors, with family, in public, or just hanging out with friends. Every child can benefit from improved social skills, but some need a little more practice. In this class, kids will work with a certified, licensed therapist to develop strategies for navigating different social challenges- from conversation skills and identifying feelings and emotions, to seeing perspective, handling stress, talking to parents, making friends, tolerating siblings, and more. The small group class will be highly interactive with games, role playing, videos, modelling behavior, and projects using a evidence-based, social-emotional curriculum Kids will benefit most from taking Social Skills for several quarters. Some activities will be new each quarter, and some will be repeated for reinforcement. As new students join the group, the dynamic will shift, better imitating real life scenarios. Kids' confidence and comfort level will grow when they have multiple quarters to practice their social skills.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
3rd-5th
Beginner 'Bots: Creepy Crawlies (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Discover the world of robotics using kids' favorite, interlocking building bricks! Students will build and program a different whimsical, mechanized project each week using the WeDo 2.0 robotics system by LEGO Education. Fourth quarter, students will model and motorize creepy crawly creatures such as a crab, praying mantis, scorpion, snail, ant, spider, tadpole, and more. Their robots will be built using special-shaped LEGO components from the WeDo Educational set, motors, motion sensors, tilt sensors and a programmable, Bluetooth control unit ("brain"). Student will use classroom tablets to program the control units using an intuitive drag-and-drop coding modules. Prior experience with LEGO or coding is not required. All equipment is furnished. Topics in this Series: Animated Animals (Quarter 1), Jurassic Giants (Quarter 2); Rush Hour! (Quarter 3), and Creepy Crawlies (Quarter 4).
10:00 am-10:55 am
2nd-3rd
Build It Better! Crazy Contraptions
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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! Second quarter, students will discover what happens when simple machines are combined to work together. They will be challenged to develop a unique, individual segment of a maze that moves a ball from point A to point B, and each segment will link to a classmate's invention to keep the ball moving! They will use complex machines (compounded simple machines) with additional motors and more components to move the ball through a series of lifts, automated carts, moving gates, escalators, and more! Will each contraption transfer the ball to its neighbor without hitting the floor? Can they pass the ball to their neighbor without hitting the floor? This project is inspired by the LEGO Great Ball Contraption competition, which is similar to Rube Goldberg inventions. See http://greatballcontraption.com/ or You Tube videos for impressive examples of the Great Ball Contraption. Second quarter students will be challenged to build bigger, better, more complex contraptions with compound machines and more mechanization! Topics in this Series: Gadgets & Gizmos (Quarter 1); Widgets and Whatsits (Quarter 2): Marble Mazes (Quarter 3); and Crazy Contraptions (Quarter 4).
11:00 am-11:55 am
4th-5th
Robot Fab Lab: Art Bot (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
Design and build a robot to hold a colored pencil or marker, and program it to make designs. Students will end up with an automated spirograph! Will your 'bot draw concentric circles, spirals, pinwheels or more complex hypotrochoids and epitrochoids? Students will use the brand new LEGO Education Spike Prime robotics sets. They will build with motors, wheels/axles, gears, levers, and special components. Students will have to install touch, sound, color, and 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 Spike Prime coding 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 their projects. Topics in this Series: Lunar Lander (Quarter 1); Battle Bots (Quarter 2); Tomb Explorer (Quarter 3), and Soccer Bot Showdown (Quarter 4)
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-6th
Junior Engineering with LEGO: Collossal Construction (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Students will use LEGO to design and build simple engineering projects out of everyone's favorite building toy! In this 90-minute class, students will explore concepts and vocabulary in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, aerospace engineering, and architecture while playing with their creations. Fourth quarter, students will build colossal vehicles like monster trucks and hulking construction vehicles and model enormous developments such as a massive waterfront development, a towering sky scraper, and a expansive space station. Each class begins with 10-minutes of free build from tubs of LEGO components followed by a short discussion and demonstration of the day's project and concepts. Students build individually or in groups. Instructors will provide individual assistance, facilitate challenges, performance testing, competitions, and modifications to projects. Some projects may have been introduced in prior year's sessions, but each new build is unique, and student's building skills and understanding will have grown. Students must be minimum age 5 and able to separate from their parents for this class. Topics in this Series: Super Structures (Quarter 1); Awesome Automobiles (Quarter 2); Monster Machines (Quarter 3); Colossal Construction (Quarter 4).
1:30 pm-2:55 pm
K-2nd
Detective Drama: The Disappearance of Dr. McBride
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Calling crooked criminals who commit creepy crimes! Convening colorful characters who corroborate clues and constables who collaborate to crack the case! Connect with a kooky cast in Detective Drama. Using materials from a commercial mystery role playing game (RPG), students will be guided through the facts of a fictitious case. Student sleuths will be follow clue cards, eclectic evidence, and phony forensics to uncover a crime. Emphasis will be on critical thinking, problem solving skills, and improvisation through the portrayal of unique characters involved in the crime. Students will be encouraged to develop a strong, compelling character, an original costume, a backstory, and of course, an alibi. Fourth quarter, in the tiny town of Thomasville, Doctor McBride was a distinguished and devoted psychologist. One evening, a scream shattered the stillness outside Sully's restaurant. Detective Jackson arrived on the scene and discovered the doctor had left shortly before the shriek. Her boyfriend mentioned multiple missed calls, which was strange, since McBride always kept her phone on for her patients. Concerned colleagues and companions are dumbfounded by her disappearance, as no one can fathom who would harm her. Now, it's up to the class to decipher the clues, uncover who kidnapped the caring doctor, and determine their dangerous motives. Keep your eyes open for misleading moments and help solve the mystery! In this workshop, students will experiment with acting and improvisation and working as a team. This class is best suited for students who are active listeners, are flexible and easily adapt, have a sense of humor, and enjoy working in a collaborative 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. Because of the age of the students in this class, only capers such as burglaries or kidnappings will be portrayed instead of murders. Topics in this Series: Mystery of the Missing Millionaie (Quarter 1), Puzzling Paranormal Pursuits (Quarter 2), The Case of the Captured Commissioner (Quarter 3), and The Disappearance of Dr. McBride (Quarter 4). There is a class supply fee of $20.00 due payable to the instructor on the first day for the class RPG materials, printing, props, and investigation folders.
11:00 am-11:55 am
4th-6th
Acting: Young Actor's Playhouse: Under the Sea Secrets
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
Acting is an adventure! Young actors work together to create and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. What will happen if whales and walruses meet flashy fish and mystical mermaids in a unique underwater undertaking? 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 young 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. Young actors will explore skills such as sensory awareness, listening, stage movement, character development, emotional expression, and observation/concentration while learning to portray their original character. Young actors will learn aspects of acting by script read-through, blocking, costume/prop discussion, and planning the show. Through individual and group activities, young actors build confidence in preparation for a final sharing for parents. Students will work from a simple, written script, but emerging readers can be accommodated. Parents will be emailed the script after the 3rd or 4th class and will be expected to help their children memorize their lines and assemble a simple make-at-home costume, ideally from clothing items and accessories you already own and a little creativity. All actors must be at least age 6 to sign up for this class. Topics in this Series: Medieval Mix-Up (Quarter 1), Magical Monsters (Quarter 2), Outrageous Outer Space (Quarter 3), Under Sea Secrets (Quarter 4).
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
1st-2nd
Tweens Acting Out: Vanished in a Video Game
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
Tweens take over as they collectively brainstorm and collaboratively write own play. Find out what happens when tweens "act out" the unique characters and an original storyline they created. What happens when a player gets trapped inside their favorite game? What easter eggs will the crafty characters and naive NPCs uncover, and will they finish off the final boss? 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 with everyone's parts, about half-way through the quarter, 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. Topics in this Series: Can't Believe it Came to Life (Quarter 1), Technology Takeover (Quarter 2), Whodunnit? (Quarter 3) and Vanished in a Video Game (Quarter 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
6th-8th
Acting- Kids' Theater: Twisted Treasure Tale
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Kids take to the stage as they collaboratively write and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. Watch as our ambitious actors spin a tall tale about a yet-to-be-discovered treasure. Where will it be found? A deserted island, spooky basement, or far away land? 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. 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 with everyone's parts, about half-way through the quarter, 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: The Craziest Dream Ever (Quarter 1), Mix Up on Mars (Quarter 2), Super DUper New Superheroes (Quarter 3), Twisted Treasure Tale (Quarter 4).
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
3rd-5th
Magical Creatures' Quest: A Middle School Role Playing Club (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Embark on a magical afternoon journey with "Magical Creatures' Quest: A Familiar Problem!" This enchanting club is for middle school students who adore whimsical tales, creative adventures, and the magic of tabletop role-playing games. During each club meeting, the group will weave a captivating story where each participant takes on the role of a magical animal on a quest to reunite with its owner. Are you more like a daring dragon, mysterious mermaid, playful Pegasus, or a fearless fairy? Each meeting presents a new chapter, filled with challenges, mysteries, and opportunities for magical 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 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 magical stories and imaginative play- in person! 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.
3:00 pm-3:55 pm
6th-8th
Cooking: Copy Cat Favorites- Mock Munchies (Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 6
Save money and make it yourself! Did you know you can recreate your favorite meals and snack foods-just like the ones you find at the grocery store, restaurants, or even vending machines? Copycat Cooking lets you enjoy the taste and fun of store-bought favorites right at home. Best of all, making these delicious dishes yourself means you can skip the preservatives, additives, and other ingredients you'd rather avoid. This quarter, Compass chefs will make:
- Bagel Bites
- Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Quaker Chewy Honey-Oatmeal Granola Bars
- Graham Crackers
- Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes
- Stover Butter Mints
- Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Breyers Homestyle Vanilla Ice Cream
10:00 am-10:55 am
3rd-5th
Cooking for Little Kids: Savory Spring Specialties (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
Children 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: -Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Dip -Gazpacho -Pea Leek Pasta Salad -Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots -Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo -Rice Casserole with Baked Tomato and Feta -Peach Cobbler -Strawberry icebox cake 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: (1) 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. (2) Children must be minimum age 6 for this class and be able to listen to and follow instructions. 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 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.
11:00 am-11:55 am
1st-3rd
Cooking for Kids: Savory Spring Specialties (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 6
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: -Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Dip -Gazpacho -Pea Leek Pasta Salad -Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots -Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo -Rice Casserole with Baked Tomato and Feta -Peach Cobbler -Strawberry icebox cake 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: (1) 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 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.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
3rd-5th
Cooking for Tweens: Savory Spring Specialties (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 3
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: -Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Dip -Gazpacho -Pea Leek Pasta Salad -Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots -Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo -Rice Casserole with Baked Tomato and Feta -Peach Cobbler -Strawberry icebox cake 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: (1) 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 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.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
6th-8th
Kids' Confection Kitchen: Paddington's Pasteries
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
Toffee. Taffy. Truffles... End the day on a sweet note! Kids will enjoy making and eating delicious confections. Each week they will prepare a fresh, handmade dessert or sweet such as: pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, trifles, mousses, puddings, candies, fudge, brittle, or chocolates. The class will include some icing, decorating, and garnishing techniques for completed desserts. This quarter, the Compass bakers' culinary adventures will be reminiscent of a charming English countryside tea room: -Cinnamon Swirl Tea Loaf -Chai Tea Cookies -Southern Tea Cakes -Mochi Muffins -Classic Orange Tea Loaf -Earl Grey Tea Cookies -Irish Tea Cake -Plum Tea 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), Choco Loco (Quarter 3), and Paddington's Pasteries (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor on 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.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
5th-8th
FUNctional Fitness and Cross-Training (PE) for Kids: Black (TUE)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 5
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!
11:00 am-11:55 am
3rd-5th
FUNctional Fitness and Cross-Training (PE) for Tweens: Blac...
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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!
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
6th-8th
Fun Fit (PE) for Little Kids- Black (TUE)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 1
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.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
1st-2nd
FUNctional Fitness and Cross-Training (PE) for Tweens: Black (TUE 2PM)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
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!
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
6th-8th
Swimming: Beginners/ Adv. Beginners (Tue Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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.
10:05 am-10:45 am
1st-3rd
Swimming: Beginners/ Adv. Beginners (Tue Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 4
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.
11:05 am-11:45 am
4th-6th
Swimming: Intermediate (Tue Q4)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 4
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. Intermediate level is for students who are proficient in Advanced Beginner level skills such as swimming one length of the pool (25 yards), performing elementary backstroke, and becoming comfortable in deep water. Intermediate swimmers will cover Levels 3 of the YMCA program including elementary breaststroke, backstroke, front crawl with rotary breathing all at 25 yards, with work towards Level 4 skills including stamina and increasing all swimming to 50 yards or more, plus breast stroke, elementary butterfly stroke and kick, elementary dives, and turns. 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.
12:05 pm-12:45 pm
2nd-6th
Outdoor Science Jr.: Spring (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
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.
11:00 am-11:50 am
K-2nd
Outdoor Science: Spring (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 0
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.
12:00 pm-12:50 pm
3rd-5th
Outdoor Survivor: Spring (Tue)
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Tue
Open Spots: 2
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 Nature Quest program.
1:00 pm-2:50 pm
5th-6th
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