Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Ready to rule the world? Step into the shoes of global leaders in this fast-paced, hands-on class where you call the shots. Students will take charge of fictional nations, making tough calls that affect their citizens and reshape the world. Will you spark peace or stir up conflict? That's up to you. Through dynamic roleplay and strategic challenges, you'll sharpen your skills in negotiation, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. One day you might be brokering alliances; the next, navigating a crisis. Working within a leadership team, you will decide when to collaborate, when to clash, and how to compromise when the unexpected strikes. This course will examine international relations theories and power dynamics played out among real-life countries and institutions. It will also look at peace treaties, peace negotiation, and ethics to reach global solutions. Students will be assigned readings from political science, global affairs, leadership, and ethics to fuel their decisions and debates. Rooted in real-world scenario planning, this simulation-based course pushes you to think big, act smart, and tackle global dilemmas from all angles. No two semesters are ever the same. Meeting Days: This is a 13-week course that will not meet on October 13, 2025.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 5

Why do Buddhists bong bells in temples, Hindus hurl colored powder during Holi, and Jewish families build backyard huts for Sukkot? If questions like these spark your curiosity, you're ready to explore the fascinating world of global religions! In this discussion-based course, we'll dive into the major religious traditions that shape cultures, communities, and lives around the globe-including Protestantism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, the Latter-day Saint Movement, and a range of indigenous and pagan practices. The class will examine what makes each tradition unique in its beliefs, rituals, and cultural impact, as well as the tenants that guide their followers. Expect thoughtful conversations, open-minded inquiry, and engaging explorations of faith, meaning, and practice. Respectful participation is key-and curiosity is required! Your instructor brings both academic depth and lived experience to the classroom. With two degrees in history and a deep personal passion for world religions, five years of experience teaching Catholic education, three years as a historian for the LDS Church, and even officiating weddings for a Druid community, she offers a unique and welcoming perspective on the world's belief systems. Meeting Days: This is a 13-week course that will not meet on October 13, 2025. Assignments: Articles and readings will be posted in the online classroom portal. Homework: Students should expect 1-2 hours of reading and informal research outside of class. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in history/humanities for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 3

Perhaps you have heard that "knowing is half the battle." This class will realize that as we examine the roles of military intelligence and espionage in conflicts. A fundamental goal of military intelligence is to fight smarter, not harder, on the battlefield. For context and inspiration, the class will examine the history of the real spies of WWII, their methods, failures, and successes. First semester will examine the Western Front of WWII between Germany and the Allies between 1941-1943. Early Intelligence failures revealed that the Allies were totally unprepared for the Axis invasion, despite plenty of warnings from their own sources and even Polish agents. For two years, the United Kingdom's army fought tooth-and-nail to stop the German advance. This is where first semester will begin and the roles students will play. The mission, should students choose to accept it, is to use actual enigma codes and a modified tabletop RPG (role playing game) system to simulate missions, write encoded messages, and attempt to crack the enemy's plan. While Compass's 3D History classes will simulate the battles in the field, this class will assume the supporting role by attempting to infiltrate German lines with field agents. War Room students in the "headquarters" will direct both their field agents and the missions of the frontline troops in 3D History. The decisions of War Room students on Monday will affect the play of 3D History students on Friday, and outcomes of the 3D History role play on Friday will dictate the work of the War Room the following Monday. While co-registration in both classes is not required, some students may want to dual register in order to see both the tactical and strategic aspects of a major engagement and how military intelligence affects the outcomes. This course is recommended for teens who have a passion for military history or an interest in a future career in intelligence. Topics in this Series: Brains That Broke the Blitzkreig (Semester 1) and Directing the Downfall (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hour per week outside of class. Assignments: Course documents including period maps, photographs and recreations will be made available through a class Google Drive link emailed to parents and students, as well as a class YouTube playlist for any videos watched in class or assigned as homework. Assessments: Will not be given. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in World History, US History, Military History, or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 4

Why read about key military battles on maps or in books when you can learn about them hands-on, in three dimensions, using historical miniature gaming? In 3D History, pivotal engagements come alive for new and experienced students, as they navigate a table-top terrain, deploy hundreds of miniature soldiers, ships, and tanks... all while playing a military strategy game. Each student will have the opportunity to fight a battle from both sides, allowing them to test various strategies, try multiple scenarios, predict different outcomes, and rewrite history- an effective way to gain a deeper understanding of what actually happened and why! After years of "appeasement" of Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime, in 1939, after the invasion of Poland, France and Britain had no choice but to declare war. This was the official start of the Second World War. The problem then became clear, neither country was properly prepared to meet the German menace head on. Economic troubles meant dwindling military budgets left both forces either undersized, like the British Expeditionary Force, or woefully under trained and ill-equipped, like the French army. This presented several problems, France being so obviously unwilling to come to her allies' aid, meant countries like Belgium refused to plan cooperative defenses, for fear of provoking the very invasion they sought to defend against. And so, in 1940, after a year of so-called "phony-war" during which Poland was conquered by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the inevitable invasion found the Allies totally unprepared for the modern and ferocious "lighting war." After rushing into Belgium, the best of the Allied troops were encircled by the Germans, cut off, and forced to flee at Dunkirk. In just six weeks, France would fall leaving Britain to stand against Hitler alone. This class will attempt to follow the major battles of the Fall of France week by week. We will recreate the armored invasions by land, hunt German raiders above and below the surface of the Atlantic, and take to the skies for the Battle of Britain. Note: This is a 1 hour, 55 minute class with a 10-minute break part way through. Topics in this Series: WWII- The Early War, Fall of France- Blitzkrieg 1940 (Semester 1) and WWII- The Early War, Rise of Japan (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class. Assignments: Period maps, photographs, and re-creations will be posted on a class Google Drive, and video links from YouTube will be e-mailed to parents and students for homework or supplemental investigation. Assessments: Will not be given. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in History for purposes of a high school transcript.