January 2025: Urgent Information for Compass Teens

From classes, clubs, and competitions to just hanging out and socializing, Compass has some great opportunities for teens. Read below for what is coming up so you don’t miss out!

1. High School Subjects/ Credits

While homeschool requirements can vary from family-to-family under Virginia law, if you plan to go to college, a general recommendation is to have a math, science, English, social studies/history, and 1-2 electives (fine arts, performing arts, career exploration, or fitness) and some fun classes every semester of high school. In addition, 2 years of a foreign language and an economics class will make a competitive college candidate. Remember that your English should be half writing and half literature. If you do not have all of these in your schedule, there is still time to add most of these to your Compass schedule. Look for many semester classes starting this week, inquire about in-progress year-long classes, or make an appointment with Compass director Jenny Grove-Bradshaw to discuss classes and credits.

2. Going, Going, Gone…

Some all-new options were added to our high school schedule for 2nd semester in response to things teens and their families have asked for. Several of these have been overlooked and are at risk of being cancelled because of low enrollment. Please consider enrolling in these great options for high schoolers. All tuition for these has been discounted 10%. Register now and pay by January 31 when we know if classes are running:

  • Acting- Teen Scene: It is Not What it Seems– Juxtaposition, irony, and plot twists! Teens will prepare and act out a twisted tale from a script they select. Need 4 students. (fine arts credit)
  • Ancient Justice: Crime & Punishment in Early Modern Era– a role-play look at crime & punishment with historic mock-trials including the bi-annual Compass witch trial. Need 5 students. (history credit)
  • Criminology: Fundamentals of Forensic Science– This is a repeat of the block-buster class taught in the fall for those who could not come on Mondays. Now offered on Friday. Need 5 students (social sciences credit)
  • Global Gourmet for Teens: Tasty Thai– Make savory Thai Basil Chicken, sticky Coconut Rice, sweet Mango Pudding and other favorites with friends while also learning about Thailand. Need 2 students. (general elective/ life skills)
  • Savvy Social Skills for Teens– all teens can benefit from role-playing and rehearsing strategies for sticky social situations unique to teens. Need 4 students. (general elective/ life skills)
  • Total Training: Teen PE– this is an all-new fitness course incorporates some CrossFit and some marital arts techniques and focuses on individual goals, not competition. It will be taught in the new fitness facility debuting late January 2025 in Suite 520-F (PE credit)

The following high school classes have spaces remaining:

  • The Art of Storytelling: Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (partial English credit)
  • Century of American Music (Rock-N-Roll) from 1970s-2020s (fine arts elective)
  • Chess for Teens (general elective)
  • Cooking for Teens: Winter Warm-Ups (career elective)
  • Creative Journalling for Teens (partial English credit or arts elective)
  • Literature Roundtable: Time Travel (partial English credit)
  • Medieval History Reimagined: Crusades and Conquests (ancient or world history credit)
  • Mindful Mosaics (fine arts elective)
  • Others…

3. Friday Teen Nights

Attendance at Compass Teen Nights (Fridays 4:00 pm-6:00 pm) has fallen off, so we are going to introduce some new twists and treats to entice our teens to hang out and socialize.

Participating teens will be polled about future activities such as karaoke, tie-dying, service projects, and more.

4. Filmmaking Club Resumes 3rd Quarter

The Compass teen Filmmaking Club will resume this week on Wednesday, January 15. New students are welcome. Learn more on the club webpage, and sign-up HERE.

5. Teen Winter Dance

Save-the-date for the teen winter semi-formal on Saturday, February 22, from 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm. Watch for details to be shared soon.

6. Heart Surgery Field Trip

There are spaces for teens to join this field trip and witness a live, open heart surgery at Inova Heart & Vascular Institute’s Observation Dome on Thursday, January 30. Participants must arrive at the Falls Church location by 7:15 in the morning.  Email director@compassclasses.com to be added to the list. 1-2 parent chaperones/drivers can be accommodated.

7. US Government/Civics Field Trips

Watch for announcements this semester for teen-only field trips to the White House, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and US Capitol. These are being organized by instructor Tayler Shreve and also count towards the American Citizenship Award.

8. Alpha Rho Chapter, National Homeschool Honor Society

We are still accepting new members through February 28 for this year. Applicants must submit standardized test score in 90th+ percentile (ITBS, CAT5, Stanford, PSAT, ACT, SAT). Alpha Rho does service projects and activities every other Friday at Compass. This organization looks good on college applications. See webpage for more information.

9. Compass Collaborative Newspaper

We are still enrolling student writers and editors to produce the quarterly Compass student newspaper. This role looks good on college applications. Enroll HERE.

10. Volunteer & Citizenship Awards

Compass students can sign up to earn the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) and the American Citizenship Award (ACA) at no cost. (Nominal fee for non-Compass area homeschoolers). Managed by Compass affiliate organization, Volunteer Scholars. These awards look good on college applications. Read more HERE.

11. Envirothon Team

The Envirothon is an environmental and natural resources conservation competition for students in 9th-12th grade. Broad themes are aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife. The team has openings for additional members and is just starting its current season. The group will meet virtually on Mondays for 1 hour with some additional preparation/practice outside of meetings. The group will meet for outdoor field studies led by a master naturalist starting in April. This activity looks good on college applications.Email the advisor at nova4hnature@gmail.com and see the webpage for more information.

12. Graduation

Seniors have been contacted about graduation on Saturday, May 31. If there are any students who have decided to graduate early and are not on our list, please email programs@compassclasses.com receive graduation information.

13. Virginia Army National Guard

Compass has connected with a recruiter (and former homeschooler) from the Virginia National Guard. He is willing to meet with students or run an info session. Did you know that in exchange for one weekend per month and two weekends in the summer, college students can get $24,000 a year paid for in-state tuition ?!?! Guard members get specialized training, obtain secret & top secret clearances, and receive generous benefits package (after 6 years). If you are interested in an info meeting, email director@compassclasses.com

14. Teen Form

Families are reminded that a teen dropped off on campus for any class or activity must have a current Teen Form on file. Complete the Teen Form online.

15. Complimentary Transcript Review

Compass Juniors and Seniors are welcome to email their transcripts to the Compass Director, Jenny Grove-Bradshaw, for cursory comments and feedback as they finalize their documents for submission to college. Send to director@compassclasses.com