Class Registration

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

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites: None

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

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

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

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

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

*This class will begin on 1/19 and meet on 3/9*

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

Prerequisites: None

Kids take to the stage as they collaboratively write and perform their very own play with unique characters and an original storyline. From dawn to dusk, what happened to make an ordinary weekday turn into a fabulously funny, frivolous, freaky Friday?

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: Back to the Future (Quarter 1), Secrets & Spies (Quarter 2),Times Travel Tale (Quarter 3), Freaky Friday (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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).

Prerequisites: None

In this class, students will engage with American History from a unique, thoughtful perspective, facilitated by college professor, Dr. Albert Thompson who is a "researcher, problem solver, and educator." Dr. Thompson is considered a historian of the state, culture, and conflict. He was homeschooled through high school and will guide high school students to use "historical data to advance solutions to contemporary problems."

Second semester will cover American History from 1812 through the Civil War and concluding with the Spanish-American War in 1898. The class will examine 19th-century America's transformation from a New World backwater to Global Power. Using speeches, pamphlets, legislation, court rulings, and treaties, the students will develop critical reading skills to identify and evaluate the social, economic, and political forces that contributed to the rise of the United States of America from approximately 1812-1898. The course will highlight the following key events and figures: Andrew Jackson, Catharine Maria Sedgwick, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Ida B Wells, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Abraham Lincoln, Edgar Allen Poe, Frederick Douglass, John D. Rockefeller; Westward Expansion, the Indian Wars, The Civil Wars, and Abolitionism, the Second Great Awakening, Industrialization, The New Immigrants, Reconstruction, Social Darwinism, New Imperialism and the Spanish American War.

The class will uncover history that is often overlooked or downplayed. Professor Thompson encourages students to think deeply about history by introducing individuals and groups in a way that lets students put themselves in others' places. He covers the worldviews that were dominant at the time as a way to explain what motivated historical figures and decisions of the day. Conflicts will be closely examined since throughout history, war is a catalyst that causes economic and social conditions to change dramatically in the shortest period of time.

Topics in this Series: First Settlement to First Crisis, 1607-1812 (Semester 1), Civil War to Spanish-American War 1812-1898 (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

This class will begin on 1/23/26 and meet on 3/13/26

Prerequisites: Reading at grade level.

Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week on readings. Readings should be treated as pre-readings which students complete before class in order to engage in in-class discussion.

Assignments: Reading assignments will be communicated weekly to students. This class will not have written assignments or projects.

Assessments: The instructor will not give quizzes or provide assessments. Parents may elect to administer online quizzes that are available through the e-textbook website for purposes of assessing their own student's understanding of major themes.

Textbook/Materials: The class will use The American Yawp, an open-source online textbook from Stanford University Press (www.americanyawp.com). Students may read chapters online or download a pdf.

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

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

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

Young dancers will practice skills in musicality, balance, flexibility, and coordination as they learn to dance as a group. Each quarter, a different musical fairytale ballet will provide the inspiration and the music for the class. Dancers will become familiar with the story of the ballet and the orchestral music as they go through their own routine. The music, story, and characters will serve as an inspiration for creative movement.

Fourth quarter, young dancers will learn the story of The Carnival of the Animals, composed by Camille Saint-Saens and performed as a ballet since 2004. In class, dancers will learn to recognize, understand, and apply techniques from the Vaganova ballet method such as: 1st - 6th positions, marching and skipping, demi plie, grand plie, saute, bourree, grand jete, and tendu. Students will also develop their physical conditioning and learn teamwork. Dancers in this level must be minimum age 4 by the start of class.

A demonstration of skills learned will be showcased for parents on the last class each quarter. Registration is for one morning class, however students who wish to further their skills are encouraged to sign up for both Monday and Wednesday morning lessons. Compass ballet students will have an opportunity to audition for the Alchemy Ballet Academy Winter Performance (including excerpts from The Nutcracker).

Ballet students are expected to wear appropriate attire. Young ladies must wear a leotard with skirt (attached or detached), pink tights, and soft pink ballet shoes in canvas or leather. Young men must wear a slim-fitting white t-shirt, black shorts, white socks, and soft black ballet shoes in canvas or leather.

Topics in this series include:Peter and the Wolf (Quarter 1), The Nutcracker (Quarter 2), Fairy Doll (Quarter 3), and Carnival of the Animals (Quarter 4)

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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).

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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 55-minute free-build session followed by 10 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.

Prerequisites: None

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 55-minute free-build session followed by 10 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.

Prerequisites: None

Two armies. One battlefield. Infinite possibilities.

Across a checkered board, two mighty monarchies prepare for battle. In this legendary clash of kings and queens, which side will triumph in a test of wit, patience, perseverance, and strategy? Students will explore the logic and thrill of the timeless game of chess under the expert guidance of Grandmaster Rashad Babaev. Whether you're a budding tactician or a curious beginner, prepare to sharpen your mind and rise to the challenge.

In Advanced Beginning Chess, students will use the Explorers Level curriculum developed by Grandmaster Babaev for his GMChessPrep program. During Quarter 4, the focus will be on discipline, draw rules, and thinking skills. The class will review possible outcomes of the game including different draw types (Stalemate, Threefold Repetition, Perpetual Check) and understanding when and why games end in a draw. Students will review etiquette of the game including posture, behavior, the touch-move rule, and handling disputes. Finally, the group review the requirements for promotion to intermediate level.

Learning and playing chess promote problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent part on instruction and part on playing time in practice matches with classmates while the instructor gives tips and reminders.

Compass chess students will be given access to GMChessPrep's online portal for virtual chess practice opportunities between classes. Also, students who are absent can request a make-up session during a regularly scheduled GMC online evening group class.

Prerequisites: None

Two armies. One battlefield. Infinite possibilities.

Across a checkered board, two mighty monarchies prepare for battle. In this legendary clash of kings and queens, which side will triumph in a test of wit, patience, perseverance, and strategy? Students will explore the logic and thrill of the timeless game of chess under the expert guidance of Grandmaster Rashad Babaev. Whether you're a budding tactician or a curious beginner, prepare to sharpen your mind and rise to the challenge.

In Beginning Chess, students will use the Foundation Level curriculum developed by Grandmaster Babaev for his GMChessPrep program. During Quarter 4, the goal is to learn to assess material value and build confidence in play. Students will evaluate piece value and trade logic and trade scenarios and decisions. They will learn how to judge advantage positions such as King vs King (Draw); King vs King + Knight/Bishop (Draw); King vs King + Rook/Queen (Win); and King vs King + Pawn (potential promotion). The class will practice games and participate in end-of-quarter mini tournament.

Learning and playing chess promote problem solving, decision making, critical and creative thinking, general cognitive ability, scholastic skills, and mathematical achievement (Univ. of Minnesota). Experts suggest that the game of chess teaches analytical and disciplined thinking skills, while raising self esteem, teaching motivation and determination, and sportsmanship (Kasparov Foundation). Each class will be spent part on instruction and part on playing time in practice matches with classmates while the instructor gives tips and reminders.

Compass chess students will be given access to GMChessPrep's online portal for virtual chess practice opportunities between classes. Also, students who are absent can request a make-up session during a regularly scheduled GMC online evening group class.

Prerequisites: None

Kids will be introduced to painting with multimedia and special effects in a small group class under the guidance of a professional painter and art teacher. The class will incorporate other complementary materials into their paintings, such as collage, and will learn techniques to create special finishes and textures. Students will try techniques such as applying and removing paint, layering, stippling, and dabbing, along with wet and dry brush techniques. Students will complete several paintings on canvas boards. A variety of subjects, such as still life, animals, florals, landscapes, seascapes, fantasy, abstracts, or "mimic the masters" will be introduced to illustrate different painting techniques through in-class projects. Topics in this series include: here is an $15.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Watercolor Painting (Quarter 1), Tempera Painting (Quarter 2), Acrylic Painting (Quarter 3), and MultiMedia Painting (Quarter 4). T

Prerequisites: None

Tweens will be introduced to painting with multimedia and special effects in a small group class under the guidance of a professional painter and art teacher. The class will incorporate other complementary materials into their paintings, such as collage, and will learn techniques to create special finishes and textures. Students will try techniques such as applying and removing paint, layering, stippling, and dabbing, along with wet and dry brush techniques. Students will complete several paintings on canvas boards. A variety of subjects, such as still life, animals, florals, landscapes, seascapes, fantasy, abstracts, or "mimic the masters" will be introduced to illustrate different painting techniques through in-class projects. Topics in this series include: here is an $15.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Watercolor Painting (Quarter 1), Tempera Painting (Quarter 2), Acrylic Painting (Quarter 3), and MultiMedia Painting (Quarter 4). T

Prerequisites: None

Everyone can learn to sing! This quarter, children will sing well-known scores from the heartwarming tale about an unlikely ogre who sets out on a quest to rescue a princess and discovers friendship, love, and acceptance along the way. The group will learn classics like, "This is How a Dream Comes True", "Morning Person", "This is Our Story", or "I Know It's Today."

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

Topics in this series include: Lion King Jr (Quarter 1), The Little Mermaid (Quarter 2), Wizard of Oz (Quarter 3), and Shrek (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

A chef is a skilled artist in the kitchen, crafting culinary masterpieces that range from delicate hors d'oeuvres and brawny barbecues to succulent salads and decadent desserts. A "Chef's Special" features limited-edition menu items or seasonal delights - and in this class, the Chef's Special is a workshop-style series serving up 7 - 8 fun, delicious, and creatively themed niche dishes. This quarter's Chef's Special features....

-Virginia Dip (contains pecans)
-Peanut Soup (contains peanuts)
-Peanut Quinoa Salad (contains peanuts)
-Williamsburg Spoon Bread
-Southern Baked Catfish
-Tomato Vegetable Casserole
-Virginia Apple Pudding
-Virginia Peanut Pie

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: Food Truck Favorites (Quarter 1), Chocolate Candy Making(Quarter 2), TBD (Quarter 3), Virginia Springtime Specialties (Quarter 4).

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $45.00 is due payable to the instructor via Zelle 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.

Prerequisites: None

Compass cooks will enjoy a culinary tour of the world with Global Gourmet classes! Menus feature a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients seasoned and prepared to represent regional flavors and traditional dishes from the featured country. Recipes are selected to be nutritious, fun, and simple to make. The Compass chefs' gastronomy adventures will include:

-Socca, Zucchini, and Olives
-Roasted Carrot Soup
-Parisian Salad
-French Style Potato Salad
-Ratatouille
-Croque Monsieur
-Madeleines
-Crepes with Berry Sauce

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

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

Topics in this Series: Mexican (Quarter 1), Italian (Quarter 2), Japanese (Quarter 3), French (Quarter 4).

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites: None

Children are full of stories and bubbling over with big ideas! In this class, students will learn how to capture their creative vision into a simple story that they will write and illustrate. Two roads diverged in a wood, and our storytellers will create their own path. What happens when tricky travelers and cryptic characters meet secretive strangers on a winding woodland path?

Students will learn how to build a Story Arc through guided, weekly activities. They will discover the key elements to composing a story such as crafting characters, posing a problem, advancing the action, constructing the climax, and writing the resolution- through brainstorming questions like, "Who is in your story?", "Where does this take place?", "What does that look like?" and "What happened after ____?"

Emerging writers or readers are welcome and will receive support, if needed, to get their own words written down. Psst- don't tell your child, but this class helps lay the foundation in language arts for more advanced creative writing and composition.

Topics in this Series: Once Upon a...Secret Room (Quarter 1), Shipwreck (Quarter 2), Magic Kingdom (Quarter 3), Winding Path (Quarter 4)

Prerequisites: None

Students will delve into the world of crime scene investigators (CSIs) as seen each week on Cold Justice, Unsolved Mysteries, and the Forensic Files television series! Students will be introduced to the mystery of unsolved cases. The class will identify the roadblocks and pitfalls that prevented cases from being solved and justice being served. They will critique where forensic science failed or could have been used more effectively to close a case.

Second semester, students will walk through the timelines of cases in the criminal justice system, starting with the crimes, moving through the collections of evidence, forensic testing, taking the cases to trial, receiving the verdicts, and sentencing if found guilty. How does this process change when a case 'goes cold?' How long can evidence sit in storage? How long can a witness's memory last? How long can victims wait for justice?

The class will evaluate pairs of similar cases: one that was solved and one that remains unsolved. The class will take cues from the solved case, brainstorm, and formulate recommendations or different approaches that could be applied to the unsolved case using information they have learned about forensic investigation. Students will complete in-class forensic labs related to the cases they are examining.

This course is taught by a PhD candidate and professor of Criminology, Tayler Shreve. It is an introduction to criminology for teens who are interested in becoming practitioners or professionals in the vast criminal justice system or those who enjoy true crime books, blogs, or movies.

Rating/Advisory: For sensitive students, please note that in the examination of actual crimes, violence such as assault and murder will be discussed. References may be made to illicit substances and weapons used in the commission of crimes. Course content will be filtered to be age-appropriate for high school students in the instructor's judgement. For example, real crime scene photos may be shown with evidentiary details, but not victims or body parts. Students may read autopsy reports, but they will not be shown autopsy photos, and cases of rape will be referred to as sexual assault with no intimate de

Topics in this Series: Fundamentals of Forensic Science (Semester 1) and Cold Case Files (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester will receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

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

Assignments:

There are assignments both in and out of the classroom. Students have the ability to submit assignments based on their learning style(s): written assignments, presentations, spoken recordings (podcast, TedTalk, etc.).

Assessments: Students will receive feedback on all assignments. There are no exams in this course, however points will be assigned for completed assignments, participation, and attendance.

Textbook/Materials: Articles and case studies will be posted by the instructor as downloadable pdfs.

Lab/Supply Fee: A lab fee of $50.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. This teacher accepts payments via Zelle @ (941)224-9944

Non-Meeting Days: This is a 12-week class that will begin on 1/23 and have one additional day off to be announced.

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

Prerequisites: None

Anyone can learn to draw! A professional artist will teach kids how to draw a variety of projects by breaking down complex forms and figures into simple shapes and giving them dimensions through shading, shadow, and textures. Projects will focus on fantasy and fictional subjects which are a great choice to keep beginning artists from becoming frustrated when their work does not look "the real thing."

Fourth quarter, students will continue to develop their drawing skills with playful portraits and crazy caricatures. They will draw dramatic and droll faces with intentionally exaggerated features like enormous ears, hilarious hair, titanic teeth or a monstrous moustache. In drawing funny faces, students can practice drawing techniques without the pressure of trying to replicate real life. The class will learn to draw simple costumes and props around their character to convey setting without drawing elaborate landscapes, and they will learn how to express thoughts and conversation through dialogue bubbles.

This is not a "follow-the-leader" or copy/mimic art class, but rather a supportive environment where students are encouraged to create their own fantasy characters and scenarios. They will receive individual coaching and feedback to develop the characters that they dream up rather than trying to replicate well-known existing characters like DC, Marvel, Disney, or Looney Tunes. Young artists having fun playing off each other's ideas to draw outrageous imaginary characters and worlds. The instructor will often use prompts to get the ideas flowing and to encourage collaboration. The instructor has a class rule that illustrations must be rated "G" with no violence (guns, knives, blood/gore) and will often suggest alternatives such as battle with unexpected objects like baguettes or bananas!

Students' practice illustrations and draft renderings will be drawn with regular #2 pencil in sketchbooks, but they are welcome to add color to their work with colored pencils or markers, if desired. There is a $15.00 material fee payable to the instructor on the first day for a sketchbook and shared classroom art supplies. Topics in this Series include: Comic Art and Characters (Quarter 1); Comics with a Cast of Characters (Quarter 2), Fantastical Figures (Quarter 3), and Playful Portraits (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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).

Prerequisites: None

In this introductory high school English workshop, students will be introduced to the concepts of literary genres and analytical writing. Each quarter, the class will examine one select work or genre. Students will learn to recognize figurative language, tone, subtext and diction, identify symbolism and imagery, and develop an awareness of narrative perspective and of the social-historical contexts in which these works were created.

Fourth quarter will feature a the Epic tale featuring Robert Fagle's translation of Homer's Odyssey.

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.

Topics in this Series: The Novel (Quarter 1), Poetry (Quarter 2), The Play (Quarter 3), and The Epic (Quarter 4). Students who continue from one quarter to the next will receive priority registration.

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 1-2 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 $13.00 is due payable to Compass on the first day of class for the select novel.

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.)

Prerequisites: None

Students will learn how to think like electrical engineers as they learn about conductors, batteries, and circuits to understand how electricity powers the things they use every day.

Continue to explore electrical engineering! The class will begin with a brief introduction to Snap Circuits using lights, fan motors, and sound speakers. Next, the class will be introduced to a variety of detectors that we will build into alarms. Students will configure a momentary alarm, pencil alarm, water alarm, and an intruder alarm. On the final day of class, each student will design, build, and share their own, unique alarm project.

Topics in this Series: Battery Blast (Quarter 1); Cool Conductors (Quarter 2); Simple Circuits (Quarter 3); and Super Circuits (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Prerequisites: None

Fencing is the clashing of steel and competitive spirit combined with the battle of the wits. Apply the rules of Olympic fencing, and you have a physically and mentally challenging game of strategy, often called, "physical chess."

In Beginning Fencing, students will learn the rules of the sport as well as footwork, attacks, parries, responses, and how to judge matches. Beginning students will use the epee, a thin, lightweight sword with broad hand guard and will wear a wireless electronic scoring sensor over layers of protective gear. Returning students will work with both the epee and foil.

The physical benefits of fencing are an increase in agility, balance and coordination. Fencing also provides mental benefits such as improved focus, strategy and confidence. Fencing is safety-oriented with blunt tip weapons, chest protectors, chest/sleeve pads, fencing jacket, gloves, and face mask.

Students may enroll any quarter. All equipment is provided by the instructor. Students are asked to wear full length, comfortable athletic pants such as running pants or sweatpants (no jeans, no shorts, no dresses or skirts), and low-heeled athletic shoes.

Prerequisites: None

Bonjour! French for Fun is a play-based, language immersion class for young students. Much like learning their native language, children will be exposed to French sounds, vocabulary, and phrases through songs, games, stories, interactive and hands-on activities. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students in the first few weeks. French language instruction will be presented in a natural learning sequence beginning with themes such as colors, numbers, clothing, foods, animals, family members, days/dates, parts of the house, common objects, body parts, etc. Greetings and simple phrases will be woven into each class. Students will learn numbers, the alphabet, and specific sounds of French pronunciation. Writing, spelling, and grammar will not be emphasized in this class. The goal of this introductory course is to lay foundations in sounds, vocabulary, and simple phrases while having fun and building confidence in a foreign language. Fluency should not be expected at this level. Students may join French for Fun during any quarter.

Prerequisites: None

Salut! French with Friends is an introductory French class for elementary-aged students. The class will be taught in a predominantly immersion environment. Limited cues in English will be used to prompt students or explain difficult concepts. French language instruction will be presented in a natural learning sequence beginning with nouns (such as colors, numbers, clothing, foods, animals, family members, days/dates, etc), adjectives, beginning verbs, greetings, and simple phrases. Songs, games, stories, and hands-on activities will be used in class to review vocabulary and phrases. Emphasis will be on conversation, but students will be encouraged to learn to spell and sound out written French. Aspects of Francophone culture such as holidays, foods, and traditions will be incorporated in the classes.

Each quarter introduces new themes and new vocabulary in French, so continuing students 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. Fluency should not be expected at this level.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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!

Prerequisites: None

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!

Prerequisites: None

Why does Virginia have a one-term limit for its governors and why do we vote in odd years? What is the difference between a mayor, a supervisor, or a councilman? What is a delegate and an attorney general? Who are all of these people and how is the state of Virginia organized? Get to know your state and local government!

Using an inquiry-based approach, middle school students will be given leading questions to investigate our state and local government. Discover what are the powers of the state government and what is left up to counties, cities, and towns. Find out who we vote for and who is elected. Discover how responsibilities are divided up among the state government and the localities. Who makes laws about driving, voting, education, and who is in charge of roads? Students will identify a state or local issue of importance to them and write a letter to the proper authority as they learn about how a proposal becomes a bill and eventually a law in the Commonwealth.

Prerequisites: None

You've dreamed about going to Hogwarts, and now is your chance to experience a year of magical classes! In this maker class, students will create projects inspired by their core classes at Hogwarts (Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration) and a Hogwarts guest professor. Students learn to work with a variety of materials and learn a broad range of crafting skills such as hand-sewing, painting, papercrafting (including precision cutting, folding, and stenciling) sculpting, and wireworking to create magical pieces inspired by the World of Harry Potter.

Welcome to the fourth term at Hogwarts! This term will focus on flying, as we welcome Madam Hooch who will have you make your own broom, and Hagrid who will guide you as you create and conquer your textbook The Monster Book of Monsters. Of course, you'll also make crafts related to your core classes, including a Wingardium Leviosa levitation illusion (Charms), Drinkable Potions (Potions), and more!

This is a great class for Harry Potter fans who love the magical world, even for those who have not read all of the books or watched all of the movies. Projects and class discussions are geared to not reveal significant series spoilers. Note: A few classes may include a Harry Potter-inspired food creation or personal care product. The ingredients will be identified in advance, and students with food or ingredient allergies or dietary restrictions will need to check before handling/consuming. Substitute ingredients cannot be provided for those with food allergies or restrictions. Note: Project themes or materials are subject to change due to availability or sourcing at the time of the class.

Topics in this Series: Guest Prof. Dumbledore (Quarter 1); Guest Prof. Sprout (Quarter 2); Guest Profs. Snape & Slughorn (Quarter 3), and Guest Profs. Hagrid & Hooch (Quarter 4).

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $40.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

What to Bring: Students should bring good scissors for cutting paper/fabric, a ruler, and a low temp, mini hot glue gun to class each week.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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).

Prerequisites: None

Kids can learn some basics of biochemistry when they can touch it and test it! Kids will delve into the structure and function of nucleic acids. They will use 3D modeling kits to construct DNA and RNA. Students will understand the higher, ordered structure of DNA into chromosomes. They will touch on mendelian genetics and inheritance and apply their knowledge as 'Dragon Breeders' during a lab exercise. Kids will explore the mechanics of gene expression through transcription and translation using manipulatives. Finally, students will extract DNA from samples of their choosing and conclude with discussions of tissue-specific gene expression and transgenics.

Topics in this Series: Kids' Chemistry Lab: Atoms & Molecules (Quarter 1); Kids' Chemistry Lab: Properties of Matter (Quarter 2); Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Manipulating Molecules (Quarter 3); and Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Discovering DNA (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $25.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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

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

Fourth quarter, students will have the chance to earn a Green Stripe. Featured moves include: cover defense and wrist locks (red stripe); straight punch defense and bear hugs (orange stripe); head movement defense and front 2-handed choke (yellow stripe); round kick defense and back 2-handed choke (green stripe); front kick defense and guillotine choke (blue stripe); clinch defense and rear choke (purple stripe); ground striking defense and head lock defense (brown stripe); and 360 defense and full Nelson (black stripe).

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

Topics in this Series: Red Stripe (1st Quarter), Orange Stripe (2nd Quarter), Yellow Stripe (3rd Quarter) and Green Stripe (4th Quarter).

Assessments: Belt testing for promotion will be by coach recommendation, but on average will take 4 quarters.

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

What to Bring: Refillable water bottle.

What to Wear: Participants should wear their belt along with shorts, leggings, or loose, comfortable athletic pants, and comfortable athletic shoes or sneakers.

Prerequisites: None

Chewy, chunky, crispy, or crunchy- kids love cookies! Join us for a one-day, 3-hour Cookie Academy where bakers will craft 4-5 kinds of cookies: Strawberry Cherry Poms, Chocolate Shortbread Cookies, Red Velvet Spritz, Raspberry Coconut Balls, and/or Cherry Chip Cookies. Students will leave with a tray of 3-4 dozen cookies ready to share with their Valentines and the recipes to repeat the cookies at home. See the Compass Cooking Class webpage for more FAQs about our cooking classes. There is a supply fee of $30.00 due to the instructor at the start of the workshop.

Prerequisites: None

Questions and more questions! We will be creating our own surveys and deciding the best ways to display our data. Maybe you want to quantify the types of extra curricular activities of Compass students, or maybe you'd like to find out the average bedtime of students of different age groups. Are you into sports? Let's talk about baseball stats and measures of center! We will even learn how to use statistics to support an argument. Students will formulate questions and conduct investigations, learn about gathering data, represent data in a variety of tables, charts, graphs, and plots, and analyze and interpret data by making inferences, observing trends, drawing conclusions and making predictions. Students will practice problem solving skills, reasoning and basic math in this class.

Topics in this Series: Measurement Madness (Quarter 1); Fun with Fractions (Quarter 2); Geometry Games (Quarter 3); and Simple Statistics (Quarter 4)

Prerequisites: None

You might have gone through high school using beginner-level Google tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, but to prepare for college and career, it might be time to learn Microsoft Office 365. While Google Workspace applications are generally liked for their ease of collaboration and cloud-based accessibility, Microsoft Office 365 tools are preferred in many majors and industries for their advanced features, refinement, and computing power. Any high school student who plans to pursue a college major in business, science, engineering, or other data-driven field should learn Microsoft Office, and anyone wishing to enter the job market or enhance their resume with recognized credentials as a Certified Microsoft Office Specialist should take this class. Furthermore, any student bound for college or the work world who is not proficient in these computer applications can take this class to catch up on 21st century skills.

Second semester, students will work through official Microsoft study materials to become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in Excel. Working in Excel will help as student create and manage worksheets and workbooks that can become professional-looking budgets, financial statements, sales invoices, data logs, and performance charts. Specific skills covered in the Excel Associate curriculum include: creating cells and ranges; creating tables; applying formulas and functions; creating charts and objects; creating and editing a workbook with multiple sheets; and using a graphic element to represent data visually.

An additional benefit of this course may be earned college credit. The American Council on Education (ACE) has recommended that MOS certifications in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint be considered as computer application in higher education institutions. 1800 accredited ACE-member, degree-granting colleges, universities, and other education-related organizations may award college credit to students who earned these certifications.

Prerequisite: Basic keyboarding skills.

Levels: Students who take this course on-level can earn MOS certifications. Students who take both semesters of this course will additionally qualify as a Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate level for earning at least three certifications. Students who wish to pursue a more rigorous curriculum and designate this as an "honors" level course on their transcript can self-study for the Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert level which requires two additional exams passed at the Expert level (and additional testing fees of $200.)

Equipment: Students should bring a laptop to class which has a local copy of Microsoft Office 2019 installed or a current subscription and access to Microsoft Office 365.

Course Materials: Students will work from the official Microsoft Office Specialist study guides that will be provided in class and is included in the course tuition

Assessment: Students will take computer-based exams for each application: The MO-110: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)and the MO-310: Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps) first semester and the MO-210: Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps) second semester.

Testing Fees: A fee of $100 per exam is required to take the Microsoft Office Specialist exams.

Non-Meeting Days: In addition to the scheduled days-off on the published Compass schedule, this class will begin on Friday 1/23, with one other day off with the actual dates to be announced.

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

Prerequisites: None

In the style of "High School Musical" or a glee club, Middle School Musical is for tween singers who want to have fun taking their vocal performance to the next level. This class will focus on choral arrangements of contemporary pieces with 2- and 3- part harmonies. Singers will be expected to memorize pieces and participate in a showcase for parents at the end of the quarter.

This quarter, the ensemble's musical selections will come from "The Sound of Music", a 1960s silver screen mega-hit about a former nun who brings love, music, and hope to a widowed naval captain and his seven children in Austria. Students will work on other music as solos, duets, or small group numbers such as, "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Edelweiss", "So Long, Farewell", and others

This class includes instruction on vocal development and performance such as posture, breathing, intonation, and the principles of blending vocal harmonies. Basic musical notation will be introduced as well as melodic and harmonic intervals.

Topics in this series include: Glee (Quarter 1), Wicked (Quarter 2), Footloose (Quarter 3), and the Sound of Music (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

Discover Attila the Hun's rampages through the declining 5th century Roman empire, particularly his conquests against the Eastern Roman Empire, where he captured hundreds of towns and cities and earned the nickname, "The Scourge of God." Attila led a horde of Nomads on horseback and introduced siege equipment, allowing them to do what even Hannibal could not do- take Roman cities!

Students will engage in a hands-on 3D battle strategy game using the military dioramas that they make! 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 battlefield. Students will spend the remainder of the quarter learning about the tactics and outcomes of this conquest while playing a table-top strategy game. Student strategists will use a simplified version of the Fire and Fury historical war gaming rule system for moving troops and equipment. Along with their classmates, students will see how this battle progressed and test different outcome scenarios that might have occurred with different battlefield choices. 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: Alexander the Great (Quarter 1); Hannibal (Quarter 2); Julius Caesar in Britain (Quarter 3); and Attila the Hun (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

Music Makers explores many facets of the musical experience- singing, moving, dancing, listening, and playing instruments. The class will explore musical stories, famous composers, and different genres of music while playing a variety of percussion instruments (drums, sticks, triangles, woodblocks and more!). Students will learn to play a beginning pitched instrument on glockenspiels (a small barred instrument like the xylophone). Using an Orff-based approach, students will learn to read and write beginning musical notation and learn musical terminology all in the context of fun and play. Music Makers classes provide a fun, pressure-free environment to experience music and movement with the goal of general musicianship and excellent preparation for further, individual instrument lessons if desired. Music Makers helps every child acquire the essential building blocks for a future of musical learning! Students may join Music Makers at any quarter, and they may return again and again since new music, themes, and skills are constantly introduced.

Prerequisites: None

Does your child learn best by hands-on activities, crafts, games, and stories? Number Ninjas is based on the belief that children need to work with mathematics in a concrete, physical, and tangible way in order to learn fundamental concepts. Young students will love learning numerical concepts in this interactive, exploration-based class where work with numbers feels like a game.

Fourth quarter, students will look to nature for mathematical patterns and shapes. The class will examine: radial patterns such as those found in flowers, sea stars, and snowflakes; tessellations (repeating patterns) such as in a bee honeycomb, crystals, or a snakeskin; concentric tree rings, fractals (branching) of ferns, trees, lightning, root systems, and river deltas; symmetry in leaves, flowers, butterflies; and the Fibonacci sequence (spirals) in sunflowers and snail shells. Through a variety of hands-on projects, students will draw or create forms and patterns to replicate and remember the mathematical phenomena found in nature.

This class covers many of the 1st and 2nd grade Standards of Learning for math. Weekly update e-mails to parents will include suggestions for practice at home and extension activities.

Topics in the Series: Patterns & Properties (Quarter 1), Money Math (Quarter 2), Learning Logic (Quarter 3), and Math in Nature (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

Learn history and geography through hands-on, interactive play rather than by studying flat, dull maps! Many great games feature play on map-based boards that can be used as teaching tools. Visual and kinesthetic learners will remember where Mongolia and Madagascar are when they have amassed miniature armies there! The instructor will use board games from his personal collection as teaching tools. In addition, he creates custom boards to use with modified game rules and playing pieces.

Fourth quarter, students will learn about the vast Medieval world through a collection of games. The class will learn about the Anglo-Saxon region through the game Britannia, a Viking game, and Medieval Risk.The game continues week-to-week with students reviewing the geography as they set the game back up. For each era and conflict, students learn which countries were engaged and where they were located, capitals and key cities, shared borders and boundaries, and prominent geographic features and waterways. They gain an understanding of why countries were at war and how those events influenced history and the modern map.

There is a $15.00 supply fee due to the instructor on the first day of class for custom-printed maps and shared class materials. Topics in this Series include: Ancient Civilizations/ Bronze Age (1st Quarter); Ancient Greece (2nd Quarter); Ancient Rome (3rd Quarter); and Medieval Times (4th Quarter).

Prerequisites: None

Reading Rangers is a supplemental reading class for beginning readers. The class is whole language inspired with phonics and decoding games, partner reading, and vocabulary lists for home. The group will explore habits of curious readers through the examination of renowned children's picture story books from authors such as Leo Lionni, Robert McCloskey, Eric Carle, AA Milne, Michael Bond, Janell Cannon, Mem Fox, Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, and others. Other books will also be selected based on the interests and level of the enrolled children. The class will discuss characters, setting, sequence of events, and predict outcomes. Children may repeat this class each quarter as new books will be introduced each session, and stories will not be repeated.

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

Reading/Skills Readiness: Students should be able to read Level 1 books such as Frog & Toad and Little Bear. (In other words, students in this group should have progressed beyond Bob-type books.) Students should be able to read the following sight words: all, am, are, at, ate, be, black, brown, but, came, day, did, do, eat, four, get, go, good, have, he, in, into, is, like, must, new, no, now, on, our, out, please, pretty, ran, ride, saw, say, she, so, soon, that, the, there, they, this, to, too, under, want, was, well, went, what, white, who, will, with, yes.

Prerequisites: None

Design, build, and program a robot to move a ball down a field. Students will design, build, and program robots to compete in two-on-two soccer matches against each other. Can it capture the ball from another robot? Each week, students will improve their robots though the addition of new sensors and components and will program their robots for match-ups with other students.

Students will use the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 robotics sets. They will build with motors, wheels/axles, gears, levers, and special components. Students will have to install touch, sound, color, 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 EV3 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)

Prerequisites: None

Step into a world of imagination, strategy, and storytelling! In this club, teens will work together to create characters, explore fantasy worlds, and go on epic adventures using the popular tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. Through creative problem-solving, teamwork, and storytelling, members will learn the basics of the game while building friendships and having fun. No experience is needed-just a sense of adventure! All games and scenarios will be moderated and facilitated by an experienced Compass instructor and Dungeon Master.

Prerequisites: None

RunFit Kidz is a fun, non-competitive co-ed program for mixed age students of all fitness levels. The program is designed to introduce a passion for fitness and running in a supportive group environment with emphasis on the proper mechanics of running, nutrition/hydration, pacing, and personal goal-setting. Each class session will include dynamic warm-ups, strength training, running technique activities and drills, cool-down stretching, and plenty of games, such as relays. The program is designed to help emerging runners build incremental endurance over 8 weeks, and the group's accomplishments are celebrated with a 5K (3 mile) celebration fun run/walk. For more details on the program, see the Compass webpage.

Prerequisites: None

Science Kids is a lab-based science sampler program where our youngest scientists will be exposed to the concepts, acquire scientific vocabulary, and learn hands-on skills to needed to be comfortable with more advanced science classes as they get older. Your first or second grader will come home with an understanding of concepts like phases of matter, melting point, buoyancy, and life cycles. Most importantly, young students will gain confidence discussing science concepts and working with science equipment. Labs will teach students how to use a thermometer, take linear measurements, weigh items on a scale, peer into a microscope, record elapsed time, and make scientific sketches, for example.

Each quarter will reinforce principles and lab skills around a central, unifying theme. Earth and Space Science will introduce geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy concepts. Students will complete labs such as making a model of the layers of the earth and creating an erupting volcano. They will test weather lessons with experiments using air pressure and making mini-tornados. Kids will also understand ocean currents and density through a hands-on projects with salt water.

A lab fee of $20.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Topics in this Series: Living World (Quarter 1), Physics Fun (Quarter 2), Chemistry Sampler (Quarter 3), and Earth/Space (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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).

Prerequisites: None

Kids will learn the basics of hand sewing and discover it is "sew fun" to create items that can play with and use every day. Fourth quarter, Sew Fun students will get ready to go with fun travel accessories that they make for themselves: a coloring utensil case, a tote bag, a notebook cover, and a fabric travel tic-tac-toe game out of felt, fleece, and vinyl materials.

Kids will learn practical sewing skills such as pinning and placement, a running stitch, attaching a button, scissor skills, stuffing, and working with simple patterns. The group will be working with both pre-cut felt and fabric components and uncut fabric that they will cut, stitch, finish and personalize with buttons and embellishments.

Since students may work at different rates, some projects may not be completed in class and will be sent home to finish sewing with the newly learned skills. Students should be at age/grade level for fine motor skills for this class. A material fee of $40.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Note: Project themes or materials are subject to change due to availability or sourcing at the time of the class.

Topics in this series include: Build-A-Bear (Quarter 1), Cozy Quilts (Quarter 2), Good Night, Sleep Tight (Quarter 3), and On-the-Go (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

In this joyful, play-based class designed for preschoolers ages 3 - 5, children will explore the building blocks of reading through fun and engaging phonological awareness activities. Using research-backed strategies inspired by the work of David Kilpatrick and the Zgonc Phonological Awareness Skills Program (Z-PASP), this course will help children develop key pre-reading skills through movement, music, rhythm, and interactive games.

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

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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!

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites: None

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites: None

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.

Prerequisites: None

Teen weight training is an introduction to strength training in a small group class under the guidance of a seasoned, experienced coach. The primary lifts covered in class will be: back squat, bench press, deadlift, and strict press which are all compound moves that employ multiple muscle groups. These lifts are also "functional" meaning they engage the core and train muscles to work cooperatively in daily activities such as picking up a box or hoisting a parcel to a high shelf. Emphasis will be on correct form, posture, and safety.
The color name in the class title refers to the collectable token students will earn each quarter they take the class. Collect all 8! Teens may enroll in Weight Training at any time, regardless of the color name. No one color is a prerequisite for any other color, and tokens can be earned in any order.
All equipment is furnished. Students are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing, such as running pants or sweatpants, and comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. Teen Weight Training continues each quarter, and students may repeat the class to continue to improve strength.

Prerequisites: None

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

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

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

Prerequisites: None

Curious coins, baffling balls, confounding cards, and puzzling papers! Students will learn tricks of the trade from a professional magician using the Discover Magic curriculum! This class will present tricks from the Discover Magic curriculum.

Each week, kids will learn how to perform a unique magic trick, and students will practice and perfect the illusion in class so they can come home and mystify their friends and family. Students will unlock the secrets to eight special magic tricks to earn the top honor of a black wand. For each trick, students will receive a custom magic prop and full color instructions, and at the end of each class, every magician will take home a Top Secret file folder with additional tricks they can practice. Student magicians will be given a secret password each week to gain access to an additional magic trick on the Discover Magic website (parents will need to work the magic to set up the child's online account.) Along with the actual magic, students will discuss a life skill each week that is essential to a good magician (and student) such as public speaking, presentation skills, practicing, being prepared, and reading your audience. Magicians who complete the class will receive a certificate and magic wand.

Topics in this Series: Groovy Green Wand (Quarter 1), Baffling Blue Wand (Quarter 2); Perplxing Purple Wand (Quarter 3) and Bewildering Black Wand (Quarter 4)

Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $50.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Prerequisites: None

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.)

Prerequisites: None

Exploring a deserted island, arriving in a magical world, evading pirates, and time travel. Great childhood adventures come from reading and dreaming about some classic works. But have you wondered how the story would transform if you changed key elements and penned a new ending? In this class, students will read and evaluate sample chapters from Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jules Verne, Sir Walter Scott, Lewis Carroll, and Madeleine L'Engle. They will learn how to summarize chapters and identify the elements of the story. With an emphasis on creativity and imagination, the tween writers will first study six picture books by favorites Jane Yolen, Margaret Wise Brown, Eric Carle, E.B White, Roald Dahl, and Kenneth Grahame. They will write new endings to these classical children's stories. Students will also select a classic work from a list provided by the instructor. They will read the text and write a new ending to the classic tale. Students can even adapt a classic to a graphic novel-style ending. To develop a sense of audience, students will work on ending ideas, review drafts and in-progress writing with their peers and incorporate peer feedback as they develop their original endings. An anthology of new endings to classics will be published at the end of the quarter.

The Writers Workshop gives middle school students in grades 6-7 the skills they need for writing, reading, listening, and speaking that come from practicing by putting pen to paper. In class, students will share drafts and in-progress works to receive peer feedback and promote revising and editing skills. Each quarter, students will review samples of literature and write about popular themes using the story elements of that theme.

Imagination and creativity come easily to most young writers, but acquiring technical skills is also important. Each quarter, students will focus on specific skills in addition to specific genres as part of their "Writer's Tool Kit." These skills include: grammar basis such as parts and kinds of sentences, plurals, possessives, punctuation; learning how to use a dictionary and a thesaurus; and advanced middle/high school skills like summarizing, outlining, note taking, writing a book report, or citing sources.

Homework: Students are expected to write in a journal for a minimum of four minutes per day and respond to prompts that are sent home on an assignment bookmark. They will also be asked to read short assignments such as a chapter or excerpt in preparation for class discussions.

Topics in this Series: Creating Children's Books (Quarter 1); Time Travel- Fantasy & Science Fiction (Quarter 2); Time Travel- Historical Fiction (Quarter 3); and Reading Classics, Writing New Endings (Quarter 4).

Prerequisites: None

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

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

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

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

The class instructor is a design engineer with 3D Herndon and expert in 3D technologies and other areas of design and invention. A typical class will be structured with 5-10 minutes of lecture or demonstration of a new design skill, followed by 40 minutes of design "studio" time where students can receive trouble-shooting support and design tips from the instructor and have dedicated work time, and 5-10 minutes of sharing time at the end of class. As a studio class, students will work on individual projects at their own pace.

Topics in this Series: As an open studio for individual projects, students may continue from one semester to the next or enroll mid-year. Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester.

*This class will begin 1/19 and meet on 3/9*

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

Prerequisites: None