Compass Homeschool Program

Homeschool Ballet classes are off to a great start this quarter! Ballet Fun (PK-2nd grade) meets at 10:00 am, and Ballet Foundations (3rd-8th grade) meets at 11:00 am, both on Wednesdays. Spaces are available in both classes (contact Compass for late enrollment and prorated fees.) If your child is unsure, purchase a one-day trial pass on the Activity Fees webpage: https://www.compassclasses.com/activity-fees/ Compass Homeschool Ballet classes meet a few doors down at Alchemy Ballet school under the leadership of another homeschool family!

Culinary Foundations, our advanced high school cooking class, made Stuffed Flank Steak today. It was filled with green onions, roasted red peppers, baby spinach and Gorgonzola. It was scrumptious!

It's almost time for the annual Compass spelling bees! the Junior Spelling Bee (ages 5-8) will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and the Senior Spelling Bee (ages 9-15) will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Register for both bees here: https://www.compassclasses.com/activity-fees/.

Save the date! Compass's annual Valentines Exchange will take place February 8-14. Participating children will drop off decorated “mailboxes” and collect Valentine's cards, candies, and more from other students. Look for a registration link soon!

There's still time! Compass classes start this week, and last-minute, same-day, walk-in, and late registrations are still accepted, so sign up now! Register for everything from cooking to calculus and acting to astronomy here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

Play with broken glass! Students in grades 6 and up will learn to create mosaics in this studio-style class. Create unique compositions and work at your own pace under the guidance of an experienced mosaic artist, learning design, cutting, layout, and finishing techniques. The class meets on Mondays OR Fridays at 2:00 pm starting on January 16 and 20. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

Homeschool Ballet begins this week! Beginning dancers will build their skills in musicality, balance, flexibility, and coordination as they learn to dance as a group. Students will develop their core, leg, and arm strength while learning fundamental ballet skills like 1st-6th positions, marching and skipping, demi plié, and many others. The class meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 am and 11:00 am starting on January 18. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

Get outside with Nature Quest at Compass! Learn to find and identify animal tracks, burrows and nests, edible plants and more with an experienced naturalist. Nature Quest is the perfect chance for kids to get exercise and fresh air while parents stay warm. The class meets on Tuesdays OR Wednesdays at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, or 2:00 pm starting on January 17 and 18. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

An all-new section of Cooking for Kids & Tweens is now open! Chefs in grades 4-8 will make caprese tarts, spinach pear salad, potato soup, and more. Every week, students will prepare, cook, and eat a delicious dish while learning about sanitation, knife skills, measuring, and other kitchen skills. The class meets on Thursdays at 10:00 am starting on January 19. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9468.

NEW! Cooking for Kids/Tweens class on Thursdays at 10:00 am. Compass cooking classes were completely full for winter so we opened one more section to accommodate more homeschool chefs. Cooking for Kids/Tweens is for students in 4th-8th grade. The class begins this week on Thursday, January 19. Grab a friend- we need 4 students to run the class. Register here: https://www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9468

Kindergarten cooks can make baked potato soup, stuffed peppers, lemon cake, and more at Compass's Kinder Kitchen! Young chefs eat what they make each week while learning about healthy ingredients, safety, sanitation, measuring, and other kitchen skills. Compass's youngest cooks make the same meals as all other classes, but some steps may be simplified or foods pre-cut. The class meets on Mondays at 1:00 pm starting on January 16. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

Compass Classes begin this week! It is not too late to join us for winter classes. New families are welcome. Compass has dozens of classes for PreK-12th grade in science, robotics, coding, math, Nature Quest, writing, reading, literature, history, French, Spanish, music, art, dance, swimming, cooking, chess, and more. Search online for available classes: www.compassclasses.com/registration/ and check out our latest News & Announcements for upcoming clubs, competitions, and special programs. https://www.compassclasses.com/compass-news-announcements-week-of-january-16-20/

Teen Game Night returns this Friday! Compass students ages 13+ are invited to play games and get to know other Compass teens. Teen Game Night is held every Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 starting January 20.

What happens when a dozen, glowing hot soldering irons are used at once? Students learn to solder electronics components! In "Electronics & Engineering: Advanced Aircraft & Drones", students will wire, solder, and build a drone and a hovercraft as they learn about the mechanics of advanced aircraft. Register now- class begins January 17. www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9256.

The cities of Kinshasa and Brazzaville lie along the Congo river on which continent? To take a rainforest tour and to dance at Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival celebration, you would travel to which South American country? Discover the answers to these questions and test your knowledge at the annual Greater Fairfax Homeschool Geography Bee! The bee is open to homeschoolers in grades 4-8 and will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm. Register for the bee here: www.compassclasses.com/activity-fees/.

If the mention of "SAT" or "ACT" strikes fear in your heart, you may need test-taking strategies. While most colleges were "test optional" during the pandemic, many universities are starting to ask for SAT and ACT scores again, and these are especially important for homeschoolers. Learn to tackle the tests, decode the questions, and boost your scores in "Ace the SAT and ACT", a 16-week Compass class that begins on Monday, January 16 at 11:00 am. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=4472.

Get "Reading Ready!" this winter! Students in grades 2-4 build fundamental reading skills by working with a reading specialist to support your work at home or for a complete language arts curriculum. Reading groups meeting on Monday afternoons starting Jan 16. Register for this class here: https://www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9458.

Send kids outdoors in the winter with Nature Quest! With leaves off the trees, winter is the perfect time to explore the woods with an experienced naturalist to look for tracks and nests, identify plants, and more. Parents can stay warm while kids from grades K-6 get air and exercise! The class meets on Tuesdays OR Wednesdays at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, or 2:00 pm starting on January 17 and 18. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

Go Girl! LEGO Engineering is a class for girls in grades K-2 to get comfortable with building and engineering. They will use everyone's favorite building toy- LEGO bricks- to explore nautical constructions like an airboat, a catamaran, a ferry, and a lighthouse, along with concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture. The class meets on Thursdays at 1:30 pm starting on January 19. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=8215.

Do you know a dramatic teen? This winter, teens can explore their dramatic flair in and unleash their creativity at Compass. Check out "Director's Chair: Phantom of the Opera", "Tweens Acting Out: No Exit Escape Room", "Teen Scene: It's Not What it Seems" or "Crafting for Cosplay: Leather Work." Register for these classes here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=8341.

Homeschool Swim Lessons. Join Compass at the Reston YMCA for small group swim lessons at the beginner, advanced beginner, and intermediate levels for Pre-K through 6th grade on Tuesday OR Thursday mornings starting January 17 and 19. Register for swimming here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration.

From Broadway to the runway, students in Fashion: Fiction, Fantasy, and Future will examine the fashion from film, television, theater, and how these inspire haute couture. Aspiring designers will try their hand at fashion forecasting to predict what might be coming to runways and retail. For grades 9-12 on Mondays starting January 16. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=8341.

Beginner 'Bots is Compass's intro robot class for kids in grades 2-3. Students will construct and program mechanized "Perfect Pet" robot projects like a cat, mouse, dog, bird, and bunny. Class meets at 10:00 am on Wednesdays starting Jan 18. Register Beginner 'Bots here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/

Follow in the footsteps of Andrew Lloyd Weber to bring the Broadway classic, Phantom of the Opera, to life. Students in "Director's Chair" will analyze a script, explore the roles of the production team, and make the decisions of a director as they imagine their own lighting, sets, props, and costuming. For grades 9-12 on Fridays at 11:00 am starting on January 20. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=8352

Use everyone’s favorite building toy- LEGO bricks- to create winter-inspired constructions like a bobsled course, snowplows, a Polar Express train, and gondola ski lifts! Students will explore concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture in Junior Engineering with LEGO. For grades K-2 on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm starting on January 17 OR on Wednesdays at 10:00 am starting on January 18. Register for this class here: www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/

Happy New Year! For many, that means time to reflect, reassess, and reinvigorate their homeschool plan. For others, it is time to start homeschooling after a fall semester flop. Consider coming to Compass this winter to continue- or begin- your homeschool adventure.

Registration is still open for 150+ in-person, small-group classes that begin the week of January 16. All classes are a-la-carte. See our website for all class options. Compass also offers individual instruction, clubs, academic contests, social events, and special programs for homeschoolers.

Rise of the machines! The robots were taking shape and being tested in Robot Fab Lab. Students in 5th-6th grade build, test, program, and tweak their robots for specific challenges. Starting in January, students will build "Mars Rovers." There are spaces available in the Wednesday 2:00 pm Robot Fab Lab: Mars Rover class. https://www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=8209

We had lots of snow at Compass....snowy landscape scenes that is. Check out the gorgeous winter artwork from Mrs. Wright-Cobb's art classes. Join her "Colorful Canvas" class in January for work with acrylic painting. Colorful Canvas meets on Thursdays starting January 19, at 12:00 pm for Kids in 3rd-5th grade and 1:00 pm for Tweens in 6th-8th grade.

Warm-ups for 3 of last week's end-of-quarter plays: Meet the adorable casts from Young Actor's Playhouse- Tuesday and Thursday shows- and Kids' Theater. The groups developed their own characters and stories for "Candy Craze", "Mystery After Midnight", and "Outback Odyssey" adventures. Compass needs a few more actors for winter acting classes featuring "Safari Surprise" (for 1st & 2nd), "No Exit Escape Room" (for tweens), and "It's Not What It Seems" (for high school).

Compass will open as scheduled today on Thursday, December 15. All forecasts show that the temperatures are projected to be 34 degrees and rising by the time our classes begin at 10:00 am. Compass families commute from a wide geographic region and are encouraged to consider the conditions in their own neighborhoods when deciding whether or not to drive to Compass in inclement weather. We do hope to see everyone for our final Thursday of 2022.

Additional reminders for December 15: The early registration discount for winter classes ends this evening, and today is the last day to register for the March Math Kangaroo competition.

Lots of creative construction and camaraderie! Join us for more LEGO construction this winter with 3 class options for kids in K-2nd grade. Compass has two sections of "Junior Engineer with LEGO: Winter Wonderland" where students will build a bobsled course, snow plows, snow mobiles, a Polar Express train, gondola ski lifts. Also, "Go Girl! Engineering: Nautical Novelties" where girls will tackle marine engineering projects such as an airboat, catamaran, ferry, and lighthouse.

Why read about key military battles if you can act them out in 3D with historical miniature gaming? These students were learning about Operation Overlord and the liberation of France in WWII in Compass’s 3D history class. Join us for ‘Operation Downfall’ for the final battles of the Pacific Theater 2nd semester. Class sections on Monday or Friday for 8th-12th grade.

Yum! Kids of all ages created delicious treats this weekend in our annual Chocolate Crafters and Deck-the-House Gingerbread workshops. Watch for more sweets workshops around Valentine's Day!

It's official! You can now take Metro to Compass. The Herndon station on the new Silver Line will is just 3/8 mile (2000 feet) from our front door. Our friends in DC, Maryland, Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield, and beyond have a new option to get here. Compass adventurer Micaiah checked out the station first hand today and reported back that it is ready for Compass riders.

Compass News & Announcements: Week of Nov. 28-Dec. 2

Compass News & Announcements for the week:

Compass News & Announcements: Week of Nov. 28-Dec. 2 Welcome back to the second half of second quarter! Winter is around the corner, but there are still many things taking place at Compass: (1) Registration for 3rd quarter (second semester) classes is ongoing. The 10% early registration discount ends on December 15. (2) Chocolate Crafters: Calling ...

CHOCOLATE CRAFTERS WORKSHOPS: Calling all chocoholics! 3-hour, one-day workshops, this Saturday, December 3. Tweens and teens will learn to make molded and foil-wrapped chocolates, Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels, Chocolate Turtles, Rocky Road and learn how to make candy clay that can be sculpted into any shape. All candies made in class will be sent home, wrapped and bagged and ready for gift-giving. Tweens: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; Teens: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Register HERE:
Tweens: https://www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9248
Teens: https://www.compassclasses.com/event-registration/?ee=9249

Good morning from Compass! This is the actual sunrise at Compass in Herndon this morning. Glad to be back and looking forward to seeing everyone.