Dear Compass Community,

Scholars thrive when they have a Growth Mindset.

“A growth mindset, proposed by Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, describes people who believe that their success depends on time and effort. People with a growth mindset feel their skills and intelligence can be improved with effort and persistence. They embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, learn from criticism, and seek out inspiration in others’ success.” ~Top Hat

At Compass, a growth mindset is an integral part of our personalized learning environment. One of the elements of our scholar profile is that our scholars are confident learners. Our scholars use a growth mindset to embrace new learning, take risks, and leverage mistakes to grow.

They are encouraged to learn from their mistakes. It is critical for scholars to feel successful as they navigate new challenges and find solutions to complex problems. For example, a scholar may have a goal of becoming a professional athlete. To reach this goal, they need to practice, train, and compete in their sport. All of these actions include many opportunities for growth. A baseball player works on increasing their batting average, a swimmer strives to increase their lap times, and a basketball player focuses on perfecting their free throws. No one, even a professional player, is expected to achieve 100% in their sport. They expect to grow and be competitive compared to their peers.

What happens when an athlete realizes that they may not be able to achieve the highest levels of performance? They have many options. They could pursue a career in a field that supports their sport, such as a physical trainer, sports medicine, or equipment manager. They may also play their sport at a less competitive level, even opting to play recreationally. All of these options are valid and representative of a growth mindset. Failure is not an end to growth; it is the beginning.

Standardized testing in academics provides a similar environment. Scholars learn in their courses, practice new learning, and take assessments to measure their progress. When they take an assessment, they can see how they compare with other scholars at their grade level. On statewide assessments, we also see how our scholars perform in comparison to other scholars in our state. All of this information helps the scholar, parent, teacher and school, understand their “score.” The expectation isn’t perfection, but growth.

Last year, we implemented a new measurement of scholar achievement called the Scholar Growth Percentile (SGP). This measure compares a scholar's growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year on the Renaissance STAR Reading and Math Assessments. Scholars whose fall-to-spring SGPs are between 35 to 65 have demonstrated a year’s growth in a year’s time. For the 2023-2024 school year, scholars at Compass achieved an SPG of 59 in Reading and 49 in Math. Those are great scores! Most importantly, our scholars got to see their growth over time as a direct result of their hard work.

At Compass, we also look at these scores to determine if a scholar needs extra support. We can determine which skills a scholar needs to focus on in order to improve. Each scholar has a team of personal trainers to ensure that they have what they need to grow in the way that is best for them! This is just one more example of how we provide a personalized learning environment that is true to our mission: to inspire and develop innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth Brenner

With each new year comes fresh opportunities and the potential to reach new heights. AVID Elective scholars have been busy exploring Essential Future-Ready Skills and are focused on goal-setting and organization. We started the year strong by learning how to take a variety of notes, including Cornell Notes, two- and three-column notes, sketch notes, and graphic organizers. We will continue building these essential skills as we work through new collaborative activities and WICOR strategies.

We are also building momentum in our journey to be college and career-ready scholars through the use of Everfi, a digital platform with self-paced lessons on topics such as financial literacy, health and wellness, and college and social and emotional learning (SEL). The platform includes game-based lessons and interactive modules, and our scholars are enjoying them! We have also spent time taking learning inventories and understanding different learning styles and how each of us learns differently.

We have added many new Options Scholars to our Online Elective, and many of them are learning how to navigate new, engaging tech tools and loving it! Since the start of the year, our scholars have enjoyed building relational capacity by sharing about themselves and making connections with their fellow scholars. We are looking forward to continue working hard and starting our Careers Unit this November.

-Andrea Lomeli, AVID Coordinator/Elective Teacher

Tell us a little about yourself, age, interests, future plans?

Hey, I’m Selah i’m 13 years old. I’m really interested in cooking and horseback riding. In the future I hope to be a hairstylist or makeup artist.

How would you describe our AVID Elective and how does it help you succeed in your other academic classes?

AVID it a really awesome class. It helps me make academic progress because it teaches me smart learning habits and how to be a successful adult in my future life and in college.

What is your favorite part of being in AVID?

My favorite thing about AVID it our Everfi assignments; I have learned so much from them. Last year I learned all about how to budget and different career paths, and this year I learned more about relationships and mental health.

What is one goal you have set for yourself this year?

This year I am working on not procrastinating and getting ahead so I can be successful in high school next year.

Would you recommend the AVID Elective to other CCS scholars? Why or Why not?

I would 100% percent recommend AVID to other Compass scholars, you learn so many new things that will help you be successful in your learning and in your future.

Snapshot of your favorite AVID project so far this year!

My favorite AVID assignment was the End-of-Year Portfolio last year. It was a really fun way to express ourselves and show what we enjoy academically, and how we change over the course of that school year.

Tell us a little about yourself, age, interests, future plans?

Hi! My name is Sedona H. and I am 14 years old. I have moved around a lot and never really stayed in one place for longer than four years. I really want to own my own architecture firm and become a structural engineer. It sounds like a lot but they actually go hand in hand and would be extremely helpful throughout my career. I love sports, music, movies and books. I also like people but at the same time I am very shy. I like working out and cleaning; some people totally get it, others think it's weird, I just find cleaning and organizing therapeutic. I am a perfectionist and a procrastinator and its and awful combination.

How would you describe our AVID Elective and how does it help you succeed in your other academic classes?

AVID's lessons are formatted help me absorb what they are saying, and because I want to succeed I apply what I learn to other classes which in turn makes me absorb more information.

What is your favorite part of being in AVID?

I like the learning labs and the teacher. They are just very helpful and good energies.

What is one goal you have set for yourself this year?

Sounds ridiculous but I really want to have a 4.0 GPA by the end of the year which is 96-100%. I'm pretty sure right now I have 92% but I am looking to bump it up.

Would you recommend the AVID Elective to other CCS scholars? Why or Why not?

Depends on the scholar, AVID is extra work and extra time. A good use for some but maybe others would like to use that time elsewhere.

Snapshot of Sedona's favorite AVID project so far this year:

Care Solace - If you did not already know, this year Compass has partnered with Care Solace, which is a mental health care coordination service for scholars and families, in order to streamline the process of identifying and accessing mental health services. Care Solace is confidential and free of charge for Compass families, and can help address potential barriers in accessing mental health, as they will do the research to connect with current providers, given your needs and insurance situation. If you would like to know more about Care Solace and how they can help, please reach out to your assigned counselor, and we would be happy to assist, or you can initiate a search on your own using the link below.

https://caresolace.com/site/ccs

Our Compass Counselors, Mandi and Jacob, record a monthly podcast on topics that will help scholars, from mental health to note taking.

Check out our November - Counseling Podcast Episode 3: Pen to Paper: The Power of Daily Writing - November is Academic Writing Month! Please join Mr. Samples and Mrs. Schwartzberg in the November episode of Firebird Chat. Science-backed benefits of writing will be shared along with tips and tricks on how to get writing, even if you are not the writing type. For more on writing prompts, please check out this resource: Creative Writing Prompts.

As of October, our counseling department has submitted our RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) application for our San Diego Charter, to be recognized as a school committed to delivering a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model® framework. The RAMP® designation demonstrates to administrators, school boards, families and the community at large that the schools are committed to supporting the mission of the school and district; as well as recognizing that we are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-informed school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. Our counseling department is currently in the process of preparing for our RAMP Application for our Los Angeles and Yolo Charters for Fall 2025, and we are excited to continue to strive towards ensuring that we are aligning our program to address scholar needs and barriers towards achievement and overall success!

Exciting news! Compass Charter Schools will be partnering with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI), which will allow scholars to utilize college and career-going tools. More information coming soon!

What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?

My job title is “Counselor” and I serve scholars with last names Mi-R in grades 6-12 with academic, social-emotional, and career/college support (alongside Ms Olson our College/ Career Counselor). I have been with Compass Charter Schools since October 2016.

Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.

I have always been a “helper” and this is the most rewarding career. I love to support scholars, stand alongside them during that uphill middle/high school experience, and see them through until graduation. Knowing you make a lasting impression and imprint on emerging adults is a huge honor.

Is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?

Invite flexibility and grace into your school day. Our program offers flexibility-- so incorporate brain breaks and moments to be together as a family in the middle of the day if you are able. Pay attention to how you handle stress together as a family-- because that is a large learning curve during the schooling process. The content and the diploma at the end are important, but more importantly, modeling flexibility, grit, grace, and healthy coping will be the most valuable and memorable for your scholar.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

I am a jack of many trades and can learn most art-related skills by watching. I do many of these types of things in my spare time (crafting, drawing, makeup/hair/nail art, photography, party design, and more.)

What do you and your family like to do during your free time?

We enjoy exploring outside spaces- parks, trails, beaches, museums. Anything together.

Click on picture below to play interview and use Passcode: &8^vo2gq

We kicked off the school year with our annual Back to School Park Days! Scholars enjoyed meeting new friends, participating in fun activities hosted by Kidokinetics and Amazing Athletes, and enjoying some popsicles in beautiful parks in San Diego, Costa Mesa, Fontana, Burbank, Sacramento, and Napa. Thank you to all who attended to help us kick off the 2024-25 school year!

We’ve had a busy start to the school year with our in-person field trips! Scholars have visited locations all over California including the International Printing Museum, Underwood Family Farms, Brass Rubbings Medieval Arts Center, Dave’s Pumpkin Patch, Tanaka Farms, Bates Nut Farm, and Topgolf Ontario! Check out the Monday Morning Update (MMU) each week for our latest field trip offerings!

The fun doesn’t stop with our in-person field trips! Our Virtual Scholar Workshops are back in full swing including the Scholar Social Hours, Fall Club Rush, Hip Hop Class, LEGO Engineering Challenge, NatureEye Flight to Tongatapu Island, National Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly, The Works Museum Kaleidoscope and Lights, First Nations Heritage Month and many more to come. Check out the Monday Morning Update (MMU) each week for all of our Virtual Scholar Workshop releases!

Our scholar clubs have been buzzing with excitement this fall!

In Book Club (TK-5th), our young readers dove into Wild About Books and had a blast voting for their next pick, Shark Lady. They also shared their favorite books and took part in a fun draw-along activity. The excitement for their next meeting is already building!

Meanwhile, the 6th-12th grade Book Club is getting organized for the year ahead. They’ve been busy setting up club officer roles and creating their mission and goals for the club. There’s definitely a lot of leadership happening in this club.

Journalism Club (6th-12th) hit the ground running with scholars designing press passes and learning the art of interviewing. They even dove into the Thanksgiving Listen project from StoryCorps, where they discussed the importance of sharing stories that matter.

In Art Club (6th-12th), scholars have been laying the groundwork for their own masterpieces by studying the Elements of Art. They’ve already applied these concepts to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and soon they’ll be exploring how the Principles of Design can elevate their work even further.

Our Awesome Artists (TK-5th) took on a new project, drawing inspiration from Frida Kahlo and creating their own versions of her iconic look with her spider monkey. The creativity has been off the charts!

Over in Minecraft Club (TK-5th), scholars have been busy constructing their dream homes and an incredible underground kingdom, complete with a roller coaster! Not to be outdone, the older Minecraft scholars (6th-12th) have been diving into both competitive and cooperative play, creating amazing builds together.

Cooking Club (TK-5th) is getting ready for some hands-on fun. Scholars brainstormed recipes and are excited to whip up their first dish at the next meeting. The 6th-12th Cooking Club got right to it by making pizza from scratch and electing their club President and Vice President.

In Virtual Field Trips Club (TK-5th), scholars kicked things off by introducing themselves and virtually visiting a farm. The older grade band Virtual Field Trips Club (6th-12th) took a different route, exploring the famous landmarks and street food of Mexico City!

Speech and Debate Club (6th-12th) has been all about leadership and discussion. Scholars elected their officers, discussed debate formats, and introduced TED-Ed Student Talks, setting the stage for meaningful conversations ahead.

The Music Club (TK-5th) had a blast sharing their instruments and performing for one another, kicking off the club with plenty of musical energy.

LEGO Club (TK-5th) didn’t waste any time getting creative, with scholars building their names out of LEGO and working on a fun maze-building challenge. Leadership skills shone through as they took on roles like timekeeper and community manager.

In the Crafts Club (TK-5th and 6th-12th), scholars have been getting crafty! The younger group explored pumpkin patch art, while the older scholars brainstormed projects and wrapped up with some beautiful flower drawings.

Across all our clubs, scholars are connecting, learning, and most importantly—having a great time. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

This fall has been full of impactful sessions for our learning coaches/parents! We started the year by helping learning coaches explore their roles and expectations, master organization tips, and dive deep into Parent Square for seamless communication. They’ve also been preparing for Connection Meetings with tips for making those conversations more productive.

One of the most insightful sessions so far was our exploration of State Educational Standards, where learning coaches gained a clear understanding of what these benchmarks mean and how they can better support their scholars. We also hosted a highly collaborative roundtable where learning coaches shared challenges, offered creative solutions, and strengthened their sense of community. Another session to highlight was the LCA session on effective communication with scholars, which offered fantastic strategies to improve dialogue and understanding!

Looking ahead, we have more exciting sessions in store including discussing fall break plans to help learning coaches keep scholars engaged over the break, along with our time management session that will provide tools to juggle busy schedules. As the winter break approaches, we’ll also offer tips to manage long breaks and ease back into learning. On the academic side, we’ll explore different learning styles, and review curriculums in math, reading, and language arts. Plus, we’ll share exercises for building writing skills.

Reminder: Learning coaches who attend or review 10 sessions will receive a certificate and a mug — a great way to celebrate their commitment and growth!

What inspired you to lead this club, and what do you enjoy most about it?

Well for one, I love food, so it felt like a no brainer to advise the cooking club! I always enjoy our first meeting of the school year where we take the time to brainstorm ideas for what we’d like to cook or bake throughout the school year. The TK - 5 scholars are incredibly creative and so fun. I really enjoy seeing their creations each month.

Can you share a recent memorable moment from a club meeting?
In our most recent meeting, we made mummy cookie bark as our spooky recipe for October. At the end of the meeting during our show and tell, I had everyone hold up their creations to show them off. The majority of the kids had empty plates because they couldn’t wait to eat their treats. We all had a really good belly laugh!

What key skills or experiences do scholars gain from joining this club?
We practice a lot of kitchen skills! From measuring, to safely cutting vegetables, to learning about activating yeast correctly, we learn something new every month.

Here are some screenshots of the mummy cookie bark that we made at the end of our October meeting! 🙂

Compass Charter Schools is a non-profit charter school. Your donation helps enhance and expand the Compass Experience for our scholars, learning coaches, and staff.

The easiest way to give is online at https://www.compasscharters.org/giving/.

If you can make a gift, the Compass family will benefit greatly.

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Email: info@compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite R, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
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