Compass Chronicle

In Options, we are working on wrapping up the first semester of the 24/25 school year! We have been working on collecting last work assignments and enjoying projects being turned in by our scholars. We look forward to finishing the semester strong and starting semester 2 with excitement for what’s to come next!

We are a family deeply committed to learning, exploration, and spending quality time together. As parents, we understand that we have approximately 98,550 waking hours with our children, with only around 1,000 of those hours spent each year in public school. Ollie, our only child, was a miracle baby, with doctors advising us that we would not be able to have any more children. Given this, we felt it was essential for us to take an active role in guiding and teaching him as he grows into adulthood.

Ollie is an energetic 7-year-old who thrives in a hands-on, interactive learning environment. We knew that a traditional, textbook-based approach would not suit his learning style, so we chose to homeschool. This decision allows us the flexibility to tailor his education to his unique strengths and interests, focusing on the learning process rather than standardized test outcomes.

We incorporate a variety of resources to make learning engaging and enjoyable, including living books, field trips, and hands-on projects. For example, during our study of light waves in science last year, we visited the Exploratorium in San Francisco, toured a lighthouse, learned Morse Code with flashlights, and conducted our own experiments. This approach, combined with reading several living books on the topic, deepened Ollie's understanding and made the subject come alive.

Our daily routine is flexible but structured. It typically begins with an audiobook while I prepare breakfast, followed by Ollie feeding our pets and collecting eggs. We then watch a children's news broadcast to stay informed about global events. Each day, we focus on lessons from Logic of English and Math with Confidence, while integrating other subjects throughout the week. Memorization is also a daily priority, and Ollie often spends time outdoors practicing baseball or taking breaks as needed.

One of the most rewarding parts of homeschooling is seeing the moment when Ollie grasps a new concept. I take great pride in hearing the confidence in his voice as he explains what he’s learned, especially when he shares his excitement about a topic that has fascinated him with friends and family.

In our first year of homeschooling, I struggled with my own expectations of what homeschooling should look like, leading to stress and anxiety for both of us. I realized that focusing on the actual requirements, rather than overloading ourselves with unnecessary tasks, was key to our well-being. This year, I’ve embraced a more flexible approach, sometimes submitting less or completing fewer tasks than originally planned.

As part of our homeschooling journey, I joined several social media groups for support and guidance. Through a local group, I learned about the available homeschooling options in our county and discovered Compass, which has been a great fit for us. We are enrolled in the Options Program, which offers daily Zoom calls to help Ollie stay engaged with peers. The program also provides access to various clubs, each with necessary supplies, making it easier for us to manage our schedule.

In our second year with Compass, we have actively participated in various events, including the back-to-school picnic and several field trips. Additionally, I’ve attended multiple Leadership Academy Zoom meetings for learning coaches, which have been invaluable in connecting us with others and ensuring we feel supported throughout our homeschooling journey.

Throughout our journey, I’ve learned that there are many resources available to help homeschooling families, regardless of their chosen learning style. Online groups specific to your city, state, and learning approach can provide valuable insights from others facing similar challenges. These shared experiences have been instrumental in supporting our own homeschooling path.

As a family, we love history, literature, and travel. Ollie has a particular interest in military history, baseball, reading, the Junior Ranger Program, and ATV riding. We cherish spending time together outdoors, enjoying activities like skiing, boating, dispersed camping, ATV/dirt bike riding, visiting the ocean, and exploring National Parks. We are excited to continue this journey of learning and discovery, guided by Ollie’s unique interests and supported by the resources and community around us.

Hi! My name is Alix Domino and I'm an Options Coordinator here at Compass. I oversee a team of 16 supervising teachers and help support them and collaborate with them on different projects. This is my 6th year at Compass, but my 10th year in education. I came to Compass in 2019, freshly out of the classroom.

I came here to support families and offer my knowledge of education and personalized learning. I love interacting with the families and scholars and learning more about them. When I first came to Compass, I started as a Supervising Teacher. I loved the families that I worked with and the work we were able to do together. Then, three years ago, I was presented with the opportunity to become a Coordinator and help support the families in a different way.

I also advise the TK-5 Arts & Crafts Club. It's something that I've been doing for the past four years and something that I don't think I will ever give up! The kids I get to work with every month in the club are so kind and encouraging to each other and we love to see all the different kinds of arts and crafts that are shared in the group.

In my free time, I love reading, creating art, going to Disneyland, and being a couch potato with my husband and dogs. My husband and I like to go on adventures, travel, try new places to eat and go to professional hockey and basketball games. We have two Australian Shepherd pups named Loki and Bailee and they occupy pretty much all of our time!