Compass Connections

• 2ND QUARTER STARTS: Monday, October 20th
• Intramurals: Monday, October 20th, 3:45-4:45 (Gym)
• Dungeons & Dragons Club: Monday, October 20th, 3:45-4:45 (Rm. 111)
• Tech Makerspace: Tuesday, October 21st, 3:45-4:45 (Rm. 144)
• Block E/SWAMP: Tuesday, October 21st, 3:45-5:45 (Rm. 140)
• Art + Tech: Tuesday, October 21st, 3:45-5:45 (Rm. 141)
• Compass Parent Advisory Committee: Tuesday, October 2ist, 6:00-7:00 (Rm. 140)
• Quarter 1 Navigation Celebration: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2:00-2:30 (Rm. 140)
• FALL FESTIVAL (Open House & Student Showcase): Thursday, October 23rd, 4:00-7:00

On Tuesday, October 21st, all 11th-grade students at Compass, whether part-time or full-time, are scheduled to take the Digital PSAT/NMSQT during the regular school day. The standard time test will begin at 9:15 and run through Block B (period 4B). Juniors will resume their regular class schedule after testing. Testing rooms will be posted throughout the building on Monday.

The PSAT/NMSQT consists of the following test sections:

• Reading & Writing (64 minutes)

• Module 1= 2 pretest & 25 operational for a total of 27 questions; 32 minutes

• Module 2= 2 pretest & 25 operational for a total of 27 questions; 32 minutes

• Math (70 minutes)

• Module 1= 2 pretest and 20 operational for a total of 22 questions; 35 minutes

• Module 2= 2 pretest and 20 operational for a total of 22 questions; 35 minutes

Would you like to see the projects our students have created? Do you know people who might be "Compass-Curious"? We would love to see you and anyone who's interested in learning more about Compass at our only fall fundraiser for student activities!

Picture Day at Compass was Tuesday, 8/26. If you would like to view your student's photo and order, you may do so through the HR Imaging website. THIS LINK WILL ONLY BE OPEN FOR A LIMITED TIME. If your student missed Picture Day or would like a retake, make-up pictures/picture retakes will be offered in the community room (140) on Tuesday, November 4th, from 9:30-10:30. Pre-ordering is not required.

Attention graduating students:

The State of Illinois requires all graduating students to either complete the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid), or complete the non-participation form to receive their diploma.

For students completing the FAFSA:

Students who have applied, or plan to apply to 2-year, 4-year, or technical schools that use the FAFSA can begin completing this form on October 1, 2025. Completion of this form allows educational institutions to provide financial aid support that is need-based. Many institutions also require a FAFSA on file for students to receive institutional scholarships or grants. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is a great resource for students and parents to get assistance filling out the FAFSA.

The FAFSA is completed by both students and their parents completing their respective parts of the online application. Students and parents establish separate FSA ID's with the website linked above to complete their portions of the online document. Students should make sure to use their PERSONAL EMAIL (not school email) to complete the FAFSA, since emails from outside entities are blocked on school email accounts. Directions to set up an FSA ID that work for both students and parents are HERE.

Students not completing the FAFSA:

Some students' post high school path might not involve the need to pay for education or training (example: when students enlist in a branch of our military, they don't need financial aid). These students should create an account on the ISAC portal (linked above in this email), and sign off with their parents electronically, indicating they are aware of the financial aid opportunities available via the FAFSA, but declining them.

Questions?

For help completing the FAFSA, see the isac.org website for more information and support.

If you need general information, please get in touch with Ms. Ohlson.

This free program is offered to enable Mastery Transcript Consortium members to connect with colleges and universities from around the country (and a few international schools).

Virtual College Fair attendees can choose the colleges/universities they wish to hear from by registering directly for their sessions in advance of the fair. You can ask questions of the college representatives during the presentations, too!

Watch the Compass Connections as more details will be shared next week.

• Pathways Night (2 Year, Tech, Trades & Military Post-Secondary Options): Compass Academy- October 29, 2025, 6-8 pm
• Early College Credit Information Night: St. Charles North Auditorium- November 18, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm
• Fox Valley College Fair: St. Charles North H.S.- March 24, 2026, 5:30-7:30 pm

More details will be shared as we get closer to each event date.

Compass Academy students pre-order their lunch, so if your student plans to order lunch, please have them complete the form that is linked above. Students are always welcome to bring food from home, if they prefer. If your student may qualify for free or reduced lunch, please complete this form or have them get a paper copy of the form from the Compass office.

STUDENTS MAY COMPLETE THEIR LUNCH ORDER FOR THE WEEK BY CLICKING THE BOX ABOVE AND MAKING THEIR SELECTION BY 10:00 A.M. ON THE FIRST MORNING OF THE SCHOOL WEEK.

D303 is hosting a parent-empowerment series featuring Dr. Megan Schmitz of Vital Living Wellness Solutions. The series, titled “Guiding Students from Avoidance to Achievement,” includes three evening events at North High School and is part of D303’s student-attendance initiative.

Are you interested in learning about the various career options available in St. Charles? Through the city's career pathway job shadow program, Compass students can shadow people in many career fields, including office administration, communications, accounting, firefighting, government, law enforcement, construction, forestry, water management, and vehicle maintenance. Students who participate in job shadowing during the school year, and then write reflections about their experiences, have the opportunity to earn credit for Career Exploration.

For more information about this opportunity, students should scan the appropriate QR code on the bulletin board in the academic hall or make an appointment to see Ms. Ohlson, the Compass counselor.

Important information for students who are interested in taking an AP exam but are not enrolled in the corresponding AP course:

• Students wishing to take any AP exams for classes in which they are not enrolled must register and pay for the exam no later than Friday, November 7. The fee is $100 per exam and is non-refundable. Students who are interested in registering must see Ms. Ohlson to receive the appropriate form and relevant information.

Sharon Stanley, Director

Email: sharon.stanley@d303.org
Website: https://compassacademy.d303.org/
Location: Compass Academy, South 9th Street, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: (331)228-3400
X (Twitter): @CompassD303

Instagram: @d303compassacademy