COMPASS CHRONICLE

What if innovation wasn’t just about what we create — but how we connect?

At Compass, innovation starts with belonging. It’s in the way we design support systems that see the whole scholar, the communities we build across counties, and the spaces where learning and connection meet.

This first issue of The Compass Chronicle: Innovation Series celebrates how our scholars, staff, and families are turning connection into progress — and community into purpose.

🧭 Keep scrolling for stories that show how belonging and innovation come to life— in virtual classrooms, on field trips, and everywhere Compass scholars learn.

🤝 Belonging Isn’t Something You Find — It’s Something You Build

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Personalizing Learning for Every Scholar

No two learners are exactly alike—and that’s something we celebrate! Personalized Learning at Compass means every scholar’s journey is shaped by their unique strengths, interests, and goals.

Thanks to the feedback we received, we’re making exciting updates to enhance authentic, hands-on learning experiences:

• Expanding Learning Resources: We’re expanding the Amazon resource catalog to offer more options for all scholars based on what our families and staff indicate best supports the curriculum.
  
  

• Adding More Electives: We’re ensuring access to art, music, and other interest-based electives across grade levels—because learning should reflect what scholars love.
  
  

Streamlining Field Trips: Field trips continue to be highly desired by our families. We've received feedback about wanting additional dates for the most highly anticipated field trips and clearer ways to stay informed about registration. To address this, we are leveraging interest lists from families and maintaining a regularly updated tracker of all upcoming engagement offerings. This dual approach ensures both families and the Engagement Department remain aligned regarding field trip scheduling and registration availability.

Creating Clarity and Consistency

Families also shared helpful feedback about wanting smoother communication and more consistency across classes and teachers. We’re listening! To keep things clear and connected, we’re focusing on:

• Standardizing Assessments: We’re aligning expectations and grading practices across teachers so families clearly understand progress and goals.
  
  

• Improving Responsiveness: We’re enhancing our internal systems to address common challenges quickly and efficiently—so families get the help they need without the hassle.
  
  

• Clarifying Curriculum Details: We’re improving how we share curriculum updates (like grade-level variations) so Learning Coaches always feel informed and confident.
  
  

These improvements reflect our Compass values and help create a more cohesive experience for every family.

Moving Forward Together

Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens through partnership. By listening to your ideas, taking bold steps, and working together, Compass is turning great ideas into meaningful action.

We are deeply grateful for our incredible families and scholars who help us grow and improve every day. Together, we’re not just adapting to change—we’re leading it.

Staff Stories of Connection and Creativity

At Compass, connection isn’t a buzzword — it’s a daily practice. The Counseling Department knows that belonging doesn’t appear out of thin air; it’s built intentionally, one meeting, message, and moment of encouragement at a time.

🔍 Research Spotlight

For College and Career Readiness Counselor, Mataya Olson, belonging is about meeting each scholar where they are. “We honor who each scholar is and how they best connect — it’s how personal growth and academic success really happen.”

Counselor Jacob Samples sees belonging through structure and safety. “We create spaces where scholars can engage, share openly, and feel seen as vital members of the Compass community.”

And for Counselor Stephen Duarte, belonging means being seen, heard, and supported — especially when conversations get hard. As part of his work with fellow counselor Mandi Schwartzberg, he recently visited a teacher’s Zoom class to present on suicide prevention and mental health.

“We saw scholars being vulnerable in the chat — sharing their struggles, supporting one another,” Stephen recalls. “It’s always powerful to see scholars encouraging each other, especially in conversations as sensitive and essential as those around mental health.”

Moments like these remind him and the rest of the counseling team why their work and connection matters —when scholars feel safe enough to speak up, that’s when belonging takes root.

Together, they’re showing that innovation at Compass isn’t just digital — it’s deeply human.

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Turns out our counselors don’t just support scholars — they’ve got a mic, too. 🎙️
Last year, the Compass counseling podcast, Firebird Chat: Let's Explore, earned a 2024 Award of Merit from CALSPRA, recognizing it as one of the best in school communications. 😏 Here's a little clip from their November episode, "What is FAFSA, and Why Should You Care?".

Real moments of belonging from Compass scholars across California.

Connection takes many forms.

Here’s how our scholars are building belonging in their own ways.

🗣️ Kai-Ari Jackson – Los Angeles

“In the Minecraft Club, we play together, which makes my peers and me feel included.”
Through shared play, Kai-Ari found inclusion and friendship — proving that belonging can happen anywhere, even in a pixelated world.

🗣️ Amari – Los Angeles

“I communicate virtually with my classmates on our collaboration assignments and take teamwork to another level!”
Amari reminds us that connection isn’t limited by screens — teamwork can still feel personal, creative, and fun.

🗣️ Genesis – Yolo

“I brought a couple of people together and made two new friends last year.”
A simple act of reaching out can build belonging. Genesis learned that connection doesn’t have to start big — it just has to start.

🗣️ Westgene – Los Angeles

“They were very nice to me and never made fun of me. Not even once.”
For Westgene, belonging showed up in friendship. The kindness of a peer turned online learning into something deeply human — and lasting.

Connection builds belonging. Belonging drives innovation. That’s the Compass way.

Innovation isn’t just about tools — it’s about people. Here are two who prove that every welcome, every project, every idea can build belonging.

When Elena Cruz joined the AVID program at Compass, a group project on buying a car sparked more than a lesson in budgeting — it opened a door. As her team worked through the assignment, Elena shared something personal: the book she’d been writing in her free time.

“When I shared my story, one classmate opened up about her own writing,” Elena says. “That moment showed me how connection can start with one brave idea.”

That small act changed everything. Encouraged by her peers and teachers, Elena finished her book, designed the cover in Canva, and published it through a virtual writing workshop. What began as a class project turned into a shared creative experience — one that helped her classmates find their own voices, too.

“I was overwhelmed with happiness when I held a printed copy of my book,” she says. “I’m no longer shy about sharing my ideas. I just want others to see that they can make a difference, too — here at Compass or wherever the wave of life takes them.”

Elena’s story is proof that belonging isn’t passive — it’s something we build through creativity, courage, and community.

For Christina Vert, connection starts before the first login screen loads. As Compass’s Orientation Coordinator, she’s built a welcome experience that does more than check boxes — it creates belonging from day one.

“Orientation is more than just an introduction to our programs,” Christina says. “It’s where families begin to see how Compass is different — how learning here can be flexible, meaningful, and full of connection.”

Each session she leads is designed with care and intention — to make families feel supported, encouraged, and confident as they start their Compass journey. But Christina doesn’t stop there. After orientation, she connects Learning Coaches to Learning Coach Academy and scholars to Scholar Clubs so that community doesn’t just start — it grows.

“Learning Coach Academy is one of my favorite parts of what I do,” she says. “It’s a place where our Learning Coaches come together to learn, laugh, and support one another. Whether we’re talking about real-world learning, time management, or ways to keep scholars engaged, these sessions remind families they’re not alone on this journey.”

She also finds joy in celebrating scholars through recognition programs like the ARTIC Awards and Scholar of the Month, where virtual ceremonies and Weeks of Welcome bring Compass families together to shine a light on the incredible things happening across our community.

“Starting something new can be a little scary, especially in a virtual setting,” she shares. “I wanted to create a space that felt friendly, personal, and welcoming — so families walk away from orientation feeling like they already belong and have people who care about their success.”

And it’s working. Families often tell her that after orientation or Learning Coach Academy, they feel connected, comforted, and ready to dive in. Many later join clubs or engagement opportunities they first heard about in her sessions — a small spark that turns into lasting involvement.

“I love hearing families say, ‘We already feel like part of the Compass family.’ That’s exactly what we hope for,” Christina says. “Every connection matters — and it’s incredible to see how one warm welcome can ripple into a stronger, more connected community.”

Because at Compass, innovation doesn’t always come from a new app or program. Sometimes it starts with one person reimagining what a simple “welcome” can do.

When Kristal Rose’s first grader started at Compass, school felt like a struggle. He’d been labeled “unwilling” in his previous setting and had started to believe that learning just wasn’t for him. Then he met Miss Love.

They began weekly one-on-one sessions — and everything shifted. What had once felt like a fight became his favorite part of the week.

“With her kindness and support, our son has completely changed his experience with learning,” Kristal shares. “He went from seeing school as something negative to something he looks forward to.”

It’s a small story with a big truth: when scholars are seen for who they are, connection can transform everything — even how a child feels about learning itself.

Across California, Compass scholars, families, and staff are bringing belonging to life — from park days to virtual workshops, every event is a reminder that learning feels best when it’s shared.

The Compass Counseling Department hosts a series of Learning Labs throughout the school year designed to help scholars strengthen essential life and study skills — and build connection along the way. Rooted in social-emotional learning, these sessions blend practical strategies with supportive discussion, creating space for scholars to learn from staff and from one another.

Recent labs include:

• Independent Study Skills: Find Your Focus — Scholars in grades 7–8 explored ways to succeed in independent study and improve focus in virtual learning environments.
• Non-College Options — High-school scholars discussed career pathways, trade programs, and life after graduation, expanding what “success” can look like beyond college.
• School-Life Balance — Scholars practiced time-management techniques for balancing academics, hobbies, and social life — learning that organization and self-care go hand in hand.

Each Learning Lab sparks new conversations about growth, independence, and wellness — showing how Compass innovation starts with supporting the whole scholar.

From parks to pixels, Compass scholars are discovering that innovation doesn’t have boundaries. So far this year, we’ve hosted 14 field trips and 13 virtual workshops, giving scholars the best of both worlds — hands-on exploration and digital discovery.

Whether connecting in person or logging in from across California, these experiences spark curiosity, build community, and remind us that learning is everywhere.

Wins, big and small, are what keep Compass moving. Here are the names, moments, and people who’ve been making this season shine.

🏆 Employees of the Month

🟣 Purple Star Status Unlocked: Compass took home a Pioneer Award at the APlus Conference for our work as a Purple Star School. Big thanks to Karla Gonzalez, our Scholar Community Advocate, for championing our military families and setting the standard for support.

Here’s where you can jump in, speak up, and help shape what’s next at Compass.

🧠 Big ideas wanted.

The Compass Counseling Team is building its 2025–26 Advisory Council — and we want voices from every corner of our community. Members help identify scholar and family needs, share ideas, and strengthen how we support well-being across Compass.
Questions or referrals? Email Michelle Bateman at mbateman@compasscharters.org

💬 Join ELAC.

The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) plays a vital role in shaping how Compass supports our multilingual scholars and families. It’s where ideas become action — and your voice helps drive real change in our community.
Questions? Email Christy Saez at csaez@compasscharters.org

🤝 Stay in the loop.

Watch ParentSquare and check out the Monday Morning Update for upcoming ways to connect — from events to volunteer spots and everything in between. You can also check out our weekly engagement calendar snapshot here ✨

🪶 Tell your story.

Our next issue of The Compass Chronicle explores how tech connects us in creative, human ways. Got a story, project, or innovation worth sharing? Submit your story ➜ Here

This issue was about building belonging. Next time, we’re diving into what’s next — the tools, ideas, and people shaping the future of learning at Compass. Stay tuned.

Thinking about joining the Compass community?

👉 Learn more and start your Compass journey today. https://www.compasscharters.org/enrollment/enroll-now/