Compass Chronicle

Dear Compass Community,

Spring is a time for growth and new beginnings. At Compass, we are wrapping up our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and creating our new plan for the next three years. The LCAP is a three-year plan that describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities.

As part of this process, we just completed our annual survey to our staff, scholars, and families. This year, we received over 1,000 responses from learning coaches (parents), scholars, and staff. The information from these surveys will be used to guide our decisions as we create goals for our new plan. I would like to share a few highlights of our results with you.

At Compass, we value our families and build community through engagement that encourages our scholars to participate in exciting field trips, clubs, and virtual events. We appreciate that families choose Compass for all of their scholars and build a rich learning environment in their homes.

Top Results

When asked what they love about Compass, parents, scholars, and staff agreed that the thing they love most is flexibility in a personalized learning environment. Scholars and parents appreciate the flexibility in scheduling, pace, curriculum, and the ability to work from home. Staff appreciate the flexibility of working remotely, accommodating various learning styles, and the ability to contribute to meaningful projects. As we set our goals, we will be focused on how we can improve flexibility while maintaining the structures needed to meet state regulations.

Our teachers and staff are the heart of Compass. In our learning model, the ability of the supervising teacher to tailor instruction to meet the needs of each scholar is what makes us special. Scholars highlighted the understanding, helpfulness, and support provided by teachers. Parents expressed positive feedback about their teachers providing guidance and their availability. Staff emphasized their commitment to putting scholars first. Their passion for helping scholars achieve their best, providing personalized learning experiences, and meeting individual needs came through loud and clear. Compass is dedicated to providing a robust staffing model that supports this unique learning environment.

In a virtual environment, community engagement and events are a key component to offering our families ways to connect with the Compass community and enrich their studies. Scholars appreciated the availability of clubs, field trips, and diverse extracurricular activities. Parents highlighted the sense of community and engagement events, especially at our Orange County Learning Center (OCLC). Currently, schools like Compass are prohibited from opening new learning centers, but this is set to change in January 2026 when the state moratorium on non-classroom-based charter schools expires. As we set our goals for the next three years, we will consider offering more in-person learning opportunities in a blended model. Compass strives to create a positive work environment and community for all staff. Staff expressed a sense of belonging and appreciation for the supportive environment at Compass. The camaraderie with colleagues, relationships with families, and the overall collaborative atmosphere contribute to a positive work experience.

When asked what they would change, parents and scholars responded that they want more flexibility, more field trips and social interactions, and more course offerings. The great thing about these suggestions is that Compass has a solid foundation to continue building and enhancing these offerings. We will continue to support our current programs and look for ways to grow and increase our services.

Staff expressed a desire for increased transparency in communication from top leadership to teachers, providing clear reasons behind changes and involving teachers in decision-making processes. In order to support a collaborative work environment we need to enhance staff culture and cohesion, fostering collaboration and trust among different departments. Staff also suggested that we create more opportunities for professional growth and recognize and respect long-time staff members' experience, knowledge, and tenure. As we evaluate our staff support systems, this feedback will be considered, and we will look for ways to improve in these areas.

As we reflect on what we have learned over the past three years, we will look at what worked well and what needs to improve. With input from our education partners, I am confident that Compass will set a course to build on our successes and continue to provide our scholars and families with access to a personalized learning environment that truly supports our mission to inspire and develop innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth Brenner

Superintendent & CEO

We started Semester 2 with scholar introductions and lots of energy! AVID Elective Scholars were eager to jump into creating their own podcasts where they documented the life of a Compass Scholar and their experiences. Listen to their voices as they share the challenges, new learning lessons, and growth they have experienced over the past couple of months.

-Andrea Lomeli, AVID Coordinator/Elective Teacher

Our wonderful middle school elective kiddos bravely helped lead our homeroom learning labs in the month of march where they helped build relational capacity with one another as the learned about shared interests and passions. They also helped to give their fellow middle school peers a glimpse into what our AVID Elective is all about! Take a listen below to our three groups and their experiences in AVID. We are always looking to grow the AVID Elective in middle and high school with motivated scholars who want to prepare for their futures, get to know their classmates, and have fun diving into essential skills they will need for college and future careers!

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

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

I am an Instructional Coach for the Options Department. I have worked at Compass since March 2019.

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

I love to collaborate with other teachers. In this role I am able to share not only what I know, but all of the amazing things I have learned through observation and collaboration with other supervising teachers. We have a lot of highly skilled teachers who have honed their skills to meet the needs of learners in our environment and it is amazing to see!

As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?

First, I know it is not easy. It is a huge responsibility to take control of your own learning journey and I commend you for it. And, stick with it! Nothing good comes easy. Keep learning, keep growing, and enjoy the journey.

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

If something is not working, be honest about it. Share the wins and worries with your supervising teachers. They are here to help and they might be able to offer resources and advice that can get you over your hurdle.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

Our house is very crafty. We have laser cutters, 3D printers, and a cricut and we are making things all the time. Our kids like to customize everything.

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

Personally, I like napping in a quiet house. BUT, as a family, we do a lot of camping and outdoor exploring. We have a little ALiner camp trailer and it gets a lot of use.

How is #avidinaction present with your scholars/in your class?

We try to incorporate AVID in all of the resources we share out during collaboration times and I am currently working with a few STs on integrating AVID strategies into synchronous instruction.

We would like to highlight our partnership with Top5 Colleges! This tool simplifies the process of comparing various college costs. With just a few clicks, you can easily compare net price calculators from multiple colleges. No more manually entering student information for each college.

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• Allows you to calculate your college budget based on the net price calculators of the colleges on your list. Plan your finances and make informed decisions about the affordability of different institutions.

Reach out to Ms. Olson (molson@compasscharters.org) to register your account.

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

In my role as Counselor for scholars with last names S-Z in grades 6-12, I promote scholars' academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary preparedness through comprehensive school counseling services. I strive to empower lifelong learners with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed for success while highlighting the strengths existing within each scholar. I collaborate and consult with staff and stakeholders to increase our combined capacity for serving scholars and families. My areas of passion are delivering core curriculum in our learning labs, serving as the counseling advisory chair, and aligning our department with the ASCA national model. This is my fifth school year with Compass!

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

I believe all scholars deserve a caring adult in their lives and support with their academic and personal development. I'm passionate about education and equity. Compass offers a unique opportunity for scholars to pursue an education that meets their individual needs which I am proud to be a part of.

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

No matter how experienced or educated you are, there is always something more to learn. It is okay to not know it all! Learning is a lifelong process.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

Few people know that I enjoy creating art. It can be drawing, painting, or crafting - I like doing all things creative.

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

My family and I love to travel, play games, watch shows, and eat! I also enjoy hiking, the beach, and cuddling with my cat - Sheba.

We are so excited to share that our ‘CCS Firebird Chat’ Podcast has received a CalSPRA Excellence in Communications Award! A big congratulations and thank you to our podcast hosts, Mr. Samples and Mrs. Schwartzberg, for their dedication in bringing this podcast to life in supporting scholars and families. The Counseling team continues to release new podcast episodes monthly! Our latest release is the March episode: Scrolling Realities - Navigating Social Media Challenges. Check it out!

Scholars have visited Safari West, USS Midway, the Sawdust Factory, iFly Sacramento, Museum of Tolerance, Lawrence Hall of Science, Karate OC, Medieval Times, San Diego Zoo, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, the Chinese Gardens at the Huntington, Exploratorium, First Flight with the Anaheim Ducks, and AstroCamp!

The fun continues with our virtual scholar workshops and heritage month assemblies! We’ve celebrated Veterans Day, First Nations Heritage Month, hosted a Fall Talent Show, Spy School 101, and Zentangles virtual scholar workshops. Scholars also had the opportunity to participate in community service virtually and asynchronously.

Our Scholar Clubs have been bustling with creativity and discovery! From the Arts & Crafts Club painting album covers and winter snowmen, to LEGO enthusiasts building animal-themed masterpieces, our scholars have shown incredible innovation and artistic flair. In the Cooking Club, the air was fragrant with homemade ice cream and cupcakes, and the Music Club was alive with the sound of holiday tunes and musical performances.

Our younger scholars ventured on virtual field trips from the swamps of Florida to the bustling streets of Tokyo, while our older scholars explored Seoul and Jamaica, immersing themselves in global cultures. The Minecraft Club saw scholars building their own cities, fostering teamwork and creativity. Meanwhile, our National Honor Society members are hard at work planning service projects and seeking real-world experiences.

But the engagement doesn’t stop there. Our scholars have taken the lead, delivering election speeches, undertaking personal service projects, and steering club meetings with confidence. The development of leadership and engagement skills has been awe-inspiring.

If you haven't joined us yet, don't miss out on the fun! It’s not too late to dive into new experiences and make lasting memories before the school year ends. Check out Our Scholar Clubs for all the details and to become part of our vibrant community. Whether you're passionate about crafting, cooking, building, or leading, there’s a spot just for you. Let’s make the rest of this school year truly unforgettable!

Since the school year kicked off, our Learning Coach Academy (LCA) has become a weekly touchstone, reinforcing the Compass mission and values and starting with the latest updates every Monday. We've tackled everything from tech tips to managing anxiety, aiming to arm our learning coaches with everything they need to support their scholars.

Looking back, we've covered a lot—from understanding what motivates our scholars, finding the right balance between routine and flexibility, and celebrating all kinds of successes. As we march into spring and towards the end of the school year, we're gearing up for sessions on test prep, managing ADHD, and navigating grade-level changes.

A huge shout-out to our learning coaches, who've been with us every step of the way. Your commitment has built a strong, supportive community, and your dedication is making a difference in your scholars' lives. Here's to continuing this journey together and ending the year on a high note!

It's never too late to join us at the Learning Coach Academy! Now is the perfect time for new learning coaches to get involved. By becoming part of the LCA, you'll access invaluable insights and tools that will enhance your ability to support your scholars effectively. We welcome all learning coaches to embark on this journey of learning, growth, and community building with us. We're eager to welcome new members into our supportive and enriching Academy!

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

I have worked at Compass for over seven and half years now! I am the Engagement Coordinator and have the pleasure of planning engagement activities including field trips, virtual scholar workshops, Back to School picnics, 12th grade graduations, 8th grade promotions, end of year celebrations, and more!

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

When I was growing up, I was very aware that I didn’t learn in the same ways as many of my classmates. I learned by watching and being hands-on while much of my schoolwork consisted of reading. I’m proud to work at a school like Compass where scholars can choose their learning style to support their learning needs. I also love providing our scholars with the opportunity to explore their passions and the thought that they may find a passion that sticks with them for life!

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

My advice to learning coaches and scholars would be to use all of the amazing opportunities and resources that are at your fingertips! There are so many available to you, and if you’re unsure how to access them, connect with a staff member to show you the ropes. It will really enhance your experience!

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

One thing few people know about me is that I love challenging my comfort zone. One of my favorite experiences is skydiving out of a C-17 Jet with Navy Seals!

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

In my free time, I am usually dancing! Dance is my passion and has stuck with me for life and is the reason engagement is so important to me.

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

I am an Education Specialist and Case Manager for scholars with moderate to severe disabilities, mostly in the high school grade band. I have been with Compass Charter Schools for just over five years.

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

In 2001, I left a career in Graphic Arts/Design and entered the field of Special Education as an instructional aide. Realizing that I loved working with students with special needs from pre-school to post-secondary, I completed my mild/moderate and moderate/severe teaching credentials. After 10 years of classroom teaching, I made the switch to the online virtual charter school format and found a new way to help and support students with a wide variety of special needs.

As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?

Teachers are in students’ lives for such a short segment of time. While teachers are an important part of a student’s educational journey, parents can have an even greater impact on their child’s education by understanding, modeling, and reinforcing what is learned in the classroom.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

A long-term goal of mine is to create art that all people of all abilities can appreciate. Currently, I am working in collage as a tactile form of art.

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

When we are all together, my family and I enjoy road trips, hiking, golfing, and cooking.

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.

Do not forget to check if your company will match your donation to Compass. It is an excellent way to SUPER-SIZE your donation! Thank you!

Are you enjoying the educational experience at Compass? Tell us! We want to hear from you. Why did you decide to join the Compass family? Or, what do you love most about being part of our community? Share you comments and all of your wonderful experiences at Compass with us! Click here to share.

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