FAQs

We understand you may have questions as you explore the possibility of an extraordinary learning experience for your child at Compass. Here you'll find answers to common inquiries to help you better understand our unique approach and how we can support your child's journey to learn with purpose and author their future.

  • Charter schools are tuition-free public schools. 

    Compass is a Poudre School District School of Choice, however we run a separate lottery and process of admission.

    Charter schools are authorized and overseen by the State or a local District school board, but have their own governing Board of Directors.

Charter Schools

  • Families are responsible for getting their children to and from school each day. We are located at the Spring Creek stop on public transportation (MAX bus line) and on the Spring Creek Bike Trail so that students can get to school on their own from anywhere in the city for free.

  • We expect students to dress in a casual, but “professional” manner during the school day.

  • All students will be assigned weekly reading and writing across the curriculum. While there is usually time for this work in class, students will likely need to work on class assignments outside of school hours, but we will not assign homework for the sake of “doing more work”.

  • Adolescents are socially focused, learning best when they are happy, challenged, and socially engaged. By working in multi-age groups, younger students have more mature peer models, and older students are held accountable for being those positive role models. It is a natural, inspiring, and effective way for humans to work.

  • The school day starts at 8:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm, with the exception of Wednesdays, which are late start days that start at 9:50 am and end at 3:30 pm.

The School Day

  • Yes, the academic calendar will be similar to others in Fort Collins. We generally follow the high school academic calendar of Poudre School District, however, check our website for each year's specific calendar.

Calendar

Graduation and College Admission

  • At Compass, we intentionally build on each student’s strengths and interests while continually encouraging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and try new things.

    Our graduation requirements go far beyond earning minimum credits and passing grades. Students graduate with a web-based portfolio that showcases both academic mastery and 21st-century skills. They also develop a professional resume and secure a letter of reference.

Student Assessment

  • Compass students will take all state required standardized assessments, including the SAT college entrance exam. In order to track academic growth, students will also be assessed two times a year in reading and mathematics using nationally standardized MAPS tests.

  • In our rapidly changing world, we believe that equipping students with the skills to be lifelong learners and positive change-makers is our number one job. Students will learn essential Colorado core content standards with the help of highly-qualified teachers. However, they will learn these standards at different times, in a multitude of ways, throughout their years at Compass Community Collaborative School. Performance assessments in the form of quarterly Exhibitions of Learning, annual Student-Led Conferences, and annual, individual Presentations of Learning teach students to reflect on and communicate effectively about their learning. Students get documented feedback each quarter that is accessible by families, and at the end of each semester, high school student's mastery transcripts will be updated with competency demonstration in each of the seven learning domains so that students will have transcripts for post-secondary life. Every graduate will have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Student Safety

  • At Compass, student safety is a top priority. Like all schools, we take our responsibility to protect students seriously and approach safety proactively and intentionally.

    Advisory provides a consistent space to review safety protocols, reinforce expectations, and practice emergency procedures. Students participate in regular drills throughout the year, including fire drills and other required safety exercises.

    All community mentors who work individually with students are required to complete background checks. In addition, both students and community partners receive training on appropriate, professional expectations. When working with adults, students remain in common, visible spaces—whether inside the school building or in community settings.

    Middle school students always travel under the supervision of school staff and/or parent volunteers. High school students may travel independently or use public transportation for satellite campuses, internships, and other approved learning experiences, as part of developing responsibility and independence.

Extracurricular Activities

  • We integrate arts, music, and PE (and so much more!) into our regular school week during Wednesday electives. Additionally, students may start clubs with other students who share common interests. We offer clubs such as robotics, dance, kickboxing, virtual reality, and student leadership and culture—and we are open to other ideas as student interest dictates!

    We do not offer extracurricular competitive sports programs like those available at other schools. However, as a PSD-approved charter school, students may arrange to return to their neighborhood school to try out for and participate on sports teams.

Teaching Staff

  • Compass has highly qualified teachers in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and Special Education. Our teachers are experienced professionals with a proven track record of excellence in teaching and prosocial culture building with adolescents and peers. We also have specialized, non-certified teachers as staff and instructors at our school and in the community to widen the diversity of adults with whom students and staff may collaborate and learn.