The Compass School

Categories: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Academic Specialty Schools, School Districts

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1. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by Little Potatoes

   04/12/2008

   The Compass School is a public charter school located in Kingston, RI. Currently (2007-8 school year) there are about 130 students in grades K-8; there are 250 children on the waiting list!
   
   My children attend Compass. We have been part of the community for four years.
   
   It's true; this is not just a school, it's a vital and close-knit community. Multi-grade steps (K-1, 2-3, 4-5-6, and 7-8), small class sizes (16 for the youngest, and 19 for the oldest), team-teaching and a unique peer-mentoring philosophy create an environment perfect for developing close friendships within the school. Compass uses project-based, authentic learning methods, with a focus on teaching social and environmental responsibility.
   
   The above dry prose barely describes the reality of the school. There really is a "Compass magic," and it's amazing to behold. Compass kids are some of the most interesting and accomplished young people you will meet. The parents are pretty cool, too. And you will not meet a more dedicated or innovative team of teachers anywhere on this planet.
   
   This is a community where kids are truly supportive; that rare school environment where there are no bullies. Powerful personalities, yes, but not bullying ones. The coolest thing is that the kids are friends not only with kids from their own classrooms, but with kids from all grade levels.
   
   Parent volunteers are heavily involved in all aspects of the school. The school's Council is comprised of parents, teachers, and a few "outside community" members. Parents volunteer in the classrooms, on various committees, in the office, and at after-school events.
   
   The Compass School is a "high performing and commended" school according to the state's standardized tests. This year we were ranked among the top ten schools in RI based on test scores. Pretty good for a school where the students don't take tests besides the required state assessments.
   
   There are a few drawbacks: Because it is a charter school, it is underfunded. Compass accomplishes a lot with a very tiny budget. The special education team could use some beefing up; a small team of mostly part-time professionals accomplish amazing things, but they need more resources and more hours. If you're looking for a science lab, a cafeteria, gymnasium, etc, you will have to wait until the school gets the funding to build the three new buildings and addition to the main building that were approved by the town this year. If you like sledding in P.E. class in the dead of winter, then this is the place to be!
   
   Visit the school's website: www.compassschool.org
   Visit the school when we have our Eco-Fair (Sat. May 31st, 2008 10am-3pm)!

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2. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by dragonologist_caleb

   01/14/2008

   As an alumni of this school I can confidently say that it is an incredible school. They teach rety well, if not far above average, but where compass really shines is in the community. Most schools refer to themselves as a community. WHen compass says that, they mean it. I made so many friends there, and for me that was a big deal.

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