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Community Engagement

Fort Collins is our campus and the world is our classroom. Our location, schedule, and learning design promotes connection with community partners to ensure our learning is relevant, exciting and engaging.

Students participate in a science lecture at CSU.

Compass is a community collaborative school not only in name but also in practice! We have a long and growing list of community partners with whom we work inside and outside of our school building. Our location, in the heart of midtown Fort Collins, is at the Spring Creek MAX bus stop. The MAX runs buses every 20-minutes throughout the day and is an excellent way for students and staff to commute to school and to get out in the community to access partner resources.

Community partners enrich class studies, teach special topics and skills during Studio and Venture Project classes, and offer our students work-based learning opportunities in the form of internships and apprenticeships. Additionally, we look to our community partners for financial support and in-kind donations.

Authentic Ways We Leverage Our Community Partnerships

No Barriers

  • Social-emotional learning language is embedded into campus culture.
  • Access to the Red Feather, Colorado Wilderness Camp for our team-building activities for our new students at the beginning of each school year.
  • Nationally renowned artists and adventurers host seminars and school assemblies to share their stories and talents.
  • Internships and other work-based learning opportunities are available at the No Barriers national headquarters right here in Fort Collins.

Colorado State University

  • Science lab at Education and Outreach Center is used year- round as a Venture Project classroom.
  • Classes make regular use of the Morgan Library for student research.
  • Frequent work with graduate and undergraduate students and university staff regarding research projects and preparation for college admissions.
  • Interns from Human Development and Family Studies work with students in our school every semester to provide enrichment and academic support.

City of Fort Collins

  • Natural areas provide an outdoor lab for science ventures and city parks one block from our campus allow students to get outdoors and play and learn.
  • City government departments continue to provide partnerships for Venture Projects such as building pollinator gardens, wildland restoration projects, designing public service announcements, and senior citizen engagement.
  • The MAX bus stops right at our back door and provides free transportation for all students to and from school as well as taking entire classes on outings to visit with our community partners.
  • The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery provides rich content for historical and scientific research for our classes.