How do I know what my student is learning, and how are they progressing at Compass?

First, a bit of context. We use a few software programs at Compass in our daily work with students:

Google Classroom

Students use Google classroom for accessing class resources, communicating with their teachers, turning in assignments, and receiving teacher feedback on assignments.

Google Classroom is an excellent platform for:

1. Finding class resources (including assignments, notes, links to additional resources)
2. Seeing what work has been assigned and when it is due.
3. Connecting a calendar. All Google Classroom assignments will show up in the student’s Google Calendar. This is an excellent time management benefit!
4. Getting electronic versions of student assignments. Students are asked to make a copy of the assignment and save it to their own Google Drive, and from there they can answer questions and import pictures and graphics as required for the assignment.
5. Turning in completed assignments to teachers.
6. Receiving and seeing teacher feedback (comments, questions, suggestions for improvements) on those assignments.

How can parents access Google Classroom?

Parents do not have their own login to Google Classroom. PLEASE set a specific time and day of each week to look at Google Classroom with your child.

Students should be able to log in to all of their classes using their unique class codes at all times. In each classroom, you will see the assignments that have been submitted, the ones they are currently working on (and the due dates), and most, if not all of the class resources.

• Looking at Google Classroom without your child by your side may result in more questions than clarity. This is your child’s work and they should be able to explain what they are learning and how they are demonstrating that learning. This is their education and we need to keep encouraging them to own it!
• Please ask them questions and encourage them to make improvements as suggested by your own ideas and by teacher feedback. YOU CAN SEE TEACHER FEEDBACK and any response that your child has given to that feedback as well. You can see the edits and revisions your child has made to any document.
• If your child does not know how to complete an assignment or how to make improvements to their work, encourage them to talk to their teacher and then follow up with them the next day to check for improved understanding.
  1. If your child still has questions, please help them write an email to the teacher with specific questions.
  2. Please refrain from emailing teachers directly yourself unless your child is making no progress after several attempts. Remember, struggle is a critical part of learning - swooping in to rescue them or to take charge of getting help from a teacher is not teaching your child to advocate for themselves which is an important and necessary life-long skill.
  3. Ask your child about why they are getting the feedback they are getting - they will know the answer! Encourage them to always try their best and to ASK for help or additional challenges when they need it.

In what ways is my child receiving feedback on their academic and skills progress in school?

Your child has high quality, professional, fully-engaged, and committed teachers who know and care about your child as a student and as a person. They give them frequent verbal feedback on their strengths and areas for growth in one-on-one conversations throughout the day and over the course of the school year(s).

• Assignments on paper or electronic documents that are turned in on Google Classroom get feedback on a daily and/or weekly basis. Students are continually encouraged to work to improve their products to show mastery of content standards and skills.
• Students self-assess with Teachers and Advisors regularly. This self-assessment may take place on a paper rubric or on a digital document in Google Classroom. At the end of the courses, teachers assess students on Compass Competencies using the correlating rubric.
• Your child’s progress is logged in their PASSPORT and shared with students and parents at the end of each quarter. 

What is the focus of learning at Compass?

Deep learning of skills and academics in the context of real-world problems is the focus at Compass.

• We believe in teaching key concepts and skills and creating the building blocks from one level to the next and in giving students meaningful problems, scenarios, and community partnerships (or helping them find their own) with which to apply and practice these concepts and skills to learn them deeply.
• We study interesting topics that are relevant to our local and global community and that are based in  Colorado State Academic Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and ISTE technology standards to engage students in learning.
• We believe in constant improvement and growth. We know that all humans are “jagged learners”. We do not penalize students for not showing mastery on their first try, nor do we hold them back in a class level that is below their abilities just because they are a certain age.

How do you transcript for college admissions?

As a 3rd year Navigator, a student’s full high school experience is recorded in their Mastery Transcript. Mastery Transcript is widely accepted by colleges and universities as an alternative transcript showcasing real skills and student academic competency levels. GPA will not appear on a student’s Mastery Transcript. However, students will receive a GPA letter for admissions and scholarship purposes. For more information on Tracking Student Progress towards Graduation and Mastery Transcript, CLICK HERE.