Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are your students?

• Compass Academy serves diploma-bound students of average through gifted intelligence with a variety of language-based learning disabilities. For more information, please see the admissions section of our website.

• What related services do you offer?

• Although Compass Academy is not a theraputic environment, we employ a number of strategies to meet the needs of students who struggle in a traditional educational setting. Our faculty has extensive experience in working with students with learning disabilities. Our trainings include Orton-Gillingham, Project Read, and Social Thinking.

  Compass Academy has a part time speech-language pathologist and social worker on staff. As part of our tuition structure, the speech pathologist will provide one language-based lesson each week. She is available for additional services on a contractual basis. Our school Social worker is on staff to provide support for our students who struggle with secondary manifestations of their learning disabilities such as low frustration tolerance, anxiety, poor social skills, and low self esteem.

• Is there a deadline for applications?

• Compass Academy has a rolling admissions policy. We will continue to accept new students as long as there is space in our classes. If a class is full, a waiting list will be made. When we have six students for a particular class, a new class will be opened.

• What is your class size?

• In the lower school, class size will not exceed 12 students. Further, any class with more than six students will have an instructional assistant, maintaining a six to one ratio. In the lower school, the classrooms are multi-aged. That means that each classroom will have students from different “grades”. Since we are individualized in the areas of reading and math, this is possible. Further, grouping students in this manner increases the likelihood of each student finding a peer. In the high school, class size can be as small as one student or as large as fifteen, depending on the particular class.

• My child is on a diploma track, can he/she attend college upon graduation from high school?

• Yes! Compass Academy only offers a high school diploma. Our high school graduates will meet the requirements set forth by the state of Maryland to obtain a high school diploma. Further, our students will take the SAT and PSAT and receive test preparation as part of their curriculum. In addition to test prep, our students will register to receive the accommodations they are entitled to according to their disability. Compass Academy also has a guidance counselor on staff to assist our students with finding internships, career counseling, and college placement.

• Do you offer financial aid?

• Compass Academy does have limited financial aid available. Awards are given on a need basis. Awards are given as long as funds are available. Further, financial aid applications are not accepted until your child has been accepted. Since funds are limited, we are unable to award full tuition grants to applicants.

• What is Compass Academy’s status with the Maryland State Department of Education?

• Currently, Compass Academy is approved under (COMAR 13A. 09.09) as a nonpublic educational program (certificate number 4029). Compass Academy is not classified as a special education facility (COMAR 13A.09.10.).

• What are your hours?

• Compass Academy follows a traditional school calendar. School is in session from late-August through mid-June. Our school hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM. Students are expected to arrive between 8:10 AM and 8:20 AM.

• Do you have a uniform?

• Compass Academy has a dress code. For boys, Navy or Khaki pants or shorts. Navy or white polo shirt with or without the Compass Academy logo. For girls, Navy or Khaki pants, skorts or shorts with navy or white polo shirts with or without the Compass academy logo. For boys and girls, rubber soled shoes or sneakers. NO OPEN TOED SHOES, SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS.

• What is your inclement weather policy?

• Compass Academy follows Baltimore County Public Schools for all weather-related closings or delays.
  Any closings of individual Baltimore County Schools are not followed. If Compass Academy should need to close for lack or water, equipment failure, or electricity, parents will be notified via email and phone. Compass Academy will follow Baltimore County Public Schools for the FIRST THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS of a weather-related closing. After that, Compass Academy will make its own decision about closure. Parents will be notified via email and phone. Any information will also be posted on the main page of our website as well as on our phone message.