Compass High School

This school is a complete utter joke. The students love it due to its total lack of structure and discipline. They are allowed to come and go as they please. They are allowed to text during classes and when a teacher does not show up its free time o''r watch movies. They are not an accredited school so your child's diploma isn't worth the paper its printed on. Now they are trying to open a second school. T.h, ey cant function one school properly let alone two. Your child's education would be better suited some where other than here. Unless you don't care about your child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is definitely... Different. I visited Compass for the first time in Oct. 2009 my sophomore year and let me tell you I was surprised. I've never heard of (let alone seen) a charter school before in my life. I was skeptic for back then it was just a renovated shopping center with teachers and I didn't know exactly what to think of it. After three short years and graduating from there however I can honestly say that it might not be up to par with conventional high school professionalism and there ideas of learning and teaching environments, but Compass has hit the nail on the head when it comes to understanding students and what's best for their learning needs and truly understand that textbook learning isn't for the majority anymore and that hands on application and personal interest is where learning becomes natural, easy and most importantly FUN! Here they be sure of hiring only those who truly care for students progression and takes a personal interest in them individually. I owe Compass A LOT for where I am today and would recommend this school to anyone who's tired of boring conventional schools that only look at students as their income. Discover Your Potential!!!
—Submitted by a student

This is not a school for a student to get an education. It is quite the joke! My son said he watched movies in his classes. his math work looked like it came from 4th grade. Kids were not monitored accurately and they hang out across the street during school hours instead of being in class. I do not think the teachers are even certified. The admin is also quite rude. We decided to put him back in TUSD with a professional staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was a senior with less than freshman level credits when he started attending this school. The atmosphere was not only one where hands on learning is used but because of the sizes of the classes more one on one help is available. The teachers are more relaxed on strict rules and allow students more room for free thinking and expression however the level of commitment not only to educating but helping to build the students confidence and self-worth is immeasurable. I have no doubt that my son would have dropped out if he had not started attending this school. I'm grateful for the alternative learning that has allowed my son to obtain his diploma and motivate him to reach for higher goals.
—Submitted by a parent

A lot of the teachers where really nice but they seemed to trade for new ones every year. It was really sad, it seemed like the teachers got less and less qualified. Their science teacher actually had the students make rockets and volcano's (Fifth grade stuff) And there were some very controversial incidence with students being kicked out or left out of trips. When I went to this school the only reason students liked this school was because they had to do little to no work and were allowed to goof off all day. The school was a joke then and I'm sure it still is today. I don't know anyone that actually graduated from here. I sure wasn't able to, they gave me the wrong math credits. I think a diploma from here would be worthless anyway. Got my GED instead. Parents really shouldn't send their kids here...
—Submitted by a student

Graduation Ceremony was so beautiful. You can tell how much you all care for our kids. I'm so proud of my daughter for picking this wonderful school to graduate from. Thank you so much!
—Submitted by a parent

honestly, i have never been the type to get excited to go to school. i now am. this school offers so much for it's students. the teacher's are so easy to get along with and they don't treat youlike they are smarter or better then you. i love this school for showwing me all of my hidden talents.
—Submitted by a student

This school has tremendous potential, but they don't give the time of day to teacher-applicants with experience. The administration seems more concerned with a staff being hip than qualified and experienced with challenging students.
—Submitted by a teacher

Compass high is the best school ever!! I want school to start really soon =]]
—Submitted by a student

I love Compass! Thank you so much! I really feel like I am ready to take on the world!!! Go Class 2009!
—Submitted by a student

Could not be happier with Compass. Compass is innovative in their teaching strategies and caring in their application.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently attend Compass High School. Since I started attending Compass my GPA has gone from about a 2.0 to a 3.5. The teachers are great, the administration really cares about the students and does their best to make sure the students have the best chance at achieving their goals. I recomend this school to all people looking for a different way to succeed in school.
—Submitted by a student

I transferred my daughter from Vail schools where she was lost in the crowd. Learning is not just about tests and grades. At this age building self esteem and character finding out what you want from life is more important. In Vail athe only students they care about are their AAA athletes and the rest are left to fend for themselves. Compass focuses on what is more important at this age. Not all students are college bound and for the ones who are, studies have shown that which college you attend has nothing to do with how successful you become. Smart kids will do well anywhere!
—Submitted by a parent

I see some parents talk about their kids doing much better since transferring to Compass. These parent most likely have not reviewed the course work at this school. Additionally, after complaining to the Arizona State entity that controls charter schools I was ask to send the course work my son was receiving so they send it to Compass to verify that is the work given to the students. As a result nothing happened. Compass High School is a waste of my tax dollars. Compass needs to be shut down now.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son that currently attends Compass and is now doing better then ever. He would always struggle in his last school. Since nothing was working for him at PV I looked around for different schools and found that a charter school maybe a good way to go. I heard good things from a friend about Compass so I enrolled my son and found out two weeks later that he learns well but just in a different style then regular schools. What Compass does is makes a real effort to explore different types of education in order to fit each individual student and for my son they accommodated him in this way and it s working! He s exciting about school, looks forward to his classes, likes his teachers, etc. The teachers are the absolute best. This is a great place; you should definitely consider Compass when choosing a new school.
—Submitted by a parent

Shut Compass High School Down. If you want your child to learn Do not sent to Compas High School. English work given to my 11th grader was evaluated to be at the 4th or 5th grade level. Compass grading scale: 'A' or 'B' only. Look: Compass 'A' really equals 75-100 percent and 'B' really equals 45-74 percent. Many of the students are towards the lower of the scale. If you are reading this save your child! Do Not Send To Compass.
—Submitted by a parent

A diploma from Compass High School Is less than a G.E.D. This was proven when my step-son tried to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He was told by the Air Force recruiter that he will need to pass the G.E.D. because the quality of the academic program is too low. Compass is a great school for a child who wants to be a laborer. Compass educators are not certified by the State of Arizona and not one has a Master s Degree. If your child is college bound choose a different school.
—Submitted by Mr. Jones, a parent

It's a great school to get your kid back on track, but not good enough to get into college. If you plan to have your child get into college this is not the school to go to.
—Submitted by a student

Both my children love Compass High School and the teachers in it! They both went from C's and D's at a TUSD school to A's and B's. Everything from Drama to Photography to Yearbook/Journalism and Guitar are availible. Teacher's and staff are very involved and the children don't get 'lost' among the crowd. I would highly recommend this school. Compass High School is helping my children learn and grow!
—Submitted by Wendi, a parent

Excellent school, staff very involved, family like setting. Much parental involvement. High academic level.
—Submitted by a parent