Compass Public Charter School

My family will be moving to the area next year. After reading these reviews I will NOT even consider this school. I do not believe there should be any tolerance of this type of leadership in education. It sounds more like a political campaign, sickening!

This is a wonderful school. Outsiders are constantly amazed at my child's math, reading, and language skills for her age. I really appreciate the fact that they are constantly challenging the students, instead of holding up the entire class in case someone falls behind.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not as good as they claim. The administration is good at one thing, chasing away the best teachers! The administration is very unprofessional in the way they interact with teachers and parents creating an antagonistic atmosphere if anyone asks any questions. I would steer clear of this place of you value your children's education.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is an amazing. The environment is wonderful. The academics are strenuous. The teaching is above and beyond. But be aware if your children are not performing academically they will fall behind. I have average students and it is tough but they love the school so they have to work really hard. I do not care for the administrator of this school, but she runs a tight ship and I feel like this is why this school is so great. and no isn't because I feel like my children need to be favored. If your child isn't performing well on ISATs (which they expect proficient and above) you will get a call saying your child isn't performing and asked to consider if this school is a right fit for your child. Burn out is expected if you come in in an later grade, (such as 5th-8th) My junior highers wanted to quit after 2 weeks because they weren't used to the homework load. They hung in there and are both happy they did!
—Submitted by a parent

My children were admitted to CPCS this year. My wife and I carefully read the charter documents before placing them in this school and went in knowing that it would be a big change for our kids. I was excited to get our kids out of the "big school district" bureaucracy and into a smaller school where the parents, administrator, and board are all on the same page. The academic expectations at CPCS are very high. This makes for a challenging environment that may require a lot of parental one-on-one time at home to make sure your kids are keeping pace in the classroom. This has been a great thing for our family and motivated us a parents to be actively involved in our children's education. Ultimately my child's education is my responsibility and I want to place them in a situation where we have the best chance to learn and be challenged. CPCS has turned out to be that place. I openly admit that it might not be a good fit for some families. Every family is different and school choice should be based on family situation. If you want a challenging school, with strict discipline, and high expectations for both parents and students then CPCS is for you.
—Submitted by a parent

Being LDS, IMHO admissions are based upon who you know. We have tried numerous times to get enrolled at Compass. Our lottery number was low, and others in our ward had higher numbers. The other people, as mentioned, know certain people who are the administrators at Compass. We were not accepted, while the others were. As we know, lotteries can be changed-according to the rules set by those who run them. In the long run, it worked out for the best of us not to be accepted-as we feel the Meridian School District has some of the best schools in the State of Idaho
—Submitted by a parent

This school is Amazing!! The teachers & administrator really care of our children. This school runs off a Lottery system, so acceptance has nothing to do with your religious beliefs. This lottery system allows a level playing field for everyone. It is like being able to have a private school setting, where every one knows your child and you know that they are getting a great education backed up by love for them also.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had kids in this school since day one. I still have a 6th grader there. This school is awesome for kids that like to be challenged, good for an average student if you are an involved parent and can help with homework. Bad for underachievers. But even for them, if they can hang in there until high school and then move on they will excel in High School because the curriculum is so advanced. My only complaint is with the Administrator. She seems to assign labels to students and once labeled that is where they remain. Any complaint I have ever had with this school centers around her actions. The Board seems oblivious. The teaching staff is incredible! It seems to me that this school has recruited the best and brightest and I have seen no signs of teacher burnout. Truly first rate teachers. Good job teachers, thanks!
—Submitted by a parent

Compass is an amazing school that holds everyone to high standards (something many in our society don't like .. it's always OK for everyone else to be held to high standards, but never themselves). Compass protects all students from bullying and constant disruption in the classroom, however does not allow the child who is causing the problem to continue without addressing the issues (a refreshing chnage for many of us parents). Often, instead of looking at themsleves or their child, parents of these bullies or disruptive children lash out and try to find someone to blame. Never learning to take responsibility for your own actions results in irresponsible adults. The outstanding Compass teachers and administration with whom I work strive to help students become responsible adults who operate with integrity.
—Submitted by a teacher

While I strongly support school choice, I would highly recommend to all >parents to thoroughly investigate this school prior to transferring your >students here. The Harbor Method is meant to provide a 'safe harbor' >for your children. The students and most of the families at this school >do support and model this, but the staff is highly lacking in this >area. Most of the bullying that occurs at this school is from the >administration and staff (especially grades 6th, 7th, and 8th). The >pressure to do what is right, be kind to others, treat peers fairly, >that the staff and administration puts on the students is unacceptable >when the staff and administration do not role modeling the behavior. If >your child is singled out as a 'trouble maker', they will endure this >stigma as long as they attend this school. A change in administration >and some staff is needed.
—Submitted by a parent

One of a kind. Innovative, fair, grounded in reality and truth. A breath of fresh air to work there.
—Submitted by a teacher

My kids have been a part of Compass for three years. I have been completely satisfied with the school and the administrator. My kids are receiving a top notch education in a caring safe environment. There are a few disgruntled parents, but aren't there everywhere? There are always those who aren't happy anywhere. I have been very pleased with the way issues have been dealt with as fairly as possible. I believe the administrator is doing a fabulous job.
—Submitted by a parent

I am amazed at the falsehoods posted on this site about Compass and especially the administrator. There is a very small group of disgruntled parents who cannot stand the fact that all kids are held accountable. When their little darling doesn't get special treatment, they whine about the meanie principal. GROW UP! This administrator is the best! I have two children at Compass and the environment is incredible, thanks to the administrator and extremely capable and dedicated teachers she had the wisdom to hire.
—Submitted by a parent

this charter school does not fit the average students learning needs. They scorn and kid out students who can not learn at an accelerated pace, instead of actually teaching them. Do not send you children to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I had attended this school for 3 years, and as of such, the school has changed greatly, mainly in a degrading way, at first, the school had a great curriculum and a great teaching system and was alot of fun, though the homework i spent around 3 to 4 hours a night on it. But even as such, it has come to my attention that the principal seems to have no care for some of the students and some events have been brought to her attention, but she has done absolutely nothing, but that is the reason i chose to change to a different school, but for others it could be a good school, but the work is difficult, there is very few extra-curricular activities, very few sports and very few students. i would not reccomend this school for others who are looking for a extra-curricular activities and education.
—Submitted by a student

There are things that I like and things I don't like about it. I can say that the thing I don't like is the administrator. I don't think the school board recognizes there is an issue at this school with her being the center of the problem. Now, education wise the 'jury is still out'. I know that my kids receive more homework tha n I ever could believe. If you have a child in sports, you don't want them to attend CPCS as homework is average 3 hours a night. I was told that these kids are way ahead of other public schools; however, my youngest didn't seem to be any further ahead in learning than his friend that went to a neighboringc
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who attend Compass and could not be happier with this school and the growth of my kids. The success of Compass is the result of it's administrator and the incredible staff that she has assembled. The curriculum is most certainly not for everyone. It is demanding and challenging but truly prepares are youth for the future. Discipline and self responsibility are emphasized but not in a threatening fashion. My experience with parents who have removed their children from this environment is that neither they nor their children have these qualities. It should aslo be noted that, while other charter institutions are losing attendance and even closinig middle school grades, Compass is expanding. The proof is in the pudding.
—Submitted by a parent

After many years of teaching I had almost lost the desire to teach. Now, I find myself having to pinch myself to make sure that I am not dreaming about being employed at Compass. The reason the school is so great is our principal. She is simply amazing. She is the best I have ever worked for. She is A+ in all areas.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been raised in an educational environment. Not only have I attended several different schools as a student but both my parents are teachers. I have been a witness to the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding school systems and how they operate. By far, Compass Charter exceeds all standards when it comes to the education, the administration, the teachers, as well as the kids. I am impressed by how the administrator takes care of the faculty and students. She goes above and beyond what her title includes. There is an infectious passion from the faculty to learn and succeed. The kids respond to the challenge and grow leaps and bounds each year because of the support and encouragement given. I would highly recommend enrolling your students in the Compass Charter program. The curriculum no doubt is challenging but it is well worth the hard work and effort.

Charter schools function within the guidelines of a Charter Document . As a founder of this school I feel the leadership (school board and administrators) are doing an excellent job of staying true to the original mission of the school. Unfortunately, many parents place their children in charter schools without completing their due diligence of investigating whether or not the school is a good fit for their family. These parents attempt to convince the leadership to change policies and expectations so that the school will fit their child instead of making sure their child is a fit for the school. As a founder I don t want the charter to be changed and feel the dissatisfied parents should seek another school of choice. However, it is unlikely that the type of parents who go to a website to tarnish the reputation of a school will be satisfied where ever they go. The disgruntled parent types rarely take responsibility nor do they hold their children accountable, they would rather play the blame game .
—Submitted by a parent