Compass Charter School
The Odyssey Continues
Dear Odyssey Initiative supporters,
Two years ago, you made an investment in The Odyssey Initiative. Thanks to you, we have accomplished exactly what we set out to do. We spent a year on the road researching best teaching practices to inform the creation of a new school in Brooklyn.
On September 4, Compass Charter School will open its doors.
Compass will be a high-quality, progressive public school for children in New York City that reflects the core beliefs with which The Odyssey Initiative (OI) began. We believe that opening Compass is the next step in our continued effort to apply our learning from OI, share our successes and failures with educators from around the country, and help more schools improve teaching and learning (our next email will include highlights from the journey). Insights from our OI research directly informed Compass school model and will continue to influence the school as we grow and expand. As a result of our school design, we have already had many successes:
- To date, we have received over 800 applications for our 50 kindergarten and 50 first-grade seats and are fully enrolled.
- We could not be more pleased with the cultural and racial diversity of our student body. Our student make-up is 44% African American, 37% European American, 12% Asian American, 6% Latin American, and 1% Indian American.
- We completed our hiring process in early April and ahead of schedule. Our staff averages 5.5 years of teaching experience and brings a diversity of teaching experiences and perspectives.
- An engaging and developmentally appropriate library with texts varying in genre, topic and reading level
- A comprehensive and enriching after-school program with programming in the arts, physical education, and literacy
- Ongoing professional development in specific content areas
As we look to apply and share our learnings from OI through the launch of Compass, we hope we can count on you as a continued supporter.
Two years ago, Compass and OI were just visions in our minds. You saw potential in those visions and supported us in a variety of ways. You recommended schools, edited videos, designed websites and flyers, offered legal, strategic and development advice, hosted informational sessions about Compass, and donated to OI.
Now, Compass is a community with students, teachers and families. It is no longer just the three of us who are grateful for the support you have provided. On behalf of this beautiful and growing school community, thank you!
We invite you to continue this Odyssey with us. Throughout this first school year, we will be sending you updates on how we are progressing and how you can continue to support our effort to help improve education for all children in America. Be well.
Brooke, Michele, and Todd
What We Are Reading
Compass Charter School
Email: info@brooklyncompass.org
Website: brooklyncompass.org
Location: 300 Adelphi Street, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Phone: 212-837-4372
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassCharterSchool
Twitter: @CompassCharter