Compass Academy
305 S 9th St
St. Charles, IL 60174
Ignite creativity and innovation ∎ Inspire personalized learning ∎ Prepare students for multiple paths to success
The traditional, comprehensive high school model isn’t the best fit for everyone. That’s why District 303 offers students another option: Compass Academy, a high school of choice with a flexible schedule that provides students with a small learning environment where they receive a personalized educational experience that challenges them and capitalizes on their interests and passions. With an intentional focus on cultivating positive relationships and building connections to the community and potential careers, the Compass Academy approach combines academic rigor, social-emotional learning, and experiential opportunities while fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, and pathway exploration.
Students at Compass engage in projects in a competency-based model, removing the traditional constraints of "seat time" and empowering student-driven learning inside and outside the classroom. This approach allows students to earn credit toward graduation requirements in ways other than traditional coursework, incorporates real-world knowledge and challenges, and allows students to attain career-related competencies.
Watch this brief student-created video for a glimpse of our learning spaces and experiential learning opportunities, and hear from a few students about what makes Compass Academy unique.
Any District 303 student entering grades 9-12 who believes they would benefit from a non-traditional, smaller high school environment is eligible to enroll at Compass Academy. The instructional offerings at Compass are designed to support all students working toward a high school diploma, including those interested in early college courses and/or career pathway experiences. Students who attend Compass Academy are dual enrolled at and receive their diploma from their home high school, St. Charles East or North.
If your student is interested in learning more about Compass Academy, fill out the Interested Student form and someone from Compass Academy will follow up with you soon. Interested students are required to take a building tour and participate with a parent or guardian in a meeting with the Compass Academy counselor and Director before enrolling.
To see more detailed information about Compass Academy, including course offerings, you may view the Compass Academy Information Guide.
“The support that I have received from teachers and staff throughout the three years I have attended Compass have made me a better student and person. I truly appreciate everything Compass has done for me and I am very thankful to have made the decision to go here my freshman year.” - 2024 Graduate
“Compass has been a safe space for me to learn and grow as a person.” - Current Senior
“At Compass, the focus is on learning for learning's sake and letting the students' interests guide them to topics and ways of understanding things that make sense to them as individuals. While my daughter still has preferred and less than preferred subjects, she is so much more engaged with not only the learning material, but her teachers and peers as well. Being in a smaller, quieter building has also given her a sense of belonging and support that I think all teens need, especially in this day and age.” - Parent of a 2024 Graduate
“My experience as a Compass student has been wonderful. I came to Compass after dropping out of high school with no plans to ever attend school again. Going to Compass wasn't my decision but I'm forever grateful that the choice was made for me. At Compass, I found the motivation to graduate with my class through the safe and encouraging environment they provided. I felt supported by my teachers and encouraged by the curriculum. Classes were taught in a way where I could learn each step and therefore gain a complete understanding of the topics. I learned invaluable lessons that will no doubt benefit me in the future. My life was really dark, but Compass gave me hope.” - 2024 Graduate
“Compass was a great opportunity for me. I got to take more of a leadership role, to pursue all sorts of cool projects I would never have done otherwise, and feel like part of a community.” - 2024 Graduate
“I chose to attend Compass because I like that it's a smaller environment with less people. I also chose it because of how flexible everything is- there’s a lot of options. I just think overall I’ll do better here both socially and academically.” - Current Sophomore
“Compass Academy's approach and atmosphere has provided a way to harness my daughter’s creativity and direct it into meaningful work that I am confident is preparing her for college and doing so in a way that doesn't crush her under pressure to fit the mold of traditional education. The tight-knit culture of trust and accountability at Compass would be nearly impossible to emulate within a larger setting like a traditional high school.” - Current Parent
Director of Compass Academy
Administrative Assistant to Director
