School Overview

Summer School Photography Program

COMPASS School's summer session included a Photography Program sponsored by Newmarket Business Association, which consisted of students taking pictures on outings including The Freedom Trail, Castle Island, the Franklin Park Zoo, and Whale Watching. The students used the pictures they took to construct five sentence paragraphs, to complete history projects, and to write childrens' books.

Keep reading...

Computer Literacy Programming School-Wide Thanks to The Philanthropic Initiative

COMPASS is happy to announce a grant award in the amount of $40,000 from The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) on behalf of an anonymous foundation sponsoring the Boston Cradle to Career initiative. COMPASS responded to this grant initiative with a focus on the foundation's goal to raise aspirations and enhance skills of young people through literacy programs, youth development programs, career awareness and workforce development, support services and enrichment opportunities for low-income children, youth and young adults in Boston. COMPASS School will be developing computer literacy programming school-wide for grades 1 through 12 with the assistance of this grant award.

Keep reading...

2011 Washington DC Trip

Six students from four different towns enjoyed the annual Kip Sowpel Washington DC trip this year. Students saw the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, the Air and Space Museum, the National Mall and monuments, as well as taking in a Washington Nationals baseball game. Students expressed their excitment in the oppurtunity to have new experiences, with some students taking this fully to heart, even trying a new food or dish at every meal. The group really enjoyed their week's experience.

Keep reading...

Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Grant Helps COMPASS School Spice Up Culinary Arts Program

The Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Corp., a nonprofit, tax-exempt entity established by attorneys from Brown Rudnick LLP, has awarded a Community Grant to the COMPASS to purchase a Point Of Sale (POS) computer system for the COMPASS Café, part of our Culinary Arts Program. The new system will replace an outdated cash register, improving overall efficiency. More importantly, students will learn to use the systems and equipment that are used in most food service establishments, increasing their chances of employment.

Keep reading...

COMPASS Participates in Children's League of Massachusetts Advocacy Day Program

Executive Director John Lydon, along with COMPASS School staff and students, participated in the Children's League of Massachusetts Advocacy Day Program at the State House on Feburary 8, 2011. Massachusetts Senate and House representatives spoke to the audience of League members and their constituents, and representatives heard from some of the students in attendance, who shared their hopes for themselves in words and in music.

Keep reading...

Violence Prevention Slogan Contest

For over 25 years, COMPASS' mission has included assisting all students/families to develop the skills needed to stay safe.

Keep reading...

COMPASS School Field Trip: Boston Duck Tours

COMPASS School summer students enjoyed a fun field trip around Boston this summer on the famous Duck Tours amphibious vehicle.

Keep reading...

Ascer

Ascer was at the COMPASS School in October, 1995 when he learned of his brother's death, the result of a violent encounter in Mattapan. This incident and the circumstances under which Ascer learned of his brothers death, reading of it in The Boston Herald, put all our theories about violence prevention to the test. At COMPASS he focused on a newfound exceptional talent: art. Throughout the year, COMPASS staff worked with him, individually, as a team, and in the classroom, providing him opportunities to vent, to create, and to pursue what had once seemed a far-fetched dream - a college education. Some seven months after his brother's death, Ascer himself was on the front page of the Herald, pictured next to this headline: "Through fear and tears he rises up" In the article, Peter Gelzinis, the Herald reporter, recounted the story that had shaken and

Keep reading...

AmeriCorps' Massachusetts Promise Fellowship awarded to COMPASS

COMPASS is happy to have Kerri Foley join our school staff as a Job Readiness Fellow. The Fellow position at COMPASS was awarded through the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, which is part of the national AmeriCorps program. Kerri will work to enhance current transitional services by developing a job readiness and supported emplyment program. The Massachusetts Promise Fellowship places Fellows who commit to a year of service at non-profit organizations, schools, and city agencies across Massachusetts to create, lead, and manage youth development projects. The Massachusetts Promise Fellowship believes that "all young people in the Commonwealth have a right to the resources that they need to be successful in life, including a caring adult, a safe place, a healthy start, an effective education, and an opportunity to serve... and deliver these 5 promises to youth by training emerging leaders who commit one year of service to support and provide

Keep reading...

Summer School Joins with Habitat for Humanity

4 COMPASS high school students worked with the Boston Area Habitat for Humanity Program this summer, helping to construct a garage door and ceiling in low income housing in Dorchester. Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, Inc. is a Massachusetts charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple low-cost homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing. The organization believes that homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty and contributes to pride in families and communities.

Keep reading...