The Compass School of Texas equips students with a strong academic foundation that fosters analytical thinking, instills the joy of learning in a wholesome environment, and inspires the pursuit of purpose.
CORE VALUES
COMMUNITY • FAMILY • LEADERSHIP
PURPOSE • RESILIENCE VISION
Inspiring students to be creative and confident leaders of tomorrow.
After forty years of leadership in education, I believe wholeheartedly Compass answers the call for excellence in preparing students for jobs that do not yet exist and for a world where analytical thinking, innovation, and integrity are key.
SHELLY SENDER Head of School
Dear Compass Community,
I am astounded by the commitment to our mission exhibited by our parents, donors, educators, and neighbors. The financial contributions and dedication of our community made it possible for The Compass School of Texas to welcome 43 students in 2023 and 62 students in 2024. In our inaugural year, we received the Bronze award by DFW favorites for the Best Private School. This is an incredible feat, and a wonderful demonstration of the outpouring support our school has received since its inception!
This positive reception has extended to the proposed plans for the construction on 5500 W. Northwest Highway. With Dallas City Council’s unanimous approval to rezone the adjacent property, we enter the next phase of development- The True North Capital Campaign.
The campaign aims to raise a total of $82 million to expand the campus to ultimately serve a population of 340 students, annually. The campus expansion is a transformative step towards enriching the educational experience at Compass. It is aligned with the mission of the School and designed to ignite innovative thinking through exploration and discovery.
I am thrilled to introduce our campaign chairs, Susi and Peter Brundage. They are committed to bettering the Dallas community through their business and philanthropic endeavors, including serving on the boards of UT Southwestern Medical Foundation and Susan G. Komen. With Peter and Susi at the helm, and the Leadership Team’s support, we enter this next phase with a considerable wealth of knowledge, spanning all areas of expertise.
The following pages give a comprehensive overview of the campaign goals and expectations, with an action plan to accomplish this over a five year period. I urge you to learn about our school, our values, and our mission.
Together, we can provide this superlative education to a greater number of DFW families. We are embarking on an ambitious undertaking, but one I believe is vital to the future success of our city.
Sincerely,
SHELLY SENDER Head of School
School Location and Design
BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN AND THE INDOORS OUT
The Compass School of Texas spans 3.2 nature-filled acres in the heart of Dallas. The property is situated on a creek, our “living lab,” filled with trees that create wooded exploration areas and classrooms that feel like treehouses. School facilities and resources are designed to support exploration and inquiry.
Our Why
FROM PETER AND SUSI BRUNDAGE, THE COCHAIRS OF THE TRUE NORTH CAMPAIGN
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As lifelong believers in the transformative power of education, we are incredibly excited to share with you why we wholeheartedly support the mission of The Compass School of Texas. Education has always been at the heart of shaping not only individual lives, but entire communities. Compass embodies the very essence of what we believe a school should be: a place where children develop a strong academic foundation, where analytical thinking is fostered, and where the joy of learning is nurtured in a wholesome environment. We are also proud grandparents of a Compass student.
In our time supporting the school, we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it has on students and families. The school goes beyond preparing children academically; it empowers them to face life’s challenges with confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose.
With the continued growth of the DFW area, we see an ever-increasing need for educational institutions that can meet the demand for high-quality, independent education. We believe that a co-educational independent school like Compass will help strengthen the fabric of our community, offering more children the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Compass is uniquely positioned to fill this gap—both in terms of the rigor of its academics and the values it instills in students.
We have been deeply impacted by the school’s mission and vision, and we are committed to helping it grow and expand. The success of this endeavor depends on a community of individuals who share our belief in the importance of education and the power it has to shape the future.
We invite you to join us in supporting this vital effort to create a lasting legacy of learning. Together, we can ensure that The Compass School of Texas will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.
With warm regards,
PETER AND SUSI BRUNDAGE Co-Chairs,True North Campaign
The mission of Compass –to equip students with the skills to think critically and inspire them to find and pursue their purpose –resonates deeply with us.
PETER AND SUSI BRUNDAGE Co-Chairs, True North Campaign
Igniting Curious Learners
Walking through classrooms, you will see natural materials, furniture handcrafted by a Compass dad, and the vision statements that each parent wrote for their child at the beginning of the year. Compass is committed to preparing each of its graduates with crucial life and business skills, curiosity, creativity and confidence, and most importantly, a joy of lifelong learning.
A team of dedicated educators ignite the sense of wonder in the students when they are cooking in the outdoor Farm-to-Table program, doing a science experiment with the dirt in the vegetable garden, and studying poetry in the outdoor classroom in the woods.
NATURE, HEALTH, NUTRITION, & THE BRAIN
Outdoor learning and free play in natural environments improves students’ retention, engagement, and the ability to apply learned concepts. MINDFULNESS is taught in nature and focuses on studies of the brain. This learning is core to creating a growth mindset, and instilling grit and perseverance. The FARMTOTABLE program is deeply rooted in science: the study of minerals and vitamins in food. While students are learning about the chemistry of baking, they also discuss the relationship between gut health and the brain.
SPANISH & CULTURES
The study of Spanish is an integral part of the Compass curriculum and students have SPANISH LESSONS DAILY . By learning to speak a new language, Compass students open windows into other people and cultures. By 8th grade, students will be conversational in Spanish, have a broad vocabulary, ability to read and write the language, and they will have learned about all 21 Spanish speaking countries around the world.
CHESS & STRATEGY
Compass is committed to encouraging students to THINK ANALYTICALLY AND STRATEGICALLY . Lessons of SPORTSMANSHIP are also intertwined in these games. Students learn the etiquette, rules of the game, and strategy of chess, analogous to real-life scenarios. Additionally, numerous research studies have found that Chess helps improve PROBLEMSOLVING and math skills, creative thinking, strategic thinking and planning, pattern recognition, and memorization skills.
ART APPRECIATION, MUSIC & PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
Engaging with the Arts is critical to develop creativity and APPRECIATION FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION . Art is used as a means for students to express themselves and demonstrate their learning.
ROBOTICS & TECHNOLOGY
Compass believes in the INTENTIONAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY . First and foremost, Compass focuses on teaching students the importance of being a responsible digital citizen. Students will build on skills in coding, robotics, and engineering.
FINANCIAL LITERACY PROJECT
Students plant, harvest, and cook nutritious foods. They then apply their financial literacy skills to run a
STUDENTLED FARMERS MARKET, inspiring entrepreneurship and innovation. By directly engaging in the farming and food preparation process, students develop a deep understanding of the relationship between revenue, cost of goods sold, and gross profit. This approach empowers them to think critically about business operations and financial management.
PILLARS OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
ANALYZE HISTORICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND LITERARY THEMES
EDUCATE STUDENTS IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
EMPHASIZE COLLABORATION AND PROBLEMSOLVING
ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
FOSTER ANALYTICAL THINKING WITH ROBUST AND RIGOROUS ACADEMICS
OFFER PUBLIC SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS DISCIPLINES
PRACTICE SELFAWARENESS, SELFREFLECTION, AND SELFMANAGEMENT
Equipping Students with a Strong Academic Foundation
Educators nurture well-rounded students, who demonstrate academic excellence along with the spirit of creativity and innovation. Through daily inquiry opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and an emphasis on spending time in nature, educators cultivate curiosity and resilience. Compass students explore and discover through multi-disciplinary, cross-curricular learning combined with authentic real-world experiences. Our educational approach emphasizes the profound potential in every student. DATA DRIVES INSTRUCTION AND ALLOWS EDUCATORS TO INTENTIONALLY MEET STUDENTS’ NEEDS WITH TARGE TED, INDIVIDUALIZED LESSONS.
TEACH AND APPLY FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS
True North Launch Phase
The founders raised critical funds for the establishment of The Compass School of Texas. Under the guidance of experienced leaders of education, they created a holistic curriculum founded on five core values: Community, Family, Leadership, Purpose, and Resilience.
WHY NOW?
The pediatric population in Dallas is projected to reach 3 MILLION BY 2032 AND DOUBLE BY 2050. Compass answered the call for private education to meet the demands of the quickly growing metroplex.
LOCATION
The founders purchased a location in the heart of Dallas, with easy access to the tollway and surrounded by Preston Hollow, Devonshire, Bluffview, University Park, and Greenway Park. The majority of students reside in these neighborhoods, but the central location hosts students from over 10 zip codes.
OPENING THE SCHOOL
The Launch Phase successfully raised $7.2 MILLION to purchase and open the school. This enabled the founding team to secure the land on the adjacent property, work with zoning consultants/building and architect teams to allow for expansion, curriculum development, classroom furnishings, faculty and staff hirings, and the tuition assistance and scholarship program.
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
Compass held a successful inaugural auction on March 2, 2024. With only 36 families enrolled, over 650 people from the Dallas community attended. Raising over $1 MILLION , these funds helped to cover the annual operating expenses. It will be an annual fundraiser to raise crucial funds for the operating budget.
Compass is not just a nice school in Dallas, it’s necessary.
ARNIE HOLTBERG Advisory Council Chair
Foundation for the Future
The campus expansion is intentionally designed to cultivate a culture of innovation, where aesthetics and function promote learning through discovery and exploration.
THE SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON 5414 W. NORTHWEST HIGHWAY 20242027
• Accommodate Pre-K through 5th grade students.
• Construct additional classrooms on campus.
• Conduct civil engineering and land surveys, engage building and architect teams, and make extensive enhancements to secure the property.
PHASE I: CONSTRUCTION ON 5500 W. NORTHWEST HIGHWAY 20262027
• Accommodate 160 students, Pre-K through 8th grade.
• Purchase all construction materials to build nine homerooms with covered patios, a robotics and technology lab, an art room, a music room, a faculty break room, an educator’s maker space, an atrium, a counselor’s office, ten administrative offices, two conference rooms, a health center, and a facilities and maintenance room.
• Build an underground parking garage and storm shelter.
PHASE II: CONSTRUCTION ON 5414 W. NORTHWEST HIGHWAY 20272029
• Accommodate 340 students, Pre-K through 8th grade.
• Build 21 homerooms, a woodshop and maker space, two world-language rooms, a multipurpose gymnasium with a stage and bleachers, a lobby for community gatherings, a treehouse, outdoor nature scapes, a sports court, outdoor garden beds, a creek dock with a canopy, an underground parking garage, a walking trail, a STEM lab, a kitchen dedicated to our Farm-to-Table program, a music room, an art studio, storage space, a rooftop terrace with two greenhouses, and an outdoor amphitheater.
• The two buildings will connect to serve the entire student population.
Legacy of Learning
Through strategic partnerships, dedicated stewardship, and unwavering commitment, Compass will create a legacy of educational excellence that transforms lives and strengthens communities.
PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT
•Hire experienced educators to develop Middle School Curriculum, including Science, Math, English, History, Farm-to-Table, Fine Arts, Physical Education and Athletics, Advisory Program, Mindfulness, Learning Skills, and Life Skills.
•Reinforce our commitment to attract and retain talented staff members and offer competitive faculty compensation and benefits. Academic excellence and the art of teaching are fueled by educators who are constantly expanding their knowledge and experience in their discipline.
ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES
•Design an intentional community engagement program that serves the Dallas population through volunteerism, outreach, and Compass hosted events like the fireside chats or farmers’ market.
•Raise funds to assist qualified applicants and current families demonstrating financial necessity. During the 2024-2025 Academic Year, 8% of Compass families received tuition assistance.
USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS
CONSTRUCTION
REAL ESTATE AND FINANCING FEES
ENDOWMENT
OPERATING EXPENSES
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATORS
TUITION ASSISTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
TOTAL
$50 MILLION
$10.8 MILLION
$8.2 MILLION
$8 MILLION
$3 MILLION
$2 MILLION
$82,000,000
•Offer achievement-based scholarships to deserving applicants through the Pioneer Scholars Program. Initiated during the 2025-2026 school year, this program grows the founding class with the intention of continuing to award highachieving applicants in the future that do not qualify for financial assistance.
BUILD AN ENDOWMENT
•Endowment funds provide financial stability and serve as a permanent source of income, while alleviating the operating budget to continue to advance the school program and campus. It is a sustained, multi-year capital effort that is strategically invested to grow and accrue interest.
School Leadership
THE TEAM COMMITTED TO BRINGING A VISION OF WHOLESOME AND ENGAGING EDUCATION TO LIFE
SHELLY SENDER Head of School
Shelly serves as the Head of School for The Compass School of Texas. Shelly has been dedicated to the field of education for 43 years. She graduated from Southern Methodist University, where she received her degree in psychology followed by a master’s degree in education administration. For 16 years, she served as the Early Childhood Education Director at Temple EmanuEl Dallas, where she led 336 children and 100 staff members. While there, Shelly guided the school using the Reggio Emilia philosophy, oversaw the third cycle of accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and brought back kindergarten classes.
SUZANNE WOODBURN Director of Academics and Instruction
Suzanne serves as the Director of Academics & Instruction, and brings two decades of rich leadership, instructional, and curriculum expertise to her role. Suzanne is currently undertaking a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Liberty University. She holds certification from the Pathways to Teaching Post-Baccalaureate Program at Dallas Baptist University to teach PreK-6th grade with
an emphasis on the Science of Teaching Reading. She graduated with honors, earning a Master of Science in Applied Social Research & Evaluation, a terminal degree shared between the Education and Sociology departments at the University of Denver. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in philosophy and sociology with a criminology concentration.
LEIGH WAINER
Director of Administration and Enrollment
With an honors degree in Educational Leadership and Management and over 16 years of experience in the field, Leigh is dedicated to strategically enhancing and optimizing systems within education. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to empowering students, educators, and institutions, fostering an environment of growth, innovation, and excellence.
KATIE TOWNEND DOHERTY Director of Advancement
Katie is leading the advancement and fundraising efforts. Katie joined the Compass School of Texas from The Hockaday School, where she served as Upper School Admission Division Director for 15 years. During her tenure at Hockaday, Katie worked with
over 1000 prospective families each admission season. Katie holds an MBA in Management and Leadership from Northwood University, DeVos Graduate School of Business, and an MA in International Relations Management from Universita Cattolica in Milan, Italy, and a BA in International Relations from the University of Arizona.
KATHERINE JAHNKE
Accountant and Business Manager
Katherine is a Dallas native with over 12 years of experience in accounting and finance. She received her Master’s Degree in Accounting at Texas A&M University before returning to Dallas to start her career in Audit with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Most recently, Katherine was Director of Accounting at Civitas Capital Group.
Board and Officers
Compass is grateful to the Board of Directors for their unwavering commitment and the numerous hours they dedicated to securing the long-term success of the School. The Board exemplifies strength and vision, drawing on a diverse range of experiences to proficiently guide Compass’ strategic objectives.
FRANCIS HARRISON
President & Co-Founder, The Compass School of Texas
CAROLINE HARRISON LOEHR
Vice President & Co-Founder, The Compass School of Texas
FRANCES MITCHELL
Secretary & Co-Founder, The Compass School of Texas
TANYA DAVIS
Treasurer, The Compass School of Texas and Accounting Manager
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Comprising a team of independent educators and professionals, the mission is to provide strategic guidance, innovative perspectives, and collaborative expertise to empower the leadership team and the executive team at Compass in realizing its vision of nurturing lifelong learners.
ALEX WILCOX
CEO and Co-Founder, JSX
BRAD MEANS CFO, Riata Corporate Group
JENNIFER RICHARDS
Founder and Trial Attorney, Richards Law PLLC
ARNIE HOLTBERG Chair
BARBARA YORK MICHAEL YORK
GEORGE TOBOLOWSKY
LARRY LACERTE
STAN GREENE MARY ANN GREENE
As we prepare for the campus expansion to accommodate our growing student body, we invite you to join us in this vital endeavor. Together, we can shape the future of education and our city. Supporting The Compass School of Texas means investing in resilient, impactful adults who are able to communicate effectively, lead proactively, and intentionally lead lives of purpose.
YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE TRUE NORTH CAMPAIGN IS CRITICAL TO BUILDING AND SUSTAINING AN ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS, WHOLESOME, AND ENGAGING SCHOLASTIC OPPORTUNITY NOW AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
Because of your support, Compass can seize the opportunity to meet the demand for more educational institutions. Your donation will empower educators, enrich teaching, and enhance community support for the future leaders of Dallas and beyond.
Ways to Give
There are lots of ways to give to our community, including our auction, endowment fund, financial aid program, as well as gifts of stock and planned giving.
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVERDONOR ADVISED FUNDS
CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTSGIFTS OF STOCK
REAL ESTATEMATCHING GIFTS
MEMORIAL AND TRIBUTE GIFTSBENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS
ENDOWED GIFTSAPPRECIATED SECURITIES
Thank you for your support of
The Compass School of Texas.
If you have any questions, please email kdoherty@compassschooltx.org.
The Compass School of Texas is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.
Investing in Compass today is a gift to the future success of the Dallas community and beyond. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders.
FRANCIS HARRISON
President & Co-Founder, The Compass School of Texas
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Compass Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats are moderated panels with local experts open to everyone in the Dallas community. We are dedicated to empowering parents through education. Our goal is to equip parents with valuable tips and actionable strategies families can implement at home. Topics range from mental health, the science of a child’s brain development, healthy eating, and mindful parenting. The upcoming series will rotate through the core values of Community, Family, Leadership, Purpose, and Resilience.
TO JOIN US FOR OUR FIRESIDE CHATS, VISIT COMPASSSCHOOLTX.ORG FOR EVENT INFORMATION.
Our unique Compass pattern was designed with intention and is incorporated into the students’ uniforms. The pattern displays the Compass flower in a formation of five, representing our five core values: Community, Family, Leadership, Purpose, and Resilience.
In addition, acorns are included as a symbol of growth and as a nod to our tree-filled campus.
Lastly, the berries are an ode to Compass’ fruitful Farm-to-Table program and the joy of life-long learning.
COMPASS
5414 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75220 compassschooltx.org
