Taking Inventory of the Year
A QUANTITATIVE LOOK AT THE IMPACT MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU!
ALETTERFROMTHE HEADOFSCHOOL
As I reflect on this past school year, I am genuinely moved by the strides made. In addition to the academic achievements, I am constantly impressed by the stories of personal growth. Our students show up every day, eager to face challenges, make new discoveries, and surpass expectations. I am incredibly proud of all the accomplishments and grateful for the support of the faculty, staff and parent volunteers that made everything possible.
It is wonderful to see the quantitative impact, knowing that these numbers just touch the surface of the true impact made for our students and community. I want to thank every person that has given Compass time, energy, knowledge, funding, enthusiasm, and kindness of spirit.
Each day, the mission is at the forefront of the work being done. This report captures a small piece of the joy taking place in the classrooms, in the garden, on the field, and all throughout Dallas with educational experiences at Frontiers of Flight, Omni Hotel kitchens, Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Children’s Theater, St. Mark’s Planetarium, Klyde Warren Park, and Dallas Museum of Art. I invite everyone to celebrate the tremendous work being done.
COMPASS TO THE TO THE CORE
A lively, curiosity-filled day at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA): The field trip welcomed a strong turnout of students, families, and guests. It served as an opportunity to blend classroom lessons with hands-on cultural experiences in the heart of Dallas. The museum visit connected to conversations about the many forms art can take beyond traditional paint and clay.
The day began with students gathering at Klyde Warren Park to release some excited energy before becoming the first group to enter the museum. Equipped with a thoughtfully designed treasure hunt and art prompts for their adult companions, students split into small groups and discovered featured works and crowd-favorites, like this Indigenous American sculpture.
“It was so fun to see the kids totally immersed and excited, turning the museum into their own little adventure.” -Mariana Crespo Barnetche, Compass Art Educator
In partnership with Teach For America, Compass proudly hosted Crafts for a Cause, an inspiring event that brought together Compass students and parents to show appreciation for the vital role teachers play in shaping young minds. Held on the Compass campus, families engaged in hands-on crafting activities, all designed with gratitude in mind. There were a variety of “crafty” stations such as decorating wooden keychains, assembling bath salts for relaxation, designing custom coasters, planting succulents paired with handwritten gratitude notes, crafting personalized bookmarks, and building colorful, unique lanyards. Each station was designed to provide a thoughtful, handmade gift to honor local educators’ dedication, care, and daily impact in the classroom.
International Day was designed to promote global awareness and cultural pride. This year’s event featured a vibrant mix of activities that allowed attendees to explore the unique customs of various countries represented by the school’s student body. With booths representing countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, China, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, England, Greece, Italy, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, students and families offered a personal look into heritage through food, music, dress, and artifacts.
In 2 Grade, lessons on the heart went from metaphorical explanations in English to representative three-foot models in art to scientific applications in the real world with an informative visit from cardiologist, Dr. Matthew Dickson.
Students wrapped up the unit with a showcase, where students examined blood cells under a microscope, calculated heart rates by multiplying beats in a fifteen second period by four, taught attendees about balance and nutrition for heart health, shared essays on the heart, and engaged guests in a game to learn about the cardiovascular system.
In addition to many field trips, professionals came to campus to share their expertise. With engaging and practical instruction, these individuals gave invaluable wisdom that allowed students to see real world examples and careers that incorporate their classroom learning. Themed lessons centering on Texas prompted Pre-K students to study major cities, paint bluebonnets, and recite the state pledge daily. Excited to expand upon their knowledge of Dallas landmarks, they integrated Farm-to-Table learning as they delved into plant growth near freeways with guest, Kit Sawers delving into the details about city planning and things to consider when creating parks in urban areas.
TRADITIONS
The second annual Thanksgiving Feast came to life with floats, artwork, and written contributions by the students. Veteran’s Day joined together generations with an inspirational speech by a war veteran, celebrating the heroic work being done by men and women dedicated to serving our nation. Other notable gratitude gatherings were “Are you smarter than a 3 grader,” Muffins with Mom and Pancakes with Dad. Grandfriend’s Day was a tea party for the ages with guitar playing, bouquet making, and an exploration of the grounds. The Compass in Bloom: Farmer’s Market hosted many outside vendors in addition to Compass’ own students and staff, who sold produce and handmade goods. Older students showed off their entrepreneurial skills, setting up tables to sell alphabet crayons and 3D printed items like dragons and chess sets. This year, a few new traditions were started, including Pioneer Day and the Compass Readathon, which deepened students love of reading with some healthy competition for a gift card to purchase more books at Interabang Books
FIRESIDE CHATS
The 2024-2025 season kicked off at Frontiers of Flight Museum with James Keyes, Dr. Linda Silver, and Dr. Lori Cook discussing A Child’s Brain Development and the Case for Nature and Science. With Frances Mitchell moderating, attendees had the opportunity to listen to how environmental factors influence the pace of development of a child’s brain.
The series continued at HALL Arts Hotel with Arnie Holtberg prompting Dr. Haley Fournier, Shelly Sender, and Laine DiStefano to address the impact of excessive screen time on youth, emphasizing the importance of outdoor activity and human interaction. They explored how rising anxiety among students and parents affects daily life.
Concluding the season, The Perot Museum of Nature and Science hosted a conversation on Navigating Leadership with Ross Perot Jr. and Admiral Pat Walsh answering questions from Peter Brundage. A common thread was that true leadership is synonymous with integrity and altruism. When dissecting the qualities of accomplished leaders, Walsh declared, “There's an element of capacity that is just never exceeded. True leaders always find capacity.” Walsh’s words inspired people to take action and led to internships for six Cristo Rey students by Compass parents and community members that attended the spring event.
Panel Speakers
Dr. Lori Cook, Director of Clinical Research at the Center for Brain Health
Laine DiStefano, Therapist at Thinkspace Counseling
Dr. Haley Fournier, Co-Founder of Screenwell and Founder of Dallas Wellness Group
James Keyes, Former CEO of 7-11 and Author of Education is
Freedom
Ross Perot Jr., Chairman of the Perot Companies and Hillwood
Shelly Sender, Head of School for the Compass School of Texas
Dr. Linda Silver, CEO of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Admiral Pat Walsh, President of Cristo Rey Dallas and former U.S. Navy Four-star Admiral
Donations and Fundraising Income
Fall Festival Proceeds
North Texas Giving Day
Fireside Chat Sponsorships
2025 Fiesta Auction Donations
New Pledges Total $18,500 $23,210 $26,268 $2,530,614 $2,581,106 $5,837,538 $11,017,236
The funds raised contribute to the unique learning experience of every individual on campus. Additional support allows Compass to offer competitive salaries and benefits to hire top educators, expand and implement a mission-focused curriculum for Pre-K through 8 grade, enhance program experiences for brainhealth, city service, core values, financial literacy, physical education, robotics, and wellness, provide scholarships and tuition assistance, and increase the impact on the community year after year.
As Compass embarks on this expansion to serve more children and families throughout Dallas, we are consulting a myriad of experts to weigh in and help design intentional programs and spaces for learning that promote the Compass mission and establish an institution that serves future leaders for generations to come. The Advisory Council has been instrumental to this process for both curriculum and design with their many years of experience in education, design, and entrepreneurship. Students have also contributed to this process. They met with Compass architect, Scott Hall, giving their own insight and sketches to represent their dream spaces for the future campus.
BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT FOR SPANISH
A look at the Spanish Program and the creation of the Concurso de Ortografia y Deletreo
Daily practice and consistent use is one of the best ways to learn a language. Compass and Spanish educator, Mercedes Macedo, subscribes to this belief full-heartedly. As the Director of Spanish Program and Pedagogy, Macedo continues to build the Spanish program for Compass, designing a curriculum that gives students Pre-K through 8th grade the confidence to speak in Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
When tasked with the challenge of building out a multilevel program, Macedo knew that the lessons needed to extend beyond the basics of language. Fluency and proficiency are a priority, but so is the study of culture. Each grade learns about significant Hispano figures and by 8 grade students will have completed a unit about each of the countries that have Spanish as the official language. At the forefront of her mind in curating the curriculum is the need to garner student excitement for the language. th
As is the Compass way, a large part of increasing engagement comes from understanding the real-world significance of dual language. This is achieved through a multitude of activities, including ‘trips’ around the world, where students carried cardboard suitcases and handmade passports to the transformed hallway, more fondly known as, Puerta A5. They answered questions for the customs official to show off their language skills. The enthusiasm demonstrated by students inspired Macedo to create more opportunities to showcase their linguistic knowledge.
“THEIR GROWING JOY IN LEARNING SPANISH AND THEIR EAGERNESS TO DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING INSPIRED US TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MATCHED THEIR MOMENTUM.”
MERCEDES MACEDO
On April 23, 2025, the 2nd and 3rd grade classes participated in Concurso de Ortografía y Deletreo, Spanish Spelling Bee. Deciding to showcase through competition was an easy decision for Macedo. She states, “Competitions are important because students learn valuable life skills, such as resilience, teamwork, and partnership, and grow in confidence to showcase their knowledge, all while being part of an experience that can be stressful and requires working under pressure.”
The competition began with an in-class Pruebas de Ortografía y Deletreo, where students took written tests. Every child sought to make it to the finals by applying the lessons from class on foundational phonetic skills. The students’ enthusiastic response demonstrated their growth in their spelling skills and phonemic awareness. As they competed for the finals, the maturing confidence in speaking a secondary language emanated as they competed in front of a panel of judges, volunteer Spanish speakers from the Compass community. The three winners exuded with pride as they received their customized trophies at a school-wide ceremony.
The celebrations didn’t end there. The date aligned with Día Internacional del Idioma, offering an opportunity to incorporate studies of the life and legacy of the celebrated literary figure, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The significance of the event demonstrated the students’ progress and continued to nurture their curiosity and love for the Spanish language.
Looking to next year, students expressed a desire to expand the event to more grades and other schools. The enthusiasm from the event is the most significant measure of success in the developing Spanish program. Macedo declared, “We are a young school with big dreams.”
Asha and Brian Adams
Lynne Adams
Danaree Allgood
Libby and Al Allred
Anonymous
Dana and Mike Arnold
Allison and Amon Austin
Stefanie and Richie Auter
Fariborz Azarian
Marika Baca and Christian deLarios
Anne and Robert Bailey
Donna Bajaj
Lee Baldwin
Faith and Matthew Baldwin
Elizabeth Banks
Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller
Lauren and Adam Barrer
Megan and Joseph Barrie-Schwarz
Danielle Bartlett
Courtney and Dominik Bauch
Kathie and James Baugh
Elaine and Trent Beagle
Rachel and Ryan Beaupre
Lindsay Bendorf
Natalie and David Benefield
Jamaal Benjamin
Hayden and Henry Benton
Cassie and David Bernard
Paige and Jon Bernstein
Hassie Harrison Bingham and Ryan
Bingham
Cristina and Colin Bird
Rylie and Mark Bland
Casie and Austin Blankenbeckler
Tatyana and Jamie Bloom
Natalie and James Bloomingdale
Jessica and Kevin Boardman
Elayna and John Bowden
Mara Brachtl
Suzi and Kieran Brennan
Mackenzie Brittingham and Matt
Severs
Katy and Parker Brooks
Janis and Sam Brous
Lindsay and Mitchell Brown
Susi and Peter Brundage
Mary Bryan
Kate and Brack Bryant
Nancy Burgher
Claire and Brooks Bussard
Annika and Dennis Cail
THANK YOU!
Anne-Marie and Walker Cain
Susan and Ned Cammack
Greg Cannon
Abby and Robert Cannon
Dawn Capp
Eric Caraballo
Denisse Cardenas
Whitney and Aaron Carroll
Takhmina and Rob Ceravolo
Parker Chaddick
Brandi and Cam Chalmers
Meredith Chiles
Sarah Christian
Brad Clark
Sharon and Max Clark
Jennifer Cloud
Graham and Toben Cocklin
Christopher Coffman
Sarah and Austin Conway
Vodi Cook and Evan Meagher
Bela and Chase Cooley
Jenna Cooper
Tigger and Leo Corrigan III
Grecia Crosby
Kathy and Harlan Crow
Natalie and Andrew Cryer
Alaa Daghlas and Matt Sunbulli
Jessica and Jack Dale
Carla and Clark Damon
Gordon Damon
Sherri and Alan Darver
Mallory and Robert Davies
Tyler Davies
Pilar and Lew Davies
Miranda and Conn Davis
Tanya and Brandon Davis
Christie and Brian Davis
Jeri Davis
Debra and Michael Decker
JoAnne and Matthew Decker
Tara and Matthew Dickson
Annie Diehl
Caroline Diehl
Kelly and John Diehl
Laine and Rich DiStefano
Alison and Edward Doherty
Katie and Neal Doherty
Lauren and DJ Donohoe
Mawk Donahue
Berkeley and Jason Downie
Amira Duck
Sarah Eastburn
Elizabeth and Gary Eckeberger
Blake Eltis
Nancy and Jon Esber
Linda Jo Evans
Toni Evans
Jennifer and Peter Eyestone
Mimi Falb
Taryn and Austin Federer
Rebecca Marcus Fernandes
Lori Feste
Jessica and Paul Field
Kerrie and Ross Forbes
Jamie and Charlie Foster
Jessica Frank
Anna and Elisha French
Mia and Clayton Frenzel
Chelsea and Austin Fry
Sally Fryer and Mark Dietz
Abby and Bradon Fuqua
Susanna Gibb and Joe Nemmers
Haley and Charles Gigliotti
Haley and Scott Gill
Sophie and Mason Gilmore
Julia and Hank Glasgow
Sarah and Hayden Godat
Shelby and Travis Goff
Nancy Gopez
Lindsay and Jonathon Gorbach
Janet Goulding
Evanna and Robert Goulding
Shannon Graham
Mary and Rob Grasso
Carolyn and Loren Greaves
Kelly and Paul Greenwell
Abby and Michael Gregory
Anna and Thomas Gresham
Nancy and Jim Groth
Debra and Michael Gunter
Brieann Handahl
Darla Halbert
Francis Harrison and Manuel Brito
Patricia Harrison
Bailey Harrison
Anne Harrison
Michelle Harvey
Dayna and David Harwood
Louisa and Joseph Harwood
Jena and Brian Hattendorff
Amy and Wade Havins
Ivan Havins
Toshi Hayashi
Jenni and Todd Heinz
Emily and Ryan Helm
Carolina and Christopher Helms
Kathy Helms
Margretta and Will Henderson
Lisa and Luke Henderson
Alayna and David Hensley
Maureen and Bill Hodges
Whitney and Ross Hodges
Jan and Arnold Holtberg
Jena Holtberg-Benge
Michelle and Austin Hopper
Libby and Matthew Howard
Mallory Hubbard
Madalene and Garrett Huffines
Holly and Phillip Huffines
Danielle and Ben Hughes
Jane and Matt Humphrey
Sharron Hunt
Charlotte and John Hunt
Sloane and Mike Hunter
Kelsie Huntsman
Mandi Hutchison
Elisa Jacobo
Nora and Dale Jacobs
Allie and Mark Jacobs
Christina and Sal Jafar
Katherine and Clay Jahnke
Katlin and Zach James
Sarah and Will James
Duke Jimerson
Marsland Johnson
Julia and Bill Jones
Heather Jones
Carole and Chris Jordan
Bru Juracek
Susan and Matthew Kairis
Katie and Ben Kardell
Leigh and Jim Karol
Karen Kaufman
Leslie Kavanaugh
Olivia and Jeffrey Kearney
Meredith and JR Kennedy
Jessica Khan
Susanne Kirk
Shelby and Tim Kirksey
Monica Kitt Bernardy
Linda and Oliver Klinger
Lisa and Chris Kopecky
Valerie and Kent Krause
Marlys Krueck
Christina Kuo and Keith Jensen
Joyce and Larry Lacerte
Quincy Lacerte
Madison Lacerte
Mary Elizabeth and Chris Lafield
Emily and Mark LaGrone
Ellie and Sam Lam
Madelaine and Russell Lam
Eileen and Chip LaMarca
Lacey and Brett Land
Laura and Michall LaRochelle
Cindi Larson
Linda and Greg Leftin
Lou and Jeff Lehman
Michael Lewis
Margaret and Keet Lewis
Janet Lipnick
Kathy and David Lipnick
Caroline Harrison Loehr and Gavin Loehr
Meghan Looney
Heather and Andrew Lothes
Amanda Loughmiller
Tina Lynch
Mercedes Macedo
Bethany and Caleb Malone
Stacey Martin
Michele Matamoros
Dassi and Gillad Matiteyahu
Kalize and Clay Mauldin
Eleanor and Charles May
Marla and David Maymon
Carolyn and Michael McBee
Lydia and Nick McCutchen
Mary McDermott Cook
Shirley McDonnold
Jasmine and Jeremy McGown
Lonnie McGown
Maddy McGuire
Sophie McGuire
Karla and Mark McKinley
Adam McLintock
Caitlyn and Mike McNair
Becky and Brad Means
Eduardo Medina
Anne and Edward Mercer
Bill Merchant
Kendra and Caleb Messer
Hunter Miller
Vicki and Brian Miller
Nina and Chris Miller
Nancy Miller
Amy and Malone Mitchell
Frances and Noah Mitchell
Lynde and Briggs Mitchell
Yuko Mochida
Poonam Mohan
Frances Moody-Buzbee and Tony Buzbee
Lyndsey Motamarry
Cecilia Muris
Kendall Murphy
Sara and Travis Murray
Siobhain Naughton
Lauren and Lila Claire Newburn
Ashley and Erik Noland
Tammy and Jack Novak
Michelle and Bernard Nussbaumer
Nancy and John Oberman
Kelly and Cameron Ongena
Alicia and Soner Ozkan
Jodi and Rick Perdue
Alex Perry
Lara Perschke
Bailey Pham and Alan Arnold
Morgan and Andrew Pieper
Laura and Lloyd Pierson
Lauren Pingree
Noel Pittman
Meredith and Mark Plunkett
Stefanie and Michael Prentiss
Laura and Jon Price
Lara and Brian Pryor
Elizabeth Quezada
Mary Lucille and Robert Quick
Cindy and Howard Rachofsky
John Ralph
Catharine Recht
Sheridan and Bryan Reeder
Jennifer and Stewart Richards
Morgan Roberson
Michael “Mico” Rodriguez
Bianca Rodriguez
Frances Rogers
Nancy and Richard Rogers
Jordan and Jonathan Rosen
Brooke and Eric Rosenstock
Ginger and Eric Rosiak
Janet Ryan
Kristy and Patrick Sands
Lacy and Clayton Sands
Sandi and Lowell Sands
Stephen Hunt Sands
Bowmer Sands
Julia Sands
Lauren Rose Sands
Laurie Sands Harrison
Angela and Dave Schmidt
Tova and Craig Schrank
Katie and John Scoggins
Austin Seewald
Tannaz Sedighi
Shelly Sender
Taylor and Christopher Severs
Gina and Scott Shapiro
Alvin Shepherd
Amanda and Charlie Shufeldt
Kate and Steve Sigfusson
Claudia and Stuart Simpson
Genna and Lev Skolnik
Raquel and Wayne Slavin
Anne Smead
Ashley Smith
Sierra Snowden
Shab and Rob Snyder
Terri and Doug Snyder
Taylynn Snyder
Jennifer Spoonts
Becca and Staton Standridge
Don Stansell
Chuck Steeleman
Harold Rhett Stein
Erin and Steven Stich
Christine and Haynes Strader
Leisa Street
Sofi Sugasti
Katherine and Sean Sundby
Emily and Kane Sutphin
Cole Suttle
Foundations
Bellevue Foundation
Deborah Capera Ryan Fund
Dian Graves Owen Foundation
The Forth Foundation
Lipnick Foundation
Merrymac-McKinley Foundation
The Moozie Foundation
Pinon Foundation
Robert M. Rogers Foundation
The Rosewood Foundation
The Doherty Foundation
Liz and Mike Swail
Larissa Szczupak
Carrie and Sean Tackett
Amy Taitel
Caroline and Nick Thicksten
Julie and George Tobolowsky
Erika and Michael Todd
Charlotte and Paul Tripplehorn
Chandler Tucker
Samantha and Joel Turner
Medley and Worth Turner
Chasta and George Valis
Fallon and Robert Vaughn
Khadicha Vinokur
Susan and Mike Viracola
Yasmin and Braden Wages
Leigh Wainer
Anne Marie Walker
Fay Walker
Jourdy Wallace
Jennifer Walters
Amanda Ward
Katie and Cooper Waterman
Ashley and Holt Wesson
Chad West
Roxane West
Dylan White
Sara and Alex Wilcox
Sheryl and Gary Wood
Sara and Bill Woodall
Suzanne Woodburn
Blake Wu
Barbara and Michael York
Sallie Zubek and Eric Jancovech
Connie and Greg Zubek
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
The Michael Bright White Family Foundation
The Prentiss Family Foundation
The Sands Foundation
Tartaglino Richards Family Foundation
Vela Education Fund
CommunityPartners&Sponsors
All American Pet Resorts Dallas
Amir Taghi LLC
Benchmark Bank
Bingham's Bourbon
Bobbie's Airway Grill
Bonton Farms
By Chari
Center for BrainHealth
Central Market
Charles Schwab Co., Inc.
City Futsal
Clinic Concierge
Coffman Interests
Communities Foundation of Texas
Dallas Children’s Theater
Dani Adams-Barry Photography
Diamonds Direct
Dondolo
Edge Realty Partners
Fin Ewing and the Wrong Direction
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Gally's Wine and Spirits
Gibb Insurance
Goff Capital, Inc.
Hall Architecture Studio LLC
HALL Arts Hotel
Heart of Texas Mobile Detailing
Hilltop Property Tax
Home Protection Centre Inc.
Interabang Books
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank
Jones Day
JSX
Klyde Warren Park
La Boca Gelato
Lil' Bits Mini-Donuts
LTO Consulting
Luther King Capital Management
Malai Kitchen
The Mitchell Group
Mo & Co. Custom Events
A special thank you to the expert speakers that interacted with the students through hands-on workshops and seminars on campus:
Peter Brundage, Senior Managing Director at Evercore
Annika Cail and Bradley Adams, Executive Director and Analyst at JP
Morgan
Greg Cannon, Poetry Enthusiast
Dr. Matthew Dickson, Cardiologist
Scott Hall, Architect
Malone Mitchell, CEO of TransAtlantic Petroleum
Kaitlyn Merchant, Fine Artist
Kit Sawers, President & CEO of Klyde
Warren Park
Lavanya Srinivasan, Managing Director at Trive Capital
O2 Aspen 2, LLC
Odelay
Old Parkland
Omni Hotels and Resorts Dallas
Perfect Placement
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Plug Public Relations
Prominus Real Estate
Rachel Gaffney's Real Ireland
RIATA Management LLC
Richards Law PLLC
Ruthie’s Fueled by Good
Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentleman
Satori Capital
Sewell
Swain & Baldwin Insurance
Swingle Collins and Associates
The Terminal at Katy Trail
Think Space Counseling
United to Learn
Vista Bank
In the News
Compass is making headlines. Students and community members were featured on multiple section covers and highlighted in over 23 articles, celebrating academic programming, contributions to the city by members of the founding team, and mission-led events, like the auction, fireside chats and service projects.
What makes Compass special?
"The community of parents, teachers, administrators and more. I’ve never felt so welcomed so fast to a new group with genuine and authentic feelings. It feels really special to be on this journey with everyone, knowing that everyone is invested in the mission and children, and only wants it to succeed" - Evie Goulding, Compass Parent
“You
all are what make Dallas an incredible city to live in and dream big in. Thank you for prioritizing education, and thank you for supporting The Compass School of Texas.”
-Francis Harrison, President and Founder
Scan the QR code to watch Compass students’ recitiation of “If” by Rudyard Kipling