Compass Academy ready for the new year with some impressive stats
Imagine going to school, where you’re not stuck in the classroom all day and you’re learning at your own pace. That’s what Compass Academy in Idaho Falls is achieving with its students. It’s sixth year, and ready to take applications for new students.
“The whole idea of the school is just to really try to create an authentic atmosphere for students preparing for college and career, said Matt Bertasso, the Director of Compass Academy.
Technology that enables. Instruction that involves. A culture that empowers.
That’s a motto they have at Compass Academy.
“They have the knowledge that they need in order to be successful in their classes and finding that they’re able to connect with other students better, they’re able to connect with their professors or their employers,” Bertasso said. “Whomever that might be.”
After opening in 2012, they now have a 91% graduation rate – which is about 11% higher that average in the state of Idaho.
They’re also seeing about 60% higher enrollment rate of kids going to college- which is about 10% higher than the county average.
“They’re going on and, completing their first and second, third years of college now and were just seeing a lot of great success from them.”
What they believe separates them from other schools?
“The part that I feel really prepares our students for the future is they’re actually usually working for somebody else, rather than just turning in an assignment to their teacher,” Logan Waetge, a business and marketing teacher, said. “We do projects and assignments and come up with stuff and organizations and other businesses, state, city, local stuff.”
The students think the skills taught here help too.
“This will really help me with my presentation skills cause I’m not really a social person,” Mathew Covert said. “I tend to be the quiet guy in the back.”
Teachers do their best to keep a fun learning, environment.
We just have a good time you know, we learn and do real stuff and just have a blast,” said Waetge
Next week the school is accepting applications for one hundred and fifty spots for next years freshman class. Applications are from February 20th – 23rd. They will be accepted at the district office.
