Monday night, Mr. Harlan Crow, chairman of the board, Crow holdings hosted Compass’ Leadership Fireside Chat at Old Parkland. Peter Brundage, senior managing Director at Evercore and True North Capital Campaign Chair, sat down with Rob Kaplan, Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs to explore what it takes to develop truly effective leaders.
From the economy’s future to the heart of leadership, Mr. Kaplan challenged us to think big, stay passionate, and add value to others:
✨ “Leadership boils down to asking—how can I add value to something, and to someone else?”
✨ “Passion is the guiding light… success doesn’t happen in a day or a year; it’s long-term.”
✨ “My biggest leadership advice: do for others without regard for what’s in it for you.”
We’re grateful to Mr. Kaplan, Mr. Crow, and Mr. Brundage, and our Compass community for leaning into this conversation about leadership, impact, and the role education plays in shaping the future. Together, we are all going True North. 💫
Big thank you to our sponsors Susser Bank and Wayne & Raquel Slavin
Last week, our 4th grade students headed to Camp Tonkawa for a rite of passage experience rooted in resilience, leadership, and the outdoors. From building fires and shelters to learning wilderness survival skills alongside local guides, students stepped fully into the outdoor classroom. Watching them problem solve, work together, and grow in confidence was incredible. 🌲🔥
Our Cultural Learning Days took us on a journey! ✈️🌎
Each grade grabbed their pasaporte and maleta and “flew” to the Spanish-speaking country they’ve been studying, practicing their Spanish along the way—ordering food, shopping for souvenirs, paying with local currency, and snapping memories at the foto cabina. We wrapped it all up with Kindergarten celebrating Costa Rica’s Mascaradas and our Pre-K students bringing the energy as a lively carnival band, ending with music, dancing, piñatas, and tropical smoothies. 🇵🇷🇨🇺
An experience full of language, culture, and joy that our students won’t forget!
To our Compass teachers,
Thank you for creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and confidence grow every single day. You challenge students to think deeply, lead courageously, and love learning through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
More than anything, thank you for seeing and believing in every student. The heart of Compass is found in each of you, and we are endlessly grateful. 💙📚️
Faculty Friday Spotlight ✨
Meet Caroline, a founding member of Compass who is bringing her passion and experience to the 1st Grade team this year! After teaching both Pre-K at Compass and 1st grade in Indiana, Caroline continues to grow as an educator while pursuing her Master’s in School Leadership at Baylor University—finishing this December.
Driven by a desire to strengthen her leadership skills and deepen her impact, Caroline is committed to supporting students not just academically, but as confident, capable individuals.
“To me, being a teacher means listening to my students’ dreams, building trust, and believing in their ability to achieve whatever they set their minds to. I am always in my students’ corner, cheering them on and excited to see how they will grow and impact the world.”
Caroline’s approach is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and community, shaped in part by her study of the Reggio Emilia approach. Whether she’s in the classroom or continuing her own learning, she leads with heart and intention.
“Compass is more than a school, it’s a community that prioritizes students’ learning, curiosities, and personal growth.”
We are so grateful for the joy, dedication, and leadership Caroline brings to our community 💙
Last week, our students turned back the clock and brought history to life. From uncovering artifacts at ancient Egypt dig sites to standing in the shadow of the Parthenon and stepping into the first Olympic Games, every stop told a story. They journeyed through the Byzantine Empire, explored the Golden Ages, and wandered through the Renaissance and beyond.
Then, just when you thought the timeline couldn’t stretch any further, Pre-K launched us into the future with their own inventions designed to solve real, everyday problems.
Past, present, and future all in one unforgettable Pioneer Day. 🏛️✨
Our students took learning into the real world with an unforgettable field trip to Malai Kitchen 🍽️
Students were welcomed behind the scenes for an in-depth tour of both the front and back of house, gaining insight into the many moving parts that bring a restaurant to life. Along the way, they explored fresh ingredients, tested their vegetable knowledge, and learned how dishes are thoughtfully prepared from scratch.
Then it was their turn to step into action. Students rotated through each role in the restaurant, from greeting and seating guests to pouring iced tea, calling out orders, bussing tables, and packaging leftovers. It was incredible to watch them take ownership, work together, and bring the experience to life.
They ended their time with a well deserved and delicious meal. We are so grateful to @malaikitchen for your generosity, care, and commitment to creating such an authentic and memorable experience for our students.
Our 4th graders recently took learning beyond the classroom with a field trip to Vista Bank 💰
From practicing how to write checks and deposit money to making real decisions about saving, spending, or investing in a money market account, students stepped into the world of personal finance. They toured the vault, met with bankers, and even learned how to spot counterfeit bills.
A huge thank you to Vista Bank for making this experience not only educational, but so much fun. They truly went above and beyond with thoughtful details like snacks, decorations, piggy banks, and even $2 bills for our students. It was a day they won’t forget!
On Tuesday, we hosted one of our signature Fireside Chats centered on resilience, community, and the economic impact of the World Cup.
We are deeply grateful to Dan Hunt and Bill Macatee for generously sharing their time, perspective, and expertise, and to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science for providing such an inspiring setting for this conversation.
Dan spoke about the World Cup’s impact on North Texas, describing it as the equivalent of hosting nine Super Bowls, and reflected on the powerful way it brings cultures together across Dallas. He also shared his appreciation for the energy, community, and teamwork that define the sport, and how meaningful it is to see that same passion already taking root in our Compass students. ⚽
🎥: @Vicgmedia
A little rain couldn’t slow down our Farmers Market ☔️✨
From custom resin chess sets and handmade jewelry to fresh lemonade and homemade jam, booths were buzzing and selling out fast. After weeks of hard work, our students showed off their entrepreneurial spirit by tracking sales, writing receipts, and calculating profits.
The community vendors were true role models to the students, both for their creativity and resilience in less than ideal circumstances. We cannot thank them enough for braving the storm to share their delicious goodies and beautiful handmade creations. Each student also chose a cause to give part of their profits toward, creating a lasting impact in our community and extending the spirit of generosity even further.
We couldn’t be more proud of our students and so grateful to our staff, local vendors, and everyone who came out to support. What a day!
✨ Faculty Friday Spotlight ✨
We are thrilled to spotlight Katie, our Director of Advancement, who is helping lead Compass into an exciting new chapter through our True North Capital Campaign.
Katie brings a wealth of experience in building strong school communities and creating meaningful connections, and her passion for belonging and growth is already making an impact. As she shares, “We’re standing at a pivotal moment—not just for our school, but for families across Dallas.”
With more families seeking an education where curiosity is nurtured and students are truly known, Katie is helping guide a vision that reaches far beyond our current campus. “This is not simply about adding classrooms… it’s about meeting a real and urgent need in our city.” The momentum is real, and the opportunity ahead is extraordinary. Together, we are building something that will shape the future of education in Dallas—and the families searching for this kind of school are counting on us.
In addition to leading this important work, Katie also hosts our Fireside Chats, bringing our community together for thoughtful and engaging conversations. We would love for you to join us at our upcoming event on April 21st at the Perot Museum, featuring Dan Hunt, President of FC Dallas, in conversation with moderator Bill Macatee as they explore the impact of the World Cup in Dallas and its power to unite communities.
We are so grateful for Katie’s leadership and vision as we look ahead.
We loved celebrating Día Internacional del Idioma Español as a school community this Friday. It was a joyful reflection of our students’ growth, confidence, and love of language.
Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders impressed everyone in a challenging spelling bee that began with a written round and narrowed to a group of standout spellers. Their focus, determination, and skill made for an incredible competition, and we are so proud of how they rose to the occasion.
Our 1st grade classes brought energy and teamwork to “¿Quién sabe más español?”, working together toward their class trophy and showing just how much they’ve learned.
Pre-K and Kindergarten added so much joy with their lively Spanish performances, helping bring our whole community together in celebration.
A meaningful day honoring language, culture, and the hard work of our students. 🌍️
