Exploratories and Intensives

Intensives and Exporatories are intended to develop well-rounded individuals by exposing students to the wealth of learning beyond traditional academic core subjects to develop well-rounded individuals.

Intensives are intended to be more in-depth engagement with a particular topic, using highly qualified instructors, and following an organized curriculum that builds knowledge and skill through both theory and practice.

There will be at least one art, music, and physical intensive each quarter, along with others that may be service or academic related. There are intentionally fewer choices for Intensives, to facilitate greater focus and quality. 

We hope to develop a culture of singing at Compass by offering chorus throughout the year. Because the groups change each quarter, the chorus will follow different themes each quarter, allowing new students to join in for new undertakings. The art program will also follow different foci, maybe working with sculpture one quarter, fabrics another, painting in another.

Competitive sports teams will meet as intensives on Monday and Tuesdays, in addition to meeting on Exploratory Thursdays.

Exploratories are more wide ranging opportunities to “explore” new experiences.  Whether led by a teacher or student, exploratories are meant to expose students to different past times, from knitting to yoga to cooking. We invite parents and students to propose and/or lead exploratories.

Students are required to successfully complete exploratory courses in physical education, visual arts, and performing arts. Other exploratory offerings have included computer technology, cooking, video production, holistic health, creative writing, woodworking, yearbook, gardening and other appropriate topics suggested by students and faculty.

Students are required to participate in exploratory activities three afternoons each week. Each student must minimally receive 2 exploratory credits in the area of physical education, and two in the arts, for a total of 12 credits, in the course of the school year. In meeting these minimum requirements, an exploratory "credit" is considered meeting once per week for one eight-week exploratory period.

It is our hope that students will go far beyond these minimums in exploring the wide range of experiences that make our lives whole and rewarding. Students engaged in similar activities outside the school program can apply these towards the exploratory requirement. There is a process for students to propose individual or group exploratories or to do exploratory activities outside school as well. Student organized exploratories are an important part of the exploratory program and have offered valuable learning experiences for all students.

Community Service is now part of exploratory time and can be met either through one quarter of a service exploratory or 12 hours of independent service. There will be at least one service opportunity in each exploratory quarter as well as in school service that occurs on Wednesdays with Judiciary, Student Council, tech club, and yearbook.

There are processes to meet any of these requirements through independent options.

Useful Links

1st Quarter Exporatories Sign-up (PDF)

Student Proposal Form (PDF)