A completely new take on college readiness planning

Compass

Compass is a nine-month virtual program for college-aspiring high school students with visual impairment – designed to help them proactively explore and develop a plan for building the critical academic and blindness skills they need to reach their post-secondary goals.

The program engages current research on adolescent development and learning to create an innovative, powerful enrichment program to challenge and support students, families and educators.

Through group work and individual coaching for the student and their educational team – including their family members and TVIs – Compass works to fill the often-overlooked gaps in college and career preparation.

Compass meets the criteria for Pre-Employment Transition Services. Students who participate in the program may be eligible for funding through their state agency for the blind. Additional funding sources may include support from the student’s school district or private pay.

For more information on cost or funding options, please email [email protected] or call 617-972-7573.

Apply Now

A teen student smiles while sitting in front of a desktop computer

Want to learn more about Compass?

Join us on Thursday, March 9, at 4 p.m. Eastern for an informative, interactive information session.

We’ll be live, taking your questions about everything Compass: curriculum, program requirements, paths to funding and more.

The learning triad

A coordinated approach to college readiness

Our Learning Triad approach ensures that students have a built-in support system so that everyone is on board in collaboratively and proactively developing a plan to address key college readiness skills — including O&M, technology, executive functioning, independent living, academics and more.

Compass is a virtual, two-semester enrichment program. In September, the program kicks off with each member of the Learning Triad completing the Perkins College Readiness Checklist — a resource that helps to identify gaps in knowledge and skills that are considered essential to college readiness, and supports students in setting achievable goals.

The results provide a solid framework for future planning.

Icons of a student with a white cane, a school building and a family home

The Compass experience

I am grateful for the coaches who helped me to prepare for college in areas that were not being addressed at school. I generally feel more ready for college and my family feels the same way.
Jack, Compass student

Learn more about the Compass experience

Why Compass works

100% of graduates report having a greater understanding of the many ways they can gain skills to meet post-secondary goals

Weekly meetings

Coaches meet weekly with each part of the Triad for up to an hour — up to 30 hours each! We know you’re busy, but we are flexible and make this work on your time.

In these sessions, coaches support families and educators as they learn to foster the student’s growing independence.

Action planning

Working closely with the student, the Compass Coach will explore interests and values to develop an Action Plan. This individualized plan encompasses unique goals and will be the result of collaboration with the student’s family and educators — but with the student leading the way to future enrichment opportunities based on greater awareness of their skills and goals.

Weekend workshops

Compass Coaches lead monthly workshops for all participants — an opportunity for students, families and educators to connect and create networks of support. These dynamic, interactive panels of current college students, disability services officers, parents and others offer a well-informed, strengths-based perspective to help participants grow in their understanding of the many paths to attaining their goals.

Alumni community

Our College Success Alumni Community grows every year, forming an early, meaningful opportunity for connection and growth.

Compass, from the educator perspective

Making an impact on college-aspiring high school students — and their educators.

In this interactive information session, you’ll hear from the Compass coaches as well as a TVI who has participated in the program. The discussion focuses on their experience in Compass and the impact it’s had on their students.

For more, check out these sessions: Introducing the College Readiness Resource Center and Compass, from the student perspective.

Did you know?

60% of students with visual impairments who attempt college do not graduate.

Based on the high school students we’ve worked with:

Only 60% were able to cross residential/commercial streets independently.

Why it matters: Navigating a college campus is tricky enough — having the O&M skills to do it safely and independently are key!

Only 50% self-report they can type 40 words per minute. (And even fewer actually can!)

Why it matters: College-level work requires speeds of 60 WPM (or more!)

46% aren’t using electronic calendars or reminders

Why it matters: Time management skills are critical to building independence and a foundation for success beyond high school.

The Compass approach

Leslie Thatcher Director of College Success and Compass coach

“Students need to be addressed with a student-centered approach — multidimensionally, earlier, more holistically than what we’ve done traditionally — in order to increase independence and get them to their full potential.”

Meet our team

Leslie Thatcher

Director, College Success and Compass Coach

Meet Leslie
Andrea Rutherford

Associate Director, College Success and Compass Coach

Meet Andrea
Cynthia Darling

Assistant Director, College Success @ Perkins

Meet Cynthia

FAQs

Find out more about Compass, a College Success @ Perkins program.

Browse all Compass FAQ’s

Give us a call! Our admissions team is ready to answer any questions you might have and help you determine if Compass is right for your student. Contact Compass today!

Compass is for high school students who are blind or visually impaired who aspire to go to college, are motivated to succeed, open to feedback, and willing to put forth the effort necessary to reach and complete college. Students in 9th through 11th grades are strongly encouraged to apply (the earlier the better to increase college readiness), but 12th grade students and fifth-year seniors may also be considered.

Compass is a nine-month program, during which we both leverage the power of one-on-one coaching (meeting your student where they are, and helping them to grow in their self awareness) and in the Action Plan, which is implemented with the student’s Learning Triad, all over time.

Time allows a few things. It allows changes in understanding in not only the student, but the family as well. It empowers the TVI to learn new skills and to have time and support to develop new structures in a student’s school day. In short, it’s adding time “on” in intentional, constructive ways that lead to growth.

Let’s talk college readiness.

Ready to make a plan?

If you want to know more about Compass, we want to know more about you. Our Admissions team is here to answer all your questions about Compass.

Join the conversation.

Our team is committed to changing the way students with blindness and visual impairment prepare for their post-secondary journeys.

Visit our Resource Center