In this interdisciplinary course, students explore the wonders of America’s National Parks through the combined study of environmental science, geology, history, and a little art. Using the parks as living classrooms, students investigate ecosystems, conservation efforts, geological formations, and the cultural and historical importance of preserved lands. Hands-on labs, engaging projects, National Park Service media, and art activities deepen understanding and creativity. The course concludes with an optional field trip to Congaree National Park (a virtual option is available as well), giving students an immersive experience in one of our nation’s treasured landscapes.  This course may be used as an extra science lab credit or a history credit, depending on the student's needs.

Students will cover the following:

Environmental Science, Ecology & Geology - Examine ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation strategies, and the impact of human activity on natural resources. Students will develop hands-on projects focused on specific park ecosystems, conservation efforts, or wildlife species unique to different national parks.  Study the remarkable geological formations and landforms found in the parks. Topics include the geological column, plate tectonics, geysers, canyons, natural arches, petrification, sedimentation, fossilization, and other processes that have shaped iconic landscapes.

Civics & History - Learn why national parks were created, the legislation that protects them, and how they preserve both natural wonders and cultural heritage. Students will investigate the stories behind historic sites and understand why certain places were designated as national treasures.

National Park Service Focus - Engage with National Park Service videos, complete hands-on labs, and build a deeper appreciation for the mission and work of park rangers and conservationists. The course culminates in an exciting project and field trip to Congaree National Park.

Art Integration - Create artwork inspired by the natural beauty, unique features, and historical narratives of the parks—combining scientific observation with creative expression.

Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free—Course Fee: $510.  A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance of $460 must be paid by July 1, or a payment plan must be selected, $230 payable by July 1 and $230 payable by November 1.

Lab Fee:  Included in the tuition. 

Accepted Payment Methods: Check, Cash, Zelle, and Venmo

Recommended credits: 1.0

Class size: Min 6/Max 16

Course Meets: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 pm - 10:25 pm, Rm 306

Required Material: text tbd. 

All Payments are non-refundable

This lively, story‑driven psychology course brings the science of human behavior to life through wit, humor, and memorable personal narratives. Students explore the major areas of psychological science while learning how researchers study the mind, brain, and behavior.

Throughout the course, students dive into the history and approaches of psychology, research methods, the biological bases of behavior, consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation, emotion, and stress. They also examine developmental psychology, personality theories, abnormal behavior, and the powerful forces that shape social behavior.

Designed to be both engaging and academically solid, this course helps students understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do—using real stories and relatable examples that make complex concepts easy to grasp and hard to forget.

Prerequisites: None

Grade Recommendations: 9-12 (Advanced 8th graders will be considered)

Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free. Course Fee: $550/Honors $580. A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance must be paid by July 1, or select a payment plan of $250 payable by July 1 and November 1. Honors will be $265 due July 1 and $265 due November 1.

Accepted Payment Methods: CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Cash, and Check 

Recommended Credit:  1.0 (Social Studies/Elective)

Class Size: Min 6/Max 16

Course Meets: Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:30 am- 10:25 am

 Required Materials: Myers ' Psychology for the AP Course, 3rd Edition (Myers, DeWall) 

All Payments are non-refundable

Study Hall is available for study/work on classes or homework. You must select a study hall if you are on campus between classes that you are registered to attend.

Coursestorm Online Registration is free: The yearly Study Hall fee is $40, payable on July 1.

Course Meets: Tuesdays at 9:30 am

All Payments are non-refundable!

Study Hall is available for study/work on classes or homework. You must select a study hall if you are on campus between classes that you are registered to attend.

Coursestorm Online Registration is free: The yearly Study Hall fee is $40, payable on July 1.

Course Meets: Thursdays at 9:30 am

All Payments are non-refundable

This course offers a dynamic, comprehensive journey through the history of the United States—from the earliest Indigenous civilizations to the complexities of the modern era. Students will explore the major themes, turning points, and ideas that shaped the nation, developing a deeper understanding of how the American story unfolded and why it matters today.

Beginning with the First Americans, the course moves through the Age of Exploration, Colonial America, the Spirit of Independence, and the American Revolution. Students will examine the creation of the Constitution, the nation’s rapid growth and expansion, and the rising tensions that led to the Civil War.

Post‑war topics include the Westward Movement, the Industrial Age, America’s emergence as a world power, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, and key issues facing the United States today.

Throughout the year, students will analyze significant themes, evaluate historical change, and connect past events to contemporary challenges.

To bring history to life, the course incorporates a wide range of engaging instructional methods throughout the year, including videos, debates, simulations, hands‑on projects, primary‑source analysis, and collaborative activities designed to deepen understanding and spark curiosity.

To bring history to life, the course incorporates a wide range of engaging instructional methods throughout the year, including videos, debates, hands‑on projects, primary‑source analysis, and collaborative activities designed to deepen understanding and spark curiosity.

Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free. Course Fee: $550/Honors $580. A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance must be paid by July 1, or select a payment plan of $250 payable by July 1 and November 1. Honors will be $265 due July 1 and $265 due November 1.

Accepted Payment Methods: Check, Cash, Venmo, CashApp, and Zelle

Recommended credits: 1.0

Course Meets: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 AM - 10:25 AM

Class Size: Min 6/Max 16

Required materials: America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I  https://a.co/d/8LeTh5V and Volume II https://a.co/d/f5AtU6F ) by William J Bennett.  Audio versions are available through Audible.

All Payments are non-refundable!

The annual registration fee of $135.00 grants students access to enroll in Compass Prep courses and Study Halls.

Students can immediately proceed with course enrollment once the annual registration is in the cart. You must add an annual registration for each student you are registering for the year.  This fee is nonrefundable unless all courses you register for are canceled; in that case, we will refund the registration fee.

After completing your official registration, you will receive an email with forms that must be completed immediately. Completing these forms is necessary for your student to proceed with registered courses. 

Registration Fee Schedule: ● Early Registration: Before June 1 – $135 ● Regular Registration: June 1 – July 31 – $160 ● Late Registration: After July 31 – $185

The focus of this composition course is on the four modes of writing – narration, description, persuasion, and exposition. We will focus on content and structure and cover some general grammar skills. Writing assignments vary in length and format, but we will finish the course with a focus on the five-paragraph essay.  This course is foundational for building confidence and preparing for advanced composition.  The assignments are a great mix of creative pieces and academic ones, each with a specific purpose.  Students receive in-depth, individualized feedback during all steps of the writing process, and the focus is on improvement from one step to the next. 

This course pairs well with World Literature.

Prerequisites: None

Grade Recommendations: 8-10th grade

Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free. Course Fee: $300. A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance must be paid by July 1, or select a payment plan of $125 payable by July 1 and November 1.

Accepted Forms of Payment: Zelle (preferred), Venmo, PayPal, cash/check

Recommended credits: 0.5

Class Size: Min 8/Max 15

Course Meets: Thursdays 10:30 am - 11:25 am

Required Materials: None. Teacher-created materials will be supplied.

 All Payments are non-refundable

This course provides a comprehensive study of the foundational principles, structure, and functions of the United States government, paired with an introduction to essential economic concepts that influence daily life. Students will examine the Constitution as the core framework of American democracy, explore the roles and interactions of the three branches of government, and analyze landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped constitutional interpretation. The course also emphasizes civic responsibilities, political participation, and the historical forces that shaped American governance.

Economics Component: Students will study essential market concepts—including scarcity, supply and demand, recession, depression, inflation, and the role of government regulation—to understand how economic systems function. The course also provides practical instruction in personal finance, focusing on budgeting, financial planning, and responsible decision‑making. In addition, students will examine modern economic issues such as poverty, the national debt, and how broader economic trends influence future education and career opportunities.

Major Topics:

Foundational principles: popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights

Structure and powers of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches

Constitutional amendments and the Bill of Rights

Landmark Supreme Court cases, including Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland

Citizenship, elections, political parties, and civic engagement

Historical influences on American government, including key English political traditions

Market concepts: scarcity, supply and demand, inflation, recession, and regulation

Personal finance: budgeting, credit, savings, and financial decision‑making

Contemporary economic issues, such as poverty and national debt

Instructional Methods: Students will engage in document analysis, case studies, and interactive simulations, including a mock student body election and serving as jurors in a mock trial, to apply constitutional principles in real‑world contexts.

Assessment: Student learning will be evaluated through formative activities, current‑event applications, projects, multiple‑choice assessments, and short‑answer exams.

 Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free. Course Fee: $550. A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance must be paid by July 1, or select a payment plan of $250 payable by July 1 and November 1. 

Accepted Payment Methods: Check, Cash, Venmo, CashApp, and Zelle

Recommended credits: 1.0

Course Meets: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30 - 11:25

Class size:  Min 6/Max 16

Required materials: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? (An Uncle Eric Book) 7th Edition by Richard J. Maybury https://a.co/d/6LbvBqV , The Money Mystery by Richard Maybury https://a.co/d/5gJ8mET , Are You a Liberal, Conservative, or Confused? by Richard Maybury https://a.co/d/2t2G4DS , and Magruder’s American Government (Prentice Hall) – This textbook will be provided. A $10 rental fee will be applied and billed along with the deposit.

All Payments are non-refundable