COMPASS: Wayzata High School Professional Career Studies

Compass is a profession-based learning program for career-focused juniors and seniors. Students who enroll in the program earn high school and college credit while exploring career paths and working side-by-side with professionals in the workplace. Courses are designed and taught in collaboration with business leaders in our community and faculty from North Hennepin Community College.

Helping our students chart their future

Working professionals have a hand in creating the curriculum for Compass classes and also serve as guest instructors so that students are better able to understand how what they are learning comes to life in the workplace. This type of educational experience can help students make better informed decisions about their post-high school education and careers and help them be more prepared for the workplace.

A Proven Program Model

Compass derives its inspiration from Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), a proven business-community-public education partnership model launched by the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas in 2009. The Overland Park program has served hundreds of students, partnered with more than a hundred businesses and garnered accolades from students, educators and the business community. Since 2009, dozens of school districts, including several in Minnesota, have introduced CAPS-inspired programs. Many districts, including Wayzata, are members of the CAPS Network.

Become a COMPASS Mentor

Mentoring is a great way to share your knowledge and talents with a career-focused junior or senior. The relationship is driven by the mentee and requires a minimal time commitment over the course of five months.

COMPASS is seeking mentors for the 2023-2024 school year. If you enjoy working with students and have knowledge in the following fields, please reach out to stephanie.ebert@wayzataschools.org or register HERE.