Compass Academy Charter School has reached the milestone this year of having its first senior class.
There are 57 seniors this year, Superintendent Kathy Killingsworth said.
The school started in 2011 and Killingsworth has been there since 2015.
“… We’ve been building the program and facilities … expanding and hiring staff and everything that you have to do each year to add another grade level,” Killingsworth said.
Killingsworth said the top three students are valedictorian Sean Curry, salutatorian Mateo Dutchover and Kinzee Jamierson, the third ranking student.
She said it wasn’t difficult to pick the top three students because it was based on their GPA. All students will be recognized for their accomplishments. Final rankings are not yet in.
Graduation is set for 7 p.m. May 20 in the Comstock Athletic and Fine Arts Complex.
A senior breakfast will be held the same day at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons Area.
Curry and Dutchover will attend University of Texas Permian Basin on full scholarships, she said.
Both are in the National Honor Society. Curry was in Boy Scouts before turning 18 and Dutchover is a point guard on the basketball team.
Curry, 18, is leaning toward studying engineering.
He said it was “very cool” to be part of Compass’ first graduating class and its first valedictorian.
Curry said students who want to achieve top status should stay on top of their work and get assignments done early. “If you don’t know something, study it,” Curry said.
Dutchover, 17, plans to study psychology and then be a firefighter after college.
His father used to be a firefighter.
“I think it’s very unique and not many people get to do it,” Dutchover said.
He offered similar advice to what Curry would advise younger students — make sure they get their work done on time.
Curry said Compass was a pretty safe high school.
“It’s not as rough as Permian or OHS,” he said.
Dutchover said you get to know the people because the school is not as big and the class sizes are small.
Curry said it was easier to ask teachers’ questions.
And everyone talks to everyone.
Killingsworth said Curry and Dutchover are very special.
“They’ve done great work and we’re very proud of them. I know that they’ll go on and make Compass proud, as well. They’re going to be real successful and we’re pleased that we were part of their life getting there,” she added.
There are 1,348 students in grades kindergarten through 12 that attend the public charter school.
Compass has a lottery and a wait list so when someone leaves, they fill the spot from the waiting list, Killingsworth said.
The students will be the speakers at graduation.
Plans are to reach 2,500 students at all grade levels and portables will be added.
“We’re expanding enrollment to build Phase 3, which will be a two-storey junior high-high school combination,” Killingsworth said.
