What Compass Community Collaborative School does

Compass Community Collaborative School is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 6-12 in Fort Collins, Colorado, operating under the authorization of Poudre School District R-1. Founded in 2017, the school is small by design, employing approximately 22 staff members and serving an estimated 100-150 students across its middle and high school programs. The school's core differentiator is a competency-based progression model that replaces traditional age-based grade advancement with mastery-based evaluation, supplemented by project-based learning, Venture Projects, and Exhibitions of Learning where students publicly demonstrate mastery through portfolios rather than standardized tests.

The school's revenue model is anchored by per-pupil state funding from Colorado, with supplemental operational support flowing through its authorizer, Poudre School District. A secondary revenue stream comes from facility rentals of campus spaces (Common Space at $100-$150/hour, Learning Studios at $30-$50/hour, Conference Room at $20-$30/hour) to community organizations and commercial entities. The school distributes its offering through a lottery-based admissions process accepting applications from October through December each year, with families recruited via school tours, info sessions, content marketing, social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), and a weekly email newsletter. The Director of Development conducts direct prospective-family calls via Calendly.

The operating model is heavily ecosystem-driven, leveraging more than 50 community partnerships including Colorado State University and Front Range Community College for concurrent enrollment and college credit, Big Picture Learning for instructional framework, and local organizations (Woodward, Otterbox, OtterCares, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, CSU Environmental Learning Center, etc.) for internships, real-world projects, and service learning. The school has produced approximately 80 graduates since its first graduating class in 2020, with $3.9M+ in scholarships earned, a 100% graduation rate in 2025, and rankings of #1 middle school in Fort Collins and #3 charter school in Colorado per U.S. News & World Report.

Name

Compass Community Collaborative School

Legal name

Compass Community Collaborative School

Website

https://compassfortcollins.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Compass Community Collaborative School is a tuition-free public charter school in Fort Collins, Colorado, serving grades 6-12 with a competency-based, project-based learning model funded by per-pupil state funding and supported by 50+ community partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• Project-based learning
• Competency-based progression
• Public secondary education
• Experiential middle high school

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins, Colorado

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, Compass receives per-pupil funding from the state of Colorado based on student enrollment. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Poudre School District Support: Charter schools within PSD receive operational support and funding through the school district authorization.
3. Facility Rental Revenue: The school rents out its campus spaces including Common Space (2000-2500 sq ft), Learning Studios (~720 sq ft), and Conference Room (171 sq ft) to community members and organizations for events and meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Compass Community Collaborative School is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 6-12 in Fort Collins, Colorado, authorized by Poudre School District R-1. It offers competency-based, project-based learning through Venture Projects, Exhibitions of Learning, concurrent college enrollment with Colorado State University and Front Range Community College, and real-world internships via a network of 50+ community partners. The school also generates secondary revenue by renting out its campus spaces (Common Space, Learning Studios, Conference Room) to nonprofit and commercial users on an hourly basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Compass Middle School Program (Grades 6-8) Tuition-free public charter middle school for grades 6-8 featuring project-based learning, competency-based progression, multi-age classrooms, and a small-by-design close-knit community. Designed for families seeking an alternative to traditional worksheet-and-test middle school instruction.
• Compass High School Program (Grades 9-12) Tuition-free public charter high school for grades 9-12 featuring project-based learning, concurrent college enrollment with Front Range Community College and Colorado State University, real-world internships, Exhibitions of Learning, a Senior Capstone, and a Senior Defense. Includes dedicated Futures Counseling for personalized post-secondary planning.
• Facility Rental Services Hourly rental of three campus spaces for nonprofit and commercial events: Common Space at $100/hour nonprofit or $150/hour commercial (2,000-2,500 sq ft); Learning Studios at $30/hour nonprofit or $50/hour commercial (~720 sq ft each); Conference Room at $20/hour nonprofit or $30/hour commercial (171 sq ft). Booked via [email protected].

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate with $3.9M+ in scholarships earned by approximately 80 graduates
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered key partner and community partner.

• Colorado State Universitykey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner providing dual enrollment opportunities. Students can access college concurrent enrollment courses at CSU. CSU departments including Anthropology/Geography, Environmental Learning Center, and Powerhouse collaborate on educational programs and student internships.
• Front Range Community Collegekey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary concurrent enrollment partner allowing high school students to complete college-level coursework while still in high school, earning credit before graduation. Classes available at Compass campus, FRCC campus, and online.
• Woodwardkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner providing on-going support and real-world learning opportunities for students.
• Otterboxkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner providing on-going support for Compass educational programs.
• Big Picture Learningkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational network partner providing framework and support for the school's internship-based, real-world learning model.
• Headrush Learningkey partnerTechnology or IntegrationLearning platform partner supporting the school's competency-based education and student portfolio systems.
• City of Fort Collinscommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing community learning experiences, facility access, and educational enrichment through various city departments and programs including water facilities tours and community events.
• Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Areacommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting water education programs and community-based learning experiences related to regional water systems and environmental stewardship.
• Outreach Fort Collinscommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner enriching students' education through real-world learning experiences and community engagement programs.
• Chipper's Lanescommunity partnerOthersLocal business partner sharing expertise and providing support for school events and programs.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoocommunity partnerOthersRegional partner providing educational experiences and enrichment programs for students.
• CSU Environmental Learning Centercommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing outdoor and environmental education experiences for students.
• CSU Powerhousecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity energy research center partner providing STEM learning opportunities and real-world science engagement.
• Fort Collins Museum of Discoverycommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal museum partner providing hands-on learning experiences and educational programs connecting students to regional science and history.
• OtterCarescommunity partnerOthersProvided $500 grant supporting the 3rd Annual Compass Comic Con event and STEAM programs.
• The Ocean Cleanupcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit partner providing real-world environmental learning experiences and global citizenship education.
• All Aboard Animal Rescuecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFort Collins-based nonprofit animal rescue that partnered with Compass for student senior projects and adoption events. Has helped over 8,000 animals find homes since 2012.
• C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversitycommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado State University museum partner providing volunteer and learning opportunities for students in entomology and natural sciences.
• Olympic & Paralympic Training Centercommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational training facility partner providing exposure to elite athletics and career pathways in sports.
• Slammin' Faminecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity meal-packing event partner enabling students to participate in fighting world hunger and food insecurity through service learning projects.
• MAINNcommunity partnerOthersLocal partner organization supporting Compass families through the support donation portal.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• DSST Public Schools: Denver-based charter school network operating multiple STEM-focused campuses across Colorado. DSST competes with Compass for Colorado families seeking rigorous public charter education, with greater scale and brand recognition.
• Peak to Peak Charter School: K-12 charter school in Louisville, Colorado, consistently ranked among the top public schools in the state. Peak to Peak competes directly with Compass for Colorado's selective charter school families and statewide rankings.
• KIPP Colorado Schools: Colorado affiliate of the national KIPP charter network operating multiple schools in Denver. KIPP Colorado competes for college-prep-oriented families with similar outcomes-based positioning to Compass.

Direct peers

• Great Hearts Academies: Multi-state charter management organization operating classical, liberal arts-focused public charter schools. Great Hearts offers comparable outcomes-driven charter schooling with strong academic positioning similar to Compass.
• High Tech High: San Diego-based charter school network known for project-based learning and real-world application. High Tech High shares Compass's small-by-design, project-based, and mastery-focused philosophy, making it a strong direct comparator for educational model and student outcomes.
• BASIS Charter Schools: National charter school network known for rigorous academics and high college-readiness outcomes. BASIS shares Compass's emphasis on academic excellence, college preparation, and high graduation standards.
• Summit Public Schools: Bay Area charter school network with a competency-based learning model featuring self-directed learning and personalized pacing. Summit's competency-based progression framework closely mirrors Compass's competency-based mastery approach.
• Liberty Common School: Fort Collins-based K-12 charter school also authorized by Poudre School District. As a fellow local charter, Liberty Common competes directly with Compass for Fort Collins families seeking public school choice options.
• Envision Schools: Bay Area charter network operating small public high schools with project-based learning and real-world application. Envision's project-based curriculum and emphasis on portfolio assessment align directly with Compass's model.

Others

• Big Picture Learning: National nonprofit network that provides the framework for Compass's internship-based, real-world learning model. While Big Picture Learning is a network partner rather than a direct competitor, its network schools operate under a similar educational philosophy and structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM73u132ACU7sS_ynwTXnVw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CCCFortCollins
• Instagraminstagram.com/cccfortcollins
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compass-community-collaborative-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Compass Community Collaborative School