Directory

Independent · Belmont (Peninsula) · AKA: Compass

Compass High

Students
~30
Ratio
5:1
Tuition
$58k

What makes this school special

  • A college-prep high school designed for neurodivergent students — autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and twice-exceptional learners with average-and-above cognitive ability
  • Executive functioning is the curriculum's spine: taught, practiced, and strengthened through the school day, with advisories of five students or fewer
  • The school assigns about an hour and a half of homework a night, roughly half the typical high-school load by its own description
  • Twice-yearly Intersession trips (included in tuition, along with books, athletics, and a laptop the student keeps at graduation)
  • By the school's count, 95% of students advance to post-secondary programs

Academics

Curriculum

College-preparatory for neurodivergent learners — classes of 6-7, about half the typical homework load, executive functioning taught through the school day

Signature programs

  • Executive functioning taught and practiced all day, with an advisory of five or fewer
  • Twice-yearly Intersession — intensive, hands-on trips included in tuition
  • 1:1 laptop program with assistive technology; the laptop is the student's to keep at graduation
  • Educational therapy and counseling on campus

College matriculation

UC Davis, Cal State East Bay, University of Oregon, Southern Oregon University, Beacon College, Landmark College, Notre Dame de Namur University, College of San Mateo, Foothill College

See the full list

UC admissions

UC doesn’t publish admissions data for this school.

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · Bay Area Small Schools Athletic League (BASSAL)

BasketballBadmintonCross Country

Arts

MusicVisual ArtTheater

Life there

Tuition includes

  • Books
  • Supplies
  • Athletics
  • Field trips
  • Two Intersession trips a year

Learning support

Built for neurodivergent learners — the school names autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and twice-exceptional students with average-and-above cognitive abilities, mild-to-moderate learning differences, and executive-function or social challenges that don't disrupt classroom learning

Often on the same list

Sterne School

Independent

Bayhill High School

Independent

Stanbridge Academy

Independent

Sources

  1. Admissions — the six-step process, $180 fee, the documents-not-tests checklist, the February 13, 2027 priority deadline and year-round rolling
  2. Tuition & Aid — 2026-27 tuition ($57,900), what tuition and the activity fee cover, SSS aid and its February windows
  3. About and Mission — who the school serves, in its own words
  4. Executive Functioning Support — the advisory model and how EF is taught
  5. Academics — WASC accreditation, the half-homework load, Intersession
  6. Technology — the 1:1 laptop program and assistive tech
  7. Extracurriculars — BASSAL sports; Creative Arts — the arts program
  8. Post-Compass Advising — the 95% post-secondary rate and named destinations
  9. CDE Private School Affidavit, 2025-26 — enrollment (34, all in grades 9-12)

Details checked August 2026