The COMPASS Project is a federal grant program from the Department of Public Instruction  – Safe and Drug Free Schools. The mentoring program is administered by Communities In Schools of Moore County and based at Southern Middle School in Aberdeen, North Carolina.  The grant, which began during the 2007-08 school year, provides funding to support one-on-one mentoring for students in need of a little extra help to succeed and stay in school.

The Project is designed to provide middle school students direction in their lives through use of the Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens materials and the guidance of a caring adult.  Mentors ask students to articulate their dreams and aspirations.  The mentors then incorporate the student’s aspirations with the 7 Habits, thus providing a personal compass to guide each youth along his/her desired path.  A primary focus of the Project is to produce academically successful students who become responsible for their futures. In addition to weekly mentoring visits, students also benefit from educational field trips and community service opportunities.

The Project pairs 70 middle school children at Southern Middle School with 70 community volunteers once a week. Outcomes show that in the first seven months 100% of matches were maintained, 81% of students reduced their unexcused absences, 62% reduced their behavioral incidents and 48% improved their core academic grades. This program is a success and has had a great impact on the individual students and the school as a whole.

To learn more or to become a mentor, contact Dr. Robin Moore, COMPASS Project Director at (910) 638-8223.