“I consider myself an educational entrepreneur,” says Laura George, founder of Compass Prep near Atlanta. “I see how things could work better, and I find people who can implement my vision.”

Now in its 18^th year, Compass Prep started as a group of homeschoolers who wanted to do things differently. “Our area is filled with homeschool opportunities, but 95 percent of those are very traditional in their approach,” Laura explains. “They’re doing school at home. Some local hybrids meet two days week, but the kids are home the other days doing 8‑hours of school. That’s not what I wanted to create. My philosophy has always been driven by finding each student’s particular gifts and fanning those flames.”

At Compass Prep, they take a less is more attitude toward the traditional academic subjects. Learning is hands on and project driven. They focus on key concepts so students will retain more of what they learn. Laura decries the approach of many schools that rewards students who cram for a test and then forget it all—what she calls “bulimic education” since they binge and purge. She thinks this is a harmful method because it has a high burnout rate. Plus, it just rewards kids who memorize and regurgitate well and ignores things needed for the real world, like innovating and collaborating.

Laura’s enthusiasm is particularly impressive considering she homeschooled her own 11 children for two decades before starting Compass Prep. During that time, she read a lot and explored different approaches to education. She took notes of what she’d do if she could start her own learning center. After 20 years of research, thinking, and trying things in her own home, she opened Compass.

While Laura views Compass Prep as a microschool, she offers a wide variety of extra services to help students maximize their education. There is a menu called Flex5 that includes accreditation and transcript services, academic coaching and support, local academies, offsite education, and lifemap services.

The local academies provide a learning community for students from kindergarten through high school and are the heart of Compass Prep. Families can choose to attend 2, 3 or 4 days a week depending on their needs. Traditional academic classes are held Tuesday and Thursday. The 3‑day option includes Wednesdays, which are reserved for electives in the arts, computer science, STEM and Maker‐​space experiences. On Wednesday afternoons, the OffRoad Program takes students out into the community for local field trips and community service projects. For families who need it, the 4‑day program includes Mondays for homework and project help, extra tutoring, or just supervision.

Laura chose the name Compass Prep very deliberately. Compass because she wants to help kids find a sense of direction and purpose. Prep because they are preparing kids for their unique path. When kids graduate from Compass Prep, Laura aims to have them ready for their next steps—whatever they may be.

Laura thinks her small school model would thrive anywhere. She’d love to expand throughout Georgia so mountain, coastal, inner city, and farming communities could have their own versions of Compass Prep. With parents more open to educational options, now could be the perfect time for Laura to achieve the next phase of her vision.