Whether a native Texan or new to DFW, welcome to the admission process!
The Compass School of Texas is a private school located in the heart of Dallas, TX, offering enrollment in Pre-K through 5th grade for the fall of 2026. Adding a grade each year, Compass will be a Pre-K through 8th grade school by the year 2029.
This co-ed independent school offers small classes that are designed to engage young children in real-world simulations to develop fine motor skills, financial literacy skills, and emotional intelligence, while inspiring creativity through a holistic curriculum. Explore the site, book a tour, and/or contact admissions@compassschooltx.org to learn more!
About our Lower School and our Community
Students can start learning at Compass as early as age four (must be four years old by September 1. Students are excited and encouraged to try new things and to take risks with the support of their teachers and peers. Elementary school is a place full of joy, growth, and preparation. Every day is filled with excitement and discovery as each student finds his or her own love of learning. The open and collaborative community is driven by empathy and inclusion to help students, parents, and faculty thrive.
Transparency is key to ensuring a Compass student's educational journey is positive for the whole family. Parents are active participants, regularly invited to campus to volunteer at lunch and field trips or attend student showcases, gratitude gatherings, holidays, and special events.
2026-2027 Application Process
Application Requirements:
- Application
- Application fee ($100)
- Parent Questionnaire
- Tour the campus or attend open house
- Parent interview
- Observation visit: Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade
- School day observation visit: 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade
- Teacher evaluation and most up-to-date school records from the applicant’s current school (if applicable).
- Academic testing
Admission Dates:
Attend optional admission events from September – January, which include Open house and Fireside chats.
- Applications open September 3,2025
- Tuition assistance applications open - September 30, 2025
- All application requirements - including the completed application, parent questionnaire, application fee, student testing and assessments, parent interviews, teacher evaluations, and school records - must be submitted by January 30, 2026
- Tuition Assistance applications due - February 20, 2026
- Decisions emailed - March 13, 2026
- Enrollment contract due - March 27, 2026
- New family events - April/May 2026
Student Testing
2026-2027 Testing Requirements
Pre-K and Kindergarten: Schedule the Collaborative Academic Testing Services (CATS) evaluation and attend an on-campus observation visit where we will conduct a developmental age assessment in a group and individual setting.
1st grade: Schedule the Collaborative Academic Testing Services (CATS) evaluation, register with Admissions Testing Solutions (ATS) for the 1st Grade assessment, and attend an on campus observation visit where we will conduct a developmental age assessment in a group and individual setting.
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade: Schedule the Independent School Entrance Exam* (ISEE) and the Collaborative Academic Testing Services (CATS) evaluations and attend an on campus shadow visit. During the visit we will conduct a developmental age assessment in a group setting.
CATS is a cognitive abilities assessment that is administered individually by Collaborative Academic Testing Services. Please register here. Test results may be shared with other schools where the student is applying.
Admission Testing Solutions offers early childhood assessments that help evaluate school readiness in areas such as cognitive, language, and motor development. Register here.
ISEE is a nationally recognized, standardized test used for admission to independent schools. It assesses a student’s academic skills in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics. The test provides insight into a student's readiness for a rigorous academic environment and helps schools make informed admission decisions. Families can register for the ISEE here.
*Fees apply. Tuition Assistance is available for qualified applicants.