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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NOV. 2, 2021) – Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, celebrated the official grand opening of Compass Rose Journey in Windcrest, Texas. A ribbon cutting event was held Friday, Oct. 15, marking two months since the school opened to nearly 300, kindergarten through sixth grade students. The school will eventually grow to serve 700 students.
“The support of the surrounding community has been instrumental in the school’s early success and ability to best serve our students,” said Compass Rose Journey Founding Principal Brittany Thompson. “That support was on full display at the ribbon cutting; it was a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful, brand new facility and the incredible work of our students and teachers.”
Students, their families, school staff members, representatives from Building Hope and community leaders were on hand at the ribbon cutting event to tour the state-of-the-art new school facility. State Board of Education Member Marisa Perez-Diaz, Windcrest City Manager Rafael Castillo and City Council Members Cindy Strzelecki and Frank Archuleta were in attendance at the ribbon cutting event. Additionally, George Alva, who is vice president of the Windcrest Economic Development Corporation, and the corporation’s Executive Director Mario Hernandez and board members Rip Stimpson and Bubba Chapa also supported the school’s event last week.
Jennifer Newman, who is president of the Windcrest Economic Development Corporation board, said members of her team were thrilled to get a firsthand look at the new building and see the students in their new school home. “We are so excited about the opening of this new, innovative facility and the opportunities it will provide for students and our entire community,” she said.
With Building Hope’s guidance through the due diligence, permitting, design, and building processes, the project is coming in nearly half a million dollars under budget. This has allowed the school to add a signature 5,000-square-foot outdoor learning environment that models the geographical regions in Texas.
“This campus is truly one of a kind,” said Building Hope’s Vice President of Real Estate Development Jerry Zayets. “It is incredibly rewarding to return to the school and witness the impact it’s having on students and their families.”
The school’s curriculum is focused on public health, introducing students at an early age to a high-demand field. Compass Rose Journey’s leadership, teachers and staff members are dedicated to engaging students in nature-based, place-based and hands-on learning in indoor and outdoor classrooms to develop a deep understanding of their role in contributing to a better and healthier self, community and world.
Building Hope helps charter schools identify, finance and build facilities customized to schools’ needs. The organization also provides support services that allow school administrators to keep their focus on educating students. For more information about how Building Hope helps charter schools nationwide with facilities, financing, and operational services, visit www.buildinghope.org.
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About Building Hope
Building Hope is a non-profit foundation created to support education and public charter schools. Since 2003, Building Hope’s purpose has been to identify and finance viable facilities so that all students have access to a quality K-12 education. Building Hope has grown the capacity of charter schools nationwide by providing facilities, financial, and operational services so that schools can focus on and devote more resources to educating students in underserved communities. Building Hope has supported 300 charter school projects and 150,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia, by providing more than $363 million in direct loans, credit enhancements, and equity investments to support $1.9 billion in school construction.