Compass Academy Network (CAN) is excited to share their latest updates with the community!
Each month, their newsletter spotlights stories, updates, and opportunities that celebrate their students, Peer Mentors, teachers, and partners. Learn more below.
Where is Compass Academy Network for 2026?
CAN is excited to announce that applications are now open for its free, four-week summer enrichment program for middle school students. The program provides students with fun, engaging, and supportive learning experiences and combats summer learning loss. Come join this exciting experience at any of the following locations:
- Joplin, Missouri
- Atlanta, Missouri
- Altamont, Kansas
- Cassville, Missouri
- Neosho, Missouri
- Pittsburg, Kansas
- Quapaw, Oklahoma
More sites for CAN will be announced soon, so keep an eye on CAN’s social media or websites to learn more!
Get a Taste of College Life with CAN at Pittsburg State University and/or Missouri Southern State University
CAN is excited to announce that the program sites for Joplin and Pittsburg will be located at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) and Pittsburg State University, respectively. Students can experience what it’s like to be a college student on a real college campus, take a tour, participate in fun campus activities, and start dreaming big about their future!
April Meetups
Attending one of CAN’s fun, free events is the perfect way to see what CAN is all about!
Check the CAN events page for April meetup dates and locations near you.
Did You Hear About Governor Kehoe’s Visit?
CAN hosted Governor Mike Kehoe and First Lady Claudia Kehoe on Monday, February 9 at MSSU for Compass in Conversation — a special event highlighting the nonprofit’s impact on students, educators, and communities across the region.
Governor Kehoe celebrated the CAN model that engages students in active, hands-on learning.
“Having Compass Academy in their lives could really be a game-changer for our kids. Our future needs a lot of bright stars,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Meet the Newest CAN Team Members
Autumn Carson brings more than two decades of experience in education to her role as the Southeast Kansas Regional Director for CAN. Beginning her career in 2003 as a first grade teacher, she has served students and schools across southeast Kansas, including in Galena and Baxter Springs, and is a proud graduate of Riverton schools. Learn more about her here.
Angela Beckett is in her 30th year of teaching, 27 of which have been spent teaching English Language Arts at Pittsburg Community Middle School in Pittsburg, Kansas. She currently teaches eighth grade ELA and is passionate about helping students grow as readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Angela holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education earned at Pittsburg State University. She is now a program director for CAN. Learn more about her here.
Partner & Sponsor Spotlight – Welcome, Mercy Hospital!
CAN is excited to announce a new sponsorship from Mercy Hospital to support the mission and growth of the Network across southwest Missouri and southeastern Kansas. This investment strengthens CAN’s ability to expand high-quality opportunities for students and families throughout the regions that both CAN and Mercy serve.
Learn how your organization could become a partner here.
About Compass Academy Network:
Compass Academy Network is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2019, that supports rural education by providing free summer enrichment programs for middle school students (grades 6–9) and by developing a pipeline of committed and qualified educators in rural communities.
For more information, contact jnorton@compassacademynetwork.org or learn more about Compass at www.compassacademynetwork.org.
Reference:
Johnna Norton
417.501.2832
jnorton@compassacademynetwork.org
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