Join Us For Compass’s 4th Annual
Pathfinders Fundraiser
Pathfinders, an Evening with Dr. Denise Pope
Annual fundraiser for Compass High School
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 5–8 PM
All proceeds support Compass High School’s mission to empower neurodivergent learners and build inclusive, student-centered education.
This year’s Pathfinders event features Dr. Denise Pope, senior lecturer at Stanford University and co-founder of Challenge Success. A nationally recognized expert on student well-being, motivation, and school culture, Dr. Pope is the author of Doing School and Overloaded and Underprepared and works closely with schools across the country to promote healthier, more inclusive definitions of success.
Tickets & Sponsorships
Early Bird Individual Tickets — $125 through February 1
Sponsorship Tables — $1,200–$5,000
Your participation directly supports Compass High School’s students and programs.
Location
Crowne Plaza Burlingame
1177 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, CA
This event is open to all friends and supporters ages 21 and over.
Meet Dr. Denise Pope
Denise Pope is an influential education thought leader, researcher, and speaker widely recognized for her work on student well-being, engagement, and school culture.
As a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Dr. Pope has spent decades examining how schools shape students’ academic experiences, mental health, and sense of belonging, with a particular focus on reducing stress and redefining success in K–12 education.
Dr. Pope is the co-founder and strategic advisor of Challenge Success, a nationally respected school reform nonprofit that partners with schools, families, and communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based practices that support healthier, more inclusive learning environments. Through this work, she helps schools rethink homework, assessment, curriculum, and college admissions practices to better align with student well-being and long-term success.
An accomplished author and scholar, Dr. Pope is the author of Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students, a Notable Book in Education recognized by the American School Board Journal, and the lead author of Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids. Her writing and research provide practical, evidence-based guidance for educators and parents seeking to foster engagement, integrity, and balance in students’ lives.
Beyond her publications, Dr. Pope lectures nationally on parenting practices and pedagogical strategies that promote student health, motivation, and belonging. She also co-hosts School’s In, a radio show produced by the Stanford Graduate School of Education. A three-time recipient of the Stanford Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award, she was honored with the 2012 Education Professor of the Year “Educators’ Voice Award.” Prior to her work at Stanford, Dr. Pope taught high school English in Fremont, California, and college composition and rhetoric at Santa Clara University.
The Venue, Food & Drink
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Crowne Plaza Burlingame, where you’ll enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and the opportunity to connect with an inspiring community.
Set in an elegant and welcoming atmosphere, the evening will feature meaningful conversation, shared dining, and a special keynote by Dr. Denise Pope.
Conveniently located near San Francisco International Airport at 1177 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, CA, the Crowne Plaza Burlingame provides a comfortable and accessible setting for this memorable event.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
We are grateful to our event sponsors for their generous support, which makes Pathfinders possible. Sponsorships play a vital role in advancing Compass High School’s mission. Interested in joining them? Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
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Founded over 170 years ago, NDNU is an WSCUC accredited, private, Catholic, co-educational master’s and undergraduate degree completion university, located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Silicon Valley. NDNU broadens the perspective and outlook of its students by exposing them to peers with diverse backgrounds, cultures and world views. -
Jennifer Beunrostro Real Estate
Jennifer has been a top-producing realtor for 15 years and brings her clients a wealth of knowledge, experience and top-notch professionalism. Her flexibility and great follow-through skills help clients in successfully achieving their goals. Jennifer's clients appreciate the personal attention that she gives them in explaining every detail of their transaction.
The Gerdes Family
Morrisey Compton
UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education
UC Santa Cruz Extension offers professional, UC-approved courses, certificates, and skills-based programs designed for working professionals at every stage of their career. With flexible online, hybrid, and evening/weekend formats, we combine the academic rigor of a University of California education with practical, industry-aligned instruction taught by experienced professionals. Students can choose individual courses or pursue certificates in areas such as bioscience, business, education, technology, UX design, and more
Landmark College Success Center
Located in San Mateo, California, the Landmark College Success Center provides neurodivergent teens, young adults, and adults with access to our unmatched resources and support for success in their academic and social skills development journey. Success Center resources and approaches are based on the world-class academic and student life elements found on our flagship campus in Vermont, ensuring quality and effectiveness honed over 35 years of working with neurodivergent populations.
Solving retention challenges for college students.
Brain Explained is an interactive platform that enables adult learners and workers to build strengths into opportunities in college or workforce development by enhancing their confidence and supercharging productivity and performance.
In operation for over 90 years, Draeger’s remains family-owned and operated to this day. As the fourth generation begins to take the reins, the company remains committed to providing its Bay Area customers with a food experience unlike any other. Founded by Gustave Draeger in 1925 as “Draeger’s Delicatessen” in San Francisco, Draeger’s has transformed through the years to become not just a supermarket, but a “marketplace” where customers can find the highest quality specialty and gourmet items, produce, meat, wine, liquor, prepared bakery and deli foods, flowers and housewares. Draeger’s is the place where discerning home cooks, experienced chefs and everyday people come together to celebrate food, family and life.
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Pathfinders 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Compass High School and make a lasting impact for students with learning differences while gaining meaningful visibility among educators, families, and community leaders.
North Star Sponsor — $5,000
Premier reserved table for 10 guests with the best event seating
Recognition in the event program, email newsletter, and on the Compass website
Homepage feature for 90 days
Trailblazer Sponsor — $2,500
Premium reserved table for 10 guests with front-of-room placement
Recognition in the event program, email newsletter, and on the Compass website
Homepage feature for 30 days
🧭 Navigator Sponsor — $1,200
Reserved table for 10 guests with priority seating
Recognition in the event program, Compass website, and email newsletter as a valued Pathfinders supporter
Event FAQs
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Pathfinders is a community event for adults 21+ supporting Compass High School.
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The dress code for the event is business casual.
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All event tickets should be purchased ahead of time through the ticketing platform on this page. While we would love to accomodate last minute attendees, capacity and planning restrictions require an advanced notice.