The Compass School of Texas is dedicated to providing students with “a strong academic foundation that fosters analytical thinking, instills the joy of learning in a wholesome environment, and inspires the pursuit of purpose.” This new co-ed private school, located in Preston Hollow near the intersection of Northwest Highway and Inwood Road, launched with its first pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students in the fall of 2023.
Arnie Holtberg, credit George Fiala
In keeping with the school’s plan to expand to eighth grade in coming years, Compass welcomes its first class of fifth grade students for the 2026-2027 academic year. The grade addition comes in conjunction with the appointment of Arnie Holtberg as interim Head of Middle School. With decades of experience in education, spanning roles as headmaster, dean of students, teacher, and strategic advisor, Holtberg notably served as the longest-tenured headmaster of St. Mark’s School of Texas. He is a member of the founding team of Compass, and has since served as chair of the school’s advisory council.
With the appointment, Holtberg takes on a critical role in developing Compass’s standards and curriculum for middle grades. “I look forward to working with the students on a more regular basis, establishing a cohesive team with the teachers, and finding ways to promote academic excellence while embracing whole child learning at every turn,” he says. “The middle grades represent an awesome opportunity to make a difference and have fun.”
This news follows the school’s 2025 Fiesta fundraiser total and 2026 event date announcements. For more information visit www.compassschooltx.org.
