Compass High School Announces T.Z. Chu Memorial Scholarship

  SAN MATEO, CA - 04/20/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Compass High School, a private school for students with learning differences, in conjunction with the family of T.Z. Chu, have announced the T.Z. Chu Memorial Scholarship.

Compass High School was founded in early 2012 to serve students with learning differences in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Compass program provides a rigorous academic approach that challenges talented youngsters while addressing how they learn in a supportive, structured and individualized environment.

This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior planning to further his or her education in a post-secondary program while receiving ongoing support for their learning challenges. Compass High School created the scholarship to encourage graduates to use their awareness of their learning style and their self-advocacy skills to obtain support and accommodations in a university or post-secondary program.

Currently only 25% of college students access the accommodations to which they are entitled and a growing number of college students with learning disabilities do not obtain their college degree in six years. Compass is concerned about this problem and with the T.Z. Chu Memorial Scholarship, the school is trying to positively influence their students’ futures while promoting the importance of accommodations for students with learning disabilities in higher education. The successful scholarship candidate is required to return to Compass to talk about the support that they are receiving in college to an audience of students and parents.

T.Z. Chu was a well-known and respected business man in Silicon Valley. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he worked in the analytical instrument industry, serving as CEO of multiple corporations, including Finnigan Corporation and Hoefer Scientific. He was also active on a variety of non-profit and corporate boards, including Friends of Woodstock School, UC Berkeley Foundation and LSI Logic.

“Mr. Chu decided that he wanted to leave a portion of his legacy to help students who learn differently, but who have the grit and determination to continue into post-secondary school and careers,” said Rachel Wylde, Executive Director of Compass High School. “With this scholarship, he not only helps a student financially - he also sends a positive message to the community.”

“We are pleased to be offering this scholarship to a deserving Compass senior,” said Andrea Adelmann, daughter of T.Z. Chu and Board member at Compass. “My father believed deeply in education.  He saw the value in all individuals and wanted to support the hard work and focus needed by these students to continue in their chosen field.”

The scholarship amount for the 2017 graduating senior is $5,000.  Any Compass student who is planning to further his or her education at a post-secondary institution may apply. The recipient will be chosen by a panel consisting of two staff members, two members of the Compass Board, one Advisory Board member and one member of the public. The recipient will be awarded the scholarship at Compass’ graduation on June 6.

Compass High School has a rolling admissions policy and is currently accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. For more information on Compass or the upcoming graduation program, go to www.compasshigh.org or contact Rachel Wylde, Executive Director of Compass (rwylde@compasshigh.org or 650-720-4248).