| Island School | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1999 |
| Type | experiential, coeducational |
| Faculty | 25 |
| Students | 48 per semester |
| Grades | 10 & 11 |
| Location | Eleuthera, The Bahamas |
| Campus | rural |
| Website | www.islandschool.org |
The Island School is located on Cape Eleuthera, on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Founded by Chris and Pam Maxey in 1999, The Island School is a high school academic semester study-abroad program described as a "mind, body and spirit experience that challenges students by immersing them in the ocean and introducing them to another culture"[1] The program is structured to present students with authentic challenges that help them grow intellectually, emotionally and physically. The first official semester of The Island School in March 1999 consisted of 22 students and 6 faculty members, the majority of whom were from The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.
The campus is located about 1-mile (1.6 km) from Cape Eleuthera Marina near the southwestern-most tip of Eleuthera. The 18-acre (73,000 m2) campus is also host to two sister institutions, the Cape Eleuthera Institute and Cape Systems, and is powered by systems that allow the school to reduce its ecological impact. Rainwater from the roofs is captured for use, and buildings are designed from local materials where possible and without air-conditioning. The school generates the majority of its electricity with an array of photovoltaic panels (26.4 kW), and a 10 kW wind turbine mounted 100 ft (30 m) above campus. A constructed wetland captures "waste" nutrients, and filters waste water before being used to irrigate landscaping. Biodiesel made on campus from waste cooking oil powers all boats and vehicles. Other systems include solar water heating and some small food production on the farm.
Each year high school students from their respective schools apply by March 1 to spend 14 weeks (about 100 days) at the Island School. The admissions process is selective, with applicants submitting essays, recommendations, transcripts, and where possible supplementing with an alumni or parent interview.
Fall semester runs from late August to early December, and Spring semester from February to June. During their tenure students in 10th and 11th grade complete a course of study in seven courses including Marine Ecology, Human Ecology, Applied Scientific Research, Literature of The Sea, Histories of the Bahamas, Mathematics (Celestial Navigation), and Environmental Art. Students build a strong community, experience a very hands-on way of learning (including two multi-day kayak expeditions and SCUBA certification), and share responsibility for chores and running the school. Students engage the local culture through weekly community outreach sessions, interacting both with the local public schools and the sister school Deep Creek Middle School, a grade 7-9 private school.
The Island School experience, as reported by alumni, tends to be transformative in the lives of students. In addition to the two Island School semesters a summer term was added in 2010. The school also hosts visiting programs for students ranging from primary school through college.