SEMESTER | SUMMER TERM Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas
“The physical, intellectual, and emotional growth that comes from challenging yourself beyond what you thought was possible, with the support of teachers, peers, and community members who believe in you, is a powerful combination which accelerates the journey of self-discovery in each of our students regardless of their starting point.”
-- Ben Dougherty, CEO & Head of School Cape Eleuthera Island School
ABOUT US
Located in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, The Island School provides a transformative experience for all who come here. With a focus on conservation and sustainability, and an experiential education informed by world-class research, we are developing responsible citizens and future leaders who can ensure a more sustainable future for our planet. United by a shared purpose – to develop leaders who inspire and drive change – The Island School is a single organization made up of several interconnected parts including our High School Semester & Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Early Learning Center, Cape Eleuthera Institute, and the Cape Eleuthera Foundation, which is a US based non-profit that acts as the primary granteur for The Island School and its programs. Whether you are a student or educator, a scientist or engineer, you will work and learn side by side with individuals across our community – united in a common purpose to grow together as purposeful leaders and responsible stewards of our environment.
OUR MISSION
The Island School serves as a catalyst in the global transition to a more livable future through three institutional keystones: • Developing an intimate sense of place in students through immersion experiences in their natural and cultural environment. • Modeling sustainability of individual lifestyles, larger communities, and the systems that support them. • Creating an intentional community where members are cognizant of their abilities, limitations, and effect on others.
VISION
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Leadership effecting change
CENTRAL QUESTION
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How do we live well in a place?
“In school, students tend to consume information and at The Island School students are producers. Students at The Island School quickly become colleagues working together towards a common goal. It is intuitive that the opportunity for growth is enhanced when there is a why that stretches far beyond a letter grade. All the discipline specific content and skills remain intact on this real journey and yet the outcome has a purpose that elevates the work.”
-- Dr. Kevin Mattingly Founding Board Member
SEMESTER
The curriculum at The Island School Semester is multidisciplinary. This cross-curricular model challenges students to think outside the box and practice using their newly obtained skillsets in real life situations. Courses offered in the Semester are transferable to your sending school.
COURSES
English Literature
History of The Bahamas Mathematics
Environmental Art
Elements of Ecology
Marine Biology Research
SUMMER TERM
During the Summer Term, students are immersed in field work outside of the traditional classroom where they gain a better understanding of our ecosystems and environment.
COURSES
Elements of Ecology
Sustainable Systems
Tourism & Development
STUDENT LIFE
Students are busy six days a week immersed in academics, exploring the many acres around campus, and building meaningful relationships with the community. Dorm life requires a communal spirit and a willingness to contribute to the successful journey of all students. Saturday evening activities include community events such as a coffeehouse, games, movie nights, or a night snorkel. Occasionally, students participate in larger community and cultural events such as a Fish Fry, or festival in a nearby settlement. Sundays are often quieter days to relax and enjoy the Cape, swim, bike, or join an optional activity planned for the day. “Spending so much time on and off campus during exploration times with my friends, querencias, expeditions, and especially during many of our classes that taught us “how to live well in a place,” I learned how to appreciate and care for Eleuthera. Meaningful connections are how I would describe my 100 days at Island School.” -- Nate LaRhette F19
OUTDOOR EDUCATION Our outdoor & physical education programs help students develop strong bodies to sustain strong minds and build a deep sense of personal accomplishment and student support. Students join our programs from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. No outdoor experience is necessary prior to joining us on Eleuthera.
SCUBA | Acquire PADI Open Water Diver certification
Expeditions | Kayak Excursion & Down Island Camping Trips
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Each morning, students and faculty come together to participate and support each other through exercise. AMX, as it is often called, is an incredible way to wake up and invigorate your day alongside your classmates, while further deepening our connection to place as we explore the surrounding land and sea during these workouts. Students track their progress as they prepare for a physical challenge at the end of their program.
SPECIALIZED TRACKS A highlight of AMX, is the culminating final event which takes place at the end of the program. Typically Semester students train for either a half marathon or four mile “superswim”, and for the Summer Term, a combined “monster run-swim”.
“Our young leaders are solving real problems through authentic scientific research, generating new knowledge that helps us live more sustainably and shows the world what it looks like to live well in this place.”
-- Dr. Nick Higgs, Director of Science & Innovation Cape Eleuthera Island School
MARINE SCIENCE
Through the Cape Eleuthera Institute at The Island School, we combine cutting-edge research with educational and outreach initiatives to improve our understanding of marine ecosystems and to support a sustainable future for The Bahamas. Students investigate the surrounding marine environment, learn about sustainable systems, and collaborate with our local partners on projects addressing community requests.
RESEARCH INITIATIVES Pelagic Ecology & Conservation Coastal Habitat Conservation Deep Sea Discovery & Exploration Coral Reef Restoration
SUSTAINABILITY
At The Island School, we model sustainable living through environmental management practices, human consumption, and waste management. On our campus, students work with faculty and our research and innovations teams to understand the systems we model and how to better their own practices.
RESEARCH INITIATIVES Food Security Renewable Energy Systems Water Conservation Sustainable Design Atmospheric Science
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Each member of the community provides a learning opportunity for our students. Engaging in thoughtful conversations with local schools, youth, families, community leaders, and local partners allows students to foster meaningful relationships focused on education, conservation, and sustainability, all to advocate living well in a place.
In 2001, in partnership with our surrounding communities, we opened DCMS to provide access to alternative education methods for local students to develop future leaders of The Bahamas. In 2013, the ELC opened in support of the families of faculty and staff while also getting closer to our vision of a campus hosting programs for Pre-K through PhD students. There are many opportunities to collaborate across schools and programs daily at The Island School as well as through participation in nearby community events and off-campus excursions.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Middle Schools, High Schools & Colleges
School programs can visit our campus to focus on biological and environmental principles for tropical island ecosystems, field-based research, sustainability, leadership development, and cultural immersion. Programs vary from one-three weeks. For more information, contact educationalprograms@islandschool.org
EDUCATORS CONFERENCE
6-12 Grade Educators, Administrators & College Counselors
Our annual week-long Educators Conference provides a unique opportunity for educators, administrators, and education professionals to challenge themselves to become students engaged in sustainable community living and open-learning, while probing best practices for experiential education. For more information, contact educationalprograms@islandschool.org
APPLY NOW
ADMISSIONS
Fall & Spring Semester | 100-day program for high school sophomores & juniors Application Due | February 15
Summer Term | Six-week program for rising high school sophomores, juniors & seniors Application Due | January 15
AFFORDABILITY & OPPORTUNITY AT THE ISLAND SCHOOL Tuition assistance is available for all students through a need-blind admissions process. We use an outside service to assess a family’s level of demonstrated need in a fair and unbiased manner to determine scholarship awards. Semester and Summer Term applications for admission, and applications for tuition assistance, are due at the same time, though they are reviewed separately. For more information, contact admissions@islandschool.org
“Great schools look for sources of inspiration and innovative practices, and we feel The Island School is an outstanding example of this. Deep learning and understanding comes from rolling up your sleeves, comes from doing. This is why The Lawrenceville School and other peer schools are investing in on-campus farms and maker spaces. We want to be able to land Island School students back into a community where authentic work and real responsibility lead to the development of the full scope of leadership potential.” -- Steve Murray, Parent F11 Head of School, The Lawrenceville School
www.islandschool.org
| admissions@islandschool.org