The Island School offers a transformative single-semester and summer journey based on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. Students, teachers, and staff at The Island School engage in a process of inquiry in order to discover sustainable solutions to real-world problems.

Using Eleuthera’s cultural and environmental landscape, students explore their classes outside of the traditional classroom setting through student-centered academics and outdoor programs that support personal growth and leadership development. During a semester, students will take courses in ecology, scientific research, art and movement, community and culture, creative writing and storytelling, and mathematics. In addition, students participate in outreach programs that practice a project-based approach to local collaborations.

At The Island School, students have the opportunity to work with researchers at our world-class research facility, the Cape Eleuthera Institute. Through the applied scientific research course, students investigate the surrounding marine or terrestrial environment with the goal of answering pertinent ecological questions. At the end of the semester, students will present their research to local government officials and policymakers and also complete and publish a scientific research poster. Learn more about our current research initiatives (https://islandschool.org/cape-eleuthera-institute/research-initiatives/)!

Rounding out the semester are the physical and outdoor education programs. Not only do students spend five mornings each week training for a half-marathon or four-mile open-ocean swim, but they also participate in two sea kayaking trips, camp, take part in a 48-hour solo wilderness experience, and earn a PADI Open Water Diver Certification.

In all of these ways, The Island School pushes students outside of their comfort zone. By facing real substantial challenges in the classroom, on a morning run, or when presenting their scientific research to Bahamian policymakers, students confront their limitations together and develop a deep sense of personal accomplishment and community support.

At The Island School, we believe that young people, given the right tools, can accomplish anything. The Island School experience culminates in the beginning of a lifelong educational journey, where self-confident students emerge as engaged global citizens, empowered to be active leaders of their generation.

As Told by Our Alumni:

“The research and place-based classes are probably what stood out to me the most about the academic courses. I had not realized how involved we would be in our research classes and that we would actually get to contribute in real ways to ongoing, relevant research. This was something I would have never had the chance to do had I not attended The Island School, and Fish Physiology was definitely a highlight of my semester.” – Alling Lubitz (F24)

“Island School helped to change my attitude about life and how I approach things. Before coming to Island School, I let hard things take me down and not stand up to the challenge, but after Island School, I learned that I can do hard things, I should challenge myself, that is what life is about, and more comes out of it when you do challenge yourself each day and find the positive.” – Aishwarya Priesing (S25)

“As for what surprised me, I have to say myself. I don’t know how or why, and I can only give guesses, but I learned so much about life, the world, people, and myself. The level of self-awareness and discovery that the program has allowed me to achieve is something I would not have known about myself in a million years. I can only say I expected to learn more about the ocean and fish, but The Island School has taught me much more important lessons about love, community, and genuine relationships.” – Victor Lu (S25)

“My biggest takeaway from The Island School is the importance of a strong community. The IS community is vast but yet still feels so small. You get the privilege of getting to know everyone, no matter their role in the community on campus or off campus. You learn to step up and lend an extra hand wherever they are needed, whether that is in the kitchen, the farm, or the ELC. You are told and eventually learn to put the community first and put yourself second.” – Katie Ascione (F24)

“The dorms are a great place to live and help you build great relationships. I loved showering outside and reducing my shower time. Disconnection from tech was awesome as well; it was so easy, and I never felt like I wanted my phone. Being home, I realize the privilege I had to live in a phone-free community.” – Barlow Marshall (F24)