EDUCATION | RESEARCH | SUSTAINABILITY Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas
“The Cape Eleuthera Island School is an ecosystem of education-based programs, an EduSystem, that has the vision of ‘leadership effecting change.’ Through these programs, educators and students learn to live on a green campus powered by renewable energy, and explore academics outside of traditional classroom walls.”
-- Mary Assini Imbesi S’00, Executive Director Cape Eleuthera Foundation
OUR MISSION
The Island School serves as a catalyst in the global transition to a more livable future through three core principles: • 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.
CENTRAL QUESTION VISION Our Organization
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How do we live well in a place?
Leadership effecting change
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
High school sophomores and juniors from around the world join our community to learn outside the walls of a classroom. Together, we engage in the process of inquiry in order to discover solutions to real world problems.
Semester 100-day program for high school sophomores & juniors Fall | September - December Spring | February - June
Summer 30-day program for rising sophomores, juniors & seniors Session I | June - July Session II | July - August
SUSTAINABILITY
At The Island School, students and faculty model sustainable living through environmental management practices, human consumption, and waste management. On our campus, students work with our Center for Sustainable Development to understand the systems we model and how to better their own practices.
RESEARCH INITIATIVES Food Security Renewable Energy Systems Water Conservation Sustainable Design
“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 & Engineering Cape Eleuthera Island School
MARINE SCIENCE
At The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute, 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 or 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
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
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.
Deep Creek Middle School
In 2001, in partnership with our surrounding communities, The Island School opened DCMS to provide access to alternative education methods for local students to develop future leaders of The Bahamas. Island School students work with the local primary school on their literacy initiatives and together contribute to community advocacy projects.
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 Morning Exercise
Each morning, students and faculty come together to participate and support each other through exercise. Students track their progress as they prepare for a physical course taking place at the end of their program.
SPECIALIZED TRACKS Semester
Half Marathon or Four-Mile “Super Swim”
Summer
“Monster Run-Swim”
STUDENT LIFE
Students are busy six days each week immersed in academics, exploring the many acres around campus, and building lifelong relationships with peers. 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, dinner out with your advisory, 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 make a trip to a nearby beach with friends. “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 F’19
“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 PROGRAM
The curriculum at The Island School 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 at The Island School are transferable to your sending school.
COURSES
Literature & Writing Histories
Mathematics
Leadership Capstone Marine Ecology
Applied Scientific 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 Ecology
Sustainable Food Systems Tourism & Development
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Middle Schools, High Schools & Colleges
School programs can visit our campus to focus on common biological and environmental principles for tropical island ecosystems, sustainability, leadership development, and cultural immersion. Programs vary from one to three weeks. For more information, contact educationalprograms@islandschool.org
TEACHER CONFERENCE
6-12 Grade Educators, Administrators & Guidance Counselors
Our annual week-long Teacher Conference provides a unique opportunity for educators to challenge themselves to become students engaged in sustainable community living, open-learning, and probing best practices for experiential education. For more information, contact teacherconference@islandschool.org
APPLY NOW
ADMISSIONS
Semester Program Application Due
Summer Term
Application Due
| February 15 | January 15
AFFORDING THE ISLAND SCHOOL • Admission is a need-blind process • Families receive the full amount of demonstrated need • 25-35% of our student body receives aid If you are interested in learning more, please 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 F’11 Head of School, The Lawrenceville School
www.islandschool.org
| (866) 730-6624 | admissions@islandschool.org