COVID-19

COVID-19 Guidelines & Policies

The Island School offers place-based learning in a community setting. By design, our educational and research programs involve collaboration and intentionally working in close proximity to one another. The moment you begin an Island School experience, you are tasked with responsibilities that impact not only yourself but the entire campus community and beyond. The responsibility of doing our part to promote the wellness of the community is at the core of an Island School experience. Mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases is no exception. 

The Island School continues to monitor COVID-19, both in the United States and in The Bahamas. We also continue to work with our medical advisors, peer organizations, and governmental agencies to employ plans that appropriately mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 based on the most current information. COVID-19 continues to be an evolving situation, and The Island School will continue to adapt our mitigation strategies and follow local guidelines as they evolve. 

Like most risks, the risk of contracting COVID-19 both before and during your Island School program can be reduced, but not eliminated. Below are the steps that The Island School is currently taking and that we are asking individuals to take to support the well-being of our Island School community and our island neighbors. 

Vaccinations 

  • All residential students from outside The Bahamas are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • We strongly recommend that all Island School students are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

**Beginning June 2024

  • The Island School strongly recommends that all students/participants are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations before the beginning of their program.

Prior to Arrival 

  • If you are coming to The Island School from outside The Bahamas, we strongly encourage that you:
    • Take a rapid COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before you travel.
    • If you test positive for COVID or if you are experiencing symptoms, do not travel. Please contact The Island School to make adjustments to your program plans.
  • For all residential students, for the 10 days prior to arrival we ask that you follow the practices below:
    • Avoid crowded, indoor spaces.
    • If you must be in a crowded indoor space, wear a mask.
    • Avoid contact with people that are sick.
    • Monitor your health and test if you experience symptoms.
  • For our year-round students, we strongly encourage you to test if you are experiencing symptoms and to communicate with your Principal or Lead Teacher if you are not feeling well.

During your Program 

  • Although we do not do routine testing, The Island School may administer a rapid COVID test to our students upon arrival or during the program under certain circumstances including high community transmission rates or exposure to a COVID-positive individual.
  •  Masks are currently optional for all students and staff. However, certain circumstances, such as exposure to a COVID positive individual or high community transmission rates, could lead to an adjustment in masking and/or social distancing protocols.
  • If a student tests positive for COVID-19, The Island School will follow the current guidelines set forth by The Bahamas Ministry of Health and make decisions about continued participation and program adjustments on an individual basis.