We believe the best people to tell you about our programs are those who have lived it for themselves! As Admissions Ambassadors, the students below embody the core of The Island School’s ideals; leadership, curiosity, sustainability, and community. Our Ambassadors are excited to connect with you to share more about their experiences applying to The Island School, their time on Eleuthera, and the transition returning back home. We truly believe that the success of our program is represented by our passionate alumni.
Below, we hope you find a student that reminds you of yourself (scroll through based on residential location)! If you would like to speak with an Admissions Ambassador, please submit the form at the bottom of the page. An Ambassador will reach out to you shortly after!
Northeast
Gabz, NY
Gabz, NY
Term: Spring 2021
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Interests: Swim, SCUBA, painting, photography
“The Island School taught me to listen to myself, my body, and my intuition. I left feeling that I’d gotten everything I could have out of my semester and I’ve been so much more confident in my own interests and the power I have.”
Lily, CT
Lily, CT
Term: Fall 2021
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: New Haven, CT
Interests: Singing, tennis, reading, going on walks, spending time with friends & family
“There is always something happening and always people there to support you. Whether it was dance parties in the common room, dog piles on someone’s twin-sized bed, late-night ukulele sing-alongs, or conversations on the deck; living in the dorm is what opened my eyes to the depth of what friendship can be and affected how I look at my friendships in other parts of my life.”
Charlie, RI
Charlie, RI
Term: Fall 2021
Attended as: Senior
Hometown: Cranston, RI
Interests: SCUBA, any outdoor activity (specifically with my Island School friends), traveling, boating, live music
“I never in my life would have imagined that I would be able to complete a four-mile swim or spend 48 hours alone on a beach, but The Island School made me do just that. There is a sense of pride, confidence, and accomplishment after meeting milestones like these. What makes The Island School so incredible is that it gives you these rare opportunities to challenge yourself in new ways.”
Abby, NJ
Abby, NJ
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Springfield, NJ
Interests: Traveling, working out, spending time with friends
“To be completely honest, the classes and work were SO much more fascinating, fun, interesting, and exciting at The Island School. The teachers made a huge impact by working one-on-one, and caring about every student.”
Dream, NJ
Dream, NJ
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Leonia, NJ
Interests: Reading, gardening, photography, playing the violin
“The Island School’s mission of sustainability deeply resonated with me. At my sending school, I became the Secretary of Sustainability and am creating mandatory sustainability learning periods in my school’s curriculum. Studying the real-life effects of global warming was scary but also a wake-up call for me and pushed me to take action at my home school.”
Serene, RI
Serene, RI
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Providence, RI
Interests: Listening to music, diving, journalism, basketball, traveling
“Through the outdoor and physical aspects of the program, I honestly learned how strong I was when I put my mind to something. It’s easy to hear about solo or expeditions, or a 13-mile half marathon and get intimidated, but if you take it day by day and really give it your all, it’s amazing what you can accomplish! The support of your fellow semester students and the faculty also plays a big role in everyone’s growth in this aspect of the program.”
Ella, VT
Ella, VT
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Junior
Hometown: Woodstock, VT
Interests: Science research, running, skiing, track & field, Student Council & Advisory to the Superintendent
“At the beginning the idea of living on a green campus was scary, but once you get there it is more simple than it seems. You make a few more decisions about where to throw certain things away, or if you should add that extra five minutes to your shower, but once it makes sense you get in the rhythm of doing it!”
Nate, MA
Nate, MA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: Hamilton, MA
Interests: Skiing, snorkeling, fishing, video games, being outdoors
“The morning run and swim got better and better each time. It was a way to connect with the other students because we all did it. It was a common thread. It made us just not physically stronger, but stronger as a community.”
JC, MA
JC, MA
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Charlestown, MA
Interests: Fashion, painting, film, music, animals
“I was surprised by the comfort I earned at The Island School. In a blink of an eye, I swam with sharks, became a researcher, and did AMX like it was all regular. I was surprised at how capable I would be if I was just given the opportunity.”
Nicky, CT
Nicky, CT
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Junior
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Interests: Lacrosse, polo, Formula 1, soccer, hanging out with friends
“I really enjoyed being disconnected from technology. It was a really nice break from the constant noise and distractions in my everyday life. Without the internet, my dorm could connect much quicker than we would have if we had access to technology. The dorm was one of my favorite parts of my Island School experience because it was such a tight-knit community.”
Colin, PA
Colin, PA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: Kempton, PA
Interests: Snowboarding, hiking, photography, exploring, competitive sports
“It was amazing having a much-needed break from technology and normal life. Living off the campus cisterns and wind-generated energy gave me a positive outlook on the future of energy for all. Personally, I liked living in dorms because it created a family between you and your mates.”
Dylan, NY
Dylan, NY
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: New York City, NY
Interests: Dancing, skiing, listening to music, creating playlists, SCUBA, playing the ukelele
“My friends from The Island School will 100% be my friends for life. There’s something impossible to describe about the kind of bond you share with people you’ve experienced this with, shared 100 days in a dorm with, studied hard with, laughed, and cried with. ”
Julie & Bill, Parent Alumni
Julie & Bill, Parent Alumni
Term: Dylan, Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: New York City, NY
“The program far surpassed our expectations. These students are beyond lucky to have had this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Dylan’s Island School 100 days feel like they’ve been a true life/game changer for her in so many ways and will continue to be, hopefully for many years to come. She came home with a much stronger and solid sense of herself, received a huge boost in her confidence, and I think Island School really served to open her eyes to: the boundlessness of her power, showed her the impact that she/these kids can have on the environment and world around us when they set their minds to it.”
David (Tie-dye Dave), Parent Alum
David (Tie-dye Dave), Parent Alum
Term: Hallie, Fall 2021
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Needham, Massachusetts
“The Island School experience changed, rather transformed, our daughter’s life. She was given an opportunity of a
lifetime and made the very most of it and continues to build on its foundation. In the past year, our daughter has
traveled across the country to be with her Island School friends on several occasions. This is a testament to not only
the bonds developed from living, working, studying, adventuring, and depending on each other for 100 days; but the
atmosphere on Eleuthera. I do not think that such monumental change would have happened at home in 100 days.”
Jen, Parent Alum
Jen, Parent Alum
Term: Ollie, Spring 2021
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Rockport, Maine
“Biggest takeaways were that Ollie was able to jump in with two feet to a program (during the height of Covid!) and have a very positive outdoor learning experience. He felt both freedom and also very cared for. He came home so happy, deeply touched, more compassionate and introspective, more thoughtful and kind, and overall very transformed by the experience.”
West Coast
Emma, WA
Emma, WA
Term: Fall 2021
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Interests: Hiking, cross country & track, playing guitar, exploring, hanging out with friends
“A lot of the classes at The Island School are experiential, hands-on, and interconnected. You get to go out and experience Eleuthera while learning about the history of the Bahamas and English. You get to connect your marine ecology class with math by working with Lionfish or doing reef surveys. I was really able to connect the dots between real life and what I was learning in class.”
Zara, CA
Zara, CA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Junior
Hometown: Mill Valley, CA
Interests: Writing, reading fantasy, Tae Kwon Do, working on environmental causes, swimming
“It already felt like we had been there for years and we had known each other our whole lives and yet the whole experience went by so quickly. Eleuthera is beautiful and I felt like, especially in querencia, I somewhat had tree roots connecting me to the ground. There was a place for me, but I wasn’t trapped.”
Pippa, CA
Pippa, CA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: Ross, CA
Interests: Science research, running, skiing, track & field, Student Council & Advisory to the Superintendent
“When I finished the Monster Run-Swim, I felt so supported and accomplished, and loved jumping around with my friends and celebrating. I also loved how every single student stuck around until the very last person touched the flag pole and kept the energy high. We were all so proud of ourselves and everyone around us.”
Max, WA
Max, WA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Junior
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Interests: Making music, SCUBA, art (metal casting & resin)
“The physical outdoor aspects really taught me about grit and enjoying yourself. I really had to push myself hard at times and even though perhaps in the moment I was struggling, I always had people to support me and I felt great in the end. One thing you will ALWAYS have at The Island School is support.”
Louisa, CA
Louisa, CA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Interests: Art/drawing, teaching, creative writing, the ocean
“The Island School left me with a greater sense of self and greater confidence in my abilities. I learned to become more aware of the environment around me and how to preserve the places I love most. I also left with a new community (family!) of supporters that will follow me for life.”
Hannelore & Joel, Parent Alumni
Hannelore & Joel, Parent Alumni
Term: Louisa, Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
“Louisa grew in independence and feeling of being able to face challenges. She has always been outgoing and social, and this grew her confidence in being able to enter unfamiliar and challenging situations without knowing anyone.”
South
Sojo, VA
Sojo, VA
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Junior
Hometown: Springfield, VA
Interests: Gardening, baking, exercising, wrestling, softball, reading, art
“When we started AMX at Island School, we all did it together as a team, and everybody stayed together as a group and supported one another. I enjoyed being cheered on by my friends, and I found myself being one of the loudest people cheering on others during the last stretch of the Monster Run-Swim.”
Mountain States
Addie, CO
Addie, CO
Term: Fall 2021
Attended as: Sophomore
Hometown: Denver, CO
Interests: Skiing, music, travel, sustainability, field hockey, nature
“I think that out of everything I took away from my Island School experience, the most important thing is to be where your feet are. It reminds me to appreciate the present moment and all of the unique experiences I’m presented with.”
Devon, ID
Devon, ID
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Hailey, ID
Interests: Hockey, soccer, drawing, journaling, traveling
“As the weeks went on, the less I needed to talk to my parents and the more I began to rely on the people by my side. It became easier to manage difficult times because not only was I strong enough alone to handle them but I had a new family to depend on. One that I built throughout my 100 days.”
Carolan & Chris, Parent Alumni
Carolan & Chris, Parent Alumni
Term: Devon, Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Hailey, ID
“One of the biggest moments of celebration was just listening to her grow each week in our phone calls. There were many calls where we were all crying together about her growth, her ability to articulate her challenges and experience, and her awareness that something significant was happening to her.”
International
Heather, The Bahamas
Heather, The Bahamas
Term: Fall 2021
Attended as: High School Graduate, BESS Programme
Hometown: Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
Interests: SCUBA, snorkeling, reading
“There is absolutely no way that you can finish an Island School Semester and come back the same person as before. You either gain an entirely different and new family and perspective or you leave behind a piece of yourself that was holding you back from greatness. The Island School is a place for growth, development, and togetherness; a place to redefine yourself.”
Isabel, Singapore
Isabel, Singapore
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Senior
Hometown: Singapore
Interests: Sailing, community service, SCUBA, Environmental Club
“The faculty and other students created a safe space where people supported each other in personal growth, and a lot of us were able to discover parts of ourselves and strengths that we had not known before. The Island School pushed me to do things I did not think I would be capable of doing and I felt braver and more confident in myself by the end of the program.”
Kathy, Uganda
Kathy, Uganda
Term: Summer Term 2022
Attended as: Rising Sophomore
Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Interests: Swimming, conservation, spoken word poetry, kayaking, soccer, basketball, watching movies
“Something that surprised me was my drive and resilience to the challenges that came up. I would wake up every morning and do something that I never imagined myself doing in my lifetime.”
“The program exceeded my expectations and Kathy met with amazing students and staff during the program. Everyone was kind and she learned a lot of sustainable ways that she wants us to implement at home. We would like to extend our gratitude to The Island School for giving Kathy this opportunity!”
Katie, Canada
Katie, Canada
Term: Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Interests: Lacrosse, basketball, sailing, reading, spending time with friends and family
“In AMX I learned that I could push myself further than I ever thought possible, and do it with a smile on my face. I chose to complete the run and have never been more proud of myself and my classmates. It is an amazing feeling to be part of a group who are all working towards the same goal, and you get to achieve it together. I think throughout this whole program you are constantly feeling proud of yourself and those around you.”
Karen & Ian, Parent Alumni
Karen & Ian, Parent Alumni
Term: Katie, Spring 2022
Attended as: Junior
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
“Students are placed in Advisories, usually consisting of 4-5 students and a leader. Katie was very well-matched with her Advisor and he became a great friend and supporter. His communication and contact with us were excellent, and during a time when Katie was sick, he responded quickly to all of our questions and concerns. By the end, we felt he truly knew our daughter and it was a great feeling to realize how much the entire Island School team knows and cares for our daughter.”
To get connected with an Admissions Ambassador, fill out the form below and specify the name(s) of the ambassador you would like to speak with. An Ambassador will reach out to you shortly!