Read on for program highlights, scientific discoveries, alumni stories, sustainable living ideas, and more.
In February, Mia Avril (CEI’s Aquaculture manager) and Tereno Johnson (Assistant Research Faculty) attended “Aquaculture America,” a conference organized by the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), in Las Vegas, Nevada. The…
Nicole Craighead S20 returns to campus, called to give back, and recalls the moment she and her Spring 2020 Semester peers learned that COVID-19 would change their experience.
At The Island School, we love welcoming alumni back to work with us. In the last year, former students have returned as interns, mentors, researchers, and educators. In the fall,…
The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) have long considered the importance of sourcing food locally. In fact, food security is one of CEI’s four thematic pillars. Food security…
Written by Samantha Ramirez Ruvalcaba and Izzy Battiston
By Natascha Wosnick, PhD
By Audrey Bartlett
Campus has been quiet since our Fall 2025 Semester students departed last week. While we adjust to their absence here, these young people are readjusting to their lives back home.…
Last Tuesday, November 25, our campus was practically vibrating with the excited energy that was radiating from our Semester and Deep Creek Middle School students as friends, community members, local…
Please join us in celebrating Semester alumna, Heather Brockbank F21, for being selected as the 2025-2026 Bahamas Youth Climate Change Ambassador under the Office of the Prime Minister. Heather joined…
When Ashlee Major first arrived at Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS) to complete her teaching practice, she had no idea that the experience would completely reshape the way she thought…
At the beginning of November, researchers at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) encountered a pod of three orcas (Orcinus orca) or “killer whales” while surveying beaked whales in the Exuma…
By Audrey Bartlett About halfway through the Semester program, Island School students embark on one of the most transformative (and anticipated) parts of the experience: expeditions. During these multi-day trips,…
Each semester, students at The Island School join our researchers at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) to participate in research projects. Our Fall 2025 Semester students have had the opportunity…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These Fall…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These Fall…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These Fall…
Over the past two weeks, students from Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS) were on the Island School campus to complete their first session of School Without Walls. This hands-on, experimental…
Written by Fall 2025 Blue Economy Research Group
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These Fall…
Written by Cael Conroy, Charles Robertson, Dylan McElhinney, Ivan Prempeh, Isla Summerfield, Joseph Salyer, and Nicolas DuPont
Research advisors: Natascha Wosnick, Diana Kemunto, and Noah Sonnenberg
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These Fall…
Written by Kailyn Willa, Paul McCullough, Sid Conrad, Ursula Blyth, Indy Hollibaugh, Bodan Schnitzer
Research Advisors: Silia Woodside & Natalia Hurtado
The Semester has been flying by! Last Tuesday marked us being one-third of the way through the semester, and what a whirlwind it’s been. After tackling a four-day kayak trip…
By Kelly Hilton-Green
Please join us in congratulating Island School Summer Term alumnus, Sammy Basa ST21 for receiving a Projects for Peace Award and a Fulbright Award earlier this year. After graduating from…
By Tahlia Maron, Semester & Summer Term Admissions Associate
Almost 15 years ago, The Island School was introduced to the African Leadership Academy (ALA) located in Johannesburg, South Africa. ALA is a pan-Africa secondary institution designed to educate and…
Written by Silia Woodside, Natalia Hurtado, MSc., & Elizabeth Mao Across the world, the ocean shapes cultures, sustains livelihoods, and provides a home for extraordinary biodiversity. In The Bahamas, we…
The Elementary Learning Center (ELC) at The Island School was buzzing with energy last Monday as we welcomed our students back for their first week of school! Students were beaming…
Last week, campus came alive as we welcomed 55 new students to The Island School for the Fall 2025 Semester. We have an international crew this semester, with students coming…
After more than 25 years, The Island School alumni community has grown into a vibrant network of more than 3,300 individuals from our Semester, Summer Term, and Deep Creek Middle…
Article written by Agusta Halle, Amelia Pratt, Widlene Alexis, and Mia Avril Class is in session, not just for the researchers at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), but for you—yes,…
Leilani Elkaslasy, a Spring 2019 semester alumna, has a vision to harness design for good. As an undergrad student studying engineering at Harvey Mudd College, Leilani founded Adaptive Design at Mudd—or…
At The Island School, we aim to foster the growth and development of young people through experiential, hands-on learning experiences. Our Summer Apprentice Program was designed to provide young individuals…
In a time of growing urgency for ocean health and food security, particularly in island nations, we are excited to share a bold new initiative targeting restoration and resilience for…
By Ellie Ascione
Please join us in congratulating Summer Term 2023 alumna, Layasree (“Laya”) Vemmata Gopi, for winning the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge in the Business Concepts Category for her concept, Cool Equity. …
Article written by Eric Schneider, PhD, Director of Research & Innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. Like many other island nations, The Bahamas is a food-insecure country, growing only 10%…
Last month, we welcomed thirteen high school seniors to the Island School campus as a part of our Senior Research Program—a hands-on, immersive experience in marine science and coral reef…
Jimmy Blaise F23 and Godson Blaise F22 with the Admissions Team from The Island School.
What is it like to send your child to The Island School? Brooke Cheley-Klebe, a Spring 2025 Semester Parent, shares her experience. As parents, we are conditioned to believe that…
On Thursday, May 8th, Island School alumni and friends gathered virtually to share and participate in our 2nd annual Alumni Summit. Speakers represented classes from Spring 2001 to Fall 2024,…
Article and photos by Tamara Dorfer
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
Each semester, Island School students dive into hands-on research alongside scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, contributing to meaningful, place-based studies that explore the unique ecosystems of The Bahamas. These…
As our Spring 2025 Semester students begin the bittersweet countdown to their final days on Eleuthera, they reflect on some of the most profound moments in their experience. Twenty-one days…
After 25 years of The Island School, we reflect on the stories and journeys of alumni who have helped shape our circle. One such journey is that of Connor Boals…
April 1st marks the start of the annual closed season for the Bahamian spiny lobster (otherwise known as crawfish) fishery, which will continue until July 31. This seasonal closure is…
Cape Eleuthera is home to a diverse assortment of sea life, including eagle rays, lemon sharks, loggerhead turtles, and more. Though these charismatic animals are often the ones that draw…
The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is one of the most common shark species found in The Bahamas and plays a crucial role as a top predator in these marine ecosystems. …
As part of the Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS) curriculum, students spend three academic weeks each year fully immersed in the natural environment for a hands-on learning experience in a…
At the Cape Eleuthera Institute, we are devoted to research, education, and conservation. In 2024, we made significant new discoveries, formed collaborations and partnerships; and delivered impactful programming. As we…
Few people realise it, but The Bahamas hosts globally significant research projects on climate change that stretch far beyond our waters. Now, the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) is a part…
Once a semester, The Island School community pauses its usual, separate departmental programming so that all divisions can come together to work on various improvement projects. Across campuses, Semester, Deep…
Photo by Emma Finkelstein F24
The Bahamas, like the rest of the Caribbean region, faces a challenge in achieving food security, with over 90% of its food supply imported annually. The term food security refers…
In 2024, The Island School celebrated its 25th anniversary. Last month, to honor this incredible milestone, we welcomed our community to Eleuthera for an unforgettable celebration. The event brought together…
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Island School, we also want to celebrate the community, people, resiliency, and culture that have defined our journey. Last year, a Spring…
Imagine a world where protecting marine life also leads to better catches for fishermen. That’s the goal of a new research project at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), where scientists…
Scuba diving. Snorkeling in mangroves. Fishing for conch. Being immersed in the environment. These experiences–special moments where exploration is embraced as part of learning–are all part of what makes School…
Last week, the Cape Eleuthera Institute’s Aquaculture Manager, Mia Avril, and Junior Coral Researcher, Silia Woodside, had the opportunity to attend the LACQUA 24 conference in Medellin, Colombia, through sponsorship…
By Natascha Wosnick Since moving to The Bahamas, I’ve been struck by the number of Bahamians who either dislike or fear sharks—a sentiment that tourists and many expatriates here are…
Fall 2024 Student Arrival
The Island School Educators Conference started in 1998 with the mission of sharing and imagining how The Island School can impact all who come to work and live with us. …
Island School Fall 2016 alum, Garrett Pilgrim, reflects on his experience as a student and how it set him on his path to researching the mindful properties of surfing.
Dr. Nick Higgs, CEI Director, attended the 29th Assembly of the International Seabed Assembly (ISA) in Jamaica to discuss deep sea protection.
The Season of New Scuba Divers and Coral Babies Coral reefs worldwide have endured many threats leading to their rapid decline, impacting local economies, food supply, and coastal resiliency. To…
Our Aquaculture Manager, Mia Avril, just returned from a trip to the Grand Bahama Queen Conch Mariculture Centre, which is located at the Blue Action Lab, based at Coral Vita…
At The Island School, we believe in fostering the growth and development of young minds through comprehensive educational programs that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Our Apprentice Program is a…
This summer, we’re excited to welcome back an incredible group of Island School alumni who have dove into their new roles head first, wanting to give back to the community…
In the last few decades, the Bahamian stone crab fishery has grown into an emerging commercial fishery. With exports of stone crabs claws valued over an estimated $3 million, it is now…
Earlier this spring, Max Bolen ST22, conducted exciting research on marine bioacoustics as part of his high school senior project. Max spent three weeks this spring learning about bioacoustics and…
Last spring, a group of students from Pingry School in New Jersey, led by two Island School alumni, Mark Mason, Jr. (F22) and Brennan McVey (F21), asked a simple question:…
We were thrilled to welcome a cohort of education majors to our campus recently as a part of our partnership with the University of The Bahamas. Twelve student teachers and…
A reef in South Eleuthera during the bleaching event, showing some corals bleached while some resilient corals retain traces of their color.
Last month, Island School alumni gathered virtually to share and participate in our inaugural Alumni Summit. Speakers represented classes from Fall 1999 to Spring 2023, with alumni, former faculty and…
Our team of coral researchers at The Island School’s Cape Eleuthera Institute just released their coral spawning predictions for 2024!
Food waste is a major issue, so how can we help limit what goes unused? Composting not only allows us to repurpose uneaten food and byproducts, but it also helps us create rich soil for growing our own produce. Learn about composting and how you can get started.
A team of scientists from the Cape Eleuthera Institute, Stony Brook University, and OceanX discover a new species of deep-sea isopod during a research mission in The Bahamas.
We are thrilled to announce Lee Taylor F99 as the 2024 Founders Alumni Award recipient for The Island School. Lee joined us as a Semester student during The Island School’s…
Friendship can be found in the most unlikely places. One of the treasures of The Island School is the way in which students from all different backgrounds come together and…
Students in The Island School Semester participate in a research class, assisting our professional Research Staff with ongoing projects and data collection for a term. Each research class published a…
Ground-breaking research on the stone crab fishery in The Bahamas has identified an alternative method for claw removal that increases the chances of stone crab survival by nearly 30% once…
June marks the official start of hurricane season in the tropical North Atlantic and hurricane forecasters are predicting above-average activity in the North Atlantic Basin this year. Current predictions call…
There are many opportunities that set an Island School Semester apart from a traditional school, but one of the most remarkable things is the real-world research students conduct alongside our team of research scientists through the Cape Eleuthera Institute.
Earlier this month, South Eleuthera experienced a large amount of rain in a short period of time. We’re grateful to break the dry season and begin to receive more rain,…
The start of summer is an exciting time for bees. During this time, hives with surplus populations begin swarming. This is when large groups of bees leave their home hive…
With challenges in the global supply chain, local food sovereignty and security has been at the fore of national conversation in The Bahamas. This month, members from Cape Eleuthera Institute…
For the second year in a row, we saw one of our ELC students matriculate to the Deep Creek Middle School. It’s exciting to see the learning progression offered at The Island School extending into the elementary years and shaping the way in which we can engage with the environment, develop lifelong skills and tackle real world problems at all stages of the journey.
Stone crabs are found throughout the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic and are the target of a claw only fishery. Some of the largest stone crab claws come out of…
What is Fast Fashion? Every year, we as a global society produce 92 million tons of clothing-related waste. This is enough discarded clothing to fill one garbage truck every second. …
We are thrilled by the growth–and more importantly the outcomes–we’ve seen in our Deep Creek Middle School students since its inception, and eager to celebrate this impressive 20-year milestone with our many alumni, friends, and supporters over the years.
Island School Semester Alumna, Jessie Gray’s, love for the ocean runs deep. As a child, she grew up lobstering with her grandfather off the coast of Maine. Today she is…