As our Fall 2025 students begin to settle into their routine on Eleuthera, they are adjusting to the weather, getting comfortable in their dorms, and beginning to strengthen their sense of community. Meanwhile, the Island School Admissions Team is gearing up in Philadelphia for a busy season ahead.

As the sun starts to set earlier and the days become a bit chillier, the Admissions Team—Anna Becker, Molly Scherner, and I, Tahlia Maron—is packing our bags to hit the road. 

You may be wondering why our team’s automatic replies are on more frequently or why we are rarely in the same place at the same time. The simple answer is that the Semester & Summer Term application for the 2026/2027 school year (Summer Term 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027) opened on September 15th, and we are out on the road spreading the word! 

Let’s rewind a bit to see what led up to this moment. Picture several hours spent in a conference room, our team gathered around, intently discussing how to capture a student’s whole and unique self within one application. This time included workshopping new essay questions, revising recommendation requests, and expanding creative and intentional multimedia prompts. As we always say, the magic of The Island School comes from different perspectives, experiences, locations, and cultures brought by each student group—and crafting a well-rounded application helps to create this magic. 

What Does the Island School Application Entail?

Applicants will be asked to answer three essay questions (with an optional fourth), complete a multimedia submission, and provide two recommendations (one teacher, one personal), as well as a copy of their academic records. We always look forward to the moment we wrap up our travel season and can dive into the creative essay responses that students submit.

Our multimedia submission continues to be a favorite part of the process for our team that reviews applications. Students will create and submit a three-page digital portfolio using Canva. These submissions never cease to amaze us—we’ve seen everything from videos and photos of sign language to cliff jumping, musical performances to wakeboarding, and more! 

Talk to Island School Alumni About Their Experience

This busy yet exciting time doesn’t just involve the Admissions Team or the students who are working diligently on their applications. It’s also a season when our incredible alumni have the opportunity to represent The Island School and share their experiences. Each admissions cycle, students from the previous Fall, Spring, and Summer Term step into the role of Admissions Ambassadors. They accompany us (or even represent us solo!) through presentations at their sending schools, share their adventures on virtual events, and connect with interested students and their families via email, phone, or even in-person. 

While we can’t be in multiple places at once (yes, The Island School has made great strides in sustainability, but self-replication isn’t quite there yet!), we’re grateful to have an even wider network of support. Educators, alumni, families, and both current and former staff members all help spread the word about The Island School—yes, we are currently accepting applications for the 2026/2027 school year, and The Island School should be on your radar! 

Join Us for an Informational Session

Are you interested in learning more about The Island School and our programs? Consider joining us for an in-person or virtual informational session! Can’t make it? No problem—we record our sessions for your convenience. Click here to check out our recent talks.

School Visit Schedule:

New York

Wednesday, November 5th | The Dalton School

Connecticut

• Wednesday, November 19th | Greenwich Country Day School
• Thursday, November 20th | Brunswick School

Massachusetts

• Tuesday, November 4th | Belmont Hill School
• Wednesday, November 5th | Match Charter Public School
• Thursday, November 6th | Noble and Greenough School
• Wednesday, November 12th | Newburyport High School

Colorado

• Thursday, October 30th | Fairview High School
• Thursday, October 30th | Boulder High School

Maryland

• Thursday, November 6th | McDonogh School
• Thursday, November 6th | Gilman School

Oregon

• Monday, November 10th | Catlin Gabel School
• Tuesday, November 11th | Oregon Episcopal School

Washington

• Wednesday, November 12th | Lakeside School
• Thursday, November 13th | University Prep
• Friday, November 14th | The Overlake School

Maine

• Wednesday, November 12th | Cape Elizabeth High School
• Thursday, November 13th | Freeport High School
• Friday, November 14th | Yarmouth High School

New Hampshire

• Wednesday, November 12th | Phillips Exeter Academy
• Tuesday, November 18th | Hanover High School

Florida

Thursday, November 20th | The Pine School

Connect With Us

We’re eager to meet future Island School students and begin shaping the next cohort of young leaders who will land on Eleuthera. We couldn’t wait to share this excitement with all of you! 

If this post gets you excited, and you are now brainstorming the ways that you can get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at admissions@islandschool.org or fill out this form if you’re an alumnus. Also, if you know any interested students who aren’t sure where to begin their application, please direct them to our preliminary form!