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 from all over the United States, the United Kingdom, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Costa Rica. From the moment they arrived, this group has been ready to dive into adventure. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn have already set a positive tone for the semester ahead. 

A Sunrise Snorkel Welcome 

Their first morning on campus began with a cherished Island School tradition: the sunrise wreck snorkel.

Students and faculty gathered bright and early around the flagpole to sing the Bahamian national anthem before heading down to the beach. Students learned to let go and fully embrace their new environment in the best way possible—by rubbing sand on their face and embracing the fun moment with each other.

As the sky lit up with shades of pink and orange, students began wading into the clear blue water, ready to explore. Led by founder Chris Maxey, they spotted the amazing sea creatures that live in the waters surrounding Eleuthera. From starfish to sea cucumbers, it was the perfect introduction for the incredible adventures that await them this semester. 

Kayaking Adventures Begin

By midweek, campus was already buzzing with activities. On Wednesday, half of the students packed up and left for their four-day, 10-mile kayak camping trip. For many, it was their first chance to paddle out and explore the Eleuthera’s waters. Students learned the basics and safety precautions of ocean kayaking and also discovered the importance of teamwork and leadership. Everyone worked together to paddle, set up tents, and prepare meals over an open fire. Each day, different student leaders served as a voice for their peers. 

The trip is a great way to foster resilience, preparing students to enhance their community engagement and personal growth while also setting the stage for the eight-day kayaking adventure that will take place later in the semester. 

Diving into Scuba Week

While half of our students were out kayaking, the others dove into Scuba Week. For our students who are already certified, this was a chance to refresh their skills. For the rest, it was a week to work with Island School instructors to get their open water PADI certification. They began in the pool at the Center for Training and Innovation (CTI) in Rock Sound to develop and build their confidence with basic scuba skills before venturing out to complete four open water dives in the ocean. On top of diving skills, Scuba Week does not only teach students how to dive, but also independence, leadership and  how to be good buddies for each other in open water. 

“My favorite part of scuba week is teaching the kids. So many of them don’t think they can do it or are scared and over the week their confidence grows so much.” -Alex (Sacha) Haysey, Lead Semester Scuba Teacher

Ready to Take on the Semester 

This week, the groups switched—the students who were on kayak worked on their open water certifications, while our newly-certified divers went out on their kayak adventure. By the time academic rotation starts on Monday, our students will be equipped with the skills, strength, and confidence to take on the rest of the semester at The Island School. 

Stay up-to-date with our Fall 2025 Semester and other Island School programs on our Flickr!